Nabbed by the rozzers...
Discussion
Near where I live there are a number of two way roads which inexplicably have a no entry sign placed at one end or the other. I don't know why this is and neither does anyone I've spoken to about it, but I do know that given their inexplicable absurdity, everyone roundly ignores them.
Heading to work this morning along one of these roads, there were 4 BiB (actually 2 GiB and 2 Bib!) hiding around the corner who proceeded to pull me over. The upshot of this is that I have been charged with offence code BF25 for contravening a no entry sign, which means £60 and 3 points on my previously unblemished liscence.
After the GiB had taken all my details and read me my rights, the conversation went something like:
Me: This is a two way road, isn't it?
GiB: Yes.
Me: So do you happen to know why is there a no entry sign at one end of it?
Gib: That's the way it was done. You could cause an accident if there was anything coming the other way.
Me: But it's a two way road?
GiB: Yes.
Me: So why the no entry sign?
GiB: Errrr... that's just the way it is.
Me: But you don't know why?
GiB: Um, no.
Fair enough, she was perfectly polite, as was I, but I was genuinely interested in the reasoning behind the baffling signage. Obviously the BiB can't know the ins and outs of everything, but I'd have thought that since they'd obviously been sent there to enforce that particular no entry sign, their senior officers might have briefed them on why it was important they do so, but none of them seemed to have a clue.
It's a fair cop, I knowingly broke the law and although it makes no sense, I'll take my punishment like a man. However if anyone can shed any light on this, I'd be pleased to hear your comments. The only remotely plausible explanation I can think of is that this is yet another part of the council lentil munchers plan to make life as difficult as possible for motorists.
Heading to work this morning along one of these roads, there were 4 BiB (actually 2 GiB and 2 Bib!) hiding around the corner who proceeded to pull me over. The upshot of this is that I have been charged with offence code BF25 for contravening a no entry sign, which means £60 and 3 points on my previously unblemished liscence.
After the GiB had taken all my details and read me my rights, the conversation went something like:
Me: This is a two way road, isn't it?
GiB: Yes.
Me: So do you happen to know why is there a no entry sign at one end of it?
Gib: That's the way it was done. You could cause an accident if there was anything coming the other way.
Me: But it's a two way road?
GiB: Yes.
Me: So why the no entry sign?
GiB: Errrr... that's just the way it is.
Me: But you don't know why?
GiB: Um, no.
Fair enough, she was perfectly polite, as was I, but I was genuinely interested in the reasoning behind the baffling signage. Obviously the BiB can't know the ins and outs of everything, but I'd have thought that since they'd obviously been sent there to enforce that particular no entry sign, their senior officers might have briefed them on why it was important they do so, but none of them seemed to have a clue.
It's a fair cop, I knowingly broke the law and although it makes no sense, I'll take my punishment like a man. However if anyone can shed any light on this, I'd be pleased to hear your comments. The only remotely plausible explanation I can think of is that this is yet another part of the council lentil munchers plan to make life as difficult as possible for motorists.
Ignore a No Entry at your peril..whether you agree with it or not..
The road layout sounds very bizarre indeed.
Could you post some pics on here so we can have a look?
You can contact the highways dept at your council to verify the road layout etc...that might help, or it might not..
The bib/gib in question sound like a 'tutor unit'
The road layout sounds very bizarre indeed.
Could you post some pics on here so we can have a look?
You can contact the highways dept at your council to verify the road layout etc...that might help, or it might not..
The bib/gib in question sound like a 'tutor unit'
There's a road like this near us. A 'no entry' sign was recently installed at one end to prevent the road being used as a shortcut as it is residential. The fact that the road is two-way allows the residents to exit from either end but only permits entry from the correct end... if that makes sense.
In our case they did make it a bit more logical by narrowing the 'no entry' end of the road to a single lane.
So no surpise that the GiB didn't know what the planners had been doing or why they had installed the sign. Since when do planners make any sense?!
MC
In our case they did make it a bit more logical by narrowing the 'no entry' end of the road to a single lane.
So no surpise that the GiB didn't know what the planners had been doing or why they had installed the sign. Since when do planners make any sense?!
MC
Whilst you said two road i.e. one lane oneway, one way opposing, BiB may have thought two way road i.e. two lanes one direction because it was a one way street?
If not all happy with affairs and before 28 days are up on the FPN, then down to Local Authority Traffic Management Department and ask to see the relevant Order that made the stretch a one-way Street and inspect for flaws.
DVD
If not all happy with affairs and before 28 days are up on the FPN, then down to Local Authority Traffic Management Department and ask to see the relevant Order that made the stretch a one-way Street and inspect for flaws.
DVD
mechsympathy said:
That sucks! Yes it's illegal, but if the signs are routinely ignored but a large number of people then there is something wrong with the road layout.
It's also another nail in the BiB/MOP relationship coffin. Given the apparently regular way the signs are ignored surely a stop and a warning would be as effective as points and a fine. It looks like the BiB-powers-that-be are on a cash grabbing exercise.
