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[amba]

Need some advise with a accident my youngest daughter was involved in several weeks ago which has reached a stale-mate.

History
Daughter was driving home from picking her baby up from child minder when a car pulled across a road junction hitting the drivers door and front wing of her car and drove off.She was understandably shaken but did follow the car which sped off into a housing estate, however fortunatley she managed to get part of the registration and make/colour of the car.There were no witnesses but looking at the damage on her car it would have been all but impossible for it to have been done by her so she drove home.She rang me from home as I was out at work and explained what had happened and the make/details as best she could remember on the car and the general area it drove off to.
On the way home from work that night I scoured the estate and quite amazingly found the car parked up and took several photos of the damage it had to the passenger bumper side and front wing  where you could clearly see the  silver paint of my daughters car on the black car she had described.
The fololowing morning she reported the accident to the police and also to her own insurance company and was given referrence numbers from both.
Since then she has been constaintly chasing both the police and her own insurance company for any progress .The police have visited the cars owner and he has denied any accident and has had part of the damage repaired although it is still quite noticeable and the police did agree that it looked like he had hit something.
As this is now over 6 weeks ago and she is still awaiting any conclusive action she contacted both the police and her own insurance company again to day as her own cars is still damaged,albeit the car is driveable,her excess is £400 which the insurance are saying she will need to pay before any repairs are carried out and next years premium will be effected by the claim.
Both the police and her own insurance company are saying without any witnesses to the accident it is his word against hers and they are not willing to take any further action.
As far as I can see she has been involved in an accident where the other driver failed to stop and now through no fault of hers she is likely to be considerably out of pocket as no witnesses were presentwhich seems to be the get out for both the police and the insurance company.
We have the full registration of the other car but not the owners name or address only the road and vague area.
Any advise and help on what we can do next would be gratefully received. 

[omegod]

I'd be inclined to go a little neanderthal on him but depends on your beliefs. Looks like it's a stalemate situation like a few others that have cropped up here lately sadly, all of which are making me seriously consider a dash cam. Could you not fix the damage yourself a bit cheaper

[amba]

Car will require a new drivers door/front drivers wing and then painting.2008 Ford Fiesta so expect costs will get quite high.

Trouble is we have the registration but no divers name/address as neither the insurance company or police will disclose them to us.

Violence doesnt seem the way forward here tbh..was thinking about taking it to a solicitor to press charges for failing to stop at the scene of an accident as Mr Plod are being less than helpfull here unless they smell a conviction.

[omegod]

It's often easy to get panels in the right colour and Fiesta one are really easy to change but I do get your sense of wanting the right moral/legal outcome, hope you get the scrote 

[amba]

We have got him..well almost ..just cant get the bugger in court as police and insurance company want witnesses which just werent there

Might get work done then serve a County Court Judgement on him for the excess,trouble is we need his name/address

[Lizzie_Zoom]

It is a shame she herself left the scene of the accident and did not call the police immediately. They would have attended, taken down all the details your daughter could provide, and then searched for the offending vehicle and driver. Any evidence at the scene such as car body parts would also have assisted the police in their enquiries.

Instead your daughter also left the scene I of an accident and so now has been left to prove the accident even happened. A real pity as some what's it has got away with an offence of leaving the scene of an accident and maybe others like drink driving along with traffic infringements. Is the owner of the car disputing who was driving, along with apparently not being involved at all?

This makes the job for the police to bring a prosecution very difficult indeed and they need irrefutable proof, like witnesses who you say do not exist, or perhaps CCTV if available (?)

Not a good situation but thank God your daughter and baby is ok.

[amba]

Fair point Lizzie and it does look like we may end up loosing out on this .I understand your point about the police and also her leaving the scene but I expect most if not all of us would attempt to follow a car if it just glanced of the wing and drove off.

[cleggy]

I would find a witness.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Fair point Lizzie and it does look like we may end up loosing out on this .I understand your point about the police and also her leaving the scene but I expect most if not all of us would attempt to follow a car if it just glanced of the wing and drove off.

