Safe Speed Forums

Purely hypothetical question - unless its allowed

Talivan parked on normal A road, parked on wrong side facing oncoming traffic, there are no parking/waiting restrictions on road. It is a Ford Galaxy in Lancashire with a civillian operator sat in the back.

If I approach it and park directly behind it obstructing the cameras line of sight am I comitting any kind of offence? Does the operator have any authority to ask me/order me to move?

Ben

Short answer. No.

Whilst the Police Reform Act empowered certain other groups powers, and additional powers, to regulate traffic, namely, (from memory) Traffic Wardens, PCSO's. VOSA - I'm not sure about. Certainly 'civilian' staff have no additional powers that I'm aware of. However, it is feasible (although unlikely) that a Civilian operator might be accredited into one of these groups, or might even be a Special Constable, and could require you to move.

As to whether you parked there deliberately? It depends on any conversation that then follows. If your attitude was, "Yes mate. I know. But I'm stopping here anyway." Then, whilst not 'Obstruct Police', it could still be 'Unnecessary/Wilful Obstruction'.

On the other hand, if it was a case of, "Sorry mate. I didn't realise. But why should it be me that has to move?" Then I can't foresee any problem.

The major handicap is maintaining a straight face when saying it.

What about a reply along the lines of:

I am carrying out a legitimate and peaceful protest against the persecution of the humble motorist, as is my democratic right.

Not sure if i'd go as far as handcuffing myself to the subframe

If you park there in something over 3.5 tonne you can always use the excuse...

'Sorry mate, I have to take a rest break. I can't move for 45 minutes' coz they sure as hell won't have the authority to over-ride the WTD regulatons...

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

mmmmmm

but IMO you would be obstructing the Chief Constable of the force as they would have authorised you to carry out speed enforcement

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now retired

Be interesting case -- camera man trying to get driver to break the driving regs.

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lets bring sanity back to speed limits.
Drivers are like donkeys -they respond best to a carrot, not a stick .Road safety experts are like Asses - best kept covered up ,or sat on

as long as they share a flask they can stay

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now retired

But what would be the offence? Couldn't charge you with obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty because unfortunatly - you are not a police officer

unnecessary obstruction / wilful obstruction

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now retired

You could always give the obstructor a medal for sevices to road safety

Richard

Agreed, found the following link containing all endorsable and non endorsable fixed penalty offences, both are in there, non endorsable

Fixed Penalty Offences

Thats killed it

YES! YES!!! YES!!!!

Let's at least have these two rigorously enforced!!

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

But obstruction means blocking someone's car in, or blocking a driveway. It doesn't mean blocking the line of sight of someone's camera.

That's what I thought it meant.

How about, "Obstructing someone who is pretending to be a Police Officer in the course of generating revenue, whilst also pretending to make the roads safer."

That should cover it.

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If you're right, did your heels in
If you're wrong, admit it!

Sink the scameraships
Give us back our Police Force

LMAO

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"Are you sh**ing me?"
"John Spartan, you are fined one credit for a violation of the verbal morality statute."

When I park my car behind a laser camera van to take some photos of it and the operator as he came to ask me to move my car. Of course I agreed and drove off without any further issue, but perhaps it prevented him getting about a dozen cars, so they lost more than they had got from me.

How about, "Obstructing someone who is pretending to be a Police Officer in the course of generating revenue, whilst also pretending to make the roads safer."

whos pretending to be a Policeman, remember many in here moaned about policeman taken off the beat and put into vans, reversal of role remove police out of vans back onto operational duty to replaced with civilians

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now retired

Come off it, the talivans here have identical markings to the police ones and the operator sits there with yellow hi-vis jacket, only way to tell them apart is orange lights on top instead of blue.

Its clear from speaking to family, friends, collegues etc that most people dont have a clue that you aren't actually police, its just another part of the scam.

I think if people did know they wouldn't be as, lets say "friendly" towards you.

what SCP is that

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now retired

Lancashire