The worst bit of luck?

[Alfie]

Had a customer come over today to collect a phone cradle.

He got a bit lost and turned down a one way road. Realising his mistake he decided to reverse a bit whilst talking to me on the phone Traffic car spots this and wallop he is done for!

He explained to the officer he was just coming to pick up a cradle for hands free use, I confirm this with the officer but he is having none of it. Felt really sorry for the guy so we paid the fine for him Couldnt do anything about the points though

 

[jpskiller]

Thats nice of you, above and beyond the call of duty.
did you not sell him a sat nav as well

 

[Inkyskin]

That was nice of you! That must have been a right git of a copper to do that though even after you explained what he was picking up

 

[BTB 500]

So did he get done for reversing up a one-way street as well?

 

[Alfie]

Thats nice of you, above and beyond the call of duty.
did you not sell him a sat nav as well

He had one already in the car. He just wanted a cradle because his wife keeps telling him he will get done one day! I'll bet she will be smirking tonight when he gets home.

He was done for being on the phone thats all!

 

[BTB 500]

He was done for being on the phone thats all!

He was lucky then!

 

[glojo]

Traffic coppers don't yuh just luv 'em

On a serious note,
Unless that driver was literally putting someone's life at risk in sight of the reporting officer then I find that very sad.

Only this morning I was talking about discretion Your customer had the car booked in. You had the part, he was doing the right thing in getting the phone fixed, but obviously doing the wrong thing by driving whilst on the phone.

D-I-S-C-R-E-T-I-O-N

well done
regards
John

 

[xpc316e]

I am surprised that some folk think the police should not ticket for this offence. His attention was obviously diverted from his driving - what other excuse could he use for driving the wrong way into a one-way street. Why should somebody's life have to be in danger before a ticket is justified? He broke a very well-publicised law - do you suggest that we let off drinkdrivers if they haven't actually crashed?

 

[Alfie]

I am surprised that some folk think the police should not ticket for this offence. His attention was obviously diverted from his driving - what other excuse could he use for driving the wrong way into a one-way street. Why should somebody's life have to be in danger before a ticket is justified? He broke a very well-publicised law - do you suggest that we let off drinkdrivers if they haven't actually crashed?

He didnt drive the wrong way down a one way street. He drove the correct way into it but needed to back up a bit because he went too far down it.

 

[crockers]

He didnt drive the wrong way down a one way street. He drove the correct way into it but needed to back up a bit because he went too far down it.

Would that be backing up the one way street the wrong way? If so he was lucky to only get done using the phone...

 

[SilverSaloon]

got to say i agree with xpc316e on this one. he was on the phone, so must take the penalty.... whether he was going to get a cradle or not is irrelevant. he should have stopped and pulled over to phone you up.

saying that, the officer could have given him a warning and let him on is way though after you had confirmed his story etc, but he cant really complain too much as he broke a well publicised motoring offense - everyone knows its illegal..... he chose to ignore that fact.

 

[pammy]

Can't believe how anyone can think what this guy did was acceptable. Unlucky that he got caught maybe - but not an acceptable way to drive. The fact he was going for the cradle just reinforces he knew he was doing wrong. And reversing back down a one way street while on the phone......... I think he's lucky only to get done for the phone.

Nice touch though Alfie to pay the fine - but it was his problem.

 

[glojo]

I am surprised that some folk think the police should not ticket for this offence. His attention was obviously diverted from his driving - what other excuse could he use for driving the wrong way into a one-way street. Why should somebody's life have to be in danger before a ticket is justified? He broke a very well-publicised law - do you suggest that we let off drinkdrivers if they haven't actually crashed?

The law is the law is the law and this bloke was yards??? away from NEVER being in the position to hopefully have avoided this. I just feel that there are degrees of breaking a law, plus this person was about to have the cradle installed.

I accept it doesn't really compare with the driver who is enroute to a pre-booked MOT, but public relations.... noi pointe!

I'm on my mate Alfie's side

Yours sincerely
John the law breaker.

Knowing Recycled He will also disagree with me

 

[jaymanek]

I feel for him having been done twice... I agree with John though....

 

[Alfie]

He knew it was a fair 'cop' as they say. He was just gutted that he was a bit late coming over and all to make sure that he was hands free for the future!

The policeman pulled him on a double yellow line. I did mention that I wouldnt be suprised if he got a ticket for parking there too (out of earshot of the officer)

It was a bit odd though because at one point the officer got back into his car and spent ages talking to someone on the phone thingy they have in the car. I guess they were checking out who he was and the car etc....

 

[timskemp]

It surprises me how attitudes and opinions have changed. 5 yrs ago no one cared if you held your phone when driving, no one muttered about doing 50 in a 40, no one batted an eyelid at drinking a coke while driving, or looking at a map. These things are no more dangerous today, but the heavy handed and target focussed police forces are prosecuting drivers for these things.

 

[pammy]

It surprises me how attitudes and opinions have changed. 5 yrs ago no one cared if you held your phone when driving, no one muttered about doing 50 in a 40, no one batted an eyelid at drinking a coke while driving, or looking at a map. These things are no more dangerous today, but the heavy handed and target focussed police forces are prosecuting drivers for these things.

Because they are illegal. It used to be ok to drive while drunk

 

[fuzzer]

It surprises me how attitudes and opinions have changed. 5 yrs ago no one cared if you held your phone when driving, no one muttered about doing 50 in a 40, no one batted an eyelid at drinking a coke while driving, or looking at a map. These things are no more dangerous today, but the heavy handed and target focussed police forces are prosecuting drivers for these things.

its cause its easy. Maybe when muggers start getting their registration numbers attached to their foreheads with reflective tape they will start to be fined for drinking coke too.

 

[glojo]

The policeman pulled him on a double yellow line. I did mention that I wouldnt be suprised if he got a ticket for parking there too (out of earshot of the officer).

Were any other vehicles parked on these double yellow lines? If we adopt an attitude of the law is black and white then how many officers on this forum TRUTHFULLY dish out tickets for illegal parking! The law is the law and we appear to be advocating zero discretion!

Regards
John

 

[UnMarked]

If we adopt an attitude of the law is black and white then how many officers on this forum TRUTHFULLY dish out tickets for illegal parking! The law is the law and we appear to be advocating zero discretion!

Regards
John

Traffic Law is, by and large, black and white. However, there is plenty of scope within it for officer discretion -and this gets used a lot more frequently then some posters on this forum would believe or want to accept.
Some offences just do not lend themselves to the use of this discretion and using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving is now one of them.
Worst case scenario: this driver, whilst using his phone and reversing on a one-way street runs over a pedestrian behind him (who's not expecting traffic from that direction) kills said pedestrian and is proved to be using mobile phone. Likely conviction would be Death by Dangerous Driving and potentially a long prison sentence. Extreme I accept but possible.
Damned if you do etc etc