Annoyed of East Sussex !! Message to a certain Panda !!
Discussion
Hi all
I was driving my TVR the other day in East Sussex, along a safe very straight single carriageway road. There were several cars, which i overtook in succession, discreetly at just on the speed limit. My big mistake was to initiate the first overtake with a marked panda someway behind. Yes, maybe stupid i know, but as each overtake was safe and enjoyable, i thought nothing of it until i reached the next road and was stopped by the said panda and two PCs who seemed to have an attitude problem to someone driving a powerful car. They asked me what i thought i was doing and i resisted telling them that, but i tried to discuss this rationally and stated that each overtake was safe, thought through, with no possiblity of cars joining the other side of the road to conflict with me and i caused no inconvenience to each car i had overtaken. This they totally ignored and preceeded to barrack me for my bad driving which i totally objected to.
Why should one have to drive differently because you have someone who has not the slightest concept of advenced driving put in charge of a Panda, following you?
I was also told off for straightening a road with several minor bends (without turnings) and where you could see at least half a mile ahead!
I know if i had continued trying to discuss this rationally with the PCs i would have probably been reported for careless driving. As it was, i got off with a so called warning, to which i object when i did nothing wrong.
So, if you are the PCs are reading this, grow up and realise that there are some drivers who can drive competently without being Police officers. Perhaps you will realise this when you do your Class 1 course.
I will be interested to receive replies from Police panda drivers as well as Class 1 drivers.
Captac
Edited by captac007 on Sunday 24th December 01:36
captac007 said:
Hi all
I was driving my TVR the other day in East Sussex, along a safe very straight single carriageway road. There were several cars, which i overtook in succession, discreetly at just on the speed limit. My big mistake was to initiate the first overtake with a marked panda someway behind. Yes, maybe stupid i know, but as each overtake was safe and enjoyable, i thought nothing of it until i reached the next road and was stopped by the said panda and two PCs who seemed to have an attitude problem to someone driving a powerful car. They asked me what i thought i was doing and i resisted telling them that, but i tried to discuss this rationally and stated that each overtake was safe, thought through, with no possiblity of cars joining the other side of the road to conflict with me and i caused no inconvenience to each car i had overtaken. This they totally ignored and preceeded to barrack me for my bad driving which i totally objected to.
Why should one have to drive differently because you have someone who has not the slightest concept of advenced driving put in charge of a Panda, following you?
I was also told off for straightening a road with several minor bends (without turnings) and where you could see at least half a mile ahead!
I know if i had continued trying to discuss this rationally with the PCs i would have probably been reported for careless driving. As it was, i got off with a so called warning, to which i object when i did nothing wrong.
So, if you are the PCs are reading this, grow up and realise that there are some drivers who can drive competently without being Police officers. Perhaps you will realise this when you do your Class 1 course.
I will be interested to receive replies from Police panda drivers as well as Class 1 drivers.
Captac
They might have been class 1 drivers, you can't tell from the car they are driving.
Got their numbers?
Formal complaint...
Too many police are forgetting that by far their most important duty, as our servants, is to invisibly reduce the inconvenience we face and to call us "Sir" if they do, unavoidably, need to disturb us.
That's what I pay for, it's not what I get.
Formal complaint...
Too many police are forgetting that by far their most important duty, as our servants, is to invisibly reduce the inconvenience we face and to call us "Sir" if they do, unavoidably, need to disturb us.
That's what I pay for, it's not what I get.
fluffnik said:
[ ... ]
Too many police are forgetting that by far their most important duty, as our servants, is to invisibly reduce the inconvenience we face and to call us "Sir" if they do, unavoidably, need to disturb us.
I refer you to the famous parade ground address to new officer cadets that is often attributed to RSM Ronald (Tubby) Brittain MBE at Sandhurst: "I will call you 'Sir' and you will call me 'Sir'. The only difference is ... YOU WILL MEAN IT!" - Streaky Too many police are forgetting that by far their most important duty, as our servants, is to invisibly reduce the inconvenience we face and to call us "Sir" if they do, unavoidably, need to disturb us.
streaky said:
fluffnik said:
[ ... ]
Too many police are forgetting that by far their most important duty, as our servants, is to invisibly reduce the inconvenience we face and to call us "Sir" if they do, unavoidably, need to disturb us.
I refer you to the famous parade ground address to new officer cadets that is often attributed to RSM Ronald (Tubby) Brittain MBE at Sandhurst: "I will call you 'Sir' and you will call me 'Sir'. The only difference is ... YOU WILL MEAN IT!" - Streaky Too many police are forgetting that by far their most important duty, as our servants, is to invisibly reduce the inconvenience we face and to call us "Sir" if they do, unavoidably, need to disturb us.
turbobloke said:
streaky said:
fluffnik said:
[ ... ]
Too many police are forgetting that by far their most important duty, as our servants, is to invisibly reduce the inconvenience we face and to call us "Sir" if they do, unavoidably, need to disturb us.
I refer you to the famous parade ground address to new officer cadets that is often attributed to RSM Ronald (Tubby) Brittain MBE at Sandhurst: "I will call you 'Sir' and you will call me 'Sir'. The only difference is ... YOU WILL MEAN IT!" - Streaky Too many police are forgetting that by far their most important duty, as our servants, is to invisibly reduce the inconvenience we face and to call us "Sir" if they do, unavoidably, need to disturb us.
As long as that mirrors yours, not the members of the public who disagree with you ?
vonhosen said:
turbobloke said:
streaky said:
fluffnik said:
[ ... ]
Too many police are forgetting that by far their most important duty, as our servants, is to invisibly reduce the inconvenience we face and to call us "Sir" if they do, unavoidably, need to disturb us.
