Police treatment of driver after accident - Survey
I am interested to know if anyone on the board has experience of being treated 'unthoughtfully' by the police after being involved in an accident.
About 2 yrs ago I managed (much to the enjoyment of my colleagues
) to overturn my Legacy Turbo about 150 yds from my work. The accident ocurred just before 9.00 and after bringing along every public service and his dog for an event where nothing was damaged except 1 car and one hedge they eventually let me go at about 10.30. After 1 & 1/2 hours stood about feeling a bit shaken but completly undamaged (praise God) except for 2x 5 mm diameter grazes on right knee and right elbow. I didn't think about it at the time but I can't believe they didn't let me go and sit in the canteen at work. - I would still have been available to answer any questions had they come up with anything to ask!!!!!!!!!
Another event ocurred just down the road. A child stepped out in the road and was knocked down by a car. The driver was not allowed by the police to leave the scene until at least 2 & 1/2 hours later. The driver was sat against a wall with a friend who came for company. The police came knocking to ask if we had seen anything of the incident. My wife asked why on earth the driver was still on the scene. The officer was a bit flustered and tried to make excuses about the ambulance being late but it was obvious he did not feel comfortable trying to explain it.
Are these 2 rare incidents - or is it a common police practise to 'punish' drivers in cases like these?
Mick
[This message has been edited by Mick (edited 15 October 2000).]
About 2 yrs ago I managed (much to the enjoyment of my colleagues
) to overturn my Legacy Turbo about 150 yds from my work. The accident ocurred just before 9.00 and after bringing along every public service and his dog for an event where nothing was damaged except 1 car and one hedge they eventually let me go at about 10.30. After 1 & 1/2 hours stood about feeling a bit shaken but completly undamaged (praise God) except for 2x 5 mm diameter grazes on right knee and right elbow. I didn't think about it at the time but I can't believe they didn't let me go and sit in the canteen at work. - I would still have been available to answer any questions had they come up with anything to ask!!!!!!!!!Another event ocurred just down the road. A child stepped out in the road and was knocked down by a car. The driver was not allowed by the police to leave the scene until at least 2 & 1/2 hours later. The driver was sat against a wall with a friend who came for company. The police came knocking to ask if we had seen anything of the incident. My wife asked why on earth the driver was still on the scene. The officer was a bit flustered and tried to make excuses about the ambulance being late but it was obvious he did not feel comfortable trying to explain it.
Are these 2 rare incidents - or is it a common police practise to 'punish' drivers in cases like these?
Mick
[This message has been edited by Mick (edited 15 October 2000).]
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Peoples experiences will differ greatly so remember that one isolated incident cannot be taken as the norm. Not that I'm sticking up for anyone....
Not long after I'd passed my test (aged 17) I ran over a woman who literally walked out in front of my car. Impact speed was about 45mph so it was quite a big hit. My friend and I were ok but I was very shocked i.e. shaking etc. I remember the paramedics remarking that both of her legs were broken
. My car was heavily damaged, but still driveable.
The windscreen was 'bowing' into the interior of the car. I could hardly see anything through it as it was severly cracked, but it was still intact. After giving me a breath test, the policeman suggested that I drive home (about 6 miles)even though I was severely shaken. I drove home with my head out of the driver door window at 2am. Maybe a lift would have been in order and my car being towed?
It's possible that the emergency services may become a little 'hardened' to such things and may not appreciate the shock it can cause to the everyday driver. Just my opinion BTW.
Not long after I'd passed my test (aged 17) I ran over a woman who literally walked out in front of my car. Impact speed was about 45mph so it was quite a big hit. My friend and I were ok but I was very shocked i.e. shaking etc. I remember the paramedics remarking that both of her legs were broken
. My car was heavily damaged, but still driveable. The windscreen was 'bowing' into the interior of the car. I could hardly see anything through it as it was severly cracked, but it was still intact. After giving me a breath test, the policeman suggested that I drive home (about 6 miles)even though I was severely shaken. I drove home with my head out of the driver door window at 2am. Maybe a lift would have been in order and my car being towed?
