Police vehicle stops after midnight?
Discussion
I was watching Traffic Cops last night on the t.v. , There were a pair of officers from Leeds who operate around the Yeadon area. one of them actually said that when on the night shift they very regularly do random stops as quite often after midnight as they get a lot of drink drivers and stolen cars. To be honest it does not bother me if it gets idiots off the roads. I remember a scheme years ago i think was called car watch. you got a sticker to put in your rear window that basically said if you see this car out late at night please check it out.
was coming off the m5 onto the a38 last week, friday night about 1am.
Black bmw pulls up next to me on the left at the lights on the roundabout...the slip we are both heading for is a 2 to 1 merge in turn.
Fully expected the beemer to floor it and undertake me into the merge, so I put my foot down.
I look back up the road post-vtec in the rear view and see the bmw flash me twice, then blip a set of blue lights on....
"b
ks" was the initial thought...then he turned off into the police depot. A warning shot across my bows i suppose. But then a bright red type R honda isn't exactly shy and retiring.
Black bmw pulls up next to me on the left at the lights on the roundabout...the slip we are both heading for is a 2 to 1 merge in turn.
Fully expected the beemer to floor it and undertake me into the merge, so I put my foot down.
I look back up the road post-vtec in the rear view and see the bmw flash me twice, then blip a set of blue lights on....
"b
ks" was the initial thought...then he turned off into the police depot. A warning shot across my bows i suppose. But then a bright red type R honda isn't exactly shy and retiring.After midnight in some areas of the country the number of cars floating around with some kind of offence being committed by the driver or other occupants is surprisingly high, I think the majority of 'law abiding' people would be surprised how much is going on out there.
My past 3 shifts the 'after midnight' hours have yielded the following between other response jobs (domestics/safe and well checks/mental health/mispers/pub fights/robberies etc):
1) Drink driver (also driving otherwise than in accordance/no insurance) - stopped due to excess speed, not massively fast either, the sort that most people would be doing on their way home 'as its late at night and the roads are clear'
2) Unlicenced/uninsured driver with class b drugs in the car - stopped as was driving at 20mph in a 30mph for no obvious reason
3) A car which led to a pursuit (alas it got away as we were in a van) - first seen parked up in an unusual location for the time of day before making off, later found to be a 'cloned' stolen vehicle due to 'impossible' ANPR hits (no car is yet capable of time travel and the times between hitting different cameras were not plausible)
4) A car with no current keeper abandoned after a short pursuit (when searched it was found to contain class a/class b drugs and dealer phones). No real reason for the attempted stop other than a hunch based on time of day and location.
To add some balance, there were two other vehicle stops over the same period that to the occupants would have seemed pretty 'random', where no offences were identified and the drivers were sent on their way quickly. Still, 4 out of 6 stops attempted led to identified offences.
Also had another pursuit with another car (believed to be used by someone who is wanted x3) that made off at the first sight of a police car, before we'd even had chance to light it up. That was abandoned due to the speeds of the other party.
I note some posters here questioning the validity of the 'excuses' given by officers when they are subject to a stop, the law does not actually require a reason for a vehicle stop, Section 163 of the road traffic act states '163.—(1) A person driving a motor vehicle on a road must stop the vehicle on being required to do so by a constable in uniform.'
Note the full stop, there is nothing in law that states a uniformed officer 'must' have a reason for a vehicle stop
. Sometimes the reasons will be blindingly obvious but at other times there is nothing beyond a desire to see whats up and have a quick chat with the driver, but it often leads to something.
My past 3 shifts the 'after midnight' hours have yielded the following between other response jobs (domestics/safe and well checks/mental health/mispers/pub fights/robberies etc):
1) Drink driver (also driving otherwise than in accordance/no insurance) - stopped due to excess speed, not massively fast either, the sort that most people would be doing on their way home 'as its late at night and the roads are clear'
2) Unlicenced/uninsured driver with class b drugs in the car - stopped as was driving at 20mph in a 30mph for no obvious reason
3) A car which led to a pursuit (alas it got away as we were in a van) - first seen parked up in an unusual location for the time of day before making off, later found to be a 'cloned' stolen vehicle due to 'impossible' ANPR hits (no car is yet capable of time travel and the times between hitting different cameras were not plausible)
4) A car with no current keeper abandoned after a short pursuit (when searched it was found to contain class a/class b drugs and dealer phones). No real reason for the attempted stop other than a hunch based on time of day and location.