I feel for you both, I really do, and somehow understand her instant reaction. However, with everything else, just consider what could have happened if she HAD of caught up with that driver. Believe me, there are some really unprincipled criminals out there who run around in cars equipped with their own weapons locker!!!  Your daughter may have lost money over this, but at least she is still around to be with her baby! Thank God for that, but please warn her about the importance of her own safety as a women especially. Heaven forbid.there is a next time, but someone who commits a hit and run often have something to hid and can be very determined to stop others, including the police, getting to close to them. There are those nasty buggers who will even ram police patrol cars in a bid to avoid capture and discovery of what they are up to. If a young defenceless woman gets in their way, many will not think twice in using violence. Sorry to labour the point, but all too many innocent people are getting hurt these days by so many who just do not care!

[amba]

Thanks for those wise words of advise,Lizzie.Whilst it is always your first instinct to find a solution that is in your favour ultimatley you sometimes need to conceed defeat which I think is where this may go.

Does wind me up as looks like £400 excess and increase in premiums next year for her or find a cheap repair solution.

[the alarming man]

Andrew have you spoken to nick w with regards to the repair

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Thanks for those wise words of advise,Lizzie.Whilst it is always your first instinct to find a solution that is in your favour ultimatley you sometimes need to conceed defeat which I think is where this may go.

Does wind me up as looks like £400 excess and increase in premiums next year for her or find a cheap repair solution.

Yep, that would get to me as well! Damned bad luck and a bastard has got away with it; but life is never fair! 

[Nick W]

Thanks for those wise words of advise,Lizzie.Whilst it is always your first instinct to find a solution that is in your favour ultimatley you sometimes need to conceed defeat which I think is where this may go.

Does wind me up as looks like £400 excess and increase in premiums next year for her or find a cheap repair solution.

A wing and door in silver for a mk6 Fiesta shouldn't come to much. I don't see any reason why you couldn't get it done for less than half the excess, and an afternoon's work.

[amba]

Thanks Nick.

Could you keep your eyes out for them on your travels if you don,t mind.You know the car 5 door Mk6 Fiesta .

[Andy B]

It is a shame she herself left the scene of the accident and did not call the police immediately. They would have attended, taken down all the details your daughter could provide, and then searched for the offending vehicle and driver. Any evidence at the scene such as car body parts would also have assisted the police in their enquiries.

Instead your daughter also left the scene I of an accident and so now has been left to prove the accident even happened. A real pity as some what's it has got away with an offence of leaving the scene of an accident and maybe others like drink driving along with traffic infringements. Is the owner of the car disputing who was driving, along with apparently not being involved at all?

This makes the job for the police to bring a prosecution very difficult indeed and they need irrefutable proof, like witnesses who you say do not exist, or perhaps CCTV if available (?)

Not a good situation but thank God your daughter and baby is ok.

But in the real world, coppers will only turn out if someone is injured ....... they're not interested in car crashes.

[Stuart30]

Fair point Lizzie and it does look like we may end up loosing out on this .I understand your point about the police and also her leaving the scene but I expect most if not all of us would attempt to follow a car if it just glanced of the wing and drove off.

Not really...police attended the scene of my wifes collision and as no one was hurt (at the time) its not something they consider worthy of there time.

[the alarming man]

in Kent the police will not usually attend a damage only incident unless it is on a motorway or you are in a dangerous position..if you are hurt they will always attend

[Lizzie_Zoom]

It is a shame she herself left the scene of the accident and did not call the police immediately. They would have attended, taken down all the details your daughter could provide, and then searched for the offending vehicle and driver. Any evidence at the scene such as car body parts would also have assisted the police in their enquiries.

Instead your daughter also left the scene I of an accident and so now has been left to prove the accident even happened. A real pity as some what's it has got away with an offence of leaving the scene of an accident and maybe others like drink driving along with traffic infringements. Is the owner of the car disputing who was driving, along with apparently not being involved at all?

This makes the job for the police to bring a prosecution very difficult indeed and they need irrefutable proof, like witnesses who you say do not exist, or perhaps CCTV if available (?)

Not a good situation but thank God your daughter and baby is ok.

But in the real world, coppers will only turn out if someone is injured ....... they're not interested in car crashes.

