Politicians and traffic lights

[Fantic SuperT]

Quote from news today "Blair also revealed that he had initially found himself confused whenever his driver stopped at a red light, because as prime minister, he used to be able to drive straight through them."

I've personally been barged out of the way as a pedestrian trying to use a crossing in Brighton, so a politician could be escorted through a red light on his way to the party conference.

What law allows this, and who would be liable if another motorist collided with a police/political convoy charging through red lights? I thought emergency services could only drive through red lights at their own risk, and there needed to be a real emergency situation, not impatience.

[JustinP1]

Fantic SuperT said:

Quote from news today "Blair also revealed that he had initially found himself confused whenever his driver stopped at a red light, because as prime minister, he used to be able to drive straight through them."

I've personally been barged out of the way as a pedestrian trying to use a crossing in Brighton, so a politician could be escorted through a red light on his way to the party conference.

What law allows this, and who would be liable if another motorist collided with a police/political convoy charging through red lights? I thought emergency services could only drive through red lights at their own risk, and there needed to be a real emergency situation, not impatience.

I believe 'Party Members' are awarded the highest social standing and reasonably above the law in '1984' and all the other distopian 'fictional' works...!

What makes you think we are going any other way!?

[carrotchomper]

Well, strictly if he is being transported by a police officer driving and/or escorted as such then fairly wide exemptions apply.

Essentially it is the same as the exemption from speed limits- Police are entitled to contravene red traffic signals, if to obey them would hinder their purpose at that time.

The purpose of a ministerial car driving the prime minister about is to keep him safe. Stopping at lights would provide ample ambush opportunity, therefore the exemption stands.

So long as it isn't misused, like the "migalki" in Russia...

[Fantic SuperT]

carrotchomper said:

The purpose of a ministerial car driving the prime minister about is to keep him safe. Stopping at lights would provide ample ambush opportunity, therefore the exemption stands.

So long as it isn't misused, like the "migalki" in Russia...

Thanks for the info, but in the history of all time, has any Briitish politican ever been ambushed, at traffic lights or anywhere else?

[Conian]

Fantic SuperT said:

carrotchomper said:

The purpose of a ministerial car driving the prime minister about is to keep him safe. Stopping at lights would provide ample ambush opportunity, therefore the exemption stands.

So long as it isn't misused, like the "migalki" in Russia...

Thanks for the info, but in the history of all time, has any Briitish politican ever been ambushed, at traffic lights or anywhere else?

All the time, thats why Arnie, Sly, Bruce & Johnny English have to go n rescue them. Oh wait... reality blur... where am i?

[Troesma]

Fantic SuperT said:

carrotchomper said:

The purpose of a ministerial car driving the prime minister about is to keep him safe. Stopping at lights would provide ample ambush opportunity, therefore the exemption stands.

So long as it isn't misused, like the "migalki" in Russia...

Thanks for the info, but in the history of all time, has any Briitish politican ever been ambushed, at traffic lights or anywhere else?

Not necessarily that anyone HAS been, but certainly that they COULD be ambushed. And that's the whole point.

Understand Joe Public (me included) could be at odds with things like this, given the regular bashing on our heads we get from incompetent politicians, but one thing has nothing to do with the other.

The saying goes "people have the government they deserve." Best cure: don't like 'em, don't vote 'em.

Edited by Troesma on Friday 13th July 12:55

[KenP]

Fantic SuperT said:

Thanks for the info, but in the history of all time, has any Briitish politican ever been ambushed, at traffic lights or anywhere else?

No, because they never stop.

[MilnerR]

if you were the second most hated man in the world would you stop at a set of potentially "fixed" traffic lights?

[Who me ?]

If it's not in 1984, it's in the other book -- "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others"

[Bing o]

troesma said:

The saying goes "people have the government they deserve." Best cure: don't like 'em, don't vote 'em.

I, and about 70% of the voting population didn't vote for president Blair......

[Fantic SuperT]

Troesma said:

Not necessarily that anyone HAS been, but certainly that they COULD be ambushed. And that's the whole point.

Edited by Troesma on Friday 13th July 12:55

I can't disagree with the possibility, but you or I COULD be ambushed at traffic lights, and a motorcade driving through red lights COULD knock a kid off his bicycle. Follow that logic through and anyone who values their own life could choose to drive through red lights if a crowd of scumbags or weirdos were hanging around at the junction and use the same justification as the political elite. There really is supposed to be one law for all, and the politicians that make the laws are supposed to abide by them. The politican that was being escorted by the police who ordered me back onto the pavement was a complete non-entity with his wife / mistress. I follow politics but I didn't recognise him at all.

