FLARES - Beware...

cannit · Post by **cannit** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 4:57 pm

Had this notice come through, cant say my direct source as could get in trouble but Police etc involved...

ATTENTION DRIVERS OF IMPORTED VEHICLES

Information has been recieved that Japanese vehicles, usually people carrier size and above, are required to carry a flare to be used in an emergency situation. THESE SHOULD BE REMOVED ON ENTRY TO UK, however many are not and remain in the vehicle, unknown to the new vehicle owners.

THESE FLARES ARE A CLASS 1 EXPLOSIVE AND IT IS ILLEGAL TO POSSESS ONE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FULL EXPLOSIVE LICENCE TO POSSESS ONE.

If you have one in your vehicle they are to be disposed of by Explosive licensed personnel.

(They have the same potential as a bullet....)

Ok so we found one in a vehicle at work, i got excited, thought cool i'll have that for mine but word got round and before i knew it the police had been notified and next day at 2pm an Explosives officer came out and removed it from the premises and while we waited for him to turn up it had to be kept in a metal drum in sand...

I mean to me, it seems way way way over the top as they are factory fitted items in Japan and also used in america.. The Army also use them, however they do have a shelf life and the internals of the flame do deteriorate and break up over time causing them to become potentially volatile.. It has also been suggested to me of there danger in an accident or if they get into the wrong hands, i.e... Children, people not having a clue what it is, setting it off and then having a burning beakon for over an hour they dont know what to do with, also they can be used in police chases by thieves to try and get police to back off in a chase / thrown at police vehicles.....

I will be passing this notice around forums and i urge you to do it too if you are members of other forums as at least we can make everyone aware of it as some of us may be affected by it and knowing the Police, the first time you may hear about it is when you are being fined for having one....

DR GREENTHUMB · Post by **DR GREENTHUMB** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:26 pm

Is this a wind up ???? as i pasted it on another forum & got the pi55 ripped out of me. Was i being blonde again

Cheers. Matt

cannit · Post by **cannit** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:16 pm

No mate, similar reception on a couple of other forums but its defo not a wind up.. Our local traffic cops are now aware of it too, Suffolk and Norfolk

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:28 pm

when i saw 'flares - beware' i thought you meant they came back into style

but in all seriousness, yes they are definatley classed as an illegal firearm

RX7 · Post by **RX7** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:35 pm

Bizarre mate, will have to take mine out of the car. Em will be pleased as she keeps banging her leg on it lol.

Wonder if I should use it then to get rid ?!!!? Is an 18 year old flare likely to still be ok ?!!!!?

Andy916 · Post by **Andy916** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:10 pm

When I did sub-aqua diving and boating we used up our out of date flares on Nov 5th!

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:11 pm

i wouldn't chance it Gareth, it may just go bang in your hand

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:58 pm

Daniel wrote:when i saw 'flares - beware' i thought you meant they came back into style

but in all seriousness, yes they are definatley classed as an illegal firearm

With respect, Daniel is right, they are illegal, but an explosive as opposed to a firearm.
Bearing in mind that the chemical within the flare react with oxygen and burn at up to 1500 degrees until either the material is burnt up, or the oxygen source is removed, why the hell would anyone want one in a car?
In the right hands in then right conditions they are safe, not really what I'd want anywhere near my loved ones though.
Handy for car-jackers I 'spose:willy_nilly:

Andy916 · Post by **Andy916** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:50 am

Umm yes, why are these fitted to JDM cars in the first place...?

ScoobieWRX · Post by **ScoobieWRX** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:22 am

Andy916 wrote:Umm yes, why are these fitted to JDM cars in the first place...?

Jap version of the sparklers we use on bonfire night only they last a bit longer and they can celebrate any time they like:sifone: