Experiences with the Law Good/Bad

[Stang]

Thought I would post this just to see what people's experiences in Scotland were with the law. In no way it is a witch hunt buy I am just wondering has anyone had qenuine bad experiences? Or felt victimised for the type of car you drive???

I have been stopped a few times in my driving life and have always treated them with respect as they are there to do a job (one I CERTAINLY would not like to do). I have a few friends in the police also.

BUT One experience I had was coming home late one night. A mate of mine decided to be smart and follow me home. Once on the A9 I noticed a car appear from no-where, once we had came round a roundabout. So I wound my window down (they were slightly tinted) and motioned that it might be a police car. My friend being that him and his brother have screws loose thought I meant wind it up and took off leaving me. I decided to stay at 60 due to this sudden appearance of the car (it was 3am) Once I missed a turning off, the car (it was the cops) sped past me stopped my mate and pulled me over also. I was charged that night with travelling in excess of 120 mph!!! Due to me being quiet young at the time and not experienced on questions i should ask I never thought about asking for video proof so it went to court. The court case fell apart and we both left court without charge. Every time I was out in my car for a few months after that I would routinely be followed until I took the choice to change cars to one less obvious.

Another most recent was while I was stationery. I was parked waiting to pick someone up one night. A local copper came past with some workmates who had been drinking. I few said hello but the last one came over and proceeded to tell me "I if I was on duty I would f**king do you right now for parking here" I was that shocked I was unable to give a reply. I was on double yellow's granted as were others who had no occupants. I was also displaying a disabled badge as I was picking up my mother.

One thing is for sure I ain't changing my motor this time.

[ViperScot]

My experience with the police has always been generally good and I'm closely related to quite a few of them. But traffic police often seem to have a certain attitude problem (something my police relatives are more than happy to agree with about certain individuals!). Maybe it's the fact that their job is often regarded as being lesser to a regular police officer? I'm obviously not entirely objective right now given my recent expeience described in another thread (!) but in the past I have been treated unfairly, seemingly due to the car I was driving while not infringing any traffic laws. I do think there's an element of jealousy involved with some of them (to be expected I suppose since they are only human). However, that's not to imply that they're all bad; if you are a generally law abiding driver, you're more likely to meet the officers with the attitude problem when driving an 'exotic' car as the decent ones will leave you alone!

[renmure]

I was going to just read this thread and not contribute since I wasnt sure that I had anything particulaly noteworthy to to add since none of my 'interactions' with the Law have been outstanding. But, on reflection I guess thats one of the issues the police face. Over the past year I have been pulled over to be politely told that the front number plate must have fallen off my exige (it genuinely must have), I have been given the "nice car, Sir" by a couple of coppers on the beat when parking the Ferrari in town followed by a 5 minute chat about 'nice cars'. I have been flagged down by a roadside speed-trap in the elise and politely advised, including a bit of banter, that I should be enjoying the sunshine a little less enthusiastically (might mean that the didnt get a high enough speed on the gun to be officious.) In fact on reflection any time I have had an invlovement with the police it has always only been memorable for being polite or bland. Even a few years ago when I was 'unfortunate enough' to be caught speeding in an area I knew well and should have known better, the actual interaction with the police was again polite and professional and whilst I was pissed off at 'being done' I was more pissed off for being stoopid. On the other hand.. I am sure the first BAD experience I have with the police will be more memorable and stick in my mind.

[a7see]

You must really lucky Jim. A few years back, I overtook a slow moving vehicle (and I mean slow), still within the speed limit, and stopped at the next set of traffic lights. Next thing I know, some random tapped at my window and said to me that he's an off duty copper and would have done me for dangerous driving if he's on duty. I was fuming as I overtook properly with due consideration, and what did I get, some snorty off duty copper with a threatening attitude. That really bothered me and for once I thought it must be the car I drove and I actually was quite unwillingly to take my car out for a drive until I get over the incident. There were a few more incidents that ended up behind a cop car (not been done by any of the incident, touch wood) and really, you would not believe the attitude I get from some of them especially when you are helpless in he backseat. But like I said, maybe just my luck as my ex-neighbour is a copper and he is one of the nicest guy I have ever met.

Anyway, where is this 1.1L Ford Fiesta Popular I saw????

[wazza]

A few years back, I was driving my Porsche 911 Turbo down the M1 near Leeds at about 130 MPH. In the far distance behind me I saw blue light flashing. Without hesitation, I booted it to be about 190 MPH (car was heavily modded). Surprisingly enough the blue lights began to fade and then disappeared altogether after a few seconds.


I'll get my coat.

[johnnymack]

Not all police are the same. A lot depends on the mood they're in, the mood you're in, and what's been happening in the few hours prior to your "interface". Most people have a negative tale to tell, but if you drive for long enough, there will be silver linings too. Funnily enough, the best attitudes I've encountered have been when I've been driving the most conspicuous cars - full sponsor-liveried saloons and wild looking open wheel kit cars. As I'm too old to have ever had blacked-out windscreens, go faster body kits and ICE I don't know how they play with the constabulary!

[neilboyd]

a7see said:

Next thing I know, some random tapped at my window and said to me that he's an off duty copper and would have done me for dangerous driving if he's on duty. I was fuming as I overtook properly with due consideration, and what did I get, some snorty off duty copper with a threatening attitude.

Just a thought......
How many of these "off duty coppers" are REALLY off-duty police officers and not just plain and simple idiots?

I hadn't really thought about this possibility before reading this thread, and it just struck me so I thought I'd throw it into the discussion. I hope I have the wherewithall to ask to see the warrant card of anyone who claims to be an off-duty copper in future. Would failure to cough one up justify a charge of impersonating a police officer......?

Having said all of that, I've generally had positive experiences with the police. One exception sticks in mind - a really ignorant traffic cop in Glasgow who was narked at the fact that I didn't throw the highway code out of the window to make way for his police 4x4 (no lights / sirens). But that was very much the exception.

I for one couldn't deal with scraping human roadkill off the carriageway, so can understand why they might sometimes come across as high-handed. I suspect they're a bit like the Jehovah's Witnesses that come around the doors - they are not doing it just to annoy you, but because they genuinely want the best for everyone. Viewing them in this light works for me.....



Neil