It's possible that the emergency services may become a little 'hardened' to such things and may not appreciate the shock it can cause to the everyday driver. Just my opinion BTW.
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Whether it was her fault or not, my sympathy has to go with the woman your car hit. 2 broken legs, smashing against the windscreen etc. If she survived a 45mph impact she was lucky.
Mick
If at the scene of an accident the driver says that they want to go and sit down nearby (after answering all initial questions) would the police not let them go? Do you mean that even thugh ou asked to go down the road a little bit and sit down, that the police said no? If so, that is not very decent acceident management IMHO.
Whether it was her fault or not, my sympathy has to go with the woman your car hit. 2 broken legs, smashing against the windscreen etc. If she survived a 45mph impact she was lucky.
Mick
If at the scene of an accident the driver says that they want to go and sit down nearby (after answering all initial questions) would the police not let them go? Do you mean that even thugh ou asked to go down the road a little bit and sit down, that the police said no? If so, that is not very decent acceident management IMHO.
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From: The Rhubarb Triangle
I've got to say that for the 2 bumps I've had in my career (one my fault, one 50/50, both just involving other cars) and one of my mates crashes where I was a passenger, the police were excellent. Very calming, straighforward and professional.
Maybe you were just unlucky?
Steve
Maybe you were just unlucky?
Steve
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obviously i felt sorry for her too, look at the 'sad' smiley in my post.
It was her fault, it looked as if she was trying to kill herself, i really can't think of any other explanation. Why else would she walk straight in front of me and then turn and face my car? The area was pitch black (no street lamps etc, in case anybody knows it, the Sandycroft straight leading to Manor Lane, just outside of Deeside Nr. Chester).
To my left was a 6ft deep ditch with a stream going through it (from which she appeared to have emerged!) so I wasn't going to injure me or my m8 by swerving into that. I couldn't go to her right or I would have hit an oncoming car....so I had no choice.
Yes it was a terrible incident, but SHE could have killed me, my mate, or the man in the oncoming car who seen the whole thing and confirmed this to the police.
Apparently, a truck had only just missed her b4 I hit her, the police were already on their way to the area as they had been informed of a woman wandering about on the road.
It was her fault, it looked as if she was trying to kill herself, i really can't think of any other explanation. Why else would she walk straight in front of me and then turn and face my car? The area was pitch black (no street lamps etc, in case anybody knows it, the Sandycroft straight leading to Manor Lane, just outside of Deeside Nr. Chester).
To my left was a 6ft deep ditch with a stream going through it (from which she appeared to have emerged!) so I wasn't going to injure me or my m8 by swerving into that. I couldn't go to her right or I would have hit an oncoming car....so I had no choice
.Yes it was a terrible incident, but SHE could have killed me, my mate, or the man in the oncoming car who seen the whole thing and confirmed this to the police.
Apparently, a truck had only just missed her b4 I hit her, the police were already on their way to the area as they had been informed of a woman wandering about on the road.
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Heres my experience.
I was a delivery driver for a greengrocer driving a mk2 Astra van. on Friday 13th december 1996, I was coming accross a traffic light box junction when a drunk driver t bones me on the drivers side and puts me into a side of a pub at 30mph. Sideways. I also take out a set of traffic lights on the way. When the bill turn up they see a 19 year old kid and a 45 year old man and immediatly leap to the conclusion that the "boy racer" was to blame. Then the breath tests are done and the 45 year old bloke is positive & im negative. After that the attitude changes a lot and I'm treated like the innocent party that I was. The traffic plod starts being nice to me and even lets me sit in the jam sandwich with the heaters on full and a half cos Im cold. he writes the statement for me and lets me read it b4 I sign it. B4 I go I overhear him saying " the lad was probably going too fast but I won't prosicute cos hes been through enough" He even let me off the temporary filler cap which detached and pissed diesel everywhere. I was just happy to survive being t boned and getting away with my legs intact cos the door card was touching my knee and the door refused to open so I had to get out through the passenger side. Being held at the scene was the last of my worries but at least the traffic plod were nice to me.
