Double Standards
Discussion
Hi All,
I know there are often feelings on here the the Police have one rule for them and another for the general public.
I also read postings on here from Policemen who, by the sounds of it do a good job and have a fair / reasonable approach to dealing with people who marginally stretch the realms of what is legal..
I unfortunately have, on the odd occasion (when i was much younger of course!!) stood at the side of the road, being told how my driving a few miles over the speed limit, downhill at midnight, may run over a young child who may be running across the road and by the tone of the officer i'm a worse offender than most people serving at Her Majesty's Pleasure.
I also accept however that this is not necessarily the approact of All Police.
But i do hear a sense of double standards where people are seeing Police parked illegally to go buy a takeaway or Police driving dangerously or speeding (when not on a call) whilst still preaching that if we, the general public, were to replicate their actions we would be the worst offenders in the Land.
My point is that Yesterday, whilst driving my Grandmother around i approach a roundabout from a 30 mph limit and turn right into a single carriageway with a 60 mph limit. As i come off the roundabout i see a van coming off the roundabout behind me, followed by a Police car. The Police car decides to overtake the van across the hatching which in itself is illegal, then approaches me and overtakes me round a blind bend completely crossing the hatching and then approaches a learner driver infront of me and, as there are cars coming the other way, sits about an inch from the learners bumper forcing them to move left and then overtakes.
I assume at this point they are on a 'call' though no lights are being displayed. Well then the traffic builds up and they stop in traffic. The learner turns off and i am behind the police car and i then continue behind the police car (with them exceeding the speed limit whenever there is a clear stretch infront and then slowing when they reach another vehicle) through a built up area until i pull off.
The point i'm making here (and apologies for the length of the post) is that Yes, the officers in this Police car do not necessarily reflect the actions of All Police, but you must accept that the Police are in a position of Power and Authority and as such have put themselves on a pedi stool.
The general public are preached to continually by the police that such driving behaviour is a serious crime and, dare i say, a patronising tone accompanying this message is not unheard of.
Actions like this just fuel the argument that the Police are not always acting out the laws they most stringently enforce.
Hypocrisy? sadly yes.
I know there are often feelings on here the the Police have one rule for them and another for the general public.
I also read postings on here from Policemen who, by the sounds of it do a good job and have a fair / reasonable approach to dealing with people who marginally stretch the realms of what is legal..
I unfortunately have, on the odd occasion (when i was much younger of course!!) stood at the side of the road, being told how my driving a few miles over the speed limit, downhill at midnight, may run over a young child who may be running across the road and by the tone of the officer i'm a worse offender than most people serving at Her Majesty's Pleasure.
I also accept however that this is not necessarily the approact of All Police.
But i do hear a sense of double standards where people are seeing Police parked illegally to go buy a takeaway or Police driving dangerously or speeding (when not on a call) whilst still preaching that if we, the general public, were to replicate their actions we would be the worst offenders in the Land.
My point is that Yesterday, whilst driving my Grandmother around i approach a roundabout from a 30 mph limit and turn right into a single carriageway with a 60 mph limit. As i come off the roundabout i see a van coming off the roundabout behind me, followed by a Police car. The Police car decides to overtake the van across the hatching which in itself is illegal, then approaches me and overtakes me round a blind bend completely crossing the hatching and then approaches a learner driver infront of me and, as there are cars coming the other way, sits about an inch from the learners bumper forcing them to move left and then overtakes.
I assume at this point they are on a 'call' though no lights are being displayed. Well then the traffic builds up and they stop in traffic. The learner turns off and i am behind the police car and i then continue behind the police car (with them exceeding the speed limit whenever there is a clear stretch infront and then slowing when they reach another vehicle) through a built up area until i pull off.
The point i'm making here (and apologies for the length of the post) is that Yes, the officers in this Police car do not necessarily reflect the actions of All Police, but you must accept that the Police are in a position of Power and Authority and as such have put themselves on a pedi stool.
The general public are preached to continually by the police that such driving behaviour is a serious crime and, dare i say, a patronising tone accompanying this message is not unheard of.
Actions like this just fuel the argument that the Police are not always acting out the laws they most stringently enforce.
Hypocrisy? sadly yes.
mcflurry said:
Let he who is without sin throw the first stone...
I am sure many of us have either broken the speed limit, jumped an "amber" light, double parked to "pop to the shop/bank", or even more seriously driven the morning after whilst still slightly over the limit...
Excuse me mate... The actions of the Police man were blatantly dangerous and, judging by the movements of the learner, scared them sh*tless..
If you are in a position of authority and punishing other roadusers you should practice what you preach.
End of
Fire99 said:
Bad driving as you quite rightly point out but i must ask.....why was overtaking on the hatchings illegal?
Perhaps my terminology is bad. Meaning the White stripy lines in the centre of the road in between two solid white lines which means i cant overtake....
No probs.
The reason i was asking was to make sure we were talking about the same thing.....and we were.
Tonyrec said:
Bad driving as you quite rightly point out but i must ask.....why was overtaking on the hatchings illegal?
Perhaps my terminology is bad. Meaning the White stripy lines in the centre of the road in between two solid white lines which means i cant overtake....
No probs.
The reason i was asking was to make sure we were talking about the same thing.....and we were.
Cheers mate. Hard to explain on these forum thingies!
Tonyrec said:
Bad driving as you quite rightly point out but i must ask.....why was overtaking on the hatchings illegal?
Perhaps my terminology is bad. Meaning the White stripy lines in the centre of the road in between two solid white lines which means i cant overtake....
No probs.
The reason i was asking was to make sure we were talking about the same thing.....and we were.
However hatched and a broken line means it's the motorcycle overtaking lane
BliarOut said:
Bad driving as you quite rightly point out but i must ask.....why was overtaking on the hatchings illegal?
Perhaps my terminology is bad. Meaning the White stripy lines in the centre of the road in between two solid white lines which means i cant overtake....
No probs.
The reason i was asking was to make sure we were talking about the same thing.....and we were.
However hatched and a broken line means it's the motorcycle overtaking lane
Haha.. Maybe so, but if Mr Policeman caught you doing it i'm sure your fingers would be wrapped and your cheque book lightened..
Report him. It's no good bleating on about bad police driving if you are not prepared to pop down to a station and do something about it.
They are very identifiable -- their registration plates are clean and visible -- and actually registered to their cars (unlike so amny other vehicles, it seems). It you felt that the driving was a disgrace to the uniform, then not to report it is foolish.
Bear in mind that in exceeding the speed limit is permitted for police vehicles where to do otherwise might impede the execution of their duty - and the requirements for qualifications / lights etc whilst doing so are internally set by each particular Force.
There is no specific exemption for crossing a double white line, and careless drving is viewed dimly.
They are very identifiable -- their registration plates are clean and visible -- and actually registered to their cars (unlike so amny other vehicles, it seems). It you felt that the driving was a disgrace to the uniform, then not to report it is foolish.
Bear in mind that in exceeding the speed limit is permitted for police vehicles where to do otherwise might impede the execution of their duty - and the requirements for qualifications / lights etc whilst doing so are internally set by each particular Force.
There is no specific exemption for crossing a double white line, and careless drving is viewed dimly.
Fire99 said:
Bad driving as you quite rightly point out but i must ask.....why was overtaking on the hatchings illegal?
Perhaps my terminology is bad. Meaning the White stripy lines in the centre of the road in between two solid white lines which means i cant overtake....
No probs.
The reason i was asking was to make sure we were talking about the same thing.....and we were.
However hatched and a broken line means it's the motorcycle overtaking lane
Haha.. Maybe so, but if Mr Policeman caught you doing it i'm sure your fingers would be wrapped and your cheque book lightened..
Why? You haven't crossed a solid white line so whats the problem?
pmanson said:
Bad driving as you quite rightly point out but i must ask.....why was overtaking on the hatchings illegal?
Perhaps my terminology is bad. Meaning the White stripy lines in the centre of the road in between two solid white lines which means i cant overtake....
No probs.
The reason i was asking was to make sure we were talking about the same thing.....and we were.
However hatched and a broken line means it's the motorcycle overtaking lane
Haha.. Maybe so, but if Mr Policeman caught you doing it i'm sure your fingers would be wrapped and your cheque book lightened..
Why? You haven't crossed a solid white line so whats the problem?
Correct. Highway code on cross hatched areas surrounded by a broken white line: You SHOULD not cross. Highway code on cross hatched areas surrounded by a solid white line: You MUST not cross. One is advisory, the other is compulsory.
I think we're at cross purposes.
Two solid white lines with white diagnal stripes inside..
109: Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.
If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.
If the area is marked with diagonal stripes and bordered by solid white lines, you should not enter it except in an emergency.
If the area is marked with chevrons and bordered by solid white lines you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5,9,10 & 16, MT(S)R regs 4,8,9 & 14, RTA sect 36 & TSRGD 10(1)
Two solid white lines with white diagnal stripes inside..
109: Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.
If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.
If the area is marked with diagonal stripes and bordered by solid white lines, you should not enter it except in an emergency.
If the area is marked with chevrons and bordered by solid white lines you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5,9,10 & 16, MT(S)R regs 4,8,9 & 14, RTA sect 36 & TSRGD 10(1)
Fire99 said:
I think we're at cross purposes.
No we're on the same wave length.
