TWEEDS HEAD, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- A Florida judge in a ruling recently stated that it was a constitutional right in the United States for a motorist to flash their lights to coming drivers alerting them a radar police presence.

A car flashing its lights to warn other motorists of police ahead

The Sydney Morning Herald article explained that The Orlando Sentinel had reported on 25-year-old Ryan Kintner of Lake Mary, Florida, who challenged a fine he received from an officer who saw him flashing his lights at oncoming motorists.

Kintner’s lawyer, J. Marcus Jones, claims his client took the case to court because he felt his human rights had been imposed upon.

“He felt the police specifically went out of their way to silence Mr. Kintner and that it was clearly a violation of his First Amendment free speech rights,” Jones is quoted as saying. Jones is also involved in a similar suit against the state’s highway patrol. (

An American speed cop in action

New South Wales (Australia) police media, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, say that while there’s no specific law against flashing your lights to warn other motorists, doing so may still result in a fine and demerit points.

The official term for the offence is “Use high-beam on oncoming vehicle less than 200 meters”, and the penalty is an $88 fine and one demerit point. There’s another law that also covers flashing your headlights “not as prescribed” which could also cost you $88 but no points. In Victoria, the law is the same – you’re not permitted to use high-beam within 200 meters of oncoming traffic, but there’s no specific rule surrounding warning other drivers of police presence.

Parallels in Christian evangelism

There are so many parallels with this story with that of Christian evangelism in so many parts of the world.

The very nature of “flashing your lights” to alert oncoming drivers of a radar trap ahead of them, is indisputably of like manner to that of an evangelist warning his hearers of the terrible dangers ahead of them - without repentance. Then comes the rejoicing in the Salvation of Jesus Christ by his death on the Cross for their sin, and His resurrection as assurance of life eternal.

Another way of warning other motorists

Yet, in so many parts of the world, this very act of “warning of such dangers ahead” is not only restricted and banned but can land the evangelist in prison or to death.

An associate, and friend of mine, Dan Wooding, developed the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net) many years ago to bring “light” to the persecuted church around the world. He has a team of international journalists who report on such activities and he distributes them free of charge to some 2,600 media around the world and also to anyone who would like to keep informed about this vital topic. If you would like a free subscription just send Dan an e-mail at assistnews@aol.com with your name and the country you are living in, and he’ll be glad to add you.

Dan Wooding’s web site – www.assistnews.net -- documents and details case-after-case, state-after-state, country-after-country, featuring real-life stories in real-time of some of the most horrible situations where ordinary Christian people, church workers, missionaries and pastors are handed out such terrible injustice in countries like China, Cuba, Pakistan and Egypt, to name just a few.

And what is their crime?

The philosophical flashing of lights, warning their hearers of the destiny ahead without the saving love of Jesus Christ.

If there is ever a time for prayer, now is that time. I advises people to go to Dan Wooding's web site (www.assistnews.net) and read these daily news releases of such horrific and unjust responses to that of these “flashing of lights”.

Dan Wooding with Mark Tronson

Dr. Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognized by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Mark Tronson’s archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html