Discretion it still exists......
Discussion
I was stopped a few weeks ago at about 2030 (clear visibility, dry surface, light traffic). Joined m'way at Jct 37, making progress at indicated 80-90 (average 85) in lane1/lane2, some vehicles were travelling a little quicker. I was complacent- only doing 85 so I was not on the lookout for traffpoll from behind on the m'way. Anyway I proceed to leave the motorway at Jct 38. End of slip road, roundabout all clear (all NSL), take my exit onto a trunk road. I did make 'progress' on the slip-road and around the roundabout (no other traffic whatsoever), but all within the confines of my lane and car attitude was normal. So I'm now onto a 1.5mile NSL A road stretch and travelling at 80-85, 30 zone (village) upcoming and I'm down to 30 50m before the start of the 30 zone. As entering 30 zone I noticed a car catching me very and unsually quickly and I guessed it was traffpoll. Car continues to catch up to a car length and then the customary request to stop.
I was a bit suprised as to where the traffpoll had come from as no other car had left the m'way at my exit by the time I was entering the roundabout. Unknown to me the traffpoll were just at the start of the slip road when I was entering the roundabout. I would have been in clear view. The traffpoll would have observed my deliberate late braking for the roundabout and strong acceleration away. (The police-force county changes at this junction; normally the traffpoll would have simply just turned around to go southbound, but as they noticed my aggressive driving style they probably judged that I was worthy of investigation- this is my assumption).
(First time I've been ever been stopped- passed test 5yrs ago.)
Nevertheless, I stop at the side of the road and switch hazards on as soon as instructed. A two man patrol, police driver steps up and asks me to step outside.
As soon as I get out and now stood on the verge.
Policeman: "That was dangerous. Wasn't it? I've been following you from Jct 36 and have got it on video"
(I am now very concerned; thinking I was going to be reported for Dangerous Driving)
I: "I didn't realise. I was speeding though. But I joined the m'way at junction 37"
P: "Have you been drinking?"
I: "Nope"
(Proceeds with breath test- no issues)
P: "Take a seat in the back for a few minutes so I can get some details".
(Performs PNC check. Result- Car insured, Registered in my name. Asks for license- I don't carry it)
P: "What is the speed limit on the m'way?"
I: "70"
P: "What speed were you doing?"
I: "About 85-90"
P: "What is the speed limit on this road?"
I: "30 in this zone, but 60 just before".
P: "What speed were you doing?"
I: "75-85 in the NSL".
P: "Why were you doing this speed?"
I: "I was stupid".
P: "Normally its 3pts and £60 for such an offence, but I'll just ask you to produce your driving license at a station of your choice within 7 days".
(I take a sigh of relief- I have always had a clean license)
I: "Many thanks for your discretion"
(P fills producer)
P: "Just slow down"
I: "I will. I hope I haven't come across as arrogant or insolent".
P: "You've been fine. Let you go on your way now, just slow down"
I: "Cheers. Thanks for your discretion".
And I'm on my way.
Lesson learnt. I was lucky!
I was a bit suprised as to where the traffpoll had come from as no other car had left the m'way at my exit by the time I was entering the roundabout. Unknown to me the traffpoll were just at the start of the slip road when I was entering the roundabout. I would have been in clear view. The traffpoll would have observed my deliberate late braking for the roundabout and strong acceleration away. (The police-force county changes at this junction; normally the traffpoll would have simply just turned around to go southbound, but as they noticed my aggressive driving style they probably judged that I was worthy of investigation- this is my assumption).
(First time I've been ever been stopped- passed test 5yrs ago.)
Nevertheless, I stop at the side of the road and switch hazards on as soon as instructed. A two man patrol, police driver steps up and asks me to step outside.
As soon as I get out and now stood on the verge.
Policeman: "That was dangerous. Wasn't it? I've been following you from Jct 36 and have got it on video"
(I am now very concerned; thinking I was going to be reported for Dangerous Driving)
I: "I didn't realise. I was speeding though. But I joined the m'way at junction 37"
P: "Have you been drinking?"
I: "Nope"
(Proceeds with breath test- no issues)
P: "Take a seat in the back for a few minutes so I can get some details".
(Performs PNC check. Result- Car insured, Registered in my name. Asks for license- I don't carry it)
P: "What is the speed limit on the m'way?"
I: "70"
P: "What speed were you doing?"
I: "About 85-90"
P: "What is the speed limit on this road?"
I: "30 in this zone, but 60 just before".
P: "What speed were you doing?"
I: "75-85 in the NSL".
P: "Why were you doing this speed?"
I: "I was stupid".
P: "Normally its 3pts and £60 for such an offence, but I'll just ask you to produce your driving license at a station of your choice within 7 days".
(I take a sigh of relief- I have always had a clean license)
I: "Many thanks for your discretion"
(P fills producer)
P: "Just slow down"
I: "I will. I hope I haven't come across as arrogant or insolent".