Hatchings surrounded by an unbroken eg Solid white line you can't cross.
Hatching surrounded by a broken white line (eg. Dashed) you can cross if its safe to do so.
Might not have used the right terminology buts that how I understand it.
Fire99 said:
I think we're at cross purposes.
Two solid white lines with white diagnal stripes inside..
109: Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.
If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.
If the area is marked with diagonal stripes and bordered by solid white lines, you should not enter it except in an emergency.
If the area is marked with chevrons and bordered by solid white lines you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5,9,10 & 16, MT(S)R regs 4,8,9 & 14, RTA sect 36 & TSRGD 10(1)
Yup, that's not a motorcycle overtaking line. However the ones bordered by broken lines are... If used with discretion and observation etc. Usual disclaimers about being in extra trouble if it all goes wrong apply
pmanson said:
I think we're at cross purposes.
No we're on the same wave length.
Hatchings surrounded by an unbroken eg Solid white line you can't cross.
Hatching surrounded by a broken white line (eg. Dashed) you can cross if its safe to do so.
Might not have used the right terminology buts that how I understand it.
Yup, and the ones i was talking about are most certainly solid since its a fast reasonably blind bend and cars in each direction may both be doing a good 60.
Fire99 said:
Hi All,
I know there are often feelings on here the the Police have one rule for them and another for the general public.
I also read postings on here from Policemen who, by the sounds of it do a good job and have a fair / reasonable approach to dealing with people who marginally stretch the realms of what is legal..
I unfortunately have, on the odd occasion (when i was much younger of course!!) stood at the side of the road, being told how my driving a few miles over the speed limit, downhill at midnight, may run over a young child who may be running across the road and by the tone of the officer i'm a worse offender than most people serving at Her Majesty's Pleasure.
I also accept however that this is not necessarily the approact of All Police.
But i do hear a sense of double standards where people are seeing Police parked illegally to go buy a takeaway or Police driving dangerously or speeding (when not on a call) whilst still preaching that if we, the general public, were to replicate their actions we would be the worst offenders in the Land.
My point is that Yesterday, whilst driving my Grandmother around i approach a roundabout from a 30 mph limit and turn right into a single carriageway with a 60 mph limit. As i come off the roundabout i see a van coming off the roundabout behind me, followed by a Police car. The Police car decides to overtake the van across the hatching which in itself is illegal, then approaches me and overtakes me round a blind bend completely crossing the hatching and then approaches a learner driver infront of me and, as there are cars coming the other way, sits about an inch from the learners bumper forcing them to move left and then overtakes.
I assume at this point they are on a 'call' though no lights are being displayed. Well then the traffic builds up and they stop in traffic. The learner turns off and i am behind the police car and i then continue behind the police car (with them exceeding the speed limit whenever there is a clear stretch infront and then slowing when they reach another vehicle) through a built up area until i pull off.
The point i'm making here (and apologies for the length of the post) is that Yes, the officers in this Police car do not necessarily reflect the actions of All Police, but you must accept that the Police are in a position of Power and Authority and as such have put themselves on a pedi stool.
The general public are preached to continually by the police that such driving behaviour is a serious crime and, dare i say, a patronising tone accompanying this message is not unheard of.
Actions like this just fuel the argument that the Police are not always acting out the laws they most stringently enforce.
Hypocrisy? sadly yes.
I witnessed another act of stupid police driving other day but didn't get number plate.
Coming out of Spalding (lovely place) I was in a 30mph limit following another car. All of a sudden in my rear view mirror a car comes zooming up and just gives me a flash of the lights and overtakes at about 70mph (not kidding)!! As he goes past I realise he is a policeman in a Skoda Octavia without any flashing blue lights or any sirens on. He zooms past me and also the car in front which is approaching a blind corner. He just cuts in as a car appears round the corner.
What a total dimwit!! So nearly causedf an accident with no sirens or blue lights or anything. Just an idiot in a car.
On reflection I should have got the number plate and reported it but he screamed off so bloody fast!!!
Fire99 said:
I think we're at cross purposes.
Two solid white lines with white diagnal stripes inside..
109: Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.
If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.
If the area is marked with diagonal stripes and bordered by solid white lines, you should not enter it except in an emergency.
If the area is marked with chevrons and bordered by solid white lines you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5,9,10 & 16, MT(S)R regs 4,8,9 & 14, RTA sect 36 & TSRGD 10(1)
In my younger days I got done for "overtaking where prohibited" and a non endorsable £20 fine.
xxxxxxrich said:
I witnessed another act of stupid police driving other day but didn't get number plate.
Coming out of Spalding (lovely place) I was in a 30mph limit following another car.
Don't see many police cars in Spalding! lovely place indeed!
Maybe he was in a rush to get away!!!
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