Road Policing - have they given up?
Discussion
In the last few weeks I've noticed a fair few police cars belonging to different constabularies that seemed - well, neglected I guess. Think headlight bulbs blown , tail-lights out, indicators etc. The cars look dirty, uncared for. This ranges from the diesel astras to the 5 series's and alos some vans. There was a time, recently I'm sure when police motors where always immaculate, clean if not polished and bulbs checked every day?
Not just the cars, but the driving has slipped too. Using the wrong lanes, not indicating (I will discount tailgating) and fog lights on.
And more, I was following a panda round a one way system, a car between us which then undertook and cut up the police car, causing the driver to brake hard. (she) Took no action, and turned off further up the road.
They ignore drivers on their phones, ignore sidelight/fog light combos, at all times of day and night and even ignored the drunk man staggering up the DC.
Is it, in the style of the daily wail, due to Excessive ConDem Cuts Slashing Police Forces Halford's Accounts (and staff overtime) is it that the police round here (south london, surrey and kent mostly) aren't actually bothered about minor traffic issues or just a reflection of standards slipping in all of society. And roads.? Or something
Not just the cars, but the driving has slipped too. Using the wrong lanes, not indicating (I will discount tailgating) and fog lights on.
And more, I was following a panda round a one way system, a car between us which then undertook and cut up the police car, causing the driver to brake hard. (she) Took no action, and turned off further up the road.
They ignore drivers on their phones, ignore sidelight/fog light combos, at all times of day and night and even ignored the drunk man staggering up the DC.
Is it, in the style of the daily wail, due to Excessive ConDem Cuts Slashing Police Forces Halford's Accounts (and staff overtime) is it that the police round here (south london, surrey and kent mostly) aren't actually bothered about minor traffic issues or just a reflection of standards slipping in all of society. And roads.? Or something
I don't think this is anything to do with the ConDems. Its been like that for years, and the cuts haven't been implemented yet!!
Its down to the short sighted focus on speed (which can be enforced via cheap cameras) as opposed to road policing of poor driving, inattention, distraction, unroadworthy vehicles etc. Police cost lots of money. Cameras (comparatively) don't.
On the plus side, it means you can get away with a little bit more than you used to by way of speed as long as you know where the cameras are...
Its down to the short sighted focus on speed (which can be enforced via cheap cameras) as opposed to road policing of poor driving, inattention, distraction, unroadworthy vehicles etc. Police cost lots of money. Cameras (comparatively) don't.
On the plus side, it means you can get away with a little bit more than you used to by way of speed as long as you know where the cameras are...
MarJay said:
On the plus side, it means you can get away with a little bit more than you used to by way of speed as long as you know where the cameras are...
lol, I didn't mention that part on purpose!I was under the impression however that if you were pulled by a bib with a defective light for example he had no authority? Urban myth?
I got driven into the other night on my way home from work, guy did a really amazing bit of "totally oblivious to surroundings" driving and went through a red light at a cross roads with a stream of cars crossing. Police turned up other driver admitted fault (with me videoing him) that he drove straight through a red light - did the police care at all, not a jot just said to me that I have him admitting fault on camera so I won't have any bother with the insurance. Is my car drivable (it was dark) my driver side head light obliterated, wheel rubbing on arch liner, I said well it "drives" if its safe or nots another matter, i've about 20 miles to go. They said, well if I get pulled tell, them on way home from an accident and I'll be fine and off they went without taking any details or anything else.
So I'd say as long as no ones hurt by an accident they don't care how your driving as long as your not speeding. Were not bothered someone caused an accident by running a red light - even though he admitted on camera. Were not bothered a pair of now possibly dangerous accident damaged cars driving off home (I'm was actually happy they let me, it'd been a pain waiting to get towed).
So I'd say as long as no ones hurt by an accident they don't care how your driving as long as your not speeding. Were not bothered someone caused an accident by running a red light - even though he admitted on camera. Were not bothered a pair of now possibly dangerous accident damaged cars driving off home (I'm was actually happy they let me, it'd been a pain waiting to get towed).
thewilly said:
And more, I was following a panda round a one way system, a car between us which then undertook and cut up the police car, causing the driver to brake hard. (she) Took no action, and turned off further up the road.
Funny you say that - I was in Chester yesterday and the traffic lights on the inner ring-road have a very fast change cycle - as the lights you're approaching go red, they're going to green in the other direction.The car in front of me went through on red and was very nearly broadsided by a Panda car (which was clean and shiny!) which had set off smartly on green. I thought "he's for it" only for the Panda to jink around the back of him and carry on. I was amazed.
i informed a BiB at the petrol station the other day that he had a headlight out, we had a good laugh as he had changed the bulbs prior to coming out that night, he even showed me the old bulbs in the glovebox!
so they do change them and have to check them prior to going out.
I notices a rapid response ambiwlans the other day exiting the A1 with foglight/sidelight combo, at 7pm in the dark too.
wish i had chance to get his number to report him, absolutely ridiculous!
More PCSO's and Specials these days perhaps?
so they do change them and have to check them prior to going out.
I notices a rapid response ambiwlans the other day exiting the A1 with foglight/sidelight combo, at 7pm in the dark too.
wish i had chance to get his number to report him, absolutely ridiculous!
More PCSO's and Specials these days perhaps?
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