Grandmother stopped and breathalysed

[evolutionvalet]

My mother has just been stopped by the local Police for speeding. She was alledged to be travelling at 36 in a 30mph zone. She was not shown the detector gun and was then asked to take a breathalyser test.

This was at 2.40pm. !!!!!

When the officer asked if she had been drinking, my mum replied ' yes I had two cups of coffee at my daughters house !!!! top reply mum....


What the f#*k is up with the Police. That was a complete waste of an hour of tax payers money. All that happened was she passed the test and was told to watch her speed.

[autismuk]

..... don't see the problem. Grandmothers drink.

[supermono]

I have no problem with this. Everyone who drove past saw a real policeman dealing with a real motorist. They all thought to themselves, phew could be me next time, better think again about driving without insurance/drunk/drugged/like an idiot/through a red light/in an unsafe vehicle (delete as applicable).

We need to see more of this. And the great part is no ticket for her minor transgression.

SM

[evolutionvalet]

Yes but I didnt think breathalysing was obligatory for every speeding stop? Why breathalyse on a whim. My mother did ask why she was breathalysed and was told its policy ?

I agree that passing motorists would become better drivers for the next couple of miles and I am no way condoning drink driving but surely its up to the officer to use his discretion when making a call like that?

[mr clive]

It might be annoying if you are in a hurry but imo, being brethalysed and getting a "watch your speed" warning is one of the best things a traffpol can do.

[Balmoral Green]

Bit of a bummer being nipped for speeding, I really dont see the relevance of her age to the breathalyser bit though. I thought it was standard for any motoring pull, it has been for all of mine.

[supermono]

evolutionvalet said:

Yes but I didnt think breathalysing was obligatory for every speeding stop? Why breathalyse on a whim. My mother did ask why she was breathalysed and was told its policy ? I agree that passing motorists would become better drivers for the next couple of miles and I am no way condoning drink driving but surely its up to the officer to use his discretion when making a call like that?

Yes, fair comment. On this occasion people would drive better for a couple of miles but if every third journey you saw John Law getting busy with violators it would have a huge deterrent effect on those types I listed.

Maybe he thought she was taking the piss when she said about the coffee

SM

[s2art]

I thought random breath tests were a no-no. Doesnt the plod require some indication of drinking?

[^Slider^]

We can require a breath sample if you have commited a moving road traffic offence ie brake light out, excess speed etc or if the officer suspects that there is alcohol in the persons body.

Random breath tests can be carried out it just effects the way its done (this applies to the refusal part but refusal to take a roadside test can be grounds to arrest for refusal to provide). I have breathalised people with no smell of alcohol but they blew positive.

I cant see how it hurts if its stopping or detecting drink drivers.

[Hollywood Wheels]

evolutionvalet said:

What the f#*k is up with the Police. That was a complete waste of an hour of tax payers money. All that happened was she passed the test and was told to watch her speed.

AN HOUR?!!!! Not the five minutes it actually took then. Stupid coppers, they should have known that old women never drink and drive....

>> Edited by Hollywood Wheels on Wednesday 24th May 18:12

[toni896]

Dare I say Maybe from the officers point/experience Grandparents are more prone to drink driving having grown up in an era it was ok to have a drink and drive.

whats the time got to do with it, 24hours drinking now !!


and yes i've had the point less breath tests, where i've been stopped for one thing, then breath tested.

[FortJefferson]

Why is the fact she is a grandmother relavant?

[Davi]

have to say, my ex's mother was an alcoholic and by 2.40 she would be absolutely shit faced. If everyone knew that EVERY stop meant getting a breath test, there would probably be a lot less drink driving.

[Don]

I've been breath-tested when pulled over. So what? Blow in the tube. Lights go green. Everyone goes on their way. Five minutes tops - and that's including the bollocking for whatever. Of course - the whole thing is going to take a LOT longer if the lights go red...

Its not as if it was a "random" pull either. If you're over the speed limit and you get spotted not getting a ticket is a total result. Frankly being given a ticket rather than a court appearance is something of a result...

[KB_S1]

Balmoral Green said:

Bit of a bummer being nipped for speeding, I really dont see the relevance of her age to the breathalyser bit though. I thought it was standard for any motoring pull, it has been for all of mine.

I was stopped for 86 in a 60 but no mention of a breath test.

Does yor Mum wear sweet smelling perfume? it may have just been enough to make them think htere was a whiff of alcohol?

[deltafox]

I have no problem with random drug/drink testing.

If it gets morons off the roads, its a good thing.

[vonhosen]

As said Police can demand a breath test from anyone who commits a moving traffic offence.
They can also demand one from anyone involved in a collision or who they have reasonable grounds to suspect has been drinking intoxicating liquor.

>> Edited by vonhosen on Wednesday 24th May 21:15

[Holst]

Ive no problem with people being breathalised if they are stopped.
Might catch the odd idiot and its not a major inconvenience for everybody else.

Sounds like the guy who pulled her over was ok, could have given her a ticket but didnt.

[MoJocvh]

Guess she failed the attitude test that gets spouted on about here so often....

[gilberninvader]

Am i bovvered!