Safe Speed Forums

I had one of these about 20 years ago when I was in my early 20s which I'd very nearly forgotten about (strange how other people's stories dust down one's own memories).

I was on Station Hill in Barking, just about to pull away (looking over my shoulder - you know that last thing we should all do as we pull away) when prevented by a constable in uniform who had stepped into the road in front of me indicating I should stop.

So I reversed back to the kirb (I had semi emerged from behind another car which I had been parked kind of close to). I then got out and asked what the problem was.

"No Tax" was the officer who had stopped me's reply." His accompanying constable, who I quickly worked out, was 'green' on the street and was looking forward to doing his first "5 day wonder" and associated paperwork for nicking someone - in this instance me - apparently for no tax, was already furiously scribbling down my car's registration number, colour, make, etc, etc.

The 'senior' officer alluded to the other bloke being new to the job and needing practice - so I kept my mouth shut, smiled politely, gave all my details. Answered "Do you have a driving licence?" at least 4 times with yes, etc, etc. Indeed, although I didn't have it with me, I told him the long number (I can remember it) and he did his fingers and thumbs bit working out if I'd told him the right date of birth, etc.... All very pleasant an amenable.

So having written the 5 day wonder, cautioned me for no tax (and that I was going to be reported), our heroes started the vehicle check. They walked all around kicked the tyres, asked whether the lights work - that sort of thing (all of which they did), then came back to the pavement, tore off the 5-day-wonder and gave it to me - and then the 'qualified copper' thanked me for being so helpful "considering the circumstances" conveying his aspirations that the courts wouldn't be too heavy and that my helpful manner would be in the new fellow's report to that end.

It was at that point, just as they were about to say "toodle-pip, old-boy" and wander off, I pointed to the tax-disk in the window which was situated at the top-centre of the windscreen behind (from my view when driving) the internal rear-view mirror!

Suffice to say that after I went to produce - along with the tax disk and photographs I had of my car showing the location of the tax disk had been there for quite some time (remember - we didn't have digicam instat cameras in those days), I heard nothing more about it.

Those were the days, eh?

I remember being pulled over by some bored coppers on a night shift. The guy that got out had a quick check of the tax disc then spent about 15 mins talking about how he used to have a car like this and how they are lively in the wet. Ended up having a jolly nice chat, even if it was 2am! Top bloke.

They certainly were mate, they certainly were.

I remeber an occasion from my (much) younger days where I had what I can only call the pleasure of dealing with what seems now like the last of the "decent" coppers.


I had spent the best part of a year building a VERY radical "Swedish style" hard tailed chop based on a Kawasaki Z650 engine.
Although I say it myself (and so did a few of my mates), this bike was the dogs dangly bits, with plenty of polished alloy & chrome all over the place. It was also very low (couldn't get over sleeping policemen without grounding out), and very, very long (36ft turning circle).
All in all, it was a real headturner that you couldn't fail to notice.

One sunny day in the summer, I just couldn't help myself and had to go out on it, although it was still missing a speedo & front mudguard for the MOT (everything else was spot on though).
Just as I arrived at my friends house in Colliers Wood (Merton), a Rover SDI pulled up behind me and out stepped plod. My immediate thought was "Oh shit, looks like I'm caught for no MOT or tax".
The usual questions were asked, to which I gave a false name & address and was then issued a HO/RT1.

Just as I thought I had got away with giving false details, the copper asked if I minded being searched. I of course agreed to be searched because I didn't want him to think that anything was amiss, the only trouble was I had forgotten that I had my license & insurance in my inside jacket pocket (doh!).

Needless to say he found my documents, and then demanded the explanation as to why I had lied to him. I explained it was because I had no MOT or tax, but it was such a nice day, etc.

Instead of nicking me which was what I had expected, he proceeds to say to me "Seeing as this is a Sunday and I'm a christian man, you will be fined one cigarette for lying to me"
At this, he took one of my cigarettes, lit it, and them proceeded to smoke it.

