British Transport Police and speeding.....
Discussion
So there I was with the wife enjoying the rat run over the Cotswolds to the M4 from Gloucester when I spotted a police car ahead. I was driving at 110 at the time and he was about the same about a mile ahead.
I figured given he didn't have his "blues" on and the road was fairly clear I could keep pace without any trouble. After 10 miles he slowed a little so did I... I watched in amazement as the driver came up behind other traffic (no lights on) at 90-100mph moving to straddle the white line, to place himself in the passenger mirror of the car ahead to encourage them to move out of the way.
I figured no class 1 driver would drive in this way, speeding, no blues, straddling white lines so I moved in for a closer look.
.....British Transport POLICE....... so I came up behind him and overtook him at about 100. Needless to say I got pulled over - once my wife had calmed down "don't worry dear you don't need a day return on a road" I had a brief chat with the driver before we shook hands (my lead) and returned to our cars.
My thinking here is paperwork and evidence. both required for a booking and both not available to the BT Police
I did have a video in the boot which I wish I'd been able to capture his driving on :-)
so....
My question to our traffic friends on the forum what powers do the BT police have to stop? was I lucky? was driving like he was likely to get him in trouble..
I figured given he didn't have his "blues" on and the road was fairly clear I could keep pace without any trouble. After 10 miles he slowed a little so did I... I watched in amazement as the driver came up behind other traffic (no lights on) at 90-100mph moving to straddle the white line, to place himself in the passenger mirror of the car ahead to encourage them to move out of the way.
I figured no class 1 driver would drive in this way, speeding, no blues, straddling white lines so I moved in for a closer look.
.....British Transport POLICE....... so I came up behind him and overtook him at about 100. Needless to say I got pulled over - once my wife had calmed down "don't worry dear you don't need a day return on a road" I had a brief chat with the driver before we shook hands (my lead) and returned to our cars.
My thinking here is paperwork and evidence. both required for a booking and both not available to the BT Police
I did have a video in the boot which I wish I'd been able to capture his driving on :-)
so....
My question to our traffic friends on the forum what powers do the BT police have to stop? was I lucky? was driving like he was likely to get him in trouble..
medicineman,
The police driver was to my observation taking the pixx and abusing his position, he was also hastling other road users. Technically he was also speeding i.e. he wasn't on a "shout" didn't have his "blues" on to warn other motorists he was there. So I figured if it was alright for him it must be OK for me.
I also recall that BT Police don't have any methods for gathering evidence and most importantly of all can't give you a "producer" because they don't need one.
I could be wrong, I'm posting to find out, I'd do the same if I saw the military police...
If the BT driver wasn't driving at speed I'd not have bothered, I was pissed that he figured it was OK to do.
Maybe I need a holiday
The police driver was to my observation taking the pixx and abusing his position, he was also hastling other road users. Technically he was also speeding i.e. he wasn't on a "shout" didn't have his "blues" on to warn other motorists he was there. So I figured if it was alright for him it must be OK for me.
I also recall that BT Police don't have any methods for gathering evidence and most importantly of all can't give you a "producer" because they don't need one.
I could be wrong, I'm posting to find out, I'd do the same if I saw the military police...
If the BT driver wasn't driving at speed I'd not have bothered, I was pissed that he figured it was OK to do.
Maybe I need a holiday
Streetcop said:
I'd have done a following vascar check and then 'done ya'.... 
(and before you say it....the police can exceed the speed limit to detect offences. Speeding is one of them.)
Street
I find this attitude quite pathetic, if I may say so. It is a pity that the police cannot show the same blind eye as they do to anti-social behaviour.
ca092003 said:
I'd have done a following vascar check and then 'done ya'....
(and before you say it....the police can exceed the speed limit to detect offences. Speeding is one of them.)
Street
I find this attitude quite pathetic, if I may say so. It is a pity that the police cannot show the same blind eye as they do to anti-social behaviour.
Do you know anything about policing anti-social behaviour?
Streetcop said:
Streetcop said:
I'd have done a following vascar check and then 'done ya'....
(and before you say it....the police can exceed the speed limit to detect offences. Speeding is one of them.)
Street
I find this attitude quite pathetic, if I may say so. It is a pity that the police cannot show the same blind eye as they do to anti-social behaviour.
