Quick Question About Police 'Random Stop Checks'
 

This isn't something that bothers me too much, but it has irritated me a few times...

I've been stopped by the Police quite a few times over the years for 'random checks': although it's really because most of my cars stick out like a sore thumb. I'm always asked where I've been, where I'm going, and what I've been doing etc - to me this is none of their business, but since I hate lying, I usually just tell them exactly what I've been doing.

Would I be right in saying they have no right to this information if it's just a random stop check? Might sound a bit d*ckish, but I like my privacy and don't feel I need to explain my day/night to someone I don't know.

So could I just politely refuse to answer without giving them cause to go over my car until they find some minor fault with my car that's in their handbook?


Alan

You only need to give name,address and occupation, nothing more.

Thanks.

I posted this in another thread, its worth a read..

Your basic Rights... if you get stopped by the Police while driving...

No you don't.

Occupation? What's that got to do with anything?

All you need to do is satisfy that you're not driving illegally, if no offence has been committed.

That's it.

No requirement to answer any questions you don't want to.

God knows, just what I ahve read on the above link and pepipo

In case you slip up and say pimp, fraudster or thief!

Steve

You don't even have to speak! I wouldn't recommend total silence, but there's no requirement to answer questions. Always best to be polite as most people (and police) treat as they find.

Even of you have committed an offence and you're cautioned you still have the right to say nothing, as per the caution wording.

All the MOT and insurance info is now (usually) on PNC, so a quick bit of chat and proof of who you are will have you on your way quickly.

But if I don't disclose who I am, can I not be arrested? or do I only 'need' to give it if they are reporting me for an offence?

Thanks fatherpierre; you're obviously knowledgable about these things...

I wouldn't be totally silent because in my opinion the Police are there to serve you, and keep you safe in the long run. I don't feel intimidated by them, which is why it winds me up when they ask me what I've been up to in a suspicious tone, as I'm more than happy to have a normal conversation with them and let them breathalyze me etc.

For an offence you have to satisfy who you are.

For a stop you still need to satisy you're insured etc, if asked, but you don't have to answer any other questions.

Hence the reason why it's best to answer and be let on your way. The slightest whiff that you're stalling on personal ID issues just stinks of no licence, insurance or both.

Also, have I got to get out my car and sit in there's, if asked? Have I got to even open the window or door?

Always best just to be civil and prove your ID straight away.

Police powers of seizure and arrest for drivers for sus of no licence or insurance have been upped hugely over the last few years - and for good reason.

Don't have to get out of the car.

If asked, I would though. Makes you less of a threat to the police. If your arms can't be seen then you're a threat to their safety, and they will be wary of why you refused.

All give and take. If you're a cock, then they probably will be.

All from my experience. If I found someone to be a cock then it changes the game. The people that are usually awkward are at the roadside longer than those that aren't; simply due to processes taking longer.

Yes, more than happy to get that out the way and prove my ID, but don't want to give them a run through of my day/night every time I'm stopped. I've not broken the law, so what business is it of the Police?

Just the job they do! Trained to ask questions and put their beaks in to see if you're a liar, not who you say you are, or to gain intel and put a report on the system about you and your car if you rouse suspicion despite not having committed an offence.

That is the way the police build up a reference on people, cars and crime. The next time your car is stopped (and a report has been put on) the police will already know who you are. So, if you're 6 4 tall and black, but a 4 foot tall white bloke is claiming to be you, they'll know something's wrong, and your car may have been stolen......

Ok, cheers Pierre

Ah, the good ol' Attitude Test ;)

Usually accompanied by going on a fishing trip, with said cock, in order to comply with the Ways and Means Act. ;)

Indeed ;)

Raise suspicion by being awkward and expect suspicion to raised. Vicious circle with only one loser.

Here's a question I've always wanted to ask Pierre. What is a reasonable distance to stop when you are pulled? Would it be feasible to ignore the following police car and drive with them following to the local station for fear of being pulled over by some dodgy geezers with blue lights? At what point does it become failing to stop, and how do you indicate to them that you want them to following you back to the station for safety reasons?