They will if it is a hit n run, in others words an offence has taken place, and especially if it is involving someone considered vulnerable I.e a woman with a baby who is badly shaken. They have to attend (even in Kent), but as I stated the IP must remain at the scene.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

..........and this is Kent Police Road Collision Reporting Policy if anyone is interested:

http://www.kent.police.uk/about_us/policies/operational-partnership/sops/r02b.html

Please note Section 3.2 III & V which I was referring to, and then Section 3.3

 


Section 3.13 may be of some use to you amba

[amba]

Nice find Lizzie and Thanks 

We will be speaking to our solicitor in the morning for their advise on the matter

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Nice find Lizzie and Thanks 

We will be speaking to our solicitor in the morning for their advise on the matter

  best of luck

[YZ250]

It is a shame she herself left the scene of the accident and did not call the police immediately. They would have attended..........

Nice thought but it doesn't happen in reality. My son never left the scene after he was a victim of a hit and run, he couldn't, as a forty ton truck had ripped the side off his car. He phoned the police and they told him to take his documents in to his local police station. They were of no help whatsoever and didn't attend the scene, we had to track the truck down ourselves, which we did, and then Admiral instructed their team to chase up the debt, successfully I might add.  My son was then reimbursed his excess and his No Claims was reinstated. 

As said, nobody was injured so they weren't interested, in fact I'd go so far as to say they were useless to us. 

[Broomies Mate]

Many years ago, I edged out of a junction (from a minor road to a major road) where the view was obscured by a HGV parked immediately before the junction.  It was late, maybe 22:30 and as I was edging out further still.  I still didn't have a view of the oncoming traffic but couldn't see any headlights so I gunned it.  A White (or light coloured) Sierra smashed straight into my front wing.  The force of the impact span the car around so I am now facing in the direction I had travelled from. 

A little dazed, I attempted to open the drivers door, which wouldn't open.  I was just about to climb over to the passenger seat and I hear a wheelspin (lots of).  I look into the rear view mirror and see the Sierra speed off.

My instinct was to restart the stalled car that I was driving, stick it in reverse and give chase!  I tried,, but the impact had destoryed the O/S front suspension.

In this instance, lets pretend the other party DID have their headlights on (which they didn't), I was in the wrong.  I was at fault.  I pulled out of a junction and was hit by someone minding their own business.

The more likely turn of events is the Sierra driver was pissed, or high on drugs, or a car thief and just wanted to distance themselves as far away from the scene of an accident as possible.

Police wanted nothing to do with it, and almost treated me as a criminal. I wasn't a very experienced driver at the time.  As you would suspect, I had to foot the bill for the repairs to a nearly new Mk6 Escort of which I had owned for a matter of weeks.

That car was never the same.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

It is a shame she herself left the scene of the accident and did not call the police immediately. They would have attended..........

Nice thought but it doesn't happen in reality. My son never left the scene after he was a victim of a hit and run, he couldn't, as a forty ton truck had ripped the side off his car. He phoned the police and they told him to take his documents in to his local police station. They were of no help whatsoever and didn't attend the scene, we had to track the truck down ourselves, which we did, and then Admiral instructed their team to chase up the debt, successfully I might add.  My son was then reimbursed his excess and his No Claims was reinstated. 

As said, nobody was injured so they weren't interested, in fact I'd go so far as to say they were useless to us. 

If an offence has been committed, as apparently in this case, the police have a legal duty to attend. If you were dissatisfied with the police response you should have lodged a complaint. I obviously do not know all the facts in this instance, and it is possible an individual officer either misunderstood the circumstances of the collision or failed to react as his Force would expect.

As I have stated many times, this life is not perfect and even police officers make mistakes which I am sometimes able to review during my duties for Kent Police and the CPS. One thing is for sure we need more police officers if the public are going to enjoy a full service, and that is for ALL of us to raise with our politicians!

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Many years ago, I edged out of a junction (from a minor road to a major road) where the view was obscured by a HGV parked immediately before the junction.  It was late, maybe 22:30 and as I was edging out further still.  I still didn't have a view of the oncoming traffic but couldn't see any headlights so I gunned it.  A White (or light coloured) Sierra smashed straight into my front wing.  The force of the impact span the car around so I am now facing in the direction I had travelled from. 

