Police and exemption to the law

[callmedave]

So basically, i get a call from a mate, 'come meet me in the pub' on my way there i cross a one way road, there is a police car traveling up the road, in the wrong direction, he does not has his blues on, but did have his headlights on (it was around 10pm and dark)

On seeing him coming up i stand in the middle of the road, wave in the direction of the the way he should be going and shout 'its one way you idiot' he blanks me, drives past me and pulls out of the junction at the 'beginning' of the road

I saw some lad in the back seat, but the copper driving didnt look much older.

Was he in the wrong? are the police allowed to bypass driving laws as they see fit? no blues on makes me think if i had stepped out looking the other way (why would i look down a one way street when crossing?) and he hit me, whos at fault?

Look forward to your comments!

Callmedave

p.s. i did not get the reg or anything like that, not interested in reporting it, just curious if there was something i was not aware of!

[Red 4]

Blues aren't required for exemptions.

Exemptions do not mean that the police can do whatever they want. Ultimately, should the need arise, a court would decide whether or not an officers action were justified in the circumstances.

Police officers are prosecuted and are accountable for their actions. In this case though it appears you don't know all the circumstances but if he'd knocked you down he would certainly have a case to answer.

Edited by Red 4 on Tuesday 12th June 18:23

[JumboBeef]

Don't know about police but ambulance CANNOT claim exemptions to travel the wrong way on one way roads (unless under the instruction of a police officer etc etc, as the same for any driver).

[hedgefinder]

Just sit outside of your local police station and make a note of every copper who drives out -

a) with a sandwich or chocolate bar in one hand and steering wheel in the other,
b) without his seat belt on,
c) speeding well above the posted speed limit,
d) making turns without indicating
e) talking on his mobile phone whilst driving

I did it one day whilst waiting for the wife shopping - the results were staggering..

[Mojooo]

hedgefinder said:

I did it one day whilst waiting for the wife shopping - the results were staggering..

The obvious answer is that many peopel did those thigns as described. So clearly the staggering answer is that no one did.

[Furry Exocet]

hedgefinder said:

Just sit outside of your local police station and make a note of every copper who drives out -

a) with a sandwich or chocolate bar in one hand and steering wheel in the other,
b) without his seat belt on, exempt
c) speeding well above the posted speed limit, exempt
d) making turns without indicating since when has that been an offence?
e) talking on his mobile phone whilst driving may well have been their radio and not an offence

I did it one day whilst waiting for the wife shopping - the results were staggering..

you must live an exciting life

[hedgefinder]

police cars ARE NOT exempt from the set speed limits if involved in any form of accident! Only when necessary should they be exempt from set speed limits.

Edited by hedgefinder on Tuesday 12th June 19:40

[paintman]

You'd best have a read through this then.
Blues & Twos and Speed Exemptions
Its at the top of the forum.......

[mph1977]

hedgefinder said:

police cars ARE NOT exempt from the set speed limits!

section 87 Road traffic regulation Act 1984 says otherwise

"No statutory provision imposing a speed limit on motor vehicles shall apply to any vehicle on an occasion when it is being used for [F2fire and rescue authority], ambulance or police purposes, if the observance of that provision would be likely to hinder the use of the vehicle for the purpose for which it is being used on that occasion."

note this does not specify

i. the ownership of the vehicle ,
ii. livery or otherwise of the vehicle ,
iii. the fitting of or
iv. use of audible and/ or visual warning devices,
v. nor does it require 'a vehicle used for ambulance purposes' to meet the RVLR or VED definitions of an Ambulance .

and before anyone brings up S.19 Road safety Act 2006 - where's the second legislation or regulation to specify the training required ?

[14-7]

hedgefinder said:

police cars ARE NOT exempt from the set speed limits if involved in any form of accident! Only when necessary should they be exempt from set speed limits.

Edited by hedgefinder on Tuesday 12th June 19:40

Nice edit although you are still wrong. Are you honestly saying that a police car (or any other emergency vehicle) is only exempt from a speed limit if it doesn't crash?

[mph1977]

14-7 said:

hedgefinder said:

police cars ARE NOT exempt from the set speed limits if involved in any form of accident! Only when necessary should they be exempt from set speed limits.

Edited by hedgefinder on Tuesday 12th June 19:40

Nice edit although you are still wrong. Are you honestly saying that a police car (or any other emergency vehicle) is only exempt from a speed limit if it doesn't crash?

Indeed nice edit there hedgefinder ( good job I caught the original text in my first reply) , the fact remains that emergency vehicles as defined in the law are exempt from speed limits in certain circumstances... what is correct how is that they are not exempt from DWDCA, Careless / Dangerous Driving etc ...

[ShampooEfficient]

JumboBeef said:

Don't know about police but ambulance CANNOT claim exemptions to travel the wrong way on one way roads (unless under the instruction of a police officer etc etc, as the same for any driver).

AIUI "No Left/ Right Turns" and the like can have exemptions written into the TRO for emergency vehicles... can one-way streets?

[vonhosen]

ShampooEfficient said:

JumboBeef said:

Don't know about police but ambulance CANNOT claim exemptions to travel the wrong way on one way roads (unless under the instruction of a police officer etc etc, as the same for any driver).

AIUI "No Left/ Right Turns" and the like can have exemptions written into the TRO for emergency vehicles... can one-way streets?

No entry etc can too. You'll only know if you look at the individual TRO, they aren't all identical.