To add some balance, there were two other vehicle stops over the same period that to the occupants would have seemed pretty 'random', where no offences were identified and the drivers were sent on their way quickly. Still, 4 out of 6 stops attempted led to identified offences.
Also had another pursuit with another car (believed to be used by someone who is wanted x3) that made off at the first sight of a police car, before we'd even had chance to light it up. That was abandoned due to the speeds of the other party.
I note some posters here questioning the validity of the 'excuses' given by officers when they are subject to a stop, the law does not actually require a reason for a vehicle stop, Section 163 of the road traffic act states '163.—(1) A person driving a motor vehicle on a road must stop the vehicle on being required to do so by a constable in uniform.'
Note the full stop, there is nothing in law that states a uniformed officer 'must' have a reason for a vehicle stop
. Sometimes the reasons will be blindingly obvious but at other times there is nothing beyond a desire to see whats up and have a quick chat with the driver, but it often leads to something.I think 'excuses' mainly get referred to for their comedy value. Like when I was stopped and essentially told that I should be careful, as there were lots of drunk pedestrians about at the time, and if I hit one at above the 30mph limit I would be in trouble. I am sure he didn't mean to make it sound that I could mow them down with abandon at 29.9 mph- but it was how it came over.
Anyway, I am all in favour of random/hunch type stops. I'd rather not be wiped off the road by a drunk or drugged driver.
Anyway, I am all in favour of random/hunch type stops. I'd rather not be wiped off the road by a drunk or drugged driver.
mac96 said:
Anyway, I am all in favour of random/hunch type stops. I'd rather not be wiped off the road by a drunk or drugged driver.
Oh absolutely, agreed.I would be in favour of random pop-up checkpoints like they do in the US. I have fairly lax views on inebriating substances but I draw the line when it comes to people driving whilst under the influence (or anything else likely to cause harm to others).
If your not doing anything wrong , its not anything to worry about. just be calm and polite and do as asked and you will be on your way in minutes. i dont mind the odd tug just to make sure. makes the roads a safer place and the bobbys i have encountered have always been gents and polite to me too. they can breath and drug test away as far as i am concerned. dont do either and the plod i have encountred now and again have been good blokes and women. not often im out in the car in the early hours and would appreciate it if someone nicked my hard earned motor and caught the sods too
I've only been stopped once which I think would have been the late 90's. It was late at night, me and a mate just leaving another friends flat. The friend we were just leaving had just got a company car. He was still standing in the close entrance, and my mate decided to try the car door handles joking as if he was trying to break into it.
Unfortunately we then noticed a police van parked further down the street. They could see us but not the cars owner still standing inside the block of flats entrance speaking to us.
We set off in my car, and unsurprisingly the van followed us. I was low on fuel ( I had a 50 mile journey home ahead of me, and this would be one of the few garages open) so I stopped at the local 24hr petrol station. I filled up and when I came back to the car my mate informed me the police van was hiding up the next street. We set off again, and the van pulled out behind us. A few streets along I dropped my mate off. The van had stopped behind us but had no blue lights on.
I set off again and had got about 100yds round the corner when the blues came on. They asked me to sit in the back seat of their van, established I hadn't been drinking, (didn't breathalyse me), asked where I lived etc. Just then a more serious call came over the radio and I was sent on my way and asked to hand my documents into my local police station within 7 days.
If my mate hadn't been messing about at my other mates car I doubt they would have followed us. The additional fact of a young person driving about in a car registered 50 miles away late on a Saturday night might have raised further suspicion too.
Unfortunately we then noticed a police van parked further down the street. They could see us but not the cars owner still standing inside the block of flats entrance speaking to us.
We set off in my car, and unsurprisingly the van followed us. I was low on fuel ( I had a 50 mile journey home ahead of me, and this would be one of the few garages open) so I stopped at the local 24hr petrol station. I filled up and when I came back to the car my mate informed me the police van was hiding up the next street. We set off again, and the van pulled out behind us. A few streets along I dropped my mate off. The van had stopped behind us but had no blue lights on.
I set off again and had got about 100yds round the corner when the blues came on. They asked me to sit in the back seat of their van, established I hadn't been drinking, (didn't breathalyse me), asked where I lived etc. Just then a more serious call came over the radio and I was sent on my way and asked to hand my documents into my local police station within 7 days.
If my mate hadn't been messing about at my other mates car I doubt they would have followed us. The additional fact of a young person driving about in a car registered 50 miles away late on a Saturday night might have raised further suspicion too.
So the OP would appear to be in a minority of respondents to feel persecuted for being stopped.
The positive attributes like catching drink drivers, performance car thief's and burglars heading to/from a job would seem to occur to most people.
Being honest and passing the attitude test to be on your way again quickly, would appear to be the most common suggestion.
Deliberately trying to fail the attitude test has been noted as the least likely approach to succeed.
HTH.
The positive attributes like catching drink drivers, performance car thief's and burglars heading to/from a job would seem to occur to most people.
Being honest and passing the attitude test to be on your way again quickly, would appear to be the most common suggestion.
Deliberately trying to fail the attitude test has been noted as the least likely approach to succeed.
HTH.
I cannot remember the last time I was stopped for a random spot check; despite being young and often driving late at night in modified cars. I must’ve become more sensible or Police cutbacks are responsible.
The last time I was stopped was a few months back, and was thoroughly deserved. I left a car meet sideways, showing off to the crowd. I was stopped further down the road – thankfully, I couldn’t have taken the shame of being stopped right outside where everyone was. I was very apologetic and was let on my way with no repercussions.
I use to get stopped very regularly between the ages of 19 and 20, mostly for driving my very loud Civic Type R like a tit. I always use to get away with it though, apart from the odd Section 59, which annoyed my friends who also got stopped but often issued with penalties and points. I put it down to being better at passing the attitude test than them.
The last time I was stopped was a few months back, and was thoroughly deserved. I left a car meet sideways, showing off to the crowd. I was stopped further down the road – thankfully, I couldn’t have taken the shame of being stopped right outside where everyone was. I was very apologetic and was let on my way with no repercussions.
I use to get stopped very regularly between the ages of 19 and 20, mostly for driving my very loud Civic Type R like a tit. I always use to get away with it though, apart from the odd Section 59, which annoyed my friends who also got stopped but often issued with penalties and points. I put it down to being better at passing the attitude test than them.
Hol said:
Being honest and passing the attitude test to be on your way again quickly, would appear to be the most common suggestion.
Deliberately trying to fail the attitude test has been noted as the least likely approach to succeed.
If they are polite then they deserve equal courtesy in return. If not, then not.Deliberately trying to fail the attitude test has been noted as the least likely approach to succeed.
Rovinghawk said:
Hol said:
Being honest and passing the attitude test to be on your way again quickly, would appear to be the most common suggestion.
Deliberately trying to fail the attitude test has been noted as the least likely approach to succeed.
If they are polite then they deserve equal courtesy in return. If not, then not.Deliberately trying to fail the attitude test has been noted as the least likely approach to succeed.
SantaBarbara said:
Some of the reasons are laughable, such as you were going SLOW
Funny you say that but back in the late 70s in my motorbike greaser youth riding to the letter of the law normally made the police suspicious. Another sure fire way to get a pull was if I jumped on the pillion of an L plated rider with my full licence.Had a few stops over the years..
First was late at night (2am ish) coming home from a night out with friends when, half way around a roundabout, I realised I'd left my work clothes in their house so went around and back out the exit I joined at.
Unknown to me, a police car was behind.. quick stop, explain the situation and a "that must be true - no one would make up such a daft story" and I was on my way.
