Having a Dig at the Police!

[Leemc2008]

Well.. everyone else is.. so why cant I!

Yesterday afternoon a Policeman in an un-marked car tried his hardest to take me off my motorbike! It could have been anyone to be fair.. only thought to write up because these are apparently highly trained professional drivers.

Riding through town centre about 10/15mph and unmarked Police car pulls straight out of a side road without even looking, as I saw the front of his car at the junction I slowed down so I could catch his eye so he'd know I was there, he didnt even look and just pulled straight out into the side of me!

Fortunately I was travelling at walking speed, and I managed to avoid the car his bumper just caught my leg causing me to almost drop the bike in the road.

Stopped so I could go back and ask him what he was playing at, they should know better..etc.. along with many profanities.. and the **** just drove off!! The wrong way up the high street?!

Shocked to say the least..

 

[BlackC55]

If you are that un happy you must report it.

 

[Leemc2008]

If you are that un happy you must report it.

No damaged caused, no witnesses, no registration other than it was a burgundy Fiesta..

I'd be wasting my time.. Dont have much confidence in Devon and Cornwall Police.

 

[glojo]

No damaged caused, no witnesses, no registration other than it was a burgundy Fiesta..

I'd be wasting my time.. Dont have much confidence in Devon and Cornwall Police.

They should always be setting a good example and if they were going the wrong way up a one way street in an unmarked vehicle during day time, then I would definitely consider putting pen to paper.

I am a crtta for asking questions but your post has got my interest.

I accept it was an unmarked police vehicle, but how do you know for sure? It seems strange that a uniformed officer would be driving an unmarked car, especially a little Fiesta but no doubt it does happen. Nowadays I believe that only selected officers are selected for advanced driving courses and I doubt they would then be driving a little Fiesta?

I am NOT excusing any type of poor driving and a good tip is never to make eye contact with another road user. YES, a thousand times yes make sure you look at vehicles that are approaching a junction and by use of the throttle, make sure you are not the proverbial meat in the sandwich, but actually making eye contact can be misinterpreted

I would write to the Chief Superintendent, Cambourne Police Station, the date, time and place, along with vehicle description will locate the vehicle, but yes it will be your word against the officer's, but so what. They were possibly in the wrong and their actions appear to be reckless.

Glad to hear you were not injured
Regards
John

 

[Dieselman]

Well.. everyone else is.. so why cant I!

Because you're made of better stuff than that..don't lower your standards just because others do.

Yesterday afternoon a Policeman in an un-marked car tried his hardest to take me off my motorbike! It could have been anyone to be fair.. only thought to write up because these are apparently highly trained professional drivers.

How do you know it was a Police car and a car at that level isn't a traffic car so the driver won't have special training.
That type of car is used for CID or Community Liaison visits.

It was probably a Security guard, not a Police driver at all...

 

[Meldrew2]

I was sideswiped by a police car's wing mirror (on the "padded" portion of my behind) while standing in a car park. I approached the driver to remonstrate, and got ignored.

I felt that a simple "are you injured" "do you require first aid" would have been appropriate - it's not admitting liability -

It took a couple of phone calls to get taken seriously, then an Inspector came to see me at work, and assured me that he would deal with the matter.

The Inspector was grateful that I did not wish to make a formal complaint - paperwork and it would sit on the PC's record - but he assured me that he would "have words" and make sure that things were handled differently in future.

I half expected to be victimised by traffic police afterwards - so I kept a good eye on my speed - but there were no petty repercussions and a message of apology was recieved from the PC .

I think that's fair. The PC was doing a hard job, and if he had a bit of "Red Mist" that could have effected his decision making. Nice guy, just human - we all make mistakes.

 

[TomTanderson]

How can you have much confidence if you don't give them a chance to address the issue?

I can't imagine they have hundreds of unmarked burgundy Fiestas! If it really was an unmarked car (as opposed to the personal car of an off-duty police officer in uniform) they will know who was driving it from the time and location.

 

[st4]

Because you're made of better stuff than that..don't lower your standards just because others do.
.

Oi...

Initially my 1st reaction to the OP's post was that "were they traffic police or even police" as on the whole their driving standards are high (as it pains me to say it) and the type of car doesn't fit with what the plodd have, they have nice big fast cars like E320cdi's etc.

 

[oldcro]

I am NOT excusing any type of poor driving and a good tip is never to make eye contact with another road user.

Sorry to disagree with you Glojo but my experience is different.