Do you know anything about policing anti-social behaviour?
I know about the impact of ASB on local communities. Relevance?
The relevance...is what you hear about ABC (Anti social behaviour contracts) and ASBOs (Anti social behaviour Orders)...sounds great on the news...
However, it's only the very dregs of the villains that get put on them. Only the last 6 months of incidents can be used. Statements are required from witnesses, who are willing to go to court (if required)...
The legal wranglings mean weeks and weeks of process, and as only the last 6 month's incidents can be used, some important incidents can be unused.
Most BiB are sick to the back teeth of gobby kids, tosser teenagers and dolescum tw@ts causing havoc in the neighbourhood. The police's hand's are tied and the legal process is virtually unworkable.
Yes, there are some ABCs and ASBOs in operation and some have been very successful, some even resulting in prison terms. But these are only just in double figures (FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY).
The police DO want to sort anti social behaviour out. However, the legal system put up hurdles, the courts are limp, and the public complain if the police are heavy handed.
Any suggestions?
Street
However, it's only the very dregs of the villains that get put on them. Only the last 6 months of incidents can be used. Statements are required from witnesses, who are willing to go to court (if required)...
The legal wranglings mean weeks and weeks of process, and as only the last 6 month's incidents can be used, some important incidents can be unused.
Most BiB are sick to the back teeth of gobby kids, tosser teenagers and dolescum tw@ts causing havoc in the neighbourhood. The police's hand's are tied and the legal process is virtually unworkable.
Yes, there are some ABCs and ASBOs in operation and some have been very successful, some even resulting in prison terms. But these are only just in double figures (FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY).
The police DO want to sort anti social behaviour out. However, the legal system put up hurdles, the courts are limp, and the public complain if the police are heavy handed.
Any suggestions?
Street
StreetCop
The problem with these things is the amount of evidence required to prosecte an offence. Plus other factors skew the system. Local magistrates (or is it Councillors now?) granting more licenses for pubs/clubs despite areas being almost overrun with them. It seems that the views of local residents are not taken into account when such decisions are made.
One of the hats I wear means I have to regularly liase with LA councillors and officials, local police, sometimes senior officers when I am being given the runaround (that doesn't seem to happen much these days) and various other agenies that all have their part to play in dealing with ASB.
On any Friday night in my home town (and I guess this goes for any town) the police stand and watch as young men get involved in ASB and, basically, they turn a blind eye. I know because I have witnessed it (and I am stone cold sober). This leads me to the belief that the police are only interested in prosecuting those offences that they can easily prosecute (e.g. speeding) rather than those offences that really are in the public interest to deal with.
The police blame the CPS and the courts, they blame the Government, the Government blame the public sector mindset and so the problem perpetuates.
And all the while the police focus on minor issues like speeding and wonder when their status with the public continues to spiral downward.
The problem with these things is the amount of evidence required to prosecte an offence. Plus other factors skew the system. Local magistrates (or is it Councillors now?) granting more licenses for pubs/clubs despite areas being almost overrun with them. It seems that the views of local residents are not taken into account when such decisions are made.
One of the hats I wear means I have to regularly liase with LA councillors and officials, local police, sometimes senior officers when I am being given the runaround (that doesn't seem to happen much these days) and various other agenies that all have their part to play in dealing with ASB.
On any Friday night in my home town (and I guess this goes for any town) the police stand and watch as young men get involved in ASB and, basically, they turn a blind eye. I know because I have witnessed it (and I am stone cold sober). This leads me to the belief that the police are only interested in prosecuting those offences that they can easily prosecute (e.g. speeding) rather than those offences that really are in the public interest to deal with.
The police blame the CPS and the courts, they blame the Government, the Government blame the public sector mindset and so the problem perpetuates.
And all the while the police focus on minor issues like speeding and wonder when their status with the public continues to spiral downward.
As well intentioned as you are....you know little about police procedures, culture or thinking....
Do you really think that the police are more interested in traffic matters than crime????
Traffic police...of little number there is nowadays...deal with traffic...
As for the rest of the uniformed police...ie Beat bobbies in Pandas...they have so much work to do anyway, they don't have time to deal with motoring matters.
In addition, the ones that are keen on traffic matters...and they are small in number...they tend to deal with scumbags and such like..ie No insurance/licence.
