Last week I went to visit my brother. After taking him and the sproglets to Chuck E. Cheese, I dropped him off, and as we were headed home I was flashed at, twice. It was broad daylight, so I wasn’t flashed at because I had my high beams on. Two other drivers gave me a nice little head’s up. I’m glad they did, too, because I was speeding — it wasn’t my intention to speed, but the road I was on was on a steep incline, and I was heading down it. The hiding cop didn’t seem to care, though, since he picked a spot where he could easily nab people. Fortunately for me, I wasn’t one of them! ;)
Dan brought up an interesting point when I told him later how two other drivers saved my ass (and how I in turn “paid it forward” by warning the next group of drivers that approached). I forget how he said it, but basically I should keep in mind that the drivers probably didn’t warn me to help me out, but as a way of getting back at “the man”. That is entirely possible, but either way I benefited, so I’m not complaining. And in my case of warning others, I was just going a good deed. Although you could say that my intention was also to thwart “the man” and his plans. 
I do understand Dan’s point. I can’t think of any specific examples, but there have been situations where someone does the “right” thing, or does something that is good or beneficial, but for the wrong reason. Doing it for the wrong reason doesn’t detract from the end result, though it can be a bit disheartening, I suppose. Kind of like the people who snap up all of those reusable tote bags that every store on the planet seems to be selling. But not because they want to do their part in helping the environment. They buy them because they want to be seen as “green”, meanwhile they’re following a trend that probably wouldn’t think too much of their gas guzzling vehicle and inefficient lifestyle routines.
The things I think about when I’m driving and zoning out… I should really bring along a little audio recorder of sorts, so I can record my thoughts while they’re still “fresh”. That would be much easier than sitting here hours later trying to recall what I was thinking about and how exactly my thought process progressed!
People do that ‘flash the lights for radars’ here too. I know it’s supposed to stop accidents, but they do always seem to choose a spot where people will be accidentally going over the speed limit (like hills, just after a speed limit change). I’m still cranky for getting a speeding fine after I accidentally did 60 in a 50 zone… there was no sign so I just assumed that it was 60. So annoying! It’s freaking expensive too.
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People warn others here as well. I never thought about it as people helping others for the wrong reason, but what Dan said does make sense. Either way, if it keeps me out of getting a ticket, I’m happy!
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I totally understand what you’re saying. We’re all guilty of doing the “right” thing sometimes, even though it overall isn’t the “right” thing, but we’re just trying to help!
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I never thought of Dan’s point before. Whenever I warn other cars it’s to help them out.
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In this case, I think Dan’s wrong. Or maybe it’s a little of both, especially since waiting for speeders at the bottom of a hill is pretty crappy. It’s us versus them and it’s like, “You’re one of us, don’t let one of them get you.”
I’m not sure I would have realized why the two drivers flashed their lights if I were in your position. I would have thought they were just being rude! haha.
In Sweden they don’t sell the reusable bags… instead they make you pay for the plastic bags that you use. You grab your plastic bags and put it with your groceries / items so that they can scan them, and then you have to bag your own things. Needless to say, I have been saving plastic bags and bringing them with me to the store so I don’t have to pay! Kind of an interesting way to force people to stay green. And not that you wanted to know any of this, and not like this pertains to your post, but I just felt like sharing :).
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