Poor driving by plod?

[Dark85]

I came across this video of someone being pulled over in Northern Ireland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkGzX1urnqE

To me it seems the police car deliberately blocks the joining car in, effective goading him into doing something wrong so he could be pulled. I assume that can't be used as a defence for careless driving, but surely the driving of the police officer is unacceptable?

[Mk3Spitfire]

Was the car joining? Or did he undertake the camera car?

[AndyNetwork]

The driver of the Citroen could have eased off (note: not braked) and pulled out behind the police car.

Also, there is the possibility that the Citroen had already passed the camera car on the inside, and attracted the attention of the police officer. Perhaps the whole reason the police car stayed where it was, was to get the attention of the Citroen driver to wag a finger at him, only for them to then make a dangerous move to get in front of the police car.

I know if I was in the situation of being along side another car, which was not letting me out, I would be looking to see why, and presumably notice the uniform of the driver.

[stevesingo]

The police car slowed (judging from its distance relative to the camera car and the camera car's speed).

The police car had space in lane 4 to move in to.

The police car had space in front to accelerate in to.

Although the Citroen driver appeared a little cheeky coming off the slip road, the police car goaded the Citroen in to the undertake, and probably felt very smug with himself for doing so.

[Mk3Spitfire]

stevesingo said:

The police car slowed (judging from its distance relative to the camera car and the camera car's speed).

The police car had space in lane 4 to move in to.

The police car had space in front to accelerate in to.

Although the Citroen driver appeared a little cheeky coming off the slip road, the police car goaded the Citroen in to the undertake, and probably felt very smug with himself for doing so.

That's a lot of assuming, you're doing there.

[Dave Hedgehog]

stevesingo said:

Although the Citroen driver appeared a little cheeky coming off the slip road, the police car goaded the Citroen in to the undertake, and probably felt very smug with himself for doing so.

yep, classic baiting by an unmarked car

on more than one occasion I have had them glued to within 18" of my rear bumper hoping to goad me into tearing off

[photosnob]

Police did nothing wrong. I'd have moved over to let him out - but if I was driving on the motorway and someone didn't I'd have just backed off a bit and then overtaken him. Seems to me like the car who got pulled tried to bully the other car over...

[stevesingo]

Mk3Spitfire said:

stevesingo said:

The police car slowed (judging from its distance relative to the camera car and the camera car's speed).

The police car had space in lane 4 to move in to.

The police car had space in front to accelerate in to.

Although the Citroen driver appeared a little cheeky coming off the slip road, the police car goaded the Citroen in to the undertake, and probably felt very smug with himself for doing so.

That's a lot of assuming, you're doing there.

Do you know what that word means, because I think you are confused with the word observing.

[Mk3Spitfire]

stevesingo said:

Do you know what that word means, because I think you are confused with the word observing.

Did you observe the car coming off the slip road, or did you assume? Did you observe the driver becoming smug, or did you assume?
Did you observe any speed devices, or did you assume?

Edited by Mk3Spitfire on Friday 10th April 11:10

[vinnie01]

Dave Hedgehog said:

yep, classic baiting by an unmarked car

on more than one occasion I have had them glued to within 18" of my rear bumper hoping to goad me into tearing off

I just squeeze the middle pedal slightly if tailgaited id rather not just stand on the brakes

[Bigyoke]

I can't do the linky to street view thing but if you want a look for yourselves this happened where the M2 & M5 come together on the way into Belfast ( North shore of Belfast lough ) The m ways don't actually merge but run parallel, creating a 4 lane road. It's a bit of road notorious for undertaking and drivers weaving between lanes to 'make progess'

The Citroen has just undertaken the camera car and then does the same to the Police car, squeezing through a narrowing gap to do so. Personally don't think the Police drivers done anything wrong.

[CAFEDEAD]

photosnob said:

Police did nothing wrong.

Slowing in lane 3 to match the speed of traffic in lane 2 for no apparent reason might not be wrong, it's not right though.

[Timlocalad]

Just lift off the accelerator, no need to brake at all

[stevesingo]

Mk3Spitfire said:

stevesingo said:

The police car slowed (judging from its distance relative to the camera car and the camera car's speed).

The police car had space in lane 4 to move in to.

The police car had space in front to accelerate in to.

Although the Citroen driver appeared a little cheeky coming off the slip road, the police car goaded the Citroen in to the undertake, and probably felt very smug with himself for doing so.

That's a lot of assuming, you're doing there.

Do you know what that word means, because I think you are confused with the word observing.

Mk3Spitfire said:

Did you observe the car coming off the slip road? Did you observe the driver becoming smug?

Hence the use of the bolded words which in dicate two assumptions in a post which makes six points. 2/6 is not a lot and does not change my opinion of the outcome. Police car baited Citroen.

[stupidbutkeen]

Lane 3 would be the slow lane of the M5, Lane 2 is the overtaking lane of the M2.
What you have is what looks like a 4 lane motorway when really it is two 2lane motorways running side by side.

[Mk3Spitfire]

stevesingo said:

Hence the use of the bolded words which in dicate two assumptions in a post which makes six points. 2/6 is not a lot and does not change my opinion of the outcome. Police car baited Citroen.

Actually, you've assumed the speed reduction too. So if pedantry is your thang....that's 3/6, otherwise known as half, or 50% if you prefer. I'd say that was a lot. Even the 2/6, if I lost a third of my life savings, I would consider that a lot of my savings.
You're welcome to your opinion, but it is just that: an opinion.

[stupidbutkeen]

After rewatchibg the video on a phone that works I can see that I was wrong about which lane the car started from. he is a tt.

[TooMany2cvs]

...and nobody's yet mentioned the speed displayed on the dashcam and the speed restriction on the overhead gantry...

[stevesingo]

Mk3Spitfire said:

Actually, you've assumed the speed reduction too. So if pedantry is your thang....that's 3/6, otherwise known as half, or 50% if you prefer. I'd say that was a lot. Even the 2/6, if I lost a third of my life savings, I would consider that a lot of my savings.
You're welcome to your opinion, but it is just that: an opinion.

The speed of the camera car is displayed in the bottom right of the screen.

At about 18secs, the camera car is doing 64mph with almost no speed difference in speed to the police car. At 30secs the camera car is showing 55mph with the police car moving away slightly.

It is all very well rubishing someones opinion and it is even easier if you don't put your own forward for some scrutiny.

It is an opinion based on my observation and a couple of assumptions based on my experience. If you don't like it, ignore it. If you disagree, put forth your own opinion. Otherwise, get back under your rock.

[LordGrover]

Dark85 said:

I came across this video of someone being pulled over in Northern Ireland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkGzX1urnqE

To me it seems the police car deliberately blocks the joining car in, effective goading him into doing something wrong so he could be pulled. I assume that can't be used as a defence for careless driving, but surely the driving of the police officer is unacceptable?

Nope. Bang to rights.
Should've dropped back a little to pull out and overtake if required.