Candid Question to Plod

[imbecile]

When I let my guard down and finally get pulled over speeding (have never been so far, but have been pulled over twice for suspicious behaviour, both times perfectly reasonably) should I be up front and honest about it, explaining that whatever speed I was doing was safe* or be one of those s that inists on examining the enitrity of PACE, then refusing to say anything? In reality I would do the former, but I'm interested to know if in the experience of the police, paticularly traffic, if the latter are more successful - I'm guessing they're not 90% of the time, but t'would be a better tactic if caught at 180 (which, given my current car, is not even vaguely possible). Sorry if this post doesn't read well, my fault!

*Assuming for the sake of arguement that it was

[Andrew D]

I personally wouldn't bother trying to explain whether it was "safe" or not, the BiB really couldn't care less (and I mean that in the truest sense of the phrase). They are employed to catch people that exceed the limit, so that's what they do.

Besides, preaching about what's safe and what's not will more likely just p*ss them off, and remove any chance of just getting away with a telling off rather than a ticket.

[AndyAudi]

In my experience (been stopped a few times) the Police will already have made an opinion as to whether it was safe or not, and your opinion will not alter theirs but may only alter the way they deal with you. When I've been marginally over the limit I've accepted that I was speeding & been fortunate enough to get off with a warning or two(possibly due to the police opinion that it was not too "dangerous" but had waranted a police word in my ear).

[turbobloke]

Yes say very little, but what you do say should show you are 'withit' and willing to accept 'advice'.

[superlightr]

If you admit to being over the speed limit, I understand that they have no choice but to charge you.

Is this right or do they still have some leeway?

[john57]

superlightr said:

If you admit to being over the speed limit, I understand that they have no choice but to charge you.

Is this right or do they still have some leeway?

Not true .... it is entirely up to the officer what they do.

[julianhj]

So what are the circs that led to you getting pulled? What type of road, what was the limit and how fast were you going?

If you are being reported for the offence then it's entirely out of the police officer's hands - CPS will decide how to proceed with either an FPN or a summons. If the former then there's no conversation to have, if the latter then it's probably best to admit your guilt, apologise in a genuine manner to the bench and hope they're having a good day...

[jezzaaa]

Recently got pulled by a unmarked car on the M8 in Scotland, doing 89mph (according to his equipment). When he asked me if I knew how fast I was going, I replied that I did and that I was doing around 90mph. He then gave me a ticking off in full Scots brogue...before getting back in his car and not giving me a ticket! I was apologetic and thanked him for his advice. Couldn't believe it.....I'm and Englishman in a Porsche and a Lothian and Borders Trafpol let me off!! ;-)

Think it must have been because I was honest??

J.

[Parrot of Doom]

There was an episode of Road Wars (Sky One) recently where the police followed some chap in a Merc driving like a complete knobhead on the motorway. Tailgating (traffic that could go nowhere anyway), undertaking, no indicators, speeding, and all in the presence of an unmarked vehicle behind him all the way.

They pulled him over, at which point he decided to pull across three lanes while braking and indicating, forcing other traffic to brake to avoid him. When the policeman got out to speak to him, he gave him the biggest bollocking of his life. Immediately started talking about dangerous driving, and how he would get a ban for certain.

Well the world dropped out of this guy's arse. You literally saw him sag as his job went bye-bye, his house was reposessed, and his wife left him, and he was putty in the policeman's hands. You've never seen anyone so well reprimanded! In the end, the policeman let him go with a warning but watching the footage I reckon it was probably the last time that guy would drive with such disregard for others

[imbecile]

julianhj said:

So what are the circs that led to you getting pulled? What type of road, what was the limit and how fast were you going?

If you are being reported for the offence then it's entirely out of the police officer's hands - CPS will decide how to proceed with either an FPN or a summons. If the former then there's no conversation to have, if the latter then it's probably best to admit your guilt, apologise in a genuine manner to the bench and hope they're having a good day...

Eh? I haven't been, I'm preparing for the future...

