Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

I'm not a knocker of the plod normally but am in 2 minds as to whether "discretion" would've been more apt this time.



Driving to work having dropped sprog off @ school. Work don't allow mobiles/personal phone calls. Need to call someone who only is available work hours.

I come upto the A14 on a slip-road, having expected to see a layby there, which there was not. Don't want to (obviously) drive down the A14 dialing numbers on my full hands-free car kit, nor pull into "P" Laybys as they're right on the dual carriageway (potential danger) so I pull over on the slip road. I'm stopped where its dual slip, is not visible from A14, I'm pulled right over & lots of clear space behind & b4 A14, well safe enough for someone to see me & not cause obstruction. A safe place.

I make my phone-call (using the hands-free!) & just as I finish a Suffolk traffic plod who had been going to hide sneaky for speeders, changes his mind & pulls up behind me.

"You can't stop here - its a Clearway"

"oh - sorry, just had to make a call b4 I hit the A14" (show hands-free and explain that I didn't want to even use that whilst driving)

"wait a minute please"

Plod wanders off back up slip road ( ) then comes back, gets his hat/book out his car & returns.

"you're not going to like me"

"er - why?"

"'cos I'm going to give you a fixed penalty" (£30)

"why?"

"so you'll remember next time"

I did gently point out the fact that his stopping me would do that anyway but he was determined. "Safety on the A14 to reduce casualties".

Now, OK, agrieved that I have a £30 fp but what happened to discretion? A "don't do it again" would've focused my mind just as much & left me feeling less agrieved with Suffolk plod

Or am I using the same arguments that someone marginally over the speed limit uses?

Never got a producer nor questioned over the fact that my address did not match that of the car's registered owner (moved house) nor the broken number plate on the front.

Just asked whether I knew where all the speed cameras were to which I answered "no - 'cos I don't speed & have a clean license thank you".

Walwal

Common sense in the fuzz is rarer than rocking horse **** these days.

Not sure if this is down to pressure from above tho.

Andy

ajm

Just look at it as extra road tax. It must be that because it certainly hasn't got any relevance to road safety on the A14!

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

Why did you tell him that you'd made a call?

Do you think that influenced his decision?

I doubt he'd have booked you if your car had just developed a fault...

"I hope it restarts this time officer"

ajm

Come on Spoon, I trust you will be forthcoming with your reasons behind voting in the good Constable's favour....

andypugh2000

I would have said "I was feeling ill and had to stop in case I caused an accident orifice"

after all, safety reduces accidents on the A14, what a w@nker!! common sense gone mad

Suresh

Sorry dude - it wasn't an emergency call so no need to stop on a Clearway.

Suresh