Reporting a police driver
Discussion
I saw a traffic car driving at what can only be described as a ludicrous speed this evening in a built up area. He had his lights and siren on, but if I had to guess the speed I would suggest it was about 70 or 80 in a 30 zone. I know the rules about being allowed to break the limit, but the car was not leaving any margin for the unexpected, or even the quite likely. Just where he went past me in the opposite direction there is a junction which often has cars turning slowly in or out of it and had this have been the case at the time I don't think the police car could have stopped in time.
I reported the driver when I got home, and had to give my details to the inspector who took the call so I guess I had better make sure I stick within all limits for the foreseeable future! Did I do the right thing in reporting the driver? I really felt that he was endangering other road users.
I reported the driver when I got home, and had to give my details to the inspector who took the call so I guess I had better make sure I stick within all limits for the foreseeable future! Did I do the right thing in reporting the driver? I really felt that he was endangering other road users.
andyps said:
I saw a traffic car driving at what can only be described as a ludicrous speed this evening in a built up area. He had his lights and siren on, but if I had to guess the speed I would suggest it was about 70 or 80 in a 30 zone. I know the rules about being allowed to break the limit, but the car was not leaving any margin for the unexpected, or even the quite likely. Just where he went past me in the opposite direction there is a junction which often has cars turning slowly in or out of it and had this have been the case at the time I don't think the police car could have stopped in time.
I reported the driver when I got home, and had to give my details to the inspector who took the call so I guess I had better make sure I stick within all limits for the foreseeable future! Did I do the right thing in reporting the driver? I really felt that he was endangering other road users.
I reported the driver when I got home, and had to give my details to the inspector who took the call so I guess I had better make sure I stick within all limits for the foreseeable future! Did I do the right thing in reporting the driver? I really felt that he was endangering other road users.
You have made a complaint against the police which you are entitled to do there is no poblem with that. As far as watching how you go don't worry about that the police get complained about all the time rightly and wrongly. They don't have the time and can't be bothered to set up personal vendettas.
If you were alone in your car then it might be difficult for the inspector to prove but what is more likely is the cop will have to watch himself (assuming it was a male) you are more likely to find that his gaffers will try and set him up to see if he does drive about like a looney. They don't want him doing that because it becomes a problem for them.
andyps said:
I really felt that he was endangering other road users.
Your opinion only I'm afraid. Let's hope you never need that guy in a hurry. Playing devils advocate slightly, but personally I think you did the wrong thing. A persons perception of speed will often bear no resemblance to the truth. I've been to many calls where 'loud' cars have been accused of driving at high speed when in reality they probably weren't. Have you ever stood by a motorway? The cars look like they're doing 100+, when in reality most are doing 70 tops. With the advent of IDR's (black boxes) in Police vehicles, every driver is accountable for every call. The device history can be downloaded, and can (will) be used against the driver.
Not meaning to be arsey with you, it's just that I've been 'complained' about in the past when I was doing absolutely nothing wrong, just driving swiftly and safely to a call, to once again put my personal safety on the line for a complete stranger.
Yes I agree with both points here and as I said the police get complained about all the time rightly or wrongly.
I think is shows that the police in the UK are still approachable enough that a mop can walk into an office or phone in and make a complaint of this nature.
In the bad old days the bib inspector would have come to your house with his sgt, listened, clocked your car on the way out and the next time it turned a wheel as if by magic the trafpol would have been all over you and you would be getting so many HORT1's that you would have sold your car and bought a push bike.
I think you did the right thing for the record but thats my own opinion taking what you say at face value.
I think is shows that the police in the UK are still approachable enough that a mop can walk into an office or phone in and make a complaint of this nature.
In the bad old days the bib inspector would have come to your house with his sgt, listened, clocked your car on the way out and the next time it turned a wheel as if by magic the trafpol would have been all over you and you would be getting so many HORT1's that you would have sold your car and bought a push bike.
I think you did the right thing for the record but thats my own opinion taking what you say at face value.
Globulator said:
Saw a police panda car the other day at the scrap-yard, not completely smashed but enough damage to write it off. Not obeying the speed limit I guess, otherwise how else could they have an accident??
Oh come on is that a serious comment? The idea is to debate serious points. I'm not having a go but what evidence do you have to make such a statement.
Give it a couple of minutes someone is going to call you a bib basher........
Oh what the hell BIB BASHER....... : - >
Hollywood Wheels said:
andyps said:
I really felt that he was endangering other road users.
Your opinion only I'm afraid.
Does it follow that, in your opinion, MOPs should never file a complaint, because it could only ever be an opinion?
The OP seems to be a conscientious, responsible person. He was genuinely concerned about the officer's driving, and indeed he cares enough now to wonder openly if he did the right thing.
If the car had an IDR, presumably the matter of what was the speed at a particular point could be easily ascertained?
If, as the OP said, this took place in a genuine built-up area (regardless of the speed limit), where a child could suddenly dart out from behind a car or a hedge, then it is difficult - although perhaps not impossible - to imagine how 70-80 mph could be justified.
If analysis were to show that the speed was not excessive, then the police could inform the complainant. A concerned MOP would thus be reassured, which should be a good thing.
If it were to show that the speed was excessive, one presumes that the officer will be dealt with appropriately.
We can be sincerely, unshakably supportive of the police as an institution without acting as though they were always and without exception above reproach.
Just because it was a 30 limit doesn't mean anything in reality.
Some are wide with wide grass verges and wide pavements giving excellent visibility, in which case 70 or 80 could easily be safe.
If it was a narrow residential road with cars parked on both sides then even 30 could be dodgy.
I would have based my decision around that, but I wouldn't really even think about reporting a police car unless it was truly awfull driving amongst blind hazards.
Some are wide with wide grass verges and wide pavements giving excellent visibility, in which case 70 or 80 could easily be safe.
If it was a narrow residential road with cars parked on both sides then even 30 could be dodgy.
I would have based my decision around that, but I wouldn't really even think about reporting a police car unless it was truly awfull driving amongst blind hazards.
[quote=gently bentley]
In the bad old days the bib inspector would have come to your house with his sgt, listened, clocked your car on the way out and the next time it turned a wheel as if by magic the trafpol would have been all over you and you would be getting so many HORT1's that you would have sold your car and bought a push bike.
Bad old days? Still force policy as far as I'm aware. At least, it's how I deal with complaints.
In the bad old days the bib inspector would have come to your house with his sgt, listened, clocked your car on the way out and the next time it turned a wheel as if by magic the trafpol would have been all over you and you would be getting so many HORT1's that you would have sold your car and bought a push bike.
Bad old days? Still force policy as far as I'm aware. At least, it's how I deal with complaints.
What is wrong with making a complaint about plod? Whether right or wrong, ones perception of speed in a situation is down to personal opinion. Plod use this againts normal road users everyday. If an individual feels an inapropriate speed is being used by ANY road user then they are entitled to complain.
Driving, as I do in the capital almost everyday I witness police calls regulary, of which many I feel are delt with in a hazardous manner. There are near miss's and quite a few crashes involving plod due to their poor perception of oncoming situation's. These incidents often involving lenghthy investigations with road closures. Something which is a very common sighting is the police Transit vans driven without the use of seatbelts??? Would complaining about inproper use be a bad thing? One rule for Joe public etc etc...
The point is that we are all human and ALL make mistakes, If a particular officer recieves a lot of complaints about thier response technique then there surely has to be cause for concern? I fully appriciate the need for speedy response times and I am not having a go at bib, but if someones opinion of the way an individual carries out their job causes the observer to feel the need to inform the employer, then it should not reguarded as wrong. The more an employer knows about how his/her employees carryout their job the better.
Driving, as I do in the capital almost everyday I witness police calls regulary, of which many I feel are delt with in a hazardous manner. There are near miss's and quite a few crashes involving plod due to their poor perception of oncoming situation's. These incidents often involving lenghthy investigations with road closures. Something which is a very common sighting is the police Transit vans driven without the use of seatbelts??? Would complaining about inproper use be a bad thing? One rule for Joe public etc etc...
The point is that we are all human and ALL make mistakes, If a particular officer recieves a lot of complaints about thier response technique then there surely has to be cause for concern? I fully appriciate the need for speedy response times and I am not having a go at bib, but if someones opinion of the way an individual carries out their job causes the observer to feel the need to inform the employer, then it should not reguarded as wrong. The more an employer knows about how his/her employees carryout their job the better.
True, someones perception of 80 may well only be 50, but we don't all carry speed detector guns. On what grounds are we supposed to complain? It is only ever about judgement at the time. My point was that if a large amount of similar complaints are filed against a particular officer then will that not set alarm bells ringing. The law of averages etc..
gently bentley said:
Oh come on is that a serious comment? The idea is to debate serious points. I'm not having a go but what evidence do you have to make such a statement.
I do recall hearing that police cars were being crashed rather too often, and this thread is about a police car driven too fast and getting away with it. The car I saw had I believe under 3k miles on it and was written off.
On a more general note, traffic police, the government, authority in general and the SCPs in particular has spent a great deal of time, effort and money teaching the great unwashed that exceeding the limit is dangerous. That means that in a 50 limit driving at 45mph is safe, but when the limit is dropped to 40mph that is not safe.
It also gives the clear message by inference that: "If you are within the posted limit then you are safe". Unless you've been down a Cornish tin mine for the last decade you will have noticed more and more people taking that message on board and boy do they believe!
Based on what the authorities tell me therefore I can say 'The policemen crashed because he was exceeding the posted limit", because if I've learnt nothing else from authority and the SCP I've learnt that driving below the limit is safe and therefore I am invunerable and cannot crash, and driving above the limit ('speeding') is dangerous and therefore I probably will.
My commment is not aimed at the BiB but in the broken system they enforce. Wanting people to believe that 'speeding' is unsafe and simultaneously believe that 'speeding' can be safe is like having your cake and eating it sir!
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