I will leave you to draw your own conclusions about the knee jerk reactions when they first pitched up.
I was a delivery driver for a greengrocer driving a mk2 Astra van. on Friday 13th december 1996, I was coming accross a traffic light box junction when a drunk driver t bones me on the drivers side and puts me into a side of a pub at 30mph. Sideways. I also take out a set of traffic lights on the way. When the bill turn up they see a 19 year old kid and a 45 year old man and immediatly leap to the conclusion that the "boy racer" was to blame. Then the breath tests are done and the 45 year old bloke is positive & im negative. After that the attitude changes a lot and I'm treated like the innocent party that I was. The traffic plod starts being nice to me and even lets me sit in the jam sandwich with the heaters on full and a half cos Im cold. he writes the statement for me and lets me read it b4 I sign it. B4 I go I overhear him saying " the lad was probably going too fast but I won't prosicute cos hes been through enough" He even let me off the temporary filler cap which detached and pissed diesel everywhere. I was just happy to survive being t boned and getting away with my legs intact cos the door card was touching my knee and the door refused to open so I had to get out through the passenger side. Being held at the scene was the last of my worries but at least the traffic plod were nice to me.
I will leave you to draw your own conclusions about the knee jerk reactions when they first pitched up.
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Sorry if you misunderstood my last post mate - I was not trying to say that it was your fault.
There's not much you can do in a situation like the one you just described. I hope I never have to deal with anything like that.
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AWD, no worries, i know what you're saying, she certainly suffered much more than I did.
As you said, she was lucky to get away with 2 broken legs with being hit at that speed. It just could have been so much worse. The policeman did comment that I did 'well' (for want of a better word in this context) in keeping the car in a straight line as I obviously locked up (no ABS and panicked).
It bothered me for a while afterwards but it's just a memory now (albeit an unpleasant one). I could go into detail about the incident but it wouldn't make nice reading.
As you said, she was lucky to get away with 2 broken legs with being hit at that speed. It just could have been so much worse. The policeman did comment that I did 'well' (for want of a better word in this context) in keeping the car in a straight line as I obviously locked up (no ABS and panicked).
It bothered me for a while afterwards but it's just a memory now (albeit an unpleasant one). I could go into detail about the incident but it wouldn't make nice reading.
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First car I ever owned - after 10 months of ownership, I wrote off.
I was coming off an A road and a dogt ran in front of the car. I swerved to avoid it, hit the curb, went onto the grass, lost all traction and whacked the car into a roadsign.
Really shook me up but luckily nobody else was involved and I only had some whiplash. The dog had also happily wandered off by the time I emerged from the car.
People told me that I should have hit the dog, but it was just one of things that you do without thinking.
The insurance company wrote the car off as there was some suspension damage and they didn't want it to turn into an insurance embarassment for them and cost more to repair than the car was worth.
It is still a pretty bad memory for me - but it has faded.
I guess that I should be grateful that only the car was damaged but I have never been able to see it that way.
First car I ever owned - after 10 months of ownership, I wrote off.
I was coming off an A road and a dogt ran in front of the car. I swerved to avoid it, hit the curb, went onto the grass, lost all traction and whacked the car into a roadsign.
Really shook me up but luckily nobody else was involved and I only had some whiplash. The dog had also happily wandered off by the time I emerged from the car.
People told me that I should have hit the dog, but it was just one of things that you do without thinking.
The insurance company wrote the car off as there was some suspension damage and they didn't want it to turn into an insurance embarassment for them and cost more to repair than the car was worth.
It is still a pretty bad memory for me - but it has faded.
I guess that I should be grateful that only the car was damaged but I have never been able to see it that way.
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AWD, if the same thing happened again, God forbid, I'd probably do the same thing again. It's not like I had chance to think 'Hmmm whats the best option? Hit her, hit the oncoming car or go into the ditch?'. My response was instinctive, like yours. I suppose self preservation took over.