A little dazed, I attempted to open the drivers door, which wouldn't open.  I was just about to climb over to the passenger seat and I hear a wheelspin (lots of).  I look into the rear view mirror and see the Sierra speed off.

My instinct was to restart the stalled car that I was driving, stick it in reverse and give chase!  I tried,, but the impact had destoryed the O/S front suspension.

In this instance, lets pretend the other party DID have their headlights on (which they didn't), I was in the wrong.  I was at fault.  I pulled out of a junction and was hit by someone minding their own business.

The more likely turn of events is the Sierra driver was pissed, or high on drugs, or a car thief and just wanted to distance themselves as far away from the scene of an accident as possible.

Police wanted nothing to do with it, and almost treated me as a criminal. I wasn't a very experienced driver at the time.  As you would suspect, I had to foot the bill for the repairs to a nearly new Mk6 Escort of which I had owned for a matter of weeks.



That car was never the same.

Did you report the incident to the police whilst still at the scene BM?

We're there any witnesses?

[jonathanh]

pretty sure you can get vehicle owners details from DVLA somehow, with those, issue small claims proceedings.

Then the owner has to fight back or you win by default - quite an easy process and you are better off not using a solicitor because you then look the poor downtrodden victim you really are

[amba]

Any ideas how I can get the drivers details then as we have the car registration/make/model/colour and vague address area..road and possibly number spread of 10/12 houses

[jonathanh]

write to DVLA and request it

https://www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla


trust me, when the court papers land on their mat they'll panic!

sorry just read the thread again - don't bother with the solicitor for the failing to stop bit - that is a criminal matter that police should follow up on.  whether or not there is a conviction there will not change your case.  Best to complain to the police that a crime was committed ( failing to stop after an accident) and they did not follow up.

The issue you need to pursue is the costs of repairing the car.  so

get the keepers details - send the a quote for the repair and 30 day payment terms.

then if they do not pay, send them a demand

then if they do not pay, go to small claims - you need to be seen to act reasonably here in pursuing the debt but you should persist - it may take 6 months but either this will go to court or it will get said person back to the table to settle via their insurers

also have you tried speaking to anyone near where the incident occurred to see if they have any CCTV covering the area - would be fantastic if you could prove the vehicle was in the area at the time

[YZ250]

It is a shame she herself left the scene of the accident and did not call the police immediately. They would have attended..........

Nice thought but it doesn't happen in reality. My son never left the scene after he was a victim of a hit and run, he couldn't, as a forty ton truck had ripped the side off his car. He phoned the police and they told him to take his documents in to his local police station. They were of no help whatsoever and didn't attend the scene, we had to track the truck down ourselves, which we did, and then Admiral instructed their team to chase up the debt, successfully I might add.  My son was then reimbursed his excess and his No Claims was reinstated. 

As said, nobody was injured so they weren't interested, in fact I'd go so far as to say they were useless to us. 

If an offence has been committed, as apparently in this case, the police have a legal duty to attend. If you were dissatisfied with the police response you should have lodged a complaint. I obviously do not know all the facts in this instance, and it is possible an individual officer either misunderstood the circumstances of the collision or failed to react as his Force would expect.

As I have stated many times, this life is not perfect and even police officers make mistakes which I am sometimes able to review during my duties for Kent Police and the CPS. One thing is for sure we need more police officers if the public are going to enjoy a full service, and that is for ALL of us to raise with our politicians!

My son was sat in stationery traffic waiting to enter a roundabout when a juggernaut came up the inside of him and took a wide sweep to its exit road, taking the side of his car out.
He phoned the police from the scene, told them that the truck had failed to stop and which direction it had gone. The response was "bring your documents to your local police station".
They did not attend.

I contacted our nearest main station and complained and followed it up with a letter of complaint. I still have copies of both of these letters. Their response to my letter was "We have exhausted all avenues of enquiry but have failed to locate the truck".
My response to them was " I am amazed that with all of the resources available to you that you have failed to find the offending truck, as even with our limited resources we managed to track it down within a few hours. After all, we did supply you with the company name, partial reg number and information relating to his local deliveries. I can only conclude that if this truck went through a speed camera, or worse still injured or killed someone, you would not be able to track it down then either".
No response to that one. 

