Safe Speed Forums

Hi all,

you would think that the police would be happy-at least-when someone actually carries out their duty as a responsible citizen and reports a potentially dangerous car, well no, let me explain:

On the way to work this morning a car with hooded youths involved pulls out in front of me, I notice none of them wearing seatbelts and the car had a big spider web crack in the screen + the driver and passengers seemed more interested in finding something on the floor than driving-probably dropped their blow. So I decided it might be wise to at least report the menaces because I felt with the condition of the car and the driver/passenger (s) that this could be a potentially dangerous situation-right? Wrong!

Police weren't interested and all I got was put through to an answering machine that told me my call was important but not deemed an extreme emergency (like saying an individual walking along the street isn't a worry until they've stabbed someone) but in my anger I decided to phone back and they seemed a bit more co-operative.

So the lesson is phone them back and tell them every little detail about why you think it is dangerous-like it could end up in a serious accident.

Regards

Andrew

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It's a scam........or possibly a scamola


Homer Simpson

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago when we lived in Feltham (W. London).

I used to live in a block of flats that had it's own underground garages for the residents. I was getting in to my car one day when one of the neighbours walked (well, staggered really) past me absolutely reeking of booze and got in to his own car.
I then proceeded to watch as he spent the best part of 5 minutes attempting to reverse out of his parking space and collided with no less than 2 different parked vehicles, as well as managing to make contact with the concrete dividing walls at least 3 times.

Now I really couldn't give a flying f*ck if somebody decides to drive without tax, etc and I am most certainly not a grass, however it was obvious to the registered blind that this guy wasn't just a little bit over the top but that he was absolutely rotten drunk.

I decided to phone the police on my mobile and follow the guy so I could give them a running commentary of where he was heading so he could be apprehended.

I explained to the police operator what I had seen and also that I was following the individual and that his driving still hadn't improved in the slightest from the car park incident.

The operators first response was to point out to me that making a phone call while driving was illegal
I pointed out that I was using a hands free kit, and asked if she would concentrate on the more important matter in hand and get this drunken twat off the road before he either hurt or killed someone.

Long story short......
I was told to stop following the guy as it wasn't my responsibility to get involved, and that now I had furnished them with his registration number they would deal with it.
After telling the police operator that she was a stupid tart (mainly because she was more concerned about someone making a phone call while driving rather than the pisshead behind the wheel that couldn't even walk properly due to his intoxicated state), I followed the guy to his destination anyway and sure enough, we didn't encounter one single police patrol along the way (which meant he got away with it).

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

Gixxer,

Interesting story. I think the only reason they-seemed-to take an interest the SECOND time around that I phoned was maybe due to the fact that an election is coming up. I'm now wondering if it is possible for me to phone the poilce and ask for any follows up from my report just to catch them out!

Mind you I had a good one back home. Some wee rats were seeting dry bushes on fire behind my house so I hastily phoned the fuzz-what a mistake, the operator said in no uncertain terms that he didn't care and that I should phone the fire brigade.

I've no respect for the police any more-they are on par with the scum that walk our streets (sorry I know there is still some alright ones who are trapped in the vicious circle), -they protect them instead of us and bow to political correctness and opportunities to mug the motorist rather than instilling common sense.



regards


Andrew

_________________
It's a scam........or possibly a scamola


Homer Simpson

In defence, I have to post I have reported bad driving twice - the first in Cumbria, rural beat, Sunday and nobody was able to intercept the car involved. However, given his driving style, I was not surprised, but the civilian operator WAS concerned, thanked me for phoning it in (from a call box, I had no mobile). A day or two later, I got a telephone call, asking if I was prepared to go to court as a witness. They had decided to bring the case on my evidence and my wifes as passenger alone!
It got thrown out over a year later on a technicality, but we were praised for following it through.

The second occassion, we joined the Motorway in front of a coach full of pensioners, who pulled out into lane two, and stayed there for several miles while chatting on his mobile. He proceded through a 50 mph contraflow, exceeding the limit by at least 10 mph, STILL on the phone, so my wife telephoned the coach company on the number displayed on the back of the coach. THEY were not interested - "Mind you own business" we were told!!
So, my wife telephoned the police, who took note, and were able to join us on the M6, where they videoed the coach, tailgating another coach in lane two, above the limit, and he got pulled over.
We were then contacted by phone, to ask if we could meet up and give a statement, which we did, and asked if WE wanted the police to press charges.
I asked if the drivers response was arrogant or remorseful when he got stopped, and when told it was the latter, elected to leave it in the hands of the police, and the coach company.

Please dont be put off by the posts above - there ARE decent hard working policemen about (and despatchers!) who will welcome the info. and act upon it. It might have been YOURs or MY parents on the coach, so call it in, before it becomes one of those "Coach rolls off M6" stories on Sky News.

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!