[Troesma]

Fantic SuperT said:

Troesma said:

Not necessarily that anyone HAS been, but certainly that they COULD be ambushed. And that's the whole point.

Edited by Troesma on Friday 13th July 12:55

I can't disagree with the possibility, but you or I COULD be ambushed at traffic lights, and a motorcade driving through red lights COULD knock a kid off his bicycle. Follow that logic through and anyone who values their own life could choose to drive through red lights if a crowd of scumbags or weirdos were hanging around at the junction and use the same justification as the political elite. There really is supposed to be one law for all, and the politicians that make the laws are supposed to abide by them. The politican that was being escorted by the police who ordered me back onto the pavement was a complete non-entity with his wife / mistress. I follow politics but I didn't recognise him at all.

I must say fair call. I was once robbed at gunpoint in 2001 at traffic lights (not in the UK, but Brazil) and appreciate what you say; was trying to provide a sensible explanation of the reasons behind not stopping.

Edited by Troesma on Friday 13th July 15:07

[Dwight VanDriver]

>>>>>>Thanks for the info, but in the history of all time, has any Briitish politican ever been ambushed, at traffic lights or anywhere else?<<<<<<<

Seem to recall a Welsh MP was 'bushed' elswehere - Clapham Common if I remember correctly.

...... and don't forget The Queen can do no wrong.....

Well it is raining up here ...again

dvd

[Fantic SuperT]

Troesma said:

Fantic SuperT said:

Troesma said:

Not necessarily that anyone HAS been, but certainly that they COULD be ambushed. And that's the whole point.

Edited by Troesma on Friday 13th July 12:55

I can't disagree with the possibility, but you or I COULD be ambushed at traffic lights, and a motorcade driving through red lights COULD knock a kid off his bicycle. Follow that logic through and anyone who values their own life could choose to drive through red lights if a crowd of scumbags or weirdos were hanging around at the junction and use the same justification as the political elite. There really is supposed to be one law for all, and the politicians that make the laws are supposed to abide by them. The politican that was being escorted by the police who ordered me back onto the pavement was a complete non-entity with his wife / mistress. I follow politics but I didn't recognise him at all.

I must say fair call. I was once robbed at gunpoint in 2001 at traffic lights (not in the UK, but Brazil) and appreciate what you say; was trying to provide a sensible explanation of the reasons behind not stopping.

Edited by Troesma on Friday 13th July 15:07

Thanks for the unaggressive response Troesma! I'm a little irritated by the subject because I've very recently seen cavalcades of police motorcycles giving priority to diplomats in coaches and Mercs as though they were escorting the second coming of Christ. This time I kept myself firmly on the pavement since the police in Brussels have a reputation for being trigger-happy. If they had to sit in traffic or use public transport like most of us plebs, perhaps they'd spend some money on building new roads!

[Fantic SuperT]

Dwight VanDriver said:

>>>>>>Thanks for the info, but in the history of all time, has any Briitish politican ever been ambushed, at traffic lights or anywhere else?<<<<<<<

Seem to recall a Welsh MP was 'bushed' elswehere - Clapham Common if I remember correctly.

...... and don't forget The Queen can do no wrong.....

Well it is raining up here ...again

dvd

That's true, he gave his Rover keys to a black gentleman he met in a park at night, but he did at least get a cup of tea at the new friends bedsit before they shook hands and went their separate ways. They do work very hard you know.

[streaky]

IIRC, Princess Anne's car was not stopped at traffic signals on The Mall when Ian Ball ambushed her in '74 - Streaky

[vonhosen]

streaky said:

IIRC, Princess Anne's car was not stopped at traffic signals on The Mall when Ian Ball ambushed her in '74 - Streaky

No but it was one of incidents that acted as a catalyst to review the way royals etc move around & their security arrangements.

[Lostusernamedamn]

Bing o said:

troesma said:

The saying goes "people have the government they deserve." Best cure: don't like 'em, don't vote 'em.

I, and about 70% of the voting population didn't vote for president Blair......

True, but no one at all voted for his Brownness, he just walked into the job. (Well, there was some pretence at a vote within the Labour party.)

Anyway, if they all had to wait at traffic lights, maybe something would be done about the phasing so often designed to create congestion...

[Puggit]

I did think this thread was about politicians replacing working roundabouts with traffic lights...

...anyhow, are there any sets of traffic lights suitable for ambushes in the Middle East?

[imbecile]

In south africa everyone drives through red lights in certain districts for exactly this reason.

Personally I see nothing wrong with red light jumping; I certainly don't see how it differes from speeding.

Edited by imbecile on Friday 13th July 21:54