As said, I still have all correspondence relating to this. It certainly opened my eyes regarding the lack of assistance, and these views have only been strengthened by others confirming that they were treated similarly.

I fully understand why they can't give out names and addresses, otherwise people might pay them a visit so to speak, but they showed no interest whatsoever.
   

[amba]

Cheers for info Jonathanh.

Very usefull advise and I will get things moving early next week

[Kevin Wood]

The response was "bring your documents to your local police station". They did not attend.

Yep, that's typical in my experience. You report a potentially serious incident and they try to pin something on you before proceeding to sit on their thumbs.

I stopped at the scene of an accident a while back. One parties' vehicle was left obstructing the fast lane of a dual carriageway at the exit from a roundabout. Driver of said vehicle was a daft bint who wouldn't put her mobile phone down to get her vehicle to a safe position, so I phoned the Police thinking they could at least plant a few blue lights on the road to warn oncoming traffic. Took about 20 minutes to get through the call centre and explain where I was and what was needed. About an hour later they turned up and proceeded to beathalyse me.

Luckily the 3rd parties recovery truck turned up at about the same time, so the car was eventually moved, but not until after a few very near misses with traffic nearly piling into it, to which the attending officer appear oblivious.

Another occasion, Mrs. KW's car gets dented by a pikey in a Transit pickup. She goes to the Police with CCTV footage, a business card left at a neighbouring industrial unit by said pikey, registration number of truck and a couple of witnesses' phone numbers. Gets a producer to bring her car documents in (that's right, the car that was legally parked in a car park at the time of the incident), then  "Unable to trace driver of the 3rd party vehicle".

.. and we wonder why the public have so little confidence in the Police these days. Yes, I'm sure they have much more exciting serious crime to investigate, but why then do they take so much time trying to fit up innocent reporters of crime? Do they seriously think I'd present myself at the nick to report a crime if I wasn't squeaky clean myself?

[zirk]

Probably a waste of time Amba, but might be worth having a chat with MIB (Motor Insurers Bureau) they do more, apparently, than just manage the UK's Insurance Data Base. 

Have a read here -

https://www.gov.uk/compensation-victim-uninsured-driver

and

http://www.mib.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/085DE28C-9F25-4C0C-AE09-500245D5D547/0/MIB_A5_Claim_Guide_Booklet.pdf

[YZ250]

.......
and we wonder why the public have so little confidence in the Police these days. Yes, I'm sure they have much more exciting serious crime to investigate........

Sorry the bit below is an old one but it seemed quite fitting to this thread. 

Years ago somebody told me how to get the police to attend. 
When I asked how, he said that a while back he had phoned the police to report an intruder and they told him that all of their officers were busy. He thought about it for a couple of minutes and then phoned them back and said not to bother as he'd shot him. Within seconds police were everywhere. The first officer said "I thought you said you'd shot him" to which the guy replied "And I thought you said all of your guys were busy". 

[Stuart30]

Please don't take this as a keyboard warrior moment...but I wish to god id have chinned the old bastard who hit Gemma (My car).

Spent an hour on the phone to a middle aged woman today from insurance company who said "we cant push for the other party to admit liability in case it effects your wifes personal injury claim"

Ive asked how the hell can it effect it and she said "well you want as much as you can get and if we go for a 50/50 you only get 50% of the Personal injury claim"

Excuse me my wife enters the roundabout and he fails to give way...bang...her car is a mess,and you already hinting at a 50/50 on this what the break.!

My feelings are now,im gonna rag the arse of my Saab...play chicken with other cars on roundabouts and if I do have a collision deny being there and then change my story and say its there fault.

Lets face it the police will do sod all and insurance will offer 50/50 so no harm done.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Please don't take this as a keyboard warrior moment...but I wish to god id have chinned the old bastard who hit Gemma (My car).

Spent an hour on the phone to a middle aged woman today from insurance company who said "we cant push for the other party to admit liability in case it effects your wifes personal injury claim"

Ive asked how the hell can it effect it and she said "well you want as much as you can get and if we go for a 50/50 you only get 50% of the Personal injury claim"

Excuse me my wife enters the roundabout and he fails to give way...bang...her car is a mess,and you already hinting at a 50/50 on this what the break.!