Next stop was in my AX during the day - the WPC immediately asked if I'd been drinking because I'd been driving slowly and she could smell alcohol when I opened the window. Pointed to the pool of coolant leaking out by her feet and she gave me a bottle of water and sent me on my way.
After that car got squashed by a Datsun, I had an Rover 200 - that was great. Stopped 2 or 3 times but never breathalysed - I assume they didn't think anyone who drove a 1990 Rover had any friends to go out drinking with..
Then I got the Saab 9-3 - never stopped in that, but got a few funny looks when the pair doing speed checks worked out the boring silver coupe was responsible for the extremely loud noise but was only doing 25 (big exhaust, updated turbo, etc).
First was late at night (2am ish) coming home from a night out with friends when, half way around a roundabout, I realised I'd left my work clothes in their house so went around and back out the exit I joined at.
Unknown to me, a police car was behind.. quick stop, explain the situation and a "that must be true - no one would make up such a daft story" and I was on my way.
Next stop was in my AX during the day - the WPC immediately asked if I'd been drinking because I'd been driving slowly and she could smell alcohol when I opened the window. Pointed to the pool of coolant leaking out by her feet and she gave me a bottle of water and sent me on my way.
After that car got squashed by a Datsun, I had an Rover 200 - that was great. Stopped 2 or 3 times but never breathalysed - I assume they didn't think anyone who drove a 1990 Rover had any friends to go out drinking with..
Then I got the Saab 9-3 - never stopped in that, but got a few funny looks when the pair doing speed checks worked out the boring silver coupe was responsible for the extremely loud noise but was only doing 25 (big exhaust, updated turbo, etc).
Not me, but my late Dad.
He wasn't the tallest of blokes and at the time he had Rover 200 series with those high backed 'sports' seats they put in the higher models.
Early hours one morning he got blue lights in his mirror and pulled over. The copper came to his window and started laughing. He then apologised, said there had been a mistake and went to return to his car.
My Dad - who at the was in his late 60s with white hair and beard - he looked a lot like Richard Attenborough - pressed the cop on why he'd stopped him.
His reply was that they'd seen the car from behind and couldn't see anyone driving it. They surmised a child may be out driving his Dad's car so they decided to stop him.
What that said about my Dad's driving standards is another thing.
He wasn't the tallest of blokes and at the time he had Rover 200 series with those high backed 'sports' seats they put in the higher models.
Early hours one morning he got blue lights in his mirror and pulled over. The copper came to his window and started laughing. He then apologised, said there had been a mistake and went to return to his car.
My Dad - who at the was in his late 60s with white hair and beard - he looked a lot like Richard Attenborough - pressed the cop on why he'd stopped him.
His reply was that they'd seen the car from behind and couldn't see anyone driving it. They surmised a child may be out driving his Dad's car so they decided to stop him.
What that said about my Dad's driving standards is another thing.
ashleyman said:
I got really annoyed when they followed me for ages and eventually stopped me.
Young lad in a Golf R out at 2am. Assumed it was stolen.
They followed me until they confirmed other units around and then stopped me cos they thought it might be stolen. Couldn't stop me before confirming back up because they said if I failed to stop there was no way they'd be catching me without help.
Understood. Thanked them for looking out for me. This was by a metropolitan police traffic BMW! Very rare sight these days.
I get followed a lot especially if I am seen late at night. But I don't mind. I Got followed yesterday by a Police van. Eventually they got bored as when I pulled up outside my house they drove past.
Thats the thing, some people are so anti-police. If your car was stolen now you'd know they'll call in back up and put in a stop. Thanking them is the least you can do Young lad in a Golf R out at 2am. Assumed it was stolen.
They followed me until they confirmed other units around and then stopped me cos they thought it might be stolen. Couldn't stop me before confirming back up because they said if I failed to stop there was no way they'd be catching me without help.
Understood. Thanked them for looking out for me. This was by a metropolitan police traffic BMW! Very rare sight these days.
I get followed a lot especially if I am seen late at night. But I don't mind. I Got followed yesterday by a Police van. Eventually they got bored as when I pulled up outside my house they drove past.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff