One rule for them......

[Big RICHARD]

Sad fact is, the Police are allowed to drive at whatever speed they feel is necessary. The law states that.

Section 87 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

No statuatory provision imposing a speed limit on a motor vehicle shall apply to any vehicle on an occasion when it is being used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes if the observance of that provision would be likely to hinder the use of the vehicle for the purpose for which it is being used on that occasion.

Where does it say 'if the copper feels like doing 84 in a 30 he can'?

It doesn't.

Nor does it say '159 on the motorway for a laugh'.

He wasn't fulfilling a duty as a police officer, the purpose of the ride was to go out and enjoy a VERY fast spin in a souped up Vectra. On PUBLIC roads.

[[GSV]Trig]

Where does it say 'if the copper feels like doing 84 in a 30 he can'?

It says that if needed the officer in Fire Unit, Police Car or Ambulance can disregard any speed limit.
Which under certain circumstances is fine, at the end of the day yes he was most likely taking the piss but the judges interpretation of the law means he's gotten away with it...
In some ways its right, in some its wrong, depends on your view of it...

[Swafe]

It says that if needed the officer in Fire Unit, Police Car or Ambulance can disregard any speed limit.
Which under certain circumstances is fine, at the end of the day yes he was most likely taking the piss but the judges interpretation of the law means he's gotten away with it...
In some ways its right, in some its wrong, depends on your view of it...

Yet that Ambulance driver was doing 100mph while delivering organs almost lost his job, license and stuff...

Work that one out.....

This is the injustice of the world, how come someone who was doing the exact thing (but slower), in aid of saving someones life gets done good and proper, where a person of similar rank in society tries to get his top end speed out of his new car disregarding the damage he could cause, gets off?


Why were you speeding? Oh, I'm a paramedic, Im saving someones life? Thats it you ! Filthy scum saving someones life, your nicked ! Get in

Why were you speeding? Familiarising myself with the top speed of my car, almost hitting a tree, 4 kids and a couple of familys on the way... problem? Nope... have a safe journey

[Big RICHARD]

It says that if needed the officer in Fire Unit, Police Car or Ambulance can disregard any speed limit.

Was such a speed NEEDED?

Which under certain circumstances is fine, at the end of the day yes he was most likely taking the piss but the judges interpretation of the law means he's gotten away with it...
In some ways its right, in some its wrong, depends on your view of it...

Under certain circumstances it IS fine, but most certainly NOT these circumstances. I have no doubt at all that he was pulling the judges plonker. I worry that said judge fell for such rubbish.

That police officer should have been banged up for what he did. Anyone else would have been.
In all his years of wisdom, training and judgement making, he made a VERY poor judgement and showed a lack of common sense to flog the tits off the car. He has shown that no matter how much training someone has they can still make a poor call on what is sensible and safe.

But most of all the worrying thing is the extra rights that the police have over your average Joe, without having to be answerable for their actions. Whatever next? I worry that we are giving too much power to the law enforcement agency of this country, which is a very dangerous scenario indeed.

[Lowe]

Where does it say 'if the copper feels like doing 84 in a 30 he can'?

It doesn't.

Nor does it say '159 on the motorway for a laugh'.

He wasn't fulfilling a duty as a police officer, the purpose of the ride was to go out and enjoy a VERY fast spin in a souped up Vectra. On PUBLIC roads.

You know he was having a laugh. I know that.

But, the fact remains he stated that he was out training. That's a good enough reason for the law to count. The Judge doesn't have a choice. The law's an ass, and so is Police policy, since it doesn't make any of this behaviour particularly accountable.

Now instead of ranting and raving to me, write a blumin letter to your MP demanding that this behaviour is brought into line!

[Big RICHARD]

I think I might just do that ya know Lowe. I've never felt the need before, but this I can't bear to see go!

[Big RICHARD]

You know he was having a laugh. I know that.