My feelings are now,im gonna rag the arse of my Saab...play chicken with other cars on roundabouts and if I do have a collision deny being there and then change my story and say its there fault.

Lets face it the police will do sod all and insurance will offer 50/50 so no harm done.

Sorry to hear of your problems with this one Stuart.  However the police will "do sod all" as this is a civil matter not a criminal one, and they have decided that they cannot substantiate that a criminal offence has taken place under the Road Traffic Act (1988).

It is not the police at fault here but the insurance companies who, as usual, are trying hard not to pay out in full as that affects their commercial viability / to make as much money as they can!!

This is NOT aimed at you Stuart, but this thread about an unfortunate collision involving amba's daughter and baby where there were easily identifiable reasons as to why the police would have found it difficult to ascertain a criminal offence that could eventually be supported by evidence for a criminal prosecution, has turned into an anti-police barrage.

The police are not perfect, as I can state after reviewing certain cases, but they, in reducing numbers, are trying very hard to concentrate on those cases where a criminal case is evident, and it is not a civil law one that they cannot be involved in, quite apart from Protecting and Serving (Kent Police's motto) the public whenever they can.

As I have said before, if you and I want a better police force in greater numbers who can deal with as many cases as possible at any one time, then speak or write to your MP, set up protest groups, and vote accordingly at the next general election.  If you do not then the number of police WILL reduce further over the next 5 years and they WILL struggle to effectively police YOUR community.

[Stuart30]

Please don't take this as a keyboard warrior moment...but I wish to god id have chinned the old bastard who hit Gemma (My car).

Spent an hour on the phone to a middle aged woman today from insurance company who said "we cant push for the other party to admit liability in case it effects your wifes personal injury claim"

Ive asked how the hell can it effect it and she said "well you want as much as you can get and if we go for a 50/50 you only get 50% of the Personal injury claim"

Excuse me my wife enters the roundabout and he fails to give way...bang...her car is a mess,and you already hinting at a 50/50 on this what the break.!

My feelings are now,im gonna rag the arse of my Saab...play chicken with other cars on roundabouts and if I do have a collision deny being there and then change my story and say its there fault.

Lets face it the police will do sod all and insurance will offer 50/50 so no harm done.

Sorry to hear of your problems with this one Stuart. 
It is not the police at fault here but the insurance companies who, as usual, are trying hard not to pay out in full as that affects their commercial viability / to make as much money as they However the police will "do sod all" as this is a civil matter not a criminal one, and they have decided that they cannot substantiate that a criminal offence has taken place under the Road Traffic Act (1988).
can!!

This is NOT aimed at you Stuart, but this thread about an unfortunate collision involving amba's daughter and baby where there were easily identifiable reasons as to why the police would have found it difficult to ascertain a criminal offence that could eventually be supported by evidence for a criminal prosecution, has turned into an anti-police barrage.

The police are not perfect, as I can state after reviewing certain cases, but they, in reducing numbers, are trying very hard to concentrate on those cases where a criminal case is evident, and it is not a civil law one that they cannot be involved in, quite apart from Protecting and Serving (Kent Police's motto) the public whenever they can.

As I have said before, if you and I want a better police force in greater numbers who can deal with as many cases as possible at any one time, then speak or write to your MP, set up protest groups, and vote accordingly at the next general election.  If you do not then the number of police WILL reduce further over the next 5 years and they WILL struggle to effectively police YOUR community.

Im not to clued up on traffic law so please excuse my ignorance...however,A car has failed to give way (that's supported by the independent accessor) on said roundabout,caused injuries to the wife (not obvious at time as she was in shock and it takes a day or so for the injures to show) and tried to leave the scene of an accident...witness heard him telling me "You don't give way to the right on a rounbdabout".

Now id say Lizzie if there isn't a case to answer in law then why do we bother observing the highway code.

[Broomies Mate]

I must be part of this Anti-Police Barrage that LZ speaks of.  Afterall, I did comment that the Police were less than useful in my circumstance.