I refer you to the famous parade ground address to new officer cadets that is often attributed to RSM Ronald (Tubby) Brittain MBE at Sandhurst: "I will call you 'Sir' and you will call me 'Sir'. The only difference is ... YOU WILL MEAN IT!" - Streaky Too many police are forgetting that by far their most important duty, as our servants, is to invisibly reduce the inconvenience we face and to call us "Sir" if they do, unavoidably, need to disturb us.
As long as that mirrors yours, not the members of the public who disagree with you ?
It would be even better if the general circumstances of on-road encounters were to make the mutual respect more genuine more often. 
vonhosen said:
They might have been class 1 drivers, you can't tell from the car they are driving.
von,
Apart from the above technicality, and acknowledging that one would have had to be there, do you (or do others in the Police) have any general comments on this sort of thing?
Within-the-limit serial clean overtakes, straightening bends without crossing a solid line or worrying an oncoming vehicle - are not such things staples of Class 1?
Interesting replies.
It was obvious the "Is this your car sir?", the sir bit was probably just habit.
I was not objecting to that; it was the fact that i was driving safely and competently and the fact that they could not tell the difference. If they were Class 1 drivers in the Panda that day, i think that says even less for their driving standards and attitude.
Wake up guys, you are not the advanced drivers on the road. There are alot of us out there who enjoy raising our level of competentcy, making good progress when safe to do so!
More police reactions please (I know you were not there, but would you have stopped me in both those circumstances?)
Captac
I'm a police driver. I'm not a good driver either. I passed my driving test and years later my police driving test. I sit with one hand on the steering wheel when I'm bored and I rest my arm on the window sill. I sometimes exceed the speed limit if I'n in a hurry and usually drive on most roads round about the 33-35 mph. I don't cut people up on purpose although i have done in the past because i was not paying attention.
I talk into my police radio when I'm driving if its only me in the car.
I'm not perfect. I don't try to say I'm perfect. Oh I also don't pull over cars for the stuff you did because there are more important things in the world to be getting on with like jailing bad guys.
Perhaps these cops forgot that. Yes they are wrong. Perhaps you should take them to task further and remind them that they need to reflect on their attitude because it has obviously upset you alot and as you say you did nothing wrong.
Years ago I learned that you can accuse somebody of theft, assault all sorts of things but never critisise their driving because thats a sin. i bet your not the worlds greatest driver either. Do you apex corners, exceed the speed limit, drive with one hand on the wheel, cross over your arms when turning a corner, deep shoulder check before pulling away from static, conform to the system of car control, get angry at other drivers and do Mr Shakey head and hold up your arms in disbelief?
Perhaps they had a bad day and were just being human. If it makes you happy though your right they are wrong.
I talk into my police radio when I'm driving if its only me in the car.
I'm not perfect. I don't try to say I'm perfect. Oh I also don't pull over cars for the stuff you did because there are more important things in the world to be getting on with like jailing bad guys.
Perhaps these cops forgot that. Yes they are wrong. Perhaps you should take them to task further and remind them that they need to reflect on their attitude because it has obviously upset you alot and as you say you did nothing wrong.
Years ago I learned that you can accuse somebody of theft, assault all sorts of things but never critisise their driving because thats a sin. i bet your not the worlds greatest driver either. Do you apex corners, exceed the speed limit, drive with one hand on the wheel, cross over your arms when turning a corner, deep shoulder check before pulling away from static, conform to the system of car control, get angry at other drivers and do Mr Shakey head and hold up your arms in disbelief?
Perhaps they had a bad day and were just being human. If it makes you happy though your right they are wrong.
You have to realize Andy that 99%, even those with Advanced qualifications, have little or no interest in driving at all.
I regularly have to take out non-drivers in the car with me. I tend to drive along empty roads covering the centre line, straightening bends etc, the stuff you're talking about. I've been told afterwards of said passengers in the canteen talking about me being "all over the road" etc. They clearly have NO knowledge of safer advanced driving at all, and because of this ignorance feel justified in commentating on mine!
It's just one of those things, don't worry too much about it.
I wasn't there so really have only ONE account of the incident mentioned by the Poster.
It is his account that he did all that was expected of him etc. etc. and I cannot doubt his word nor will I for the above reason.
BUT, there are two sides to a story and I wonder what the two Bibs' could say? Why did they, for no apparent reason, decide to pull the Poster? Boredom, vindictiveness, one wonders. Doubtful, modern policing has little or no time for boredom. The otjher reason don't make sense.
Not wishing to pre-judge but there must have been something else to cause the pull.
Dvd
Home Office, Preston -Class 1 cars- Class 1 motor cycles and still learning.
Hollywood Wheels said:
You have to realize Andy that 99%, even those with Advanced qualifications, have little or no interest in driving at all.
I suspect that that percentage is probably applicable to the population as a whole.
So the idea of 'encouraging' people to become more interested, take extra training and so derive a better driving standard en masse may be as misguided as it is laudable. And as we know any form of 'enforcement' has to have some profit potential these days. (Self funding, polluter pays and all that rubbish. It's the 21st century way.)
I suspect if I drove a 'noticable' car I might invest in a few copies of Roadcraft. Leave one in a visible position in the car and keep other on hand for 'gifts' where required.
The visible one might give some clue, from the viewer's response, about whether they were cognisant of the publication. The hand-outs could be used to politely explain some of the less commonly known aspects of driving skill along the lines that HW has identified.
However, please bear in mind that most people under the age of about 30 will have no idea about overtaking, even if they are not in the 99% previously mentioned, and anyone over 60 has probably forgotten that it was once possible. My guess is that the next road safety engineering wheeze will be barriers in the centre of 2 lane roads. That way nobody will have to make any real decisions about how they drive. (Decisions about whether they bother to drive however ... but that's another thread.)
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