Well I had a fantastic evening last night. Went down to the local Tescos to do the shopping with the other half. Took the Clio cause it needed a bit of a run out. Parked up as normal and noticed a panda car cruising around but thought nothing of it. Came out about an hour later, noticed a small gathering of chav wagons at the other end of the car park which is nothing out of the ordinary so again I though nothing of it. Shopping in the away we went but didn't get out before the panda car we saw before came belting across the car park with the full show going. Naturally I stopped thinking it was just a routine check.
Got the tap on the window 'would you mind stepping out sir' (at least I was addressed properly but thats where the pleasantries ended) 'Would you mind telling me why you are driving around a car park at this time of night'? Slightly bemused I explained that I'd been shopping with the missus which we do a bit later than normal to miss the crowds (it was still only 8.30 though) to which I received a disbelieving look. I had to produce the receipt!
'We've had reports of loud music and engines being revved, nothing to do with you was it'? Showed the pc the scaffolding in the boot and then the switch panel where the stereo should be and reiterated the fact we'd been in the shop for the past hour.
'Your exhaust is quite loud though isn't it'. 'Not massively, no. It was measured at 89dB last time the car was scrutineered' Arguing was probably not the best thing to do seeing as the pc was determined to get me for something.
'Ah competition car is it then'? 'Yes I use it for road rallying (thinking he was taking an interest)'
'Well i'll have to do some checks then' He proceeded to check absolutely everything getting redder faced by the minute. Goes to have a word with his partner.
'Right sir, im issuing you a section 59 notice blah blah blah'.
'Umm whats that for then'?
'Using a competition vehicle on the road'
'Thats not illegal though is it, especially as said vehicle is used in open road events and scrutineered as such'
'That is a competition exhaust and is causing a disturbance'
'Fantastic. Is this going to cost me anything'?
'Not at the moment but if you get caught again blah blah blah'
'Well there we are, there will be a strongly worded letter on its way to your chief constable tomorrow morning, goodnight'
So there we are. Section 59'd for going shopping. Still only a year left at uni then we're off to whatever county will take us, thank god.
I guess its highly likely that if my letter falls on deaf ears then if I meet the same pc again, I'll have my car confiscated at which point I think I'll get the MSA involved.
Rant over. Sorry for the length, got a bit carried away. The law really is an ass.....