Avon and Somerset Hypocrisy ?
Discussion
I know this type of story has been posted before but ......
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/3154964.stm
Police Escape Speeding Charges
Avon and Somerset Police have prosecuted only one of more than 400 officers caught speeding since January.
A total of 419 police vehicles have been issued with speeding notices over the last nine months.
One officer has received a £60 fine and three penalty points, but the remaining 418 were deemed to be on "legitimate business", and not prosecuted.
The Association of British Drivers (ABD) said the exemptions were "unacceptable".
A spokesperson for the force said the same traffic laws apply to police as to other road users.
But he added that officers rushing to emergencies, or those who needed to attend a situation quickly, were exempt from some rules.
"The Road Traffic Regulations Act states that fire, ambulance and police vehicles are exempt from speed limits on occasions when abiding by them would hinder their work.
"The driver of any police vehicle which breaks the speed limit has to account for their action to a senior officer," he added.
'Penalised'
Nigel Humphries of the ABD said the exemptions showed "double standards" at work.
"Speed cameras, and the way speed is being enforced, are criminalising everybody, but the police's own people are let off, he said.
"We support the police being able to drive at speed in emergency situations.
"I'm sure the majority of those officers were driving at speed safely, but members of the public are penalised for doing the same thing."
All 418 on legitimate business? Anybody think thats ... well rather dodgy?
>>> Edited by the Wiz on Wednesday 1st October 14:29
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/3154964.stm
Police Escape Speeding Charges
Avon and Somerset Police have prosecuted only one of more than 400 officers caught speeding since January.
A total of 419 police vehicles have been issued with speeding notices over the last nine months.
One officer has received a £60 fine and three penalty points, but the remaining 418 were deemed to be on "legitimate business", and not prosecuted.
The Association of British Drivers (ABD) said the exemptions were "unacceptable".
A spokesperson for the force said the same traffic laws apply to police as to other road users.
But he added that officers rushing to emergencies, or those who needed to attend a situation quickly, were exempt from some rules.
"The Road Traffic Regulations Act states that fire, ambulance and police vehicles are exempt from speed limits on occasions when abiding by them would hinder their work.
"The driver of any police vehicle which breaks the speed limit has to account for their action to a senior officer," he added.
'Penalised'
Nigel Humphries of the ABD said the exemptions showed "double standards" at work.
"Speed cameras, and the way speed is being enforced, are criminalising everybody, but the police's own people are let off, he said.
"We support the police being able to drive at speed in emergency situations.
"I'm sure the majority of those officers were driving at speed safely, but members of the public are penalised for doing the same thing."
All 418 on legitimate business? Anybody think thats ... well rather dodgy?
>>> Edited by the Wiz on Wednesday 1st October 14:29
A classic example of why the ABD are out of touch with reality.
Police drivers are trained to a higher standard. They have an exemption from speed limits when on police business. It could be argued that being "on patrol" is police business.
How can we argue that it is perfectly possible to drive safely at a given speed OVER a given limit, if when the BiB do it, they get penalised.
Do we really want police officers filling in more paperwork to deal with such madness?
Police drivers are trained to a higher standard. They have an exemption from speed limits when on police business. It could be argued that being "on patrol" is police business.
How can we argue that it is perfectly possible to drive safely at a given speed OVER a given limit, if when the BiB do it, they get penalised.
Do we really want police officers filling in more paperwork to deal with such madness?
rospa said:
A classic example of why the ABD are out of touch with reality.
Police drivers are trained to a higher standard. They have an exemption from speed limits when on police business. It could be argued that being "on patrol" is police business.
How can we argue that it is perfectly possible to drive safely at a given speed OVER a given limit, if when the BiB do it, they get penalised.
Do we really want police officers filling in more paperwork to deal with such madness?
Erm, I have been driving for longer than most traffic cops...I have had day to day experience of the roads for 20 years, and have never run anyone over. What training can be better than that?
Hedders said:
A classic example of why the ABD are out of touch with reality.
Police drivers are trained to a higher standard. They have an exemption from speed limits when on police business. It could be argued that being "on patrol" is police business.
How can we argue that it is perfectly possible to drive safely at a given speed OVER a given limit, if when the BiB do it, they get penalised.
Do we really want police officers filling in more paperwork to deal with such madness?
Erm, I have been driving for longer than most traffic cops...I have had day to day experience of the roads for 20 years, and have never run anyone over. What training can be better than that?
Not the same thing really!!!!
Im trained in pursuit techniques and drive on average 140 miles a day and a great deal of that is at high speed on a variety of roads and traffic.
I know for a fact that had i not been on about 4 different driving courses then i wouldnt have an unblemished driving record spanning the last 15yrs.
I agree with Hedders. We're all treated like brainless morons. That's why we are no longer trusted to use eye contact and courtesy at "zebra crossings", we have to be shepherded by red lights with all their inherent dangers. That's why we'll all be punished at some stage for doing 68mph in a 60.
I've driven around 1,000,000 miles in total with one accident assisted by packed snow on a tightening bend. But I'll never gain any merit or recognition whatsover, including from insurance companies.