But, the fact remains he stated that he was out training. That's a good enough reason for the law to count. The Judge doesn't have a choice. The law's an ass, and so is Police policy, since it doesn't make any of this behaviour particularly accountable.

Now instead of ranting and raving to me, write a blumin letter to your MP demanding that this behaviour is brought into line!

You're right there Lowe, the law does count under these circumstances (given that it has been through court) but in my opinion (and I imagine yours) it most certainly shouldn't count for some bloke to take a company car out and rag it down the motorway for bragging rights!

[rajagra]

the fact remains he stated that he was out training. That's a good enough reason for the law to count. The Judge doesn't have a choice.

That is the bottom line.

But note that HE stated he was out training. He hadn't cleared it with anyone, it was a personal choice.
I won't condemn how he drove without knowing the conditions, but I object to the fact he can break the speed limit anytime he likes and be untouchable.
His force should change their rules and not allow impromptu "training" missions without prior clearance.

Nationally, 30 road deaths a year are linked to police drivers. That's one percent of all road deaths, despite their making up a tiny proportion of the driving population. It appears that their enhanced driving skills are grossly insufficient to compensate for the manner in which they drive.

[Big RICHARD]

That is the bottom line.

But note that HE stated he was out training. He hadn't cleared it with anyone, it was a personal choice.
I won't condemn how he drove without knowing the conditions, but I object to the fact he can break the speed limit anytime he likes and be untouchable.
His force should change their rules and not allow impromptu "training" missions without prior clearance.

Nationally, 30 road deaths a year are linked to police drivers. That's one percent of all road deaths, despite their making up a tiny proportion of the driving population. It appears that their enhanced driving skills are grossly insufficient to compensate for the manner in which they drive.

Indeed!

[Twigman]

Burn his house down as a lesson to other idiot members of the polic force.

[Big RICHARD]

Burn his house down as a lesson to other idiot members of the polic force.

Now now. Let's not take the law into our own hands!

[Hez]

Nationally, 30 road deaths a year are linked to police drivers. That's one percent of all road deaths, despite their making up a tiny proportion of the driving population. It appears that their enhanced driving skills are grossly insufficient to compensate for the manner in which they drive.

Yeh, but how many of those people run over per year do you think were hit because they were idiots and didnt look or something. I think things will be changed due to press picking this up and running with it, but one thing i dont think is right is making limits for cops, u never know when u might need one doing 160mph to get to you.

(keep in mind, i dont drive yet )

Yeh, me first post so be nice =]

[Zak33]

It appears that their enhanced driving skills are grossly insufficient to compensate for the manner in which they drive.

Zakkly ...... in fact having seen some of them drive, my dog would do better.

Blind folded

[rajagra]

Yeh, me first post so be nice =]

Welcome aboard mate!

Yeh, but how many of those people run over per year do you think were hit because they were idiots and didnt look or something...

Cough (Heather Mills) Cough!

never know when u might need one doing 160mph to get to you.

I agree completely, and I support formal training and practice of police drivers on public roads.
But here's the thing. Roadcraft: The Police Driver's Handbook advocates use of high speeds provided it's safe. It makes it quite clear that no emergency makes it worth driving dangerously. The police freely admit to driving fast, but say they are professionally trained and their skill allows them to do so safely.
Yet they have a worse serious accident rate than the general public.
Something doesn't add up.
Their skill level, combined with their driving style, does result in increased risk of fatality.
Either they are not as skilled as they claim, or they deliberately drive dangerously. I fail to see any other explanation.

BTW, I thouroughly recommend Roadcraft: The Police Driver's Handbook It's probably one of the few books on driving guaranteed to make you safer.

[[GSV]Trig]

I've got that roadcraft book.....

[Hez]

Yeh, im going to have to keep my eyes open because i too will soon be driving but hopefully i wont become a police serious accident statistic. And althought they may have a very high degree of skill at driving at high speeds, everyone does make mistakes, and with the force of a car traveling at near 160mph hitting you, that will probably be the last mistake either of you makes... =/