I've had other near misses since (haven't we all?) with vehicles pulling out in front me etc. Luckily there has always been scope to swerve around the vehicle, something I couldn't do on a narrow lane with a ditch to one side and an oncoming car on the other. With driving experience I've learnt to use cadence braking (hope I've said that right?) when the car hasn't had ABS so I've been able to retain directional control of the car. Maybe that would have made a difference instead of locking up in a straight line? Then again someone else might have been injured if I'd have changed direction.
It was a no-win situation really.
PS Sorry for coming across so gloomy (cos I'm not)!
I've had other near misses since (haven't we all?) with vehicles pulling out in front me etc. Luckily there has always been scope to swerve around the vehicle, something I couldn't do on a narrow lane with a ditch to one side and an oncoming car on the other. With driving experience I've learnt to use cadence braking (hope I've said that right?) when the car hasn't had ABS so I've been able to retain directional control of the car. Maybe that would have made a difference instead of locking up in a straight line? Then again someone else might have been injured if I'd have changed direction.
It was a no-win situation really.
PS Sorry for coming across so gloomy (cos I'm not)!
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From: Where age and treachery reins over youthful exuberance
Some horror stories above. I don't have too many answers I'm afraid. Scary. Sickening. I just hope stuff like that never happens to me (or anyone else for that matter). Take care, eh?
Most of the time, I hate traffic cops, especially when they hide in the bushes with their hairdryers. It's not cricket.
But when you get to meet them, it's a different matter. Good guys, usually petrol heads themselves. One lives nearby, and freely admits to doing 140mph on his own bike. I've been out with another one, too. A mad biker geeza. We were slipstreaming eachother at 120mph-plus. Probably scared a few sheep.
I also know of two cops in the back of a McLaren F1 (I work for a magazine company and the car park sometimes contains some fabulously exotic cars). We have an 'understanding' with the local plod. Anyway, all they had to say as the thing hit 170mph was "faster, faster!" (Allegedly!)
But I've also seen traffic cops doing the other side of their jobs - clearing up the mess when it all goes wrong. A few years ago, a dozy Volvo driver rammed my son and me while stationary a red traffic lights. My young son, unharmed but badly shocked, wanted his mum but a policewoman made a very good impersonation while another sympathetic PC wrote down what happened.
Just a few months ago, I had the pleasure of pulling a drunken teenager out of his upturned Astra. It was late at night in the middle of nowehere and he'd been in the ditch then bounced out landing on the roof. Passenger compartment flattened. He was pissed, concussed and violent. Hadn't a clue what he was doing but miraculously only had a few cuts and bruises. Thank God for mobile phones and the police/ambulance service. At times like that, they're bleedin' angels.
Hoppy
Most of the time, I hate traffic cops, especially when they hide in the bushes with their hairdryers. It's not cricket.
But when you get to meet them, it's a different matter. Good guys, usually petrol heads themselves. One lives nearby, and freely admits to doing 140mph on his own bike. I've been out with another one, too. A mad biker geeza. We were slipstreaming eachother at 120mph-plus. Probably scared a few sheep.
I also know of two cops in the back of a McLaren F1 (I work for a magazine company and the car park sometimes contains some fabulously exotic cars). We have an 'understanding' with the local plod. Anyway, all they had to say as the thing hit 170mph was "faster, faster!" (Allegedly!)
But I've also seen traffic cops doing the other side of their jobs - clearing up the mess when it all goes wrong. A few years ago, a dozy Volvo driver rammed my son and me while stationary a red traffic lights. My young son, unharmed but badly shocked, wanted his mum but a policewoman made a very good impersonation while another sympathetic PC wrote down what happened.
Just a few months ago, I had the pleasure of pulling a drunken teenager out of his upturned Astra. It was late at night in the middle of nowehere and he'd been in the ditch then bounced out landing on the roof. Passenger compartment flattened. He was pissed, concussed and violent. Hadn't a clue what he was doing but miraculously only had a few cuts and bruises. Thank God for mobile phones and the police/ambulance service. At times like that, they're bleedin' angels.
Hoppy
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