Warning drivers cost him $138—now he’s fighting back
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In a world where looking out for your neighbor is often praised, one man's good deed landed him in unexpected trouble.
A resident tried to alert drivers to a nearby speed trap, only to be handed a hefty $138 fine.
His story has sparked debate about free speech, public safety, and the fine line between helping and breaking the law.
Gehlke spotted the speed trap and quickly fashioned a makeshift sign using the back of a plastic lid.
His handwritten message was clear and direct: "Cops ahead! Stop at sign and light!"
His goal? Simply to alert drivers to slow down and avoid a potential ticket.
But only five minutes after holding up the sign, Gehlke was approached by Officer Elliott from the Seattle Police Department.
Their interaction, captured on video and later posted to YouTube, shows Officer Elliott informing Gehlke that his actions violated city code 11.50.560, a law prohibiting unauthorized traffic-related signs or devices.
According to Seattle police, the ordinance bans signs containing specific words like "stop," "danger," "slow," and others, which could cause confusion for drivers.
Read also: The two mistakes that could cost you even if police only give a warning
The intent of the law, they explained, is to prevent unauthorized signage that could compromise road safety.
But Gehlke disagrees with how the law was applied. Speaking to KOMO-TV, he argued that the ordinance was meant for permanent traffic signs, not for impromptu, temporary messages like his.
"I wasn't trying to bother the cops," he said. "The idea was to get people to look and say, 'Oh, there are cops. Maybe I should slow down.'"
Gehlke also questioned whether there might be a double standard at play.
Would a protester holding a "Stop police brutality" sign also face a fine under this rule? Or what about suburban families posting "Slow, children at play" signs in their neighborhoods?
His experience has sparked a larger conversation about how cities balance public safety, free speech, and civic engagement—especially when the intent is to protect or inform fellow citizens.
Unwilling to simply pay the fine and move on, Gehlke plans to appeal the ticket.
While Gehlke’s situation unfolded in Seattle, the broader message applies everywhere: Know your local traffic laws. Even seemingly innocent acts can sometimes run afoul of city ordinances.
It's a reminder that good intentions don't always shield you from legal trouble.
Read next: The two mistakes that could cost you even if police only give a warning
Have you ever gotten fined for trying to help others on the road? How do you think cities should balance free speech with public safety regulations? Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
A resident tried to alert drivers to a nearby speed trap, only to be handed a hefty $138 fine.
His story has sparked debate about free speech, public safety, and the fine line between helping and breaking the law.
Gehlke spotted the speed trap and quickly fashioned a makeshift sign using the back of a plastic lid.
His handwritten message was clear and direct: "Cops ahead! Stop at sign and light!"
His goal? Simply to alert drivers to slow down and avoid a potential ticket.
Fined $138 after holding a homemade sign warning drivers about a Seattle speed trap. Image source: Denny Müller / Unsplash
But only five minutes after holding up the sign, Gehlke was approached by Officer Elliott from the Seattle Police Department.
Their interaction, captured on video and later posted to YouTube, shows Officer Elliott informing Gehlke that his actions violated city code 11.50.560, a law prohibiting unauthorized traffic-related signs or devices.
According to Seattle police, the ordinance bans signs containing specific words like "stop," "danger," "slow," and others, which could cause confusion for drivers.
Read also: The two mistakes that could cost you even if police only give a warning
The intent of the law, they explained, is to prevent unauthorized signage that could compromise road safety.
But Gehlke disagrees with how the law was applied. Speaking to KOMO-TV, he argued that the ordinance was meant for permanent traffic signs, not for impromptu, temporary messages like his.
"I wasn't trying to bother the cops," he said. "The idea was to get people to look and say, 'Oh, there are cops. Maybe I should slow down.'"
Gehlke also questioned whether there might be a double standard at play.
Would a protester holding a "Stop police brutality" sign also face a fine under this rule? Or what about suburban families posting "Slow, children at play" signs in their neighborhoods?
His experience has sparked a larger conversation about how cities balance public safety, free speech, and civic engagement—especially when the intent is to protect or inform fellow citizens.
Unwilling to simply pay the fine and move on, Gehlke plans to appeal the ticket.
While Gehlke’s situation unfolded in Seattle, the broader message applies everywhere: Know your local traffic laws. Even seemingly innocent acts can sometimes run afoul of city ordinances.
It's a reminder that good intentions don't always shield you from legal trouble.
Read next: The two mistakes that could cost you even if police only give a warning
