Strange incident. Thoughts?
Discussion
Here's a question for all the police on this forum.
Last night I was pulled on the way to Maidstone. There is a section of dual carriageway with occasional traffic lights and a 60mph limit. I was stopped at the lights with a car behind (turned out to be plod). The road was totally clear ahead and so I 'gave it some' away from the lights. I accelerated in a straight line up to 60mph but not once did I go over 60mph. I drive a modified new Porsche so 0-60mph is about 4.5 seconds.
I was pulled for 'dangerous driving'?? Not being in the mood for a bollocking I stood my ground pointing out that the roads were clear, I did not cross lanes, did not smoke tyres, was in full control throughout etc and I did not exceed the speed limit. Speed limits are obvious but as far as I know there are no laws concerning specific rates of acceleration. When I pointed this out to the plod politely, he got all arsey and told me to stop being a smartarse and that if I wanted to drive my 'flash car' like that I should do it on a track.
At that point I stated that he should either issue me with a notice or I would ask for a supervisor and complain about his attitude but I would not listen to a lecture. He gave me some last 'words of advice' and decided to leave it at that.
So, did I do anything wrong? I don't think so. I've previously raced and so know how to handle a powerful car and I did not put anyone in danger and did not exceed the speed limit. Was this plod just having a bad day or should I have asked for a supervisor?
Thoughts welcome.
Last night I was pulled on the way to Maidstone. There is a section of dual carriageway with occasional traffic lights and a 60mph limit. I was stopped at the lights with a car behind (turned out to be plod). The road was totally clear ahead and so I 'gave it some' away from the lights. I accelerated in a straight line up to 60mph but not once did I go over 60mph. I drive a modified new Porsche so 0-60mph is about 4.5 seconds.
I was pulled for 'dangerous driving'?? Not being in the mood for a bollocking I stood my ground pointing out that the roads were clear, I did not cross lanes, did not smoke tyres, was in full control throughout etc and I did not exceed the speed limit. Speed limits are obvious but as far as I know there are no laws concerning specific rates of acceleration. When I pointed this out to the plod politely, he got all arsey and told me to stop being a smartarse and that if I wanted to drive my 'flash car' like that I should do it on a track.
At that point I stated that he should either issue me with a notice or I would ask for a supervisor and complain about his attitude but I would not listen to a lecture. He gave me some last 'words of advice' and decided to leave it at that.
So, did I do anything wrong? I don't think so. I've previously raced and so know how to handle a powerful car and I did not put anyone in danger and did not exceed the speed limit. Was this plod just having a bad day or should I have asked for a supervisor?
Thoughts welcome.
Sounds to me like Porker driver at lights looks in mirror seeing cop car behind decides to have a bit of fun with them and decides to try out his launch control. When stopped by the cops he becomes Mr Arrogance and it goes downhill from there.
Oh, sorry I forgot only the cops get it wrong on this forum!!
P.S. as I have said before I am not a police officer I just get hacked off at the constant sniping of some of you. If you can do it better join up (I cant so I wont).
Oh, sorry I forgot only the cops get it wrong on this forum!!
P.S. as I have said before I am not a police officer I just get hacked off at the constant sniping of some of you. If you can do it better join up (I cant so I wont).
bluejj said:
Sounds to me like Porker driver at lights looks in mirror seeing cop car behind decides to have a bit of fun with them and decides to try out his launch control. When stopped by the cops he becomes Mr Arrogance and it goes downhill from there.
Oh, sorry I forgot only the cops get it wrong on this forum!!
P.S. as I have said before I am not a police officer I just get hacked off at the constant sniping of some of you. If you can do it better join up (I cant so I wont).
Oh, sorry I forgot only the cops get it wrong on this forum!!
P.S. as I have said before I am not a police officer I just get hacked off at the constant sniping of some of you. If you can do it better join up (I cant so I wont).
Read the post again.
He said that it "turned out to be plod", therefore he didnt "decide to have some fun with them".
Sounds like you didnt read the post right and then asserted incorrectly that he was looking for trouble.
Geez.
im glad you dont have access to a nuke. Edited by Deltafox on Thursday 5th October 10:37
bluejj said:
Sounds to me like Porker driver at lights looks in mirror seeing cop car behind decides to have a bit of fun with them and decides to try out his launch control. When stopped by the cops he becomes Mr Arrogance and it goes downhill from there.
Oh, sorry I forgot only the cops get it wrong on this forum!!
P.S. as I have said before I am not a police officer I just get hacked off at the constant sniping of some of you. If you can do it better join up (I cant so I wont).
Oh, sorry I forgot only the cops get it wrong on this forum!!
P.S. as I have said before I am not a police officer I just get hacked off at the constant sniping of some of you. If you can do it better join up (I cant so I wont).
As if I would 'try and have a bit of fun'?? Moron.
bluejj said:
Sounds to me like Porker driver at lights looks in mirror seeing cop car behind decides to have a bit of fun with them and decides to try out his launch control. When stopped by the cops he becomes Mr Arrogance and it goes downhill from there.
Oh, sorry I forgot only the cops get it wrong on this forum!!
P.S. as I have said before I am not a police officer I just get hacked off at the constant sniping of some of you. If you can do it better join up (I cant so I wont).
