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Man Prosecuted For Warning Oncoming Drivers


mistertwo

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Were you there? How can you say you don't believe he was obstructing a police officer?

 

Because what's been implied by the report is that he was driving past a camera, then flashing his lights at oncoming drivers, and got spotted and pulled. If this is the case and there aren't any other things we're not being told, then he wasn't obstructing the police, as they shouldn't be there with the aim of catching people speeding, the aim should be to prevent speeding from occuring with a deterrant (speed camera) and him flashing was in fact helping them by slowing oncoming drivers down.

You're right about him using his headlights against the highway code, so why didn't they arrest him for that?

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You're right about him using his headlights against the highway code, so why didn't they arrest him for that?

 

But he could quite easily have given the copper a mouthful and obstructed them another way.

 

No idea why they didn't arrest him for that, I wasn't there ;)

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But he could quite easily have given the copper a mouthful and obstructed them another way.

 

Ah, so you're suggesting the media are twisting an otherwise un-newsworthy piece to make it appear that the Police are the bad guys picking on a pensioner? As if they'd do that!

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This is ridiculous.

 

The guy has been prosecuted for "obstructing a police officer in the course of her duties". Not for actually flashing his lights. The problem with that is that it's effectively prosecuting someone for them telling someone not to do something otherwise they'll get nicked.

 

So if anyone is planning to rob a bank, I can't tell you "not to do it because you'll get nicked", as that would be obstructing the police.

 

Very appealing but a, sadly, flawed, analogy.

I imagine the guy only flashed because of the speed trap. I bet he doesn't flash everyone who is breaking the speed limit.

The bank robbery analogy only applies if you are only tipping off the potential robber because you're aware of a police ambush waiting for him, NOT becasue you think it is wrong to rob a bank. So you probably deserve to be punished too.

 

That said, I personally think this is all kinds of wrong because I don't morally agree with speed limits in the first place.

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FWIW, the spot on laceby road where it took place isnt a "hotspot" for speeding anyway. The only reason they do it there is because it's right outside one of those police "outposts" so they haven't got far to get back to the vending machine.

 

What is funny though is that on one side of the road they have the grange estate, and on the other the nunsthorpe estate and bradley pitches.

 

If they were to drive round there for half an hour, they'd find so many untaxed, non-insured and un-roadworthy cars that they'd be upto their pink floppy ears in paperwork for weeks!

 

There's no wonder that alot of the general public have no respect for the police force nowadays with these power hungry moments and lack of common sense.

 

It does seem that alot of the police "officers" in grimsby/cleethorpes must get trained to be as arrogant as possible to entice reactions out of people though. The ones who didnt make it to be a full "officer" tend to be the worse, the special constables/support officer types.

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There's no wonder that alot of the general public have no respect for the police force nowadays with these power hungry moments and lack of common sense.

 

It does seem that alot of the police "officers" in grimsby/cleethorpes must get trained to be as arrogant as possible to entice reactions out of people though. The ones who didnt make it to be a full "officer" tend to be the worse, the special constables/support officer types.

 

The police officers are only doing their job though really so you can't blame them. It's the higher ups and government to be angry at for telling them to do it and putting up the cameras.

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The police officers are only doing their job though really so you can't blame them. It's the higher ups and government to be angry at for telling them to do it and putting up the cameras.

 

At risk of transgressing Godwin's law, that's the Nuremberg defence right there ;)

 

I suspect that, as Gav says, blokey kicked off and failed the attitude test. There is no way a guy could be prosecuted for flashing his lights unless he actively helped the police along. I fully agree that these speed camera tossers are a complete waste of time, money, resources, and yet more predating on easy funding because they can't be arsed rounding up obvious lawbreakers nearby with uninsured deathtraps (sorry marbleapple but if the suit fits... I used to respect plod but I don't even get out their way if they are behind me on blues these days, they are just after someone who did 33 in a 30 zone as far as I'm concerned).

 

However, there is a way to do it and a way not to. Be nice, polite, know your rights, and feign ignorance of any wrongdoing whatsoever at all times :innocent:

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(sorry marbleapple but if the suit fits... I used to respect plod but I don't even get out their way if they are behind me on blues these days, they are just after someone who did 33 in a 30 zone as far as I'm concerned).

 

I'm a solicitor mate not a Policeman (but I am happy to accept any apology given!). I just shake my head and get on my high horse at people getting excited over stories that are clearly inaccurate and designed to create mass hysteria.

 

I believe that Gav will be right, old bloke is a massive pain in the ass and gets nicked. Media contort the story into the crucifixion of Jesus (slight exaggeration).

 

Lancashire Police will now prosecute 'flashing' drivers.

 

They should prosecute all law breakers and flashing just that.

 

It does amaze my why the Police don't walk around supermarkets just 'doing' all the people who's cars tax disc is out of date. Could even do it on the way to buying their doughnuts.

 

Still excited at the suggestion of Charlotte flashing... Her comment went relatively unnoticed.... I'm sitting here waiting for her account details to send wads of cash....

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Lancashire Police will now prosecute 'flashing' drivers.

 

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/traffic-and-transport/drivers_who_flash_speed_trap_warning_lights_face_prosecution_1_2903630?commentspage=0

 

No surprise there, seeing as they were among the first to actively push zero tolerance on speed limits.

 

Thanks for that link. Some interesting info there. ;)

 

For those who haven't read it all, here's my favourite comment from below the news article, by

 

sallp Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 1:19 PM

 

"It could only (possibly) be an offence if you flashed someone who was speeding. And no one could ever prove that you caused someone to stop speeding. The argument about flashing lights being an offence is irrelevant. This is different from a charge of obstructing a police officer, and would only result in a non-endorsable fixed penalty in any event. Mr Thompson, who was recently convicted by Grimsby Magistrates, did not receive any proper legal advice and defended himself. Added to this, the Magistrates erred in their judgment. There is case law which supports him – DPP –v- Charles Glendinning (2005). Mr Thompson is now to appeal his conviction, and will succeed based on this High Court precedent. Inspector Martin Bishop either does not know what he is talking about or is not telling the truth. He will be well aware of the Glendinning case".

 

If anyone finds out the appeal verdict, (since they might try to keep it low profile if he wins), please post it here?

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they are just after someone who did 33 in a 30 zone as far as I'm concerned

 

Police forces enforce the legislation in different ways depending on protocol advised by the area Fiscal...10% and your nicked is not a solid rule of thumb. In many cases it'd result in a warning but best not to get caught in the first place!

 

It does amaze my why the Police don't walk around supermarkets just 'doing' all the people who's cars tax disc is out of date. Could even do it on the way to buying their doughnuts.

 

Not up on english law but in scotland many supermarket carparks are privately owned and technically they do not fall under the definition of a public roadway as the local council does not have a duty to maintain it...police cannot issue a ticket in these circumstances and would have to wait on the driver to exit the carpark before stopping them...and I doubt they would bother doing that.

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Flashing.

 

Where do I send the cash?

 

First reply in under 60 seconds.... you guys are slacking!

 

Still excited at the suggestion of Charlotte flashing... Her comment went relatively unnoticed.... I'm sitting here waiting for her account details to send wads of cash....

 

Im just waiting for the flash... every other bugger can pay it and I will reap the rewards thank you! ;)

 

 

:D

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