So, for the benefit of all, especially LZ, I'll set the record straight - from my POV anyway;

Unless it is a specific traffic offence picked up by a traffic officer, the Police seem to have 'better things to do'.  I think this likely due to traffic offences being very difficult to prove.  Unless there is a simple road-side breathalyser followed by evidential breathalyser followed by conviction, an officer of the law doesn't know a great deal..... or at least wouldn't have the ability to stand in court and factually give evidence when faced with an alleged crim who had a decent solicitor.

Furthermore, when was the last time you heard of anyone being given a ticket for a non functioning brake light, or being given a ticket for incorrectly spaced lettering on their numberplate?  One is unintentional, one is (likely) intentional.  Neither are a crime as such, and take far too long for plod to do the paperwork.

I'd love to see every speed camera, every traffic light camera, every stupid raised 'bump strip' when approaching roundabouts and every single sign which reads 'Accident Hotspot' removed.  I'd like the budget for all of those things go into the Police Force to POLICE the area.  I'd like people who have a failed brake light to be escorted to the nearest garage and not be allowed on their way until they fit the new bulb.  I'd like the 'Private Numberplate Brigade' to have their spacing fixed within 48hrs or their vehicle impounded........  What I want more than that is for Drink Drivers, Drug Drivers, people who do 50 in a 30 (if the 30mph limit is justifiable)... I want them caught and banged up.

When the Police Force is adequately funded (and I don't mean the Commissioner gets 50% and the rest of the force gets 50%), then things will get better.

Nobody has been anti-police, LZ.  We have all had similar incidents to the OP and have experienced the same treatment by the Police.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.

[Andy B]

...., or being given a ticket for incorrectly spaced lettering on their numberplate?  ....

One of the lads at work earlier this year. The copper was driving in the other direction & made the effort to turn around and then catch my work mate up. The car was a Jeep Something and the reg was ?? J33P

£100 fine

[Broomies Mate]

...., or being given a ticket for incorrectly spaced lettering on their numberplate?  ....

One of the lads at work earlier this year. The copper was driving in the other direction & made the effort to turn around and then catch my work mate up. The car was a Jeep Something and the reg was ?? J33P

£100 fine

Fair play to that Officer.   

[Stuart30]

I must be part of this Anti-Police Barrage that LZ speaks of.  Afterall, I did comment that the Police were less than useful in my circumstance.

So, for the benefit of all, especially LZ, I'll set the record straight - from my POV anyway;

Unless it is a specific traffic offence picked up by a traffic officer, the Police seem to have 'better things to do'.  I think this likely due to traffic offences being very difficult to prove.  Unless there is a simple road-side breathalyser followed by evidential breathalyser followed by conviction, an officer of the law doesn't know a great deal..... or at least wouldn't have the ability to stand in court and factually give evidence when faced with an alleged crim who had a decent solicitor.

Furthermore, when was the last time you heard of anyone being given a ticket for a non functioning brake light, or being given a ticket for incorrectly spaced lettering on their numberplate?  One is unintentional, one is (likely) intentional.  Neither are a crime as such, and take far too long for plod to do the paperwork.

I'd love to see every speed camera, every traffic light camera, every stupid raised 'bump strip' when approaching roundabouts and every single sign which reads 'Accident Hotspot' removed.  I'd like the budget for all of those things go into the Police Force to POLICE the area.  I'd like people who have a failed brake light to be escorted to the nearest garage and not be allowed on their way until they fit the new bulb.  I'd like the 'Private Numberplate Brigade' to have their spacing fixed within 48hrs or their vehicle impounded........  What I want more than that is for Drink Drivers, Drug Drivers, people who do 50 in a 30 (if the 30mph limit is justifiable)... I want them caught and banged up.

When the Police Force is adequately funded (and I don't mean the Commissioner gets 50% and the rest of the force gets 50%), then things will get better.

Nobody has been anti-police, LZ.  We have all had similar incidents to the OP and have experienced the same treatment by the Police.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.

Good point and very true.

I feel its lazy policing...I kid you not,the night of the collision at least 15 police cars must have stopped and spoken to the Police officer who was baby sitting my car,including two Traffic units (He even said "Oh here we go...Traffic"...none offerd any assistance (Most were coming back from a drugs raid (Officer was very open about it as he was relaying it as he was getting the updates via his ear piece.).
Im sure one of them could have popped around the old codgers house (300 yrds from the scene) and took details etc.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

...., or being given a ticket for incorrectly spaced lettering on their numberplate?  ....