Easiest thing to do is just tell them, unless you have something to hide - getting their backs up and acting like a cock for the sake of it ( telling a copper your name, address etc... is not a major infringement of your civil liberties ! ) is going to wind them up and they WILL find SOMETHING to do you for.

Ranting and screaming like a 5 year old, pulling racism cards, refusing to get out of the car etc... are the typical pathetic diversion tactics you always see dodgy people on those TV Police, Camera, Action type programs trying, and its normally in the hope the police will leave them alone and not discover the drugs / weapons / stolen goods / banned license etc...

I've only been stopped a couple of times, on my bike and in the car, just random checks and not for any motoring offence, and have never had any trouble, even with race cans on the bike ( a Ducati, so embaressingly ) loud and a race exhaust on the car.

One day i was stopped by the police after giving it some from the traffic light and as i have a very loud exhaust it seemed more dramatic that it was in reality - i never exceeded 30mph.

Police were going the other way and instantly turned around and proceeded to turn their sirens on and follow me - when an officer came in he talking very abruptly like i just killed a toddler or something and kept asking me why i was speeding - i said i never was and only accelerated fast from the traffic light to 30mph as there is no law against it and the traffic code says i should.

When asked to get out of the car and turn it off - I told him im not going to and will gladly take a producer from them as i have not broken any law and if they have anything to prove that iam guilty of something i will gladly assist them. So a second officer comes along opens my door and drags me out of the car, handcuffs me and calls a van to escort me to the police station where they file an assault on an officer and being disorderly form and stick me in a cell for 2 hours.

I have tried reasoning with them personally, reasoning with the captain at the police station but to no avail - if 2 or more police officers say you are guilty of something - you are!

While i was handcuffed on the ground they played around in my car, tried to start it numerous times when it was already started (poor starter motor) and i was given a ticket for being disorderly and i had a parking ticket when i came back to the car.

I spoke to a few lawyers who said i should forget about trying anything and should just file a complaint with the police station - when i tried to do that, they first said they didnt have any complaint forms, then they said they were too busy which kept on for a week after that i gave up.

So i advice you not to try anything at all when you are dealing with those wa**ers because they can get away with anything and you will just waste more time and money.

And no i didnt have anything to hide and i wasnt manic or anything when talking to them, i was just a bit pissed off being stopped twice the same day.

With the lack of rights the public have now when dealing with the police, more so when driving a car, why give the police any reason to suspect you of something? Deliberately annoying them will get you nowhere - other than the cells as serega proved.

Also, if your car was stolen from your driveway, the thief could already know your name and address. If the police had stopped said thief and taken his word for his identity because he knew the name and address of the registered keeper, they could end up sending the thief on his way...

Very interesting and sensible thread :D
Had a lot of good and a few bad stops in my time.
Always comply, always as polite as the situation dictates.

Funniest stop was in Victoria, as someone above, slightly sporty exhaust, they came after me through traffic and made it clear they wanted me to stop. I indicated, and slowed right down to find a point to stop. 20-30 metres later, the headlights start getting flashed at me, and passenger angrily pointing LEFT!!!

I stop the car, got out, she got out, walked up to me and immediatly informed me it was a stupid place to stop!!

From that point on, I knew it was not gonna be easy lol.

FP, question for you..... what distance would you allow before considering it a fail to stop ? Or just within reason to find a safe spot?

serega - refusing to turn off your engine and get out of the car was a mistake, also booting it away from traffic lights a) makes it look like you're in a hurry to get away from them, i.e. could be a stolen car etc... and b) can be a bookable offence if they think you are driving without due care and attention ( think thats what its called ).

Just because a light goes green doesnt mean it is safe to drive off as people can still be crossing the road in theory etc..

As long as you slow down and make some indication that you are going to stop, like indicating left or putting your hazards on it's not a problem.

It's just common sense, I wouldn't accuse you of failing to stop at 20mph

So as long as you acknowledge the Police and your intent to stop, there is no set distance you have to stop in before they can 'do you' for failing to stop?

Cheers Steve, I though common sense would prevail.
Just in this instance they seemed very intent on me stopping there and then, so I did, only to be told I was stupid.
Was planning on going about another 30-40 metres to a better spot, but didnt want it to escalate.