Oh, sorry I forgot only the cops get it wrong on this forum!!
P.S. as I have said before I am not a police officer I just get hacked off at the constant sniping of some of you. If you can do it better join up (I cant so I wont).
Hey? Do you really think he would do that knowing police were behind?
The offence you could look at would be under some old legislation of 'wanton and furious driving' or consideration for 'racing' . You were probably pulled over as the officer most likely believed you had seen them as dependant on the sort of vehicle they were in and your level of observation they most likely believed you were 'goading' them. Also you should be aware that at this current time there have been a high instance of thefts of nicer cars and as such you are more likely to be stopped. You also I'm taking from your post were driving later in the night / early evening and as such the manner of driving which would be considered 'aggressive' would also be enough for consideration of a breath test.
I got a very hard look from a passing BiB when I gave it some beans coming out of a junction. I can't manage sub 5 second 50 but certainly a sub 6 second 60. I was expecting him to turn round and come for a chat but he obviously had better things to do.
On point I've wanted to ask is do BiB consider the car you are in? For example I would say that 70mph in my car is safer than 50mph in an F-reg escort. In the case of the OP would the BiB have seen it as dangerous to floor a 1.1 VW polo?
On point I've wanted to ask is do BiB consider the car you are in? For example I would say that 70mph in my car is safer than 50mph in an F-reg escort. In the case of the OP would the BiB have seen it as dangerous to floor a 1.1 VW polo?
bluejj said:
Sounds to me like Porker driver at lights looks in mirror seeing cop car behind decides to have a bit of fun with them and decides to try out his launch control. When stopped by the cops he becomes Mr Arrogance and it goes downhill from there.
Even if he had known in advance that it was plod there would have been nothing wrong in using the >0.5G acceleration that's been bought and paid for to reach the legal limit.
No reason for plod to stop him, no reason not to report plod to his boss.
Ok I'll stick my gead above the parapit and probably fall out with everybody. First of all I am comming from Scots Law which is different to that wierd Roman stuff you have in the uncivilised world.
To race off (as they call it) from a standing start can be a crime (at Scots common law) "Furious driving" but I don't really see it hear.
Dangerous driving? (Section 2 RTA '88) Mmmm Complicated. In Scots Law it states. Did that standard of driving fall far below the standard that would be expexted of a careful or compitent driver? (There are many examples in case law that outline this which require detailed study and ultimatly the decision of a Sheriff) I would suggest a Procurator Fiscal would prosecute at summary level before a Sheriff summary or Stipendury Magistrate on the basis of careless or inconsiderate driving (Section 3 RTA'88)
The evidence would be. You accelerated hard without reason. If an activity occurred on the road could you have taken evasive action to the same extent that a driver who normaly drives on that road could have taken. Also was your behaviour in the manner of your driving inconsiderate or careless.
I don't have an opinion on this thats the job of the court. With people in the Foolspeed camp and campaighn against iresponsible drivers on the go some Sheriffs may take the view, "Why did you have to accelerate hard? If something did happen could you have reacted in the same way as Joe public would have driven"
Where you in fact just being full hardy?
Like it or not Scots courts can and do convict on this basis.
To race off (as they call it) from a standing start can be a crime (at Scots common law) "Furious driving" but I don't really see it hear.
Dangerous driving? (Section 2 RTA '88) Mmmm Complicated. In Scots Law it states. Did that standard of driving fall far below the standard that would be expexted of a careful or compitent driver? (There are many examples in case law that outline this which require detailed study and ultimatly the decision of a Sheriff) I would suggest a Procurator Fiscal would prosecute at summary level before a Sheriff summary or Stipendury Magistrate on the basis of careless or inconsiderate driving (Section 3 RTA'88)
The evidence would be. You accelerated hard without reason. If an activity occurred on the road could you have taken evasive action to the same extent that a driver who normaly drives on that road could have taken. Also was your behaviour in the manner of your driving inconsiderate or careless.
I don't have an opinion on this thats the job of the court. With people in the Foolspeed camp and campaighn against iresponsible drivers on the go some Sheriffs may take the view, "Why did you have to accelerate hard? If something did happen could you have reacted in the same way as Joe public would have driven"
Where you in fact just being full hardy?
Like it or not Scots courts can and do convict on this basis.
FortJefferson said:
Where's Von when we need him?
It's still on the statute books in England & Wales, Section 35 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861. Indictable only offence with a maximum sentence of 2 years imprisonment. Rarely used as other driving or assault offences will normally be used, but it's big plus is that it's an "anywhere" offence, so can be used for offences on private premises.
Perhaps it should be used against Schuey at Silverstone sometimes
Edited by vonhosen on Saturday 7th October 18:47
Once again, no danger apparent yet somebody in uniform's on the case - and BiB on here weren't there with the OP so speculating just like the rest of us.
What's this furious thing then, an envy offence?
"The accused was in a half decent car making safe progress, and we felt furious and overpowered, no sorry I mean an overpowering, urge to book him your magistrateness"
What's this furious thing then, an envy offence?
"The accused was in a half decent car making safe progress, and we felt furious and overpowered, no sorry I mean an overpowering, urge to book him your magistrateness"
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