taters Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 maybe someone can help me out. i have been riding for 18 months. on 3 ocassions i motorcyclest coming toward me on a 2 lane h'way kept tapping his helmet, what does this mean? thanks in advance Link to comment
NEOHMark Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 As far as I know - it means a traffic cop is laying in wait for a speed trap..... Link to comment
RichM Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Twist right wrist in opposite direction. Link to comment
HoosierStu Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Tapping the top of the helmet is also a way to tell someone that their headlight is out. I didn't know about the LEO thing. I will be sure to remember it. Link to comment
Jim Moore Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 You will also see someone pump his left hand up and down with his palm down. When you see it, it is an obvious "slow down" gesture. Link to comment
BFish Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 my "moto-mentors" said cop ahead, tap your head! Link to comment
DiggerJim Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 my "moto-mentors" said cop ahead, tap your head! There are jurisdictions (CT used to be one) where this is illegal -- e.g. you are not allowed to warn other drivers of police in the vicinity and one who sees you engaged in flashing your lights (cars usually) or hand signalling may pull you over and cite you for the offense. Jim Link to comment
gottago Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 gotta go pee oh yeah also there might be a policemen up ahead. Link to comment
upflying Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 my "moto-mentors" said cop ahead, tap your head! There are jurisdictions (CT used to be one) where this is illegal -- e.g. you are not allowed to warn other drivers of police in the vicinity and one who sees you engaged in flashing your lights (cars usually) or hand signalling may pull you over and cite you for the offense. Jim Whoa, just a minute. I am no fan of the ACLU but if a LEO cited me for a hand gesture which could be interpreted as a warning for "cop ahead", I would be knocking on their door. First amendment anyone? Link to comment
ShovelStrokeEd Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 And beat the case in a heartbeat by telling the judge, "I was just scratching my head". Link to comment
flat_twin Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Is your headlight on high beam when you get the "head tapping" gesture? I use the same gesture to tell the rider behind me to dim their lights when it gets late in the evening and the high beam is too bright. Slow down for whatever reason is usually the palm down "whoa" gesture. Link to comment
Joel Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 motorcyclest coming toward me on a 2 lane h'way kept tapping his helmet, what does this mean? If he 's rubbing his belly with his other hand, he's just showing off. Link to comment
AdventurePoser Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 motorcyclest coming toward me on a 2 lane h'way kept tapping his helmet, what does this mean? If he 's rubbing his belly with his other hand, he's just showing off. Link to comment
Mark_Turner Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 This is what I understood about the hand signal, cop ahead!! Signaling other drivers by hand gesture or flashing your lights warning other drivers could get you a ticket in some jurisdictions based on the ' Obstruction of Law enforcement ' but I've only heard this actually happen a coupled of times and never heard what a court outcome was. Link to comment
Carnadero Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Signaling other drivers by hand gesture or flashing your lights warning other drivers could get you a ticket in some jurisdictions based on the ' Obstruction of Law enforcement ' but I've only heard this actually happen a coupled of times and never heard what a court outcome was. You misspelled "Revenue Collection". Link to comment
upflying Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Here is another example of the same theme. This is completely lawful IMO and protected by free speech. A police officer had a perfect hiding place for watching for speeders. But one day, everyone was under the speed limit, the officer found the problem: a 10 year old boy was standing on the side of the road with a huge hand painted sign which said "RADAR TRAP AHEAD." A little more investigative work led the officer to the boy's accomplice, another boy about 100 yards beyond the radar trap with a sign reading "TIPS" and a bucket at his feet, full of change. Link to comment
David Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 This is what I understood about the hand signal, cop ahead!! Signaling other drivers by hand gesture or flashing your lights warning other drivers could get you a ticket in some jurisdictions based on the ' Obstruction of Law enforcement ' but I've only heard this actually happen a coupled of times and never heard what a court outcome was. This happened a few miles from my home, based on a TN law, but was overturned in court. Link to comment
NEOHMark Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Here is another example of the same theme. This is completely lawful IMO and protected by free speech. A police officer had a perfect hiding place for watching for speeders. But one day, everyone was under the speed limit, the officer found the problem: a 10 year old boy was standing on the side of the road with a huge hand painted sign which said "RADAR TRAP AHEAD." A little more investigative work led the officer to the boy's accomplice, another boy about 100 yards beyond the radar trap with a sign reading "TIPS" and a bucket at his feet, full of change. This sounds like urban legend/snopes material - but I LOVE it! Link to comment
Mark_Turner Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 That was great!!! Good to see some humor on here!! Link to comment
taters Posted August 24, 2006 Author Share Posted August 24, 2006 court has ruled that a man on a cb warning others of a speed trap was exercising freedom of speech Link to comment
HoosierStu Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 court has ruled that a man on a cb warning others of a speed trap was exercising freedom of speech Yes, I was going to say this too. The Court decided this last year after a guy got a ticket from a LEO for warning on coming motorists of a radar trap ahead. The Court overturned his ticket and said that he had the first amendemant right to do as he did. Link to comment