I was taught to always make eye contact if possible when riding my motorbike as it ensures you have been seen. If behind the other vehicle do it via the mirrors. This advice was from the chief driving instructor of the areas police driving school. That and the "lifesaver" check kept me safe on the roads for many a year. The same advice can be applied to car driving as well.

oldcro

 

[st4]

I am NOT excusing any type of poor driving and a good tip is never to make eye contact with another road user.

Sorry to disagree with you Glojo but my experience is different.

I was taught to always make eye contact if possible when riding my motorbike as it ensures you have been seen. If behind the other vehicle do it via the mirrors. This advice was from the chief driving instructor of the areas police driving school. That and the "lifesaver" check kept me safe on the roads for many a year. The same advice can be applied to car driving as well.

oldcro

I don't ride a motorbike but my IAM observer always told me in "situations" eye contact can be very useful. For example might be someone turning right into a road your turning left into, eye contact ensures you know the other person is aware of you and that they allow your to proceed.

 

[hitenhirani]

I am NOT excusing any type of poor driving and a good tip is never to make eye contact with another road user.

I don't ride a motorbike but my IAM observer always told me in "situations" eye contact can be very useful. For example might be someone turning right into a road your turning left into, eye contact ensures you know the other person is aware of you and that they allow your to proceed.

I'd second that, been told the same thing by my IAM observer.

 

[Leemc2008]

Was definately a uniformed officer.. whether or not his car was his personal car or belonging to the Police I'm not sure..

Eye contact is very important.. I ride a huge green superbike, I have red leathers and a red helmet.. I'm pretty hard to miss!

 

[Dieselman]

Eye contact is very important.. I ride a huge green superbike, I have red leathers and a red helmet.. I'm pretty hard to miss!

He was just trying to kill a Ninja tadpole, just like in a game..

 

[gina2201]

I have seen an unmarked Fiesta in Plymouth, I didn't believe they would have these but apparently they do! :S

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Meldrew2 - a bit of a theme emerging in your post!

the "padded" portion of my behind - would sit on the PC's record - astounding turn of speed for it's size. - supremely comfortable, soaks up bumps on potholed roads

 

[glojo]

I think we have to be careful in how we are interpreting 'eye contact'

We MUST have complete situational awareness

We MUST be aware of ALL hazards be they potential or actual, BUT.......

Making actual eye contact is not a requirement

Is certainly NOT necessary and as an advanced instructor actual 'eye contact' is NOT good practice.

I have seen so many drivers who have made eye contact, give a quick wave and then pull out because they 'thought' the other driver was giving them a nod, or any other excuse they can think of.

As a bike rider, riding in town I would be recommending the rider place themselves in the safety position, keep well away from the kerb and use good observation, and and anticipation.

I need someone to explain why it is necessary to obtain this 'eye contact' as my advice to any bike rider has always been to treat ALL other road users as idiots and NEVER assume a driver\rider\pedestrian has seen you. NEVER, ever say "I have right of way, so I'm coming through!' We are all a 'long timer dead' and assuming a car driver has seen us is a quick recipe for an early ticket to the pearly gates.

Please feel free to disagree, but I'm guessing we are playing with words and we don't really mean we need, or want to make eye contact?

Would we flash our lights to get a driver's attention just to get this 'eye contact'?

Perhaps something like this needs to be debated over a pint of beer or three, otherwise we land up dissecting the wording as opposed to the meaning

Regards
John

 

[oldcro]

John, firstly I do agree with most of what you're saying as I was taught similar things myself. The problem I see is if your advice was taken without thought you would never move off ( being told to assume every pedestrian/rider/driver is going to leap out into your path prevents this). Thinking what you would do if the unexpected should happen is the way to do it, as in correct positioning and speed as well as being prepared to sacrifice your position etc.

Eye contact is a quick glance which lets you know the other driver has looked in your direction and there is a chance they will act accordingly.

Finally, how about a few drinks in The Lounge in Lerwick, Saturday afternoon. Good beer and great live music, bring fiddle or accordion or sing a few shanties.

Late addition to the above.

The only mention I can find regarding no eye contact is "If another driver is being intimidating, don't make eye contact". Not sure if this is what you meant John.

 

[Howard]

An unmarked Fiesta ?

What do they use it for ? chasing motorised wheelchairs if they go the wrong way down a one way street ?

 

[st4]

An unmarked Fiesta ?

What do they use it for ? chasing motorised wheelchairs if they go the wrong way down a one way street ?

Still good for catching yobs on foot.

 

[Howard]

Only if they are on crutches ....