Is it illegal to flash your lights to warn of police in Kentucky? What state law says
You’re driving around a bend in a Kentucky road when you pass a police cruiser parked on the shoulder — a speed trap.
Oncoming traffic seems oblivious. So as a courtesy, you quickly flash your high beams on then off, and see the other drivers hit their brakes as they pass by. You might even catch one giving you a friendly wave, grateful you’ve just saved them from a ticket.
That’s when you notice flashing blue lights at your rearview mirror, and the peal of a siren screaming at you to pull over. Is this scenario realistic or even possible under Kentucky law? Outside of a few exceptions, drivers generally aren’t permitted to use flashing lights on their vehicles in Kentucky.
If you’re in the habit of flashing your lights at other drivers to warn of a police presence, and wonder whether it’s worth the risk of a ticket, here’s what Kentucky law has to say on the topic.
Can you get a ticket in KY for flashing your lights to warn of police?
It’s a tricky question to answer given Kentucky law is somewhat ambiguous on the topic. The Herald-Leader reached out to Kentucky State Police about this question, but didn’t receive an answer.
While there doesn’t seem to be a Kentucky law that explicitly prohibits flashing your lights to warn of police speed traps, state law generally bans flashing lights on vehicles, though there are a few exceptions.
Kentucky Revised Statutes, 189.040 lays out the rules for headlamps and flashing lights. Specifically, it states flashing lights are prohibited on all motor vehicles, with the following two exceptions:
As a means for indicating a right or left turn
For the purpose of warning operators of other vehicles of a vehicular traffic hazard that requires “the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing.”
Those are the only two exceptions, and the law does not describe flashing your high-beams to signal to other drivers as a legal use of your headlights.
On the contrary, that same statute establishes “whenever the operator of a motor vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, he shall use a distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver.”
Under Kentucky’s point system, the accumulation of 12 points can lead to the suspension of your driving privileges, and failing to dim your lights is a three-point penalty. Likewise, failing to illuminate your headlights altogether is worth three points toward your license.
Kentucky law also states violations of KRS 189.040 are subject fines between $20 and $100 for each offense.
So, under Kentucky law, could a police officer pull you over and write you a ticket for flashing your lights to warn other drivers of their speed trap? It’s certainly possible, given Kentucky drivers are only justified in flashing their lights to signal turns or to warn of traffic hazards.
Do you have a question about Kentucky law for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.