duckbubbles Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 I haven't seen the helmet tap around here. Everybody does the lights flash for many reasons. Just a month or so ago, met a car flashing it's lights, on a rural road where I've seem cops before. Turned out there was a longhorn bull meandering on the road about a half mile ahead. He didn't seem happy to see me. Not something you want to tangle with on a bike! I turned around and found a different route. Frank Link to comment
Stir Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 my "moto-mentors" said cop ahead, tap your head! There are jurisdictions (CT used to be one) where this is illegal -- e.g. you are not allowed to warn other drivers of police in the vicinity and one who sees you engaged in flashing your lights (cars usually) or hand signalling may pull you over and cite you for the offense. Jim This is true, but if pulled for such an offense on a bike, tell the officer you were opening your helmet vents. :-) Link to comment
PatML Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Tap on the head? At last! The cure for water on the brain that I've been waiting for. Link to comment
Macamoose Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Thats a taunting you silly English Knnniggit! Thaddeus Link to comment
motorman587 Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Isn't traffic enforcement too slow traffic down. So if others are doing the job for you, tapping helmets, flashing headlights, talking on the cb, whats the big deal. They are doing my job. Link to comment
WayneM Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Isn't traffic enforcement too slow traffic down. So if others are doing the job for you, tapping helmets, flashing headlights, talking on the cb, whats the big deal. They are doing my job. I don't think enforcement is always about slowing down traffic, nor that traffic is always moving too fast..... We all know that there are many conditions where driving a little over the speed limit (i.e. - empty road; optimal road conditions; etc.) where driving a little over the limit is perfectly 'safe'. Why is it though that law enforcement seems to seek out just these places as 'easy-picking' spots to nab those who do, rather than seek out more congested areas where the driving is truly more dangerous, and examples of dangerous (non-speeding) infractions are quite common? Wayne Link to comment
Stir Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Isn't traffic enforcement too slow traffic down. So if others are doing the job for you, tapping helmets, flashing headlights, talking on the cb, whats the big deal. They are doing my job. I don't think enforcement is always about slowing down traffic, nor that traffic is always moving too fast..... We all know that there are many conditions where driving a little over the speed limit (i.e. - empty road; optimal road conditions; etc.) where driving a little over the limit is perfectly 'safe'. Why is it though that law enforcement seems to seek out just these places as 'easy-picking' spots to nab those who do, rather than seek out more congested areas where the driving is truly more dangerous, and examples of dangerous (non-speeding) infractions are quite common? Wayne LOL. Don't take the bait John! Wayne, just as in all professions, you see a variety of personalities. John is the good cop... :-) He just stated his opinion that he did not have a problem with the behavior even though it is against the law in places. M Link to comment
motorman587 Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Isn't traffic enforcement too slow traffic down. So if others are doing the job for you, tapping helmets, flashing headlights, talking on the cb, whats the big deal. They are doing my job. I don't think enforcement is always about slowing down traffic, nor that traffic is always moving too fast..... We all know that there are many conditions where driving a little over the speed limit (i.e. - empty road; optimal road conditions; etc.) where driving a little over the limit is perfectly 'safe'. Why is it though that law enforcement seems to seek out just these places as 'easy-picking' spots to nab those who do, rather than seek out more congested areas where the driving is truly more dangerous, and examples of dangerous (non-speeding) infractions are quite common? Wayne I guess it depends in what part or what city or area you live in. Our traffic units every wins first place for traffic enforcement, which does not include just nabbing speeders. We educate the public. Here is our link to our department web site. http://www.talgov.com/tpd/traffic.cfm Last week we did numerous Safety/DUI checkpoints. I understand you point. Link to comment
philbytx Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Now THIS is true!! If you are heading west on I40 just as you start through Oklahoma and are on the Indian Turnpike. If you take the 69 south exit to cut through to Texas, there is a lovely sweeper after the bridge over the expressway.....parked off on the right on private land is a semi-trailer with a huge sign on it saying "Speed Trap Ahead"!!! Yup!..and there sure was Link to comment
WestWind Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Okay, I can't say I've seen a 'helmet tap' around here. A flash of the headlight is used to advise traffic to "slow down - be alert" but could be for any number of reasons (wildlife on road, accident ahead, speed trap, etc,). If I saw a rider signal me by tapping their helmet, I would wonder what they were trying to say? "use your head"; "watch out bugs ahead"; "wake up!"; "help me get this bee out of my helmet!". Link to comment
KMG_365 Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Thats a taunting you silly English Knnniggit! Thaddeus ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!! If I saw a rider signal me by tapping their helmet, I would wonder what they were trying to say? "use your head"; "watch out bugs ahead"; "wake up!"; "help me get this bee out of my helmet!". Who knows? Maybe the rider was just "gettin' jiggy wit' it!!" Link to comment
Mr. Frank Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I've been told that the gesture is a reference to a policeman's hat. Link to comment
AdventurePoser Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Okay, I can't say I've seen a 'helmet tap' around here. A flash of the headlight is used to advise traffic to "slow down - be alert" but could be for any number of reasons (wildlife on road, accident ahead, speed trap, etc,). If I saw a rider signal me by tapping their helmet, I would wonder what they were trying to say? "use your head"; "watch out bugs ahead"; "wake up!"; "help me get this bee out of my helmet!". Ah, you silly Canadians, what with your roadside cameras... Steve in So Cal Link to comment
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