Problem is; you never know how many 'locals' have complained to the police about drivers flouting the No Entry sign.
mechsympathy said:
Absolutely, but if the situation has been ignored for so long then shirley a warning seems more reasonable in the circumstances. Hit repeat offenders with the full weight of the law by all means, but having a crackdown like this from the start is excessive.
Possibly...but if the police went about 'warning' people all the time..very little would get done, and our backs would be pissed up against regularly..
At the end of the day; if you contravene a No Entry sign and do it day in day out....you can expect to get caught one day.
Just because "everybody does it" or "i've done it every day since my and Beryl moved here in 1982" doesn't mean it's right.
its a bit like running a red light. Sometimes you can see there is nothing coming the other way or a merge to join a left lane, etc, but unless it was clear the lights are faulty and stuck on redyou dont go past them.
Perhaps you could argue that the sign was 'faulty' and should not be there. perhaps it should be for a no entry for a different class of vechile ie lorries etc.
Its worth checking is out. I would cry like a baby.
ps it not in Lewes is it?
Perhaps you could argue that the sign was 'faulty' and should not be there. perhaps it should be for a no entry for a different class of vechile ie lorries etc.
Its worth checking is out. I would cry like a baby.
ps it not in Lewes is it?
Streetcop said:
Possibly...but if the police went about 'warning' people all the time..very little would get done, and our backs would be pissed up against regularly..
At the end of the day; if you contravene a No Entry sign and do it day in day out....you can expect to get caught one day.
Just because "everybody does it" or "i've done it every day since my and Beryl moved here in 1982" doesn't mean it's right.
If the BiB can give a warning for speeding, why not this.
I think we're talking at cross purposes:shrugs: The law is the law, after all.
Streetcop said:
The bib/gib in question sound like a 'tutor unit'
What’s one of them, then? There were four of them, but they were just stood at the side of the road, no sign of any vehicles. By the way, I was going to add to my original post, you know those leather bound note pad things they have? They have a clear pouch in the back, and one of the BiB had a picture of the Teletubbies in his, which made me chuckle even though I’d just been shafted for 60 quid!
Globulators said:
It's only a fair cop if that sign was properly put there by the council - you should be able to look up the council records to discover if it was, and if it is actually stuck onto the correct road.
MajorClanger said:
In our case they did make it a bit more logical by narrowing the 'no entry' end of the road to a single lane.
Yes, it’s a proper permanent sign and it’s been there for some time, and yes, the road is narrowed at the no entry end.
MajorClanger said:
There's a road like this near us. A 'no entry' sign was recently installed at one end to prevent the road being used as a shortcut as it is residential. The fact that the road is two-way allows the residents to exit from either end but only permits entry from the correct end... if that makes sense.
Some of the roads are residential, but the one I got nabbed on is more of a small office complexes/back street garages kinda road.
mechsympathy said:
Given the apparently regular way the signs are ignored surely a stop and a warning would be as effective as points and a fine. It looks like the BiB-powers-that-be are on a cash grabbing exercise.
Yep, I was a little surprised that she launched straight into the FPN with no questioning or any hint of any leeway or a warning.
Dwight VanDriver said:
Whilst you said two road i.e. one lane oneway, one way opposing, BiB may have thought two way road i.e. two lanes one direction because it was a one way street?
No, it’s definitely the former – a 2 way street in the normal sense.
Streetcop said:
Just because "everybody does it" or "i've done it every day since my and Beryl moved here in 1982" doesn't mean it's right.
superlightr said:
it not in Lewes is it?
No, but not far away – Brighton.
thegreatsoprendo said:
Heading to work this morning along one of these roads, there were 4 BiB (actually 2 GiB and 2 Bib!) hiding around the corner who proceeded to pull me over.
4 BiB!!!
4!!
I mean 4 FFS!!!
That really is a good use of police time isn't it! Really helps install public confidence in the police, and solves countless real crimes!
>> Edited by jesusbuiltmycar on Tuesday 8th February 17:52
jesusbuiltmycar said:
4 BiB!!!
4!!
I mean 4 FFS!!!
That really is a good use of police time isn't it! Really helps install public confidence in the police, and solves countless real crimes!
Calm down dear.....
As I said..it'll be a training day..2 x experienced bobbies and 2 newbies...or even 1 x experienced bobby and 3 x newbies...
Streetcop said:
Calm down dear.....
As I said..it'll be a training day..2 x experienced bobbies and 2 newbies...or even 1 x experienced bobby and 3 x newbies...
I'm not so sure Street. There was no sign of any coaching/observing going on. One was dealing with me and the other 3 were wandering about twiddling their thumbs (and admiring their Teletubbies piccies!). Besides, none of them looked old enough to be out of school yet...
>> Edited by thegreatsoprendo on Tuesday 8th February 19:47
Streetcop said:
4 BiB!!!
4!!
I mean 4 FFS!!!
That really is a good use of police time isn't it! Really helps install public confidence in the police, and solves countless real crimes!
Calm down dear.....
As I said..it'll be a training day..2 x experienced bobbies and 2 newbies...or even 1 x experienced bobby and 3 x newbies...
The met have them out on bus lane offender duty on my commute home from time to time. Its usually one experienced fella and three newbies.
In true Reginal Perrin fashion I cant help but have an image akin to the one below pop into my head...
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