I've driven around 1,000,000 miles in total with one accident assisted by packed snow on a tightening bend. But I'll never gain any merit or recognition whatsover, including from insurance companies.
Being late for work/the hairdressers/a round of golf is not the same as rushing to a job is it? Average Joe Schmo never actually needs to speed does he?
And that's why he's not exempt. If you want to drive really, really fast through heavy traffic, jump red lights etc, then join the police.
Otherwise spend yer money and take yer choice
And that's why he's not exempt. If you want to drive really, really fast through heavy traffic, jump red lights etc, then join the police.
Otherwise spend yer money and take yer choice
tonyrec said:
rospa said:
A classic example of why the ABD are out of touch with reality.
Police drivers are trained to a higher standard. They have an exemption from speed limits when on police business. It could be argued that being "on patrol" is police business.
How can we argue that it is perfectly possible to drive safely at a given speed OVER a given limit, if when the BiB do it, they get penalised.
Do we really want police officers filling in more paperwork to deal with such madness?
Erm, I have been driving for longer than most traffic cops...I have had day to day experience of the roads for 20 years, and have never run anyone over. What training can be better than that?
Not the same thing really!!!!
Im trained in pursuit techniques and drive on average 140 miles a day and a great deal of that is at high speed on a variety of roads and traffic.
I know for a fact that had i not been on about 4 different driving courses then i wouldnt have an unblemished driving record spanning the last 15yrs.
Being trained in pursuit techniques (with all the greatest respect) has
all to do with how most of us drive around. It has no bearing on whether a 'MOP' with twenty or thirty years driving experience can avoid a pedestrian that steps out, or whether he feels that the raod he has been driving down for twenty years suddenly became unsafe because speed cameras were put there. And as far as your clean record goes...my license has been spotless since i got it 19 years ago, until i got hit by a gatso in the middle of nowhere doing 10 over the limit.
I don't feel that I needed any advance driving qualifications to avoid that ticket, i just did not know the camera was there.
rospa said:Anyone know what the figures are for the ratio of accidents:miles and accidents:years driving driven for:
A classic example of why the ABD are out of touch with reality.
Police drivers are trained to a higher standard. They have an exemption from speed limits when on police business. It could be argued that being "on patrol" is police business.
How can we argue that it is perfectly possible to drive safely at a given speed OVER a given limit, if when the BiB do it, they get penalised.
Do we really want police officers filling in more paperwork to deal with such madness?
1) non-police drivers
2) Class 1 police drivers
3) other class police drivers
?
tonyrec said:
Im trained in pursuit techniques and drive on average 140 miles a day and a great deal of that is at high speed on a variety of roads and traffic.
I know for a fact that had i not been on about 4 different driving courses then i wouldnt have an unblemished driving record spanning the last 15yrs.
But by accepting that drive skill is a far bigger factor in safety than speeding you're accepting the futility of enforcing speed limits above all else!
If even the police can't agree that speed is the only factor worth enforcing why are we suffering at the hands of the Scameras still?
toad_oftoadhall said:
If even the police can't agree that speed is the only factor worth enforcing why are we suffering at the hands of the Scameras still?
Because it is the government enforcing this stupidity, not the choice of the police officers (excepting old Brainstorm of course).
But even if i were a highly trained MOP with a racing license and an advanced driving license, i would still not be given the benefit of the doubt if i broke a posted speed limit by ten miles an hour.
There is no incentive for drivers to better themselves, all they have to do is keep an eye out for speed traps these days.
There is no incentive for drivers to better themselves, all they have to do is keep an eye out for speed traps these days.
Sadly, when a numpty fails to stop for the Police and then stacks it a short time later then this statistic counts against the Police....the same as a Police car that is on an Emercall in which another car gives way..all perfectly safe and then another motorist goes into the back of the first car.
This sadly is still counted as a Police accident even though the Police vehicle was no longer in sight.
Over the past 12 months i cant think of many Police vehicle Accidents where the Police driver was at fault.
If you look at my driver record it shows that ive been involved in 5 RTA'S in the past 24months.Upon investigation this showed that i have had 1 vicinity only (described as above)and the other 4 are where i was pursuing stolen vehicles which eventually crashed.
No damage was caused to the Police vehicle and it was all caused by numpties who thought they could drive well and escape capture.
Just goes to show how misleading these figures are !
Roadcraft gives advice to all drivers and that paragraph is obviously aimed at non Emergency Service drivers, at a guess.
This sadly is still counted as a Police accident even though the Police vehicle was no longer in sight.
Over the past 12 months i cant think of many Police vehicle Accidents where the Police driver was at fault.
If you look at my driver record it shows that ive been involved in 5 RTA'S in the past 24months.Upon investigation this showed that i have had 1 vicinity only (described as above)and the other 4 are where i was pursuing stolen vehicles which eventually crashed.
No damage was caused to the Police vehicle and it was all caused by numpties who thought they could drive well and escape capture.
Just goes to show how misleading these figures are !
Roadcraft gives advice to all drivers and that paragraph is obviously aimed at non Emergency Service drivers, at a guess.
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