Preserved emergency vehicles and the control freak govt
Discussion
This story came to my attention today:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BLUE-LIGHTS/
It appears that somebody has found themselves on the wrong side of the law by taking a preserved emergency vehicle (believed to be a 1976 Rover 3500S because it came from the owners club website) to a rally.
Although it is standard practice to put a bit of sacking over the roof mounted blue light when the car is on the road, apparently this is not now good enough for the magistrates and the control freaks in Whitehall, as it could still be construed as "impersonating an emergency vehicle."
After all, its so easy to mistake a 31-year old P6 fpr trafpol, isn't it
Doesn't it make you glad to live in such a tolerant country
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BLUE-LIGHTS/
It appears that somebody has found themselves on the wrong side of the law by taking a preserved emergency vehicle (believed to be a 1976 Rover 3500S because it came from the owners club website) to a rally.
Although it is standard practice to put a bit of sacking over the roof mounted blue light when the car is on the road, apparently this is not now good enough for the magistrates and the control freaks in Whitehall, as it could still be construed as "impersonating an emergency vehicle."
After all, its so easy to mistake a 31-year old P6 fpr trafpol, isn't it
Doesn't it make you glad to live in such a tolerant country
I can't see how a car with its lights covered could be considered to be impersonating an emergency vehicle, unless of course it relates to more than the lights (stripes, markings, etc).
However, if it is the case, what about marked cars being driven by non-BiBs, eg. being taken for service? Why is it ok for them? I see them on the road with no attempt to cover the lights.
ETA: signed.
However, if it is the case, what about marked cars being driven by non-BiBs, eg. being taken for service? Why is it ok for them? I see them on the road with no attempt to cover the lights.
ETA: signed.
Edited by Peter Ward on Thursday 24th January 22:14
"Could a passer-by be reasonable expected to believe that the historic marked police vehicle was not actually an active marked police vehicle?" That's why the blue lights and constabulary shields are usually covered up when the historic marked police vehicle is used on the public road, to make it clear the historic vehicle is not in service.
And would a passer-by really believe that a marked P6 police vehicle was in active service? It's age and the non-currency of P6s as marked police vehicles nowadays give the answer to that - and never mind the obscured blue lights and shields.
Mind you, having seen marked police vehicles being driven for service by mechanics in overalls... Discretion is obviously needed
, and this rare commodity seems to be sadly lacking in this case.
And would a passer-by really believe that a marked P6 police vehicle was in active service? It's age and the non-currency of P6s as marked police vehicles nowadays give the answer to that - and never mind the obscured blue lights and shields.
Mind you, having seen marked police vehicles being driven for service by mechanics in overalls... Discretion is obviously needed
, and this rare commodity seems to be sadly lacking in this case. I wasn't aware that driving a marked car when not actually a policeman was an offence. After all, I can wear a police uniform from a fancy dress shop and not commit an offence IIRC.
I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
ocks.Mr E said:
I wasn't aware that driving a marked car when not actually a policeman was an offence. After all, I can wear a police uniform from a fancy dress shop and not commit an offence IIRC.
I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
There's actually just been a case of a male stripogram in Aberdeen being prosecuted and fined for impersonating a police officer.I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
This was after the two (female) arresting officers had seen him perform too!!!
Rubin215 said:
Mr E said:
I wasn't aware that driving a marked car when not actually a policeman was an offence. After all, I can wear a police uniform from a fancy dress shop and not commit an offence IIRC.
I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
There's actually just been a case of a male stripogram in Aberdeen being prosecuted and fined for impersonating a police officer.I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
This was after the two (female) arresting officers had seen him perform too!!!
Rubin215 said:
Mr E said:
I wasn't aware that driving a marked car when not actually a policeman was an offence. After all, I can wear a police uniform from a fancy dress shop and not commit an offence IIRC.
I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
There's actually just been a case of a male stripogram in Aberdeen being prosecuted and fined for impersonating a police officer.I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
This was after the two (female) arresting officers had seen him perform too!!!
- Streakystreaky said:
Rubin215 said:
Mr E said:
I wasn't aware that driving a marked car when not actually a policeman was an offence. After all, I can wear a police uniform from a fancy dress shop and not commit an offence IIRC.
I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
There's actually just been a case of a male stripogram in Aberdeen being prosecuted and fined for impersonating a police officer.I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
This was after the two (female) arresting officers had seen him perform too!!!
- Streaky
Chrispy Porker said:
streaky said:
Rubin215 said:
Mr E said:
I wasn't aware that driving a marked car when not actually a policeman was an offence. After all, I can wear a police uniform from a fancy dress shop and not commit an offence IIRC.
I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
There's actually just been a case of a male stripogram in Aberdeen being prosecuted and fined for impersonating a police officer.I'm not likely to do either of these things, but still.
I thought one only strayed into "impersonating a police officer" if you actually attempted to convince someone that you were, in fact, a police officer.
This was after the two (female) arresting officers had seen him perform too!!!
- Streaky
I stopped an SD1 making spectacular progress southbound on the M5. He wasn't activating 'his' emergency beacon, but felt a complete plum for being pulled over by a plain real police vehicle.
And yes, he WAS driving like a cat with his tail on fire on his way to a convention of some sort involving old emergency vehicles.
And yes, he WAS driving like a cat with his tail on fire on his way to a convention of some sort involving old emergency vehicles.
Frankly I can't really see the point of preserving them.
It's a strange bunch of people who want to pretend they are in some kind of time warp police show if you ask me.
I am all for preserving old cars, but why police cars?
They spend all their working lives doing very high mileage and in most cases being abused by the occupants.
I would have thought a well looked after 'civi' SD1 is much more interesting.
It's a strange bunch of people who want to pretend they are in some kind of time warp police show if you ask me.
I am all for preserving old cars, but why police cars?
They spend all their working lives doing very high mileage and in most cases being abused by the occupants.
I would have thought a well looked after 'civi' SD1 is much more interesting.
Chrispy Porker said:
Frankly I can't really see the point of preserving them.
It's a strange bunch of people who want to pretend they are in some kind of time warp police show if you ask me.
I am all for preserving old cars, but why police cars?
They spend all their working lives doing very high mileage and in most cases being abused by the occupants.
I would have thought a well looked after 'civi' SD1 is much more interesting.
Fair enough. I can't see the point of preserving old WW Jeeps and the like. Or Allegros and Marinas. But to each his own. Some people don't see the point of preserving Range Rover CSKs, the original MG Metros and other stuff I like. That's why the world's so interesting It's a strange bunch of people who want to pretend they are in some kind of time warp police show if you ask me.
I am all for preserving old cars, but why police cars?
They spend all their working lives doing very high mileage and in most cases being abused by the occupants.
I would have thought a well looked after 'civi' SD1 is much more interesting.
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