Stopped by the rozzers !

Countcussy

Countcussy

Countcussy

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10 Nov 2006
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Caught out by the South Yorkshire police "zero tolerance winter scheme" or whatever they are calling it this year.

Intead of going straight home from work as usual, I had to do a detour to my local DIY place, as we had a radiator "pop" last night, drenching a section of my home. So I was not in the best of moods anyway, and as my journey home takes over an hour on a good day, lets just say I was irritable. :p

Flashing lights appeared behind me, so I pulled over to let them past. My heart sank as they pulled in behind me. He asked me if I knew what I had been stopped for, and I honestly had no idea, as fortunately, I had not been speeding. He said "Fog lights", and then the penny dropped. Bear in mind the weather can vary during my journey home. Near work it was misty, and on the dark country lanes, my front fogs were a big help. I just forgot I had them on. My Leon only has a dash light for the rear fogs. The fronts are just a little green icon near the headlight switch, hidden from view by the steering wheel. :)

Its no excuse, and I knew I was in the wrong. I expected a telling off, and to be sent on my way, relieved that the issue was only my fog lights. But no, I was asked to go and sit in the back of the police car, and proceeded to be lectured like a schoolboy on the dangers of fog lights. I was then asked to take a breath test. I had no problem in complying but this was now getting a bit silly. I never drink and drive, but silly things start entering your head, and I was actually feeling quite tense. As expected, the test was zero.

I was eventually let go, and told, "Let this be a warning to you", and I carried on my way.

After picking up a new rad, I went home, and I actually passed the same police car, with someone else they had stopped. They had obviously had a busy day, as his notepad was crammed full of registrations, DOB`s & addresses.

Seems at the moment, whatever you are stopped for in South Yorks, a breath test is mandatory. Which is fine by me. The issue is, they seem to be looking for the slightest thing, regardless of how small. This then gives them the excuse to pull you over and perform a test.

Sorry for the ramble, but my new rad is now fitted, I have just sat down at my PC, so I thought I would share my evening. :)
 
finally police are cracking down on real criminals. ;)














note: I know it was a "mistake" to not turn them off but they absolutely stupid when left on, and around here everyone from 16-80 thinks they are normal lights and drive around all the time like it. For those few seconds as they close on me i cannot see a thing so i risk a head on with them, or finding a ditch. Its not fun at all.

but anyway theres tons of foglight morons threads on here, and to be fair on the coppers its about time they started warning people for being inconsiderate (yes i know you said it was a mistake, but so many arnt)
 
They aren't looking for excuses to pull you over, in this country, none is required. You can be pulled over at any time.

You were pulled because you had your fogs on, which is illegal, but the kind police officer let you off with a warning instead of the ticket you could have got, and then you go on the internet and moan ;)
 
If anything I think we should do what NZ do. They have better system, they set up a roadside block and test 100% of people and their road side test which checks by you just talking (no need for tubes changing not sure if accurate) and then if they get a certain reading then they take you to a bus which is at the road block and do a evidential (i think that's what its called) breath test. Even if you have to do a evidential test it takes 10 mins max. Much better tbh.

No need for a reason 100% of people tested, much better.
 
No moaning here.

As I said in my post, I don`t mind being stopped or breathalised. And I agree wholeheartedly about tho fog lights thing, as there is nothing worse, especially when its raining. It was a mistake. I am allowed at least one surely :D

As said, just sharing my experience.

Incedently, do any vehicles have a clearly visible light for the front fogs? You cant miss the one for the rear. (although many do)
 
What car Morba?

Wonder if most of the VAG`s have the light near the switch? Seems stupid that it is not next to the rear one on the actual instrument panel.
 
e46 3 series

our focus has the 2 lights, but they are on the switch mount itself, which like your leon seems to be out of view. easy to forget they are on.
 
Is this in Sheffield?

Never had any problems with the police around here, even from PC Scothern (traffic cops bbc1) and his Mitsu Evo:p
 
Same on my Streetwise and im guessing most rovers. The rear one has a dash light and a switch light, the front just has a light on the switch. Im guessing as its an optional extra . . . . You can wire the fogs in yourself if you have the looms, relay and switch.
 
Morba said:
e46 3 series

our focus has the 2 lights, but they are on the switch mount itself, which like your leon seems to be out of view. easy to forget they are on.
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One of the policemen did not believe there was no light on the actual dash. When I offered to show him, he just said that he woud take my word for it.

Tim said:
Is this in Sheffield?

Never had any problems with the police around here, even from PC Scothern (traffic cops bbc1) and his Mitsu Evo:p
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Barnsley. Near the football ground, on my way to Wickes. I will always be a Sheffield lad though. The missus caused the move to Barnsley. :D
 
Having read 15 posts, I'm still not at all clear what you are so upset about :confused:

The Police stopped you for driving with your fog lights on.
They just gave you a warning.
They breathalysed you (which was probably the real reason for stopping you in the run up to Christmas in the first place).

What's the problem?
 
Another side of the coin...

I am borrowing my brothers car at the moment, and managed to drive out of the local supermarket without turning on the flipping lights.
I drove past a police car who wanted to enter the roundabout outside the supermarket. He followed me along the dual carriageway, then pulled up beside me at some lights, and the passenger officer gestured, and told me my lights were not on. I glanced at the dash turned them on, waved and said thankyou. He smiled, and they went on their way!

Driving a chavved up Golf i was sure they would pull me over and have a chat!!
 
All I can say is good. I absolutely hate people who drive with fog lights on when its not foggy. It doesn't look cool and you can't see anything that you wouldn't otherwise.
On another note I also got pulled by the police. He saw me leaving a pub car park (after picking up my GF). When I got out of the car he said I was doing 'about' 60 in a 50 to which I said 'yea, about 60'. He breath tested me and let me go on my way without a ticket.
 
I know a guy who was once breathalised for simply breathing near a policeman :O


True story :)
 
Tim said:
Is this in Sheffield?

Never had any problems with the police around here, even from PC Scothern (traffic cops bbc1) and his Mitsu Evo:p
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Same here, i've always found them to be very good.

I had one of the T5s pulled up on my road yesterday and the copper was asking about my car, says he used to have one of the S13 200SXs etc.
 
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