Police stopped me.

andrewriley87

I hope this is the right forum but..
Last night my friend and myself were stopped by the local police.

the two officers had such a bad attitude i questioned his judgement, and he threated me "if i dont be quiet you'll get whats coming to you" and ordered me to go for a walk if you know whats good for you.

My friend was driving the vehicle and when stopped they said he wasnt wearing a seatbelt, but he was, he took it off to get out of the car. they didnt buy it, but it was the truth. They also stopped him for driving with a bold tyre and threaten 3 points, they also said he drove through a red light.
HOWEVER!!!! The lights ahd changed on last minute and he was commited to go through, as he would of had to done an emergency stop and his car would of skidded and could of crashed.

The police cautioned him verbally and took his address, but gave him no documentation proving that he had been stopped by the police.

My question is are they allowed to do this?
My friend is really worried that he may lose his licence. Do you think they were just trying to frighten him or do you think he will have to go to court?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Conor_3

Lets address things in some kind of order.

Firstly, you weren't stopped, your mate was. And from your description, quite rightly too.

The bald tyre. That's easy to prove. No less than 1.6mm of tread over the central 75% of the tyre. Most tyres have "wear indicators" in the grooves so when these are flush with the tread, you need to get new tyres although I'd have renewed them at 2mm wear TBH. I take it your friend does do weekly checks?

The red light. YOUR FRIEND NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE. Amber means STOP. Amber doesn't mean "if I put my foot down, I'll make it." I drive a 44 tonne lorry. If I can bring mine to a stop from seeing amber come on without going through the light when it turns to red, your mate can in their car. He was committed because he decided to ignore the amber and thought he could make it.

The Police do not have to give you any documentation for a stop unless they've carried out a search.

Next time your mate gets stopped and you're with him, may I suggest you keep your mouth shut? You obviously don't help situations. They decided just to give him a ticking off and let him on his way. When you grow up, you'll recognise that.

Bennifred

I suggest that you speak to an inspector at the police station local to the incident and tell him/her what you've told us. They will be able to tell you what, if anything will be the outcome for your friend (I don't think your friend has much to worry about!) and also address the issue of the officers' attitude to you. Let us know the outcome!

Edit: I suspect your version of events is accurate, Conor, and I expect the inspector will say much the same,lol! However, the OP may (in his view) have a valid complaint so that's the way to address it.

andrewriley87

RE :- Conor.......

Thank you for your negative responce.
However my driving tutors and my other driving instructors have said if the lights change last minute and you are not within stopping distance to proceed through. Its still your right of way and many people do it, most people go through on dead amber, but this was different.

I know about bold tyres, but he friend did not,
And as for the seatbelt, he was wearing it and took it off as he was to get out the vehicle.

I was stating to the constable that he was wearing and he had an attitude, yes i know they have a job to do, they could not see from the distance they were at when following from another road about the seatbelts.

North wales police are clamping down on young drivers, both wearing hats at night. They have nothing else to do with 3-4 cautions and arrests a night over the past week, same incidents.

The police did not prove no documents to my friend regarding the incident, im sure they cannot proceed as they have no evidence to us.

nealallen

Conor wrote: »

Lets address things in some kind of order.

Firstly, you weren't stopped, your mate was. And from your description, quite rightly too.

The bald tyre. That's easy to prove. No less than 1.6mm of tread over the central 75% of the tyre. Most tyres have "wear indicators" in the grooves so when these are flush with the tread, you need to get new tyres although I'd have renewed them at 2mm wear TBH. I take it your friend does do weekly checks?

The red light. YOUR FRIEND NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE. Amber means STOP. Amber doesn't mean "if I put my foot down, I'll make it." I drive a 44 tonne lorry. If I can bring mine to a stop from seeing amber come on without going through the light when it turns to red, your mate can in their car. He was committed because he decided to ignore the amber and thought he could make it.

The Police do not have to give you any documentation for a stop unless they've carried out a search.

Next time your mate gets stopped and you're with him, may I suggest you keep your mouth shut? You obviously don't help situations. They decided just to give him a ticking off and let him on his way. When you grow up, you'll recognise that.

Very harsh.

DrFluffy

Your friend could be !!!!!!ed on the tyre front, and rightly so.

You could mention the rudeness of the police to their boss though... There is no need for it.

DrFluffy

nealallen wrote: »

Very harsh.

But very true.

espresso

nealallen wrote: »

Very harsh.

The comment is very valid. If the vehicle is stopped by the Police, it is the driver that they want to talk to, not the chimp in the passenger seat!

And what is a bold tyre!

DrFluffy

A dashingly brave one?

Davidboy

Conor wrote: »

Lets address things in some kind of order.

Firstly, you weren't stopped, your mate was. And from your description, quite rightly too.

The bald tyre. That's easy to prove. No less than 1.6mm of tread over the central 75% of the tyre. Most tyres have "wear indicators" in the grooves so when these are flush with the tread, you need to get new tyres although I'd have renewed them at 2mm wear TBH. I take it your friend does do weekly checks?

The red light. YOUR FRIEND NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE. Amber means STOP. Amber doesn't mean "if I put my foot down, I'll make it." I drive a 44 tonne lorry. If I can bring mine to a stop from seeing amber come on without going through the light when it turns to red, your mate can in their car. He was committed because he decided to ignore the amber and thought he could make it.

The Police do not have to give you any documentation for a stop unless they've carried out a search.

Next time your mate gets stopped and you're with him, may I suggest you keep your mouth shut? You obviously don't help situations. They decided just to give him a ticking off and let him on his way. When you grow up, you'll recognise that.

Thats typical from a lorry driver, no compassion or thought to anyone, 90% of which who are rude and arrogant to all other road users.

Mr lorry driver do you know you are suppose to LOOK in your mirror before overtaking on a motorway? Cos I aint found one that does yet!!:mad:


D

Hapless_2

Everyone who drives a vehicle should be aware of tyre tread law and should check there tyres periodically, that way they are less likely to get stopped and less likely to skid when an emergency stop is required.
As to stopping/slowing down on amber, just because others drive through it should everyone else?
If they drove off Beachy Head would you do it?

Bald tyre does usually = 3 points anyway, the police could also have required the car go though another MOT if they decided that in their opinion the car was unroadworthy. So stop getting cocky and let your mate answer questions that are directed at him next time, otherwise you just get a rep of being a mouthy smart alec.