Section 59.Traffic act - Are fhe Police abusing it?

[chezz]

Likewise, as a copper also, I wouldn't call myself a c*nt.

Like bus drivers or any other profession, there are good ones and not so good ones. As a teenager I worked in a generic superstore in my town, one of the managers was a pr*ck.. However this does not mean that all generic superstore managers are pr*cks.

Did the manager have the ability to seize your vehicle and have it crushed because you left the premises by accellerating aggressively or overtaking a customer pushing a shopping trolley in an 'unsafe manner' - just because he was having a bad day? My heart bleeds for you - get the violins out for the Police....there are pricks in many professions - not many can cause you to have a car that you have worked hard for to be under the threat of being seized...a friend of mine had to sell his pride and joy - a BMW M3 due to some saddo issuing him with a Section 59. The punishment does not match the crime in many cases.Whatever next Armed response units for the child caught stealing sweeties? Section 59 is being used without just cause, in cases where a damn good verbal bollocking would suffice.

[Rikki Kitto]

I've had the plessure to deal with the Police many times throughout my life so far, some really bad, some not so bad, some positively helpfull. How you react in the first 10 seconds is so important, if you're in the wrong hold your hands up and grovel, if you feel you weren't in the wrong proceed with caution, if you're absolutely sure you're not in the wrong fight all the way but expect a plenty of grief in the future

[Sjcrowther]

Well as a copper lads I wouldn't call myself a C**T. I am a normal person who wanted to help members of the public who are subjected to crime etc and I come from a family of Police. A lot of you are commenting on other peoples experiences that you were not privy to.
Every job has wrong 'uns, its a bit like saying all Subaru drivers are tossers etc..... You moan that coppers tar everyone who drives a performance car with the same brush and you are doing the same and jumping to conclusions based on a stereotype.
I thought this forum was full of sensible people...

Likewise, as a copper also, I wouldn't call myself a c*nt.

Like bus drivers or any other profession, there are good ones and not so good ones. As a teenager I worked in a generic superstore in my town, one of the managers was a pr*ck.. However this does not mean that all generic superstore managers are pr*cks.

[Jamo]

I'm refraining from jumping in

[Sonic]

However i agree with earlier comments that many drivers take exception at a perfectly safe overtake.
Probably just a consequence of congested roads.?

And the general dumping down of society...

Speed = bad.
Overtaking = dangerous and jumping the queue.

Seem to be the general consensus these days by the majority.

[Monkeymagic]

Well in my defence i dont really deal with traffic matters. Most situations can be dealt with by just having a conversation.
Something some police lack an ability to do.
With most traffic law its black and white. Sect 59 probably has been used too readily when in the first place some words of advice is all is neeeded
We all do driving manouvres that if we look back we can say were silly.
However i agree with earlier comments that many drivers take exception at a perfectly safe overtake.
Probably just a consequence of congested roads.?

[Error404]

Well as a copper lads I wouldn't call myself a C**T. I am a normal person who wanted to help members of the public who are subjected to crime etc and I come from a family of Police. A lot of you are commenting on other peoples experiences that you were not privy to.
Every job has wrong 'uns, its a bit like saying all Subaru drivers are tossers etc..... You moan that coppers tar everyone who drives a performance car with the same brush and you are doing the same and jumping to conclusions based on a stereotype.
I thought this forum was full of sensible people...

Unfortunately Steve, in my experience mate you are in the minority, as with anyone who isn't a c*nt

[Sonic]

I don't think anyone has said 'all coppers are c**ts' to be fair - as much the fault of those who worded the act... politicians are c***s too don't take it personally, I'm sure you are a good 'un

Just to clarify my comment was that most of society are *****... as experienced every day on the roads

Well as a copper lads I wouldn't call myself a C**T.

What would your mates say?

[re2500]

I don't think anyone has said 'all coppers are c**ts' to be fair - as much the fault of those who worded the act... politicians are c***s too don't take it personally, I'm sure you are a good 'un

What you find is that most people are generally law abiding and sensible, thus don't really have any contact with the police except when we cross one that takes a dislike to so someone we've done and makes us feel like a criminal. So it is probably 1 in 100 coppers with an attitude, but if that's the only one i speak to in 3 years it might seem like it's all of them - but actually most must be pretty good or I'd be talking to them a lot more often!

As enthusiastic performance car drivers we're always going to stick out a bit, blast past someone (safely of course) or plant it off the lights, and occasionally cross a cop that wants to make an example, probably assuming we always drive like a nutcase and need stopping. So every now and then there will be a moan about misjustice and 'bad cops', dragging up a forum's worth of bad experiences over the past 10 years, but on a day to day basis I think we're all grateful for the majority of the force like yourself who make the country a better and safer place.

[Ross]

Well as a copper lads I wouldn't call myself a C**T. I am a normal person who wanted to help members of the public who are subjected to crime etc and I come from a family of Police. A lot of you are commenting on other peoples experiences that you were not privy to.
Every job has wrong 'uns, its a bit like saying all Subaru drivers are tossers etc..... You moan that coppers tar everyone who drives a performance car with the same brush and you are doing the same and jumping to conclusions based on a stereotype.
I thought this forum was full of sensible people...

