SiPie

Firstly this is NOT an attack on the police in any form etc just the individual driver concerned.

Heading for a game of golf on Friday afternoon driving out towards West Linton (long straight at the foot of the Pentland Hills for those that know the area, full of hidden dips) when a marked T5 appears in rear mirror with lights on etc. I had seconds previously debated overtaking the queue, but could see oncoming traffic appearing round approaching bend.

Obviously the T5 driver hadn't though and proceeds to overtake, flat out, into the path of the oncoming vehicle who had to brake hard to avoid a head on collision of probably around 160mph combined at least

I have read a similar post on SN before where I basically defended the police driver and accepted that we are all human and prone to mis-judgements but this was just sheer wrecklessness

Was tempted to report his driving (but do you want to really open that can of worms) or catch him and make a citizens arrest

Moan over

yoza

Post this on 5ive-o.com and put your NBC suit on.

I can assure you they will give a million and one reasons why this driving was acceptable.

Read my thread on "Police and Speed Cameras" in "Law and Law Related".

Later Yoza

SiPie

I know what you are saying Yoza but nobody could justify this driving..... even if Saddam Hussein was the guy driving the Jag that they eventually stopped

imlach

SiPie - why not report him? The police have to obey the rules of the road as well......obviously nothing will probably come of it, but if the same driver gets reported a few times, maybe someone WILL do something about it.

As far as I can see, some tend to abuse their position, and unless someone pipes up, then they'll continue in their ways....

Knowing an ex-L&B traffic cop, I have heard some stories which would make you shudder!!!!!

imlach

There is NO excuse for putting the publics lives at risk when chasing a Jag - hopefully it was for something more important than speeding.

The police drivers are not allowed to take risks which endanger lives as far as I am aware. They also have to be accountable for EVERY time they violate traffic regulations and to be able to justify why they did it.

[Edited by imlach - 3/26/2003 11:56:01 AM]

SiPie

Imlach

I did debate it but in all honesty I've made a few errors of judgement myself (although hopefully none quite as scary as this one) and as you say 'nothing would have come of it anyway'.

I strongly considered pulling up next to him (after he'd pulled the guy in the Jag over) but I was probably still so shocked by his driving at this point that the conversation wouldn't have been too constructive

Ironically the guy in the Jag was the one who was causing the queue of traffic so it certainly wasn't for speeding, hence it seemed like a severly inappropriate use of speed IMHO [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

Cheers

[Edited by SiPie - 3/26/2003 12:01:24 PM]

imlach

I would also be interested in the following scenario, as I have never personally tried it :

You see a cop car driving dangerously.
You see he has pulled over further up the road.
I have often thought about stopping and querying his driving, but knowing the arrogance you usually get from some of them, you'd be hard pushed to get a response!!! However, I am fairly sure they are duty bound to give you their details so you can take things further if you so desire?

imlach

I often wish *I* had onboard video too :-)

SiPie

Can you put the police under a citizen's arrest ?

imlach

Wonder how much SkyNews or whoever would pay for on board video footage of plod doing wrong?

Surely Police Camera Action should show it!!!!

yoza

You are joking....right.

Stop and question his driving........

You would get three points and a fine for the stone chip on your bonnet.

imlach

Of course you can make a citizens arrest - the police are not immune to the laws of the land (contrary to popular opinion!).

imlach

Yes - if you did stop and query him, make sure :

a) your car and driver is 100% ok
b) drive carefully for rest of month!!!

SiPie

Lol @ that Yoza

PS Mods, apologies, this should have been in Non-Scooby Related (but I was driving one at the time, so does that count )

The_Lizard

Our police behave the same way. Most of them are good, but there is a noticeable percentage of them who are a little bit power-mad. Good-bye, honesty, you can find yourself faced with a liar who has a gun and a radio with a lot of buddies ready.

Here they have a labor organization called the Fraternal Order of Police. Their members are given a small metal badge to attach to their personal cars. They attach these onto one of the rear licence plate mounting screws. Just try to keep pace with one on the road, they drive faster than almost anyone else around.

Wonder why they keep those little badges where they would be seen by a cop who pulls them over, eh? They do not respect the laws they are paid to enforce.

SiPie

Just to re-iterate that I'm not attacking police driving in general, just this one 'over zealous' bit, before the thread degenerates into something un-intended

IanW

Nope

SiPie

You are just too kind Ian