P: "You've been fine. Let you go on your way now, just slow down"
I: "Cheers. Thanks for your discretion".
And I'm on my way.
Lesson learnt. I was lucky!
that was a good result. 
herewego said:
What lesson did you learn?
Something about more careful observation? Not criticising Baz, but improvements can always be made.
....and if it helps to avoid the need for some of these tiresome interviews at the roadside, so much the better - even though this one went extremely well I would say.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Had a similar experience myself....
I got married on september 9th this year. My best man was using my TVR to take me to the church. On the way there we met a few mates at a nearby pub. I had a drink, my best man didn't
A taxi turned up to collect my mates and my best man came up with a (not-so-great) idea. He said them hold on a second, i'll take the TVR for a quick fly-by....
He left the pub, drove up the road, round the roundabout and pulled up next to the pub, indicating right as if to turn into the pub car park, in order to get a clear bit of road in front
Once the road had cleared, he floored the car in order to get the back end ut and proceeded up the road maybe 300m then slowed back down
Unknown to him one of the cars that was backed up behind as he was indicating into the pub was a copper...
The moment he slowed down we heard the siren, at this point my mates were wetting themselves with laughter.....
Obviously my best man pulled over and the copper got out of the car walked over to us, saw the wedding suits and said
Plod "which one of you is getting married"
me "I am"
plod "what time is the ceremony"
best man "errr now...."
plod "that style or driving is not allowed on the roads, I have no idea how fast you were going but I know you accelerated very hard"
best man and me .... silence
plod "in light of circumstances, I am going to use my discretion and let you off, do not let me see this car being driven in that manner again"
The incident made for a great story for me to use as part of the grooms speech....
edited to add
The lesson learned...
If you are going to be pulled over, make sure you are dressed for a wedding.....
I got married on september 9th this year. My best man was using my TVR to take me to the church. On the way there we met a few mates at a nearby pub. I had a drink, my best man didn't
A taxi turned up to collect my mates and my best man came up with a (not-so-great) idea. He said them hold on a second, i'll take the TVR for a quick fly-by....
He left the pub, drove up the road, round the roundabout and pulled up next to the pub, indicating right as if to turn into the pub car park, in order to get a clear bit of road in front
Once the road had cleared, he floored the car in order to get the back end ut and proceeded up the road maybe 300m then slowed back down
Unknown to him one of the cars that was backed up behind as he was indicating into the pub was a copper...
The moment he slowed down we heard the siren, at this point my mates were wetting themselves with laughter.....
Obviously my best man pulled over and the copper got out of the car walked over to us, saw the wedding suits and said
Plod "which one of you is getting married"
me "I am"
plod "what time is the ceremony"
best man "errr now...."
plod "that style or driving is not allowed on the roads, I have no idea how fast you were going but I know you accelerated very hard"
best man and me .... silence
plod "in light of circumstances, I am going to use my discretion and let you off, do not let me see this car being driven in that manner again"
The incident made for a great story for me to use as part of the grooms speech....
edited to add
The lesson learned...
If you are going to be pulled over, make sure you are dressed for a wedding.....
Edited by jesusbuiltmycar on Wednesday 17th January 11:25
bob1179 said:
Hi Baz.
Where did you get stopped? It sounds to me like Jnc 38 of the M1 on the Barnsley/Huddersfield turnoff between South and West Yorks.
If not then I'll shut up...
Where did you get stopped? It sounds to me like Jnc 38 of the M1 on the Barnsley/Huddersfield turnoff between South and West Yorks.
If not then I'll shut up...
Edited by bob1179 on Wednesday 17th January 12:22
Bob,
Spot on. Stopped in West Bretton after new roundabout.
Baz
baz1985 said:
Policeman: "That was dangerous. Wasn't it? I've been following you from Jct 36 and have got it on video"
(I am now very concerned; thinking I was going to be reported for Dangerous Driving)
I: "I didn't realise.
Don't say things like that, though - if they're in the mood, they could have you for driving without due care. Same as if you swear blind you don't know how fast you were going.
But I thought you said he was parked up on the slip road? Did the officer tell a fib there?
Similar thing happened to me once. No details necessary, but suffice it to say that I was driving dangerously, and I believe that it would have been 100% fair to book me for it.
Copper gave me a damn good dressing-down, and sent me on my way.
Result - I did slow down, and have moderated my driving. I was impressed with the BiB and held them in high respect. (That latter point has unfortunately been shattered by subsequent events some 10 years later, but that's another point.)
Discretion - it really is the way forwards.
Oli.
Copper gave me a damn good dressing-down, and sent me on my way.
Result - I did slow down, and have moderated my driving. I was impressed with the BiB and held them in high respect. (That latter point has unfortunately been shattered by subsequent events some 10 years later, but that's another point.)
Discretion - it really is the way forwards.
Oli.
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