After checking my license & insurance, and giving the bike a "once over" to ensure it was actually roadworthy from a safety point of view, he took the HO/RT1 off me and told me to get it back home, and if he saw me again without any tax or MOT then he was definately going to nick me.

Those were definately the "good old days" where the old bill knew that there were better things to do than nick someone for a very minor transgression, alas it now seems that particular breed of copper is very much a rare species these days

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What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

Nice story Gixxer.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Here ya go Paul



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What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

Thank You Gixxer I will educate myself on how to do it!

(Tongue in cheek mode on)

I think it's amazing how the police service, having left most of the more mundane road policing tasks, like 'speeding' to 'robocop cameras' can now invest its time in the more caring part for society.

I think employing invalids and cripples to police our roads is a great move in 'compassion'

(Tongue in cheek mode off)

Can someone representing the so called 'safety partnerships' please explain to the rest of us what could possibly justify the selfish driver of this police car forcing someone who can't walk or walk well to travel further to the shop entrance?

After all, there is photographic evidence to support the allegation of one rule for you and one rule for the rest of us

Nah, I wouldn't go that far, no rules really apply here.
The police couldn't nick anyone for using disabled slots in supermarket (or similar) carparks they are provided on purely 'good will' basis.
Other ignorant members of the general public are equally ready to abuse these slots - they are usually closest to the facility
Still, its a bit shameful of a police officer to abuse something provided with the best intentions to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

IMHO what kicked this thread off is the public perception that there is on the road one rule for us and one rule fo them with occasionally some one who's face doesn't fit being made an example of.(And I know someone who was in the Met that this happened to)

I have watched in the last week some other docs on the police and there was one on Sky involving a young motercycle driver being spoken to in a manner which had it been my son then I would have moved heaven and earth to remove the officer from his job. All this clown was doing was storing up hostility and grief for the future. I compared that with the NZ police documentary on Men and Moters and their manner and attitude has generally been so much better then the UK police, they speak to people without being patronising, ignorant or rude.

My own experience of being stopped in 27 years driving;
1. showing white light from cracked lens explained waiting for another police force to pay for repair - hit when parked - then breathalysed me (I had been drinking) he looked a little upset that I was under the limit

2. Random stop - I was driving a yellow car - officer explained that he always wanted to find out motivation for having a yellow car The answer is simple you can see it - we had quite a good chat

3. Officer followed me for several miles and then stopped me in a 30 limit almost causing an accident with an oncoming car while going over a solid white line ! explanation was he thought I'd clipped a white line when overtaking another vehicle which I hadn't, it amused the 3 other occupants in the car

4 Stopped by officer who said I'd shaken my head aggressively after he sounded horn to warn me of his position after I went past him on roundabout. He was in lane 1, I was in lane 2 and timed my entrance onto roundabout to go past him and then left by exit 2 (4 spokes) quite wide to allow for other traffic which was him.
He thought I was driving dangerously, my contention was that he was angry because someone had gone by him.
His manner and attitude certainly supported my theory, he was rude and aggresive and when I attempted to challenge his opinion, told me to shut up.

Asked for my name and address gave him my photo licence and told him that we would have to agree to disagree - meanwhile one of his colleagues had turned up and walked round the car several times
result no further action.

My late father-in-law was a police trainer and we had discussed many times about the way that officers should behave with the public I was working as a rep at the time and the way you approach people is a skill for both occupations all I can say about this officer is that he would have loved him


Im glad to hear from Cotswold that his team do not target the middle aged motorist but it is true that generally they are the one with much to lose( having been a rep until I was 40 some of my fellow reps had very poor driving skills and deserved to get pulled)

As for driving training with the cutting of trafpol there doesn't seem to be much of it about, certainly the majority of police drivers I've seen do worry me because the police should set the standard which should be a lot higher.

In fact if I was nicked there are some drivers I've seen who I would protest about before getting in the car with them, after all it's my life,

As regards disabled slots in supermarkets my theory is if you have no badge and use it then you're mentally disabled and get what you deserve and you probably will - god willing

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Stupid is as Stupid does

They obviously parked there because the road markings match the car

Must have thought it was the emergency vehicle bay.