So that idea that the police, on the whole, are out to get the motorist is frankly bollox!
Try as I might, to get beat bobbies interested in promoting road safety, my attempts are mostly in vain..
Street
Street
>> Edited by Streetcop on Tuesday 12th October 20:17
Do you really think that the police are more interested in traffic matters than crime????
Traffic police...of little number there is nowadays...deal with traffic...
As for the rest of the uniformed police...ie Beat bobbies in Pandas...they have so much work to do anyway, they don't have time to deal with motoring matters.
In addition, the ones that are keen on traffic matters...and they are small in number...they tend to deal with scumbags and such like..ie No insurance/licence.
So that idea that the police, on the whole, are out to get the motorist is frankly bollox!
Try as I might, to get beat bobbies interested in promoting road safety, my attempts are mostly in vain..
Street
Street
>> Edited by Streetcop on Tuesday 12th October 20:17
ive lost all faith in police now. when i hit a deer in my car 2 police cars drove past and neither stoped, they wernt 2gether and they were spaced out by about 10min. it was a country road and we only had a tourch and neither stoped i couldnt beleave it. iwas shinging my light at them to attract there attention and then 2nite i broke down on a 2 lane road in the countryside and was half on half off the road and a cop pulled around me and it was foggy 2. iam not impressed by theses cops there only after finding ppl doin 31mph in a 30 ive lost all respect 4 them .
jeffriesmullet said:
ive lost all faith in police now. when i hit a deer in my car 2 police cars drove past and neither stoped, they wernt 2gether and they were spaced out by about 10min. it was a country road and we only had a tourch and neither stoped i couldnt beleave it. iwas shinging my light at them to attract there attention and then 2nite i broke down on a 2 lane road in the countryside and was half on half off the road and a cop pulled around me and it was foggy 2. iam not impressed by theses cops there only after finding ppl doin 31mph in a 30 ive lost all respect 4 them .
No problems mate...you lose repect in things in life...it happens....
Of course...you'll be dialling 999 like a fevered masturbater when you hear a team of burglars in your house...your lost respect will suddenly reappear at lightling speed....
Street
Well I never stand by and watch ASB going on whilst I`m at work and neither do any of my relief.
The problem we face is we are so few on the ground (especially on nights) that we have to be selective to how we deal with each individual incident, but please be rest assured that we never stand by and watch this type of behaviour going on....that is tat!
As for only picking on easy targets such as speeders, I suppose anyone who wishes to pass my traffic car 20MPH above the limit, brake for a camera, then accelerate again really deserves all they get.....
The problem we face is we are so few on the ground (especially on nights) that we have to be selective to how we deal with each individual incident, but please be rest assured that we never stand by and watch this type of behaviour going on....that is tat!
As for only picking on easy targets such as speeders, I suppose anyone who wishes to pass my traffic car 20MPH above the limit, brake for a camera, then accelerate again really deserves all they get.....
Streetcop said:
As well intentioned as you are....you know little about police procedures, culture or thinking....
I'm certainly glad I know little about police procedures, police culture or police thinking. The challenge is to solve the problems that society faces, rather than simply saying "it's not my fault".
Streetcop said:
Do you really think that the police are more interested in traffic matters than crime????
How many speeding offences were prosecuted in, say, Cheshire, last year? How does that figure compare with, say, burglaries or assault?
Streetcop said:
So that idea that the police, on the whole, are out to get the motorist is frankly bollox!
I don't think you realise that there sometimes a bigger picture. The average law abiding person will only come into the contact with the police when they are the victim of a crime or when they are caught speeding. They see that the resource allocation is skewed. The panda guys are run off their feet and can't do much other than give a crime reference number for the insurance company. Whereas the TrafPol guys can pick up people drifting over a given limit in total safety, all day long.
You'll forgive me if I don't think this is a good situation for society to face.
Street
Street
>> Edited by Streetcop on Tuesday 12th October 20:17[/quote]
so the cops not stoping when i smashed my car up and hit a deer there could of been some1 hurt thankfuly me and my girlfriend were ok but what if i had no phone? and me breaking down i was causing an obstruction they could of at least stoped 2 c if i needed assistance i see cops all the times changing tyres 4 ppl on the motor way so i hit a deer and they dont care maybe if my gf was shingin the torch they would of stoped
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