I don't think anyone has said 'all coppers are c**ts' to be fair - as much the fault of those who worded the act... politicians are c***s too don't take it personally, I'm sure you are a good 'un

What you find is that most people are generally law abiding and sensible, thus don't really have any contact with the police except when we cross one that takes a dislike to so someone we've done and makes us feel like a criminal. So it is probably 1 in 100 coppers with an attitude, but if that's the only one i speak to in 3 years it might seem like it's all of them - but actually most must be pretty good or I'd be talking to them a lot more often!

As enthusiastic performance car drivers we're always going to stick out a bit, blast past someone (safely of course) or plant it off the lights, and occasionally cross a cop that wants to make an example, probably assuming we always drive like a nutcase and need stopping. So every now and then there will be a moan about misjustice and 'bad cops', dragging up a forum's worth of bad experiences over the past 10 years, but on a day to day basis I think we're all grateful for the majority of the force like yourself who make the country a better and safer place.

[Tap Towers]

Well as a copper lads I wouldn't call myself a C**T. I am a normal person who wanted to help members of the public who are subjected to crime etc and I come from a family of Police. A lot of you are commenting on other peoples experiences that you were not privy to.
Every job has wrong 'uns, its a bit like saying all Subaru drivers are tossers etc..... You moan that coppers tar everyone who drives a performance car with the same brush and you are doing the same and jumping to conclusions based on a stereotype.
I thought this forum was full of sensible people...

There are a fair few sensible people on this forum, we just dont comment that much.
Agreed, good and bad in every group, got to appreciate plods angle on this one a bit, they have to respond to some pretty bad RTA's because of complete dimebars flying around in pimped up 1.1's. Id tend to guess most of the people picked up on section 59's are ones who have spent a fortune in halfords glueing junk to their car, behaving like idiots in built up areas, rather than an enthusiast who opens the taps at the right place and right time. Ive overtook police at 90 a few times without issue, conditions were good, roads were quiet, and I wasnt behaving like a pratt. Still, if you end up having your collar felt, not going off on one helps

[re2500]

I had almost the same thing a couple of years ago but after a quick search a section 59 can not be given for speeding the section 59 is being abused because the police will give you a section 59 when you do something they don't like or can't prove prime example is speeding. I was told the police where travelling at 50mph so I must have been speeding my answer "if I was doing 50mph and you where doing 50mph you would never have caught me" managed to get me a section 59

Haha, i had a mate who use exactly the same line...

Male Police officer: "Do you know how fast were you going sir?"
Suspect: "30mph officer"
Male Police officer: "WRONG, because i had to do 40 to catch up with you!"
Suspect: "Well yes, other wise you wouldn't have caught up, you would have stayed a constant distance behind me"
Female Police officer: "He's got you there...."

[Cottis]

Well as a copper lads I wouldn't call myself a C**T. I am a normal person who wanted to help members of the public who are subjected to crime etc and I come from a family of Police. A lot of you are commenting on other peoples experiences that you were not privy to.
Every job has wrong 'uns, its a bit like saying all Subaru drivers are tossers etc..... You moan that coppers tar everyone who drives a performance car with the same brush and you are doing the same and jumping to conclusions based on a stereotype.
I thought this forum was full of sensible people...

"Every job has wrong 'uns" Like you say Monkey, the same can be said about people coming on forums ha ha.

Many people have been wronged by the police but not as many as the millions who have been protected by them. You rarely hear the good bits but there are many. Tis a shame about the way the police are are perceived. The force doesn't help itself but that is rarely the fault of the guys on the floor/street doing the hard graft. It comes from above no doubt, as with all organisations. The perfect example is the nailing of people in 30mph zones for doing 35mph but ignoring total idiot drivers all the time because they are not speeding. It seems if you drive below the limit, you can tail gate, middle lane hog and generally drive without any consideration whatsoever (despite recent new rules which I am yet to see implemented on motorways). These people are the true danger as every other ****** is trying to get out of their way to avoid having an accident. It isn't then fair that they are dealt with as safe drivers. They are anything but. Speed doesn't kill, idiot driving kills. Put the 2 together and you get even more deaths I agree. Consideration and safe driving is way more than just observing speed limits.

[Monkeymagic]

Well as a copper lads I wouldn't call myself a C**T. I am a normal person who wanted to help members of the public who are subjected to crime etc and I come from a family of Police. A lot of you are commenting on other peoples experiences that you were not privy to.
Every job has wrong 'uns, its a bit like saying all Subaru drivers are tossers etc..... You moan that coppers tar everyone who drives a performance car with the same brush and you are doing the same and jumping to conclusions based on a stereotype.
I thought this forum was full of sensible people...

[FeaRThiS]

Ive been pulled for "aggressive acceleration" too when i accelerated rapidly in my MK2 16v up to the 40mph limit from some traffic lights on a dead road at 2am.
There wasn't anyone around, i wasn't showing off, or racing. I just "felt like it"...

I got breathalyzed, my wrist slapped, as he insisted i must have been speeding but couldn't prove it :corey:
He must have seen me (or more likely heard me) and decided to try and track me down.
Annoying thing was i didn't even give it ALL the beans, but thankfully i definitely didn't speed....

I had almost the same thing a couple of years ago but after a quick search a section 59 can not be given for speeding the section 59 is being abused because the police will give you a section 59 when you do something they don't like or can't prove prime example is speeding. I was told the police where travelling at 50mph so I must have been speeding my answer "if I was doing 50mph and you where doing 50mph you would never have caught me" managed to get me a section 59