[Denis O]

Parrot of Doom said:

There was an episode of Road Wars (Sky One) recently where the police followed some chap in a Merc driving like a complete knobhead on the motorway. Tailgating (traffic that could go nowhere anyway), undertaking, no indicators, speeding, and all in the presence of an unmarked vehicle behind him all the way.

They pulled him over, at which point he decided to pull across three lanes while braking and indicating, forcing other traffic to brake to avoid him. When the policeman got out to speak to him, he gave him the biggest bollocking of his life. Immediately started talking about dangerous driving, and how he would get a ban for certain.

Well the world dropped out of this guy's arse. You literally saw him sag as his job went bye-bye, his house was reposessed, and his wife left him, and he was putty in the policeman's hands. You've never seen anyone so well reprimanded! In the end, the policeman let him go with a warning but watching the footage I reckon it was probably the last time that guy would drive with such disregard for others

This thread immediately made me think of the Merc driver. His driving was so bad I think the Bib was far too lenient. He wasn't just exceeding the limit when it was safe to do so. He was driving like a complete ct and deserved to be off the road for a good long period. He looked very sheepish but I suspect anyone capable of such stupidity would soon be back at it again after his trousers dried out.

[stubby pete]

Andrew D said:

I personally wouldn't bother trying to explain whether it was "safe" or not, the BiB really couldn't care less (and I mean that in the truest sense of the phrase). They are employed to catch people that exceed the limit, so that's what they do.

Besides, preaching about what's safe and what's not will more likely just p*ss them off, and remove any chance of just getting away with a telling off rather than a ticket.

I find myself disagreeing with this comment (which I never thought I'd do). Traffic Police are the voice of reason on our roads and would much rather crush some scrote's uninsured car than issue a FPN for 85mph on a motorway. The unfortunate thing is that we all tend to tar all "road enforcement" with the same brush, remember,

Scameras=crooks
TrafPol=Voice of Reason

[JoolzB]

In my experience of getting pulled for speeding the best thing is to say very little and let the bloke speak even if it is drivel. With the exception of the time before last time when I was pulled at 64 in a 40 I have been let off everytime, I think the margin over was the deciding factor there.

[over_the_hill]

I have been told that they will also be appreciative if you get out of your car and keep your hands visible. TrafPol do not like bending down to a window - so many nutters about that anything could happen in this scenario.

[gorvid]

I got pulled at 96 in a 60 once....

[3am the only other car was the bloody copper...]

She let me off..

[7db]

My understanding is that you are much more likely to talk your way into a ticket that the officer might have let you off, that talk your way out of a ticket which he has decided to give you.

And if you're really lucky you might talk your way into a full vehicle inspection.

[Boosted LS1]

When asked the loaded question "do you know what speed you were doing" would it upset trafpol if you asked him/her what speed they thought you were doing? Then you haven't made any admissions. I suppose you could say that you were going pretty quickly. I never speed by much so would happily eat a slice of humble pie. As said, trafpol, voice of reason. Scammers, out to steal your money and enforce minor indescretions, crooks.

Boosted.

[deeps]

stubby pete said:

Andrew D said:

I personally wouldn't bother trying to explain whether it was "safe" or not, the BiB really couldn't care less (and I mean that in the truest sense of the phrase). They are employed to catch people that exceed the limit, so that's what they do.

Besides, preaching about what's safe and what's not will more likely just p*ss them off, and remove any chance of just getting away with a telling off rather than a ticket.

I find myself disagreeing with this comment (which I never thought I'd do). Traffic Police are the voice of reason on our roads and would much rather crush some scrote's uninsured car than issue a FPN for 85mph on a motorway. The unfortunate thing is that we all tend to tar all "road enforcement" with the same brush, remember,

Scameras=crooks
TrafPol=Voice of Reason

Trafpol aren't all the voice of reason, there are jobsworths in every profession. Young, keen, inexperienced Trafpol that have been influenced by the climate of speed kills propaganda are really only one rung above the level of the SCP's. Fortunately there are experienced good ones too, unlike scamera operators who are all bad .

Edited by deeps on Friday 25th August 16:44

[esselte]

Boosted LS1 said:

When asked the loaded question "do you know what speed you were doing"

Surely the answer is "Of course officer"