Drivers are allowed to flash their headlights to warn approaching drivers about a speed trap ahead, a state appeals court has ruled. A two-judge panel of the Appellate Division of State Superior Court ruled Thursday that Susan R. Luptak of Jackson, NJ violated no state laws when she flashed her high beams twice to warn an oncoming car on Perrineville Road in Monroe Township, NJ in October 1997.

The driver Ms. Luptak was trying to help turned out to be a police officer in an unmarked car. He pulled her over and issued her summonses for misuse of headlights and driving with a suspended license.

Ms. Luptak, found guilty in Monroe Municipal Court, appealed in State Superior Court in New Brunswick. That court threw out the headlight conviction but allowed the other charge to stand.

The appellate court said, however, that Ms. Luptak did not violate the law on misuse of headlights, which deals only with factors like how far high beams must project. The court also dismissed the charge of driving with a suspended license, saying the officer had no grounds to pull over Ms. Luptak.

Police in Madison, Wisconsin threaten to arrest a man for holding a cardboard sign warning of an upcoming speed trap.

Police in Madison, Wisconsin threatened jail time to a good samaritan who warned fellow motorists of an upcoming speed trap on Tuesday. Fred Zahn, who owns Renu Auto Body, stood on the sidewalk of Fish Hatchery Road with a handmade cardboard sign reading, “Speed Trap Ahead.” Police intervened as soon as they found themselves unable to issue citations, claiming Zahn could not exercise free speech on “city property.” Officials said that he could be charged with obstructing a police officer.

“You should have seen how people slowed down when they saw my sign,” Zahn told the Wisconsin State Journal. “(The police) say they’re out to slow people down, but you can’t tell me it’s not about the money.”