One of the lads at work earlier this year. The copper was driving in the other direction & made the effort to turn around and then catch my work mate up. The car was a Jeep Something and the reg was ?? J33P

£100 fine

Exactly, and the police ARE effectively bringing such offences to book when noted by them, but as I said, there needs to be more traffic officers so that such offences are detected and the law abiding public like the OOF's on here are satisfied. Without more officers then detections will not be to the level we all expect.

In regards to all the claims of police ineffectiveness made on here, if you feel strongly enough then lodge a complaint via standard complaints procedures. Ask the police why they didn't act as you expected. I and all the other OOF's on here were not at the collisions and so did not personally witness these alleged offences and be able to assess, if you are trained to do so, exactly what has transpired and what criminal laws have been breached. So it is up to only you to lodge that complaint and not just moan about the police on the forum.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Please don't take this as a keyboard warrior moment...but I wish to god id have chinned the old bastard who hit Gemma (My car).

Spent an hour on the phone to a middle aged woman today from insurance company who said "we cant push for the other party to admit liability in case it effects your wifes personal injury claim"

Ive asked how the hell can it effect it and she said "well you want as much as you can get and if we go for a 50/50 you only get 50% of the Personal injury claim"

Excuse me my wife enters the roundabout and he fails to give way...bang...her car is a mess,and you already hinting at a 50/50 on this what the break.!

My feelings are now,im gonna rag the arse of my Saab...play chicken with other cars on roundabouts and if I do have a collision deny being there and then change my story and say its there fault.

Lets face it the police will do sod all and insurance will offer 50/50 so no harm done.

Sorry to hear of your problems with this one Stuart. 
It is not the police at fault here but the insurance companies who, as usual, are trying hard not to pay out in full as that affects their commercial viability / to make as much money as they However the police will "do sod all" as this is a civil matter not a criminal one, and they have decided that they cannot substantiate that a criminal offence has taken place under the Road Traffic Act (1988).
can!!

This is NOT aimed at you Stuart, but this thread about an unfortunate collision involving amba's daughter and baby where there were easily identifiable reasons as to why the police would have found it difficult to ascertain a criminal offence that could eventually be supported by evidence for a criminal prosecution, has turned into an anti-police barrage.

The police are not perfect, as I can state after reviewing certain cases, but they, in reducing numbers, are trying very hard to concentrate on those cases where a criminal case is evident, and it is not a civil law one that they cannot be involved in, quite apart from Protecting and Serving (Kent Police's motto) the public whenever they can.

As I have said before, if you and I want a better police force in greater numbers who can deal with as many cases as possible at any one time, then speak or write to your MP, set up protest groups, and vote accordingly at the next general election.  If you do not then the number of police WILL reduce further over the next 5 years and they WILL struggle to effectively police YOUR community.

Im not to clued up on traffic law so please excuse my ignorance...however,A car has failed to give way (that's supported by the independent accessor) on said roundabout,caused injuries to the wife (not obvious at time as she was in shock and it takes a day or so for the injures to show) and tried to leave the scene of an accident...witness heard him telling me "You don't give way to the right on a rounbdabout".

Now id say Lizzie if there isn't a case to answer in law then why do we bother observing the highway code.

My post #40 has hopefully answered some of your queries Stuart. You obviously feel strongly about this so complain!

[Stuart30]

Please don't take this as a keyboard warrior moment...but I wish to god id have chinned the old bastard who hit Gemma (My car).

Spent an hour on the phone to a middle aged woman today from insurance company who said "we cant push for the other party to admit liability in case it effects your wifes personal injury claim"

Ive asked how the hell can it effect it and she said "well you want as much as you can get and if we go for a 50/50 you only get 50% of the Personal injury claim"

Excuse me my wife enters the roundabout and he fails to give way...bang...her car is a mess,and you already hinting at a 50/50 on this what the break.!

My feelings are now,im gonna rag the arse of my Saab...play chicken with other cars on roundabouts and if I do have a collision deny being there and then change my story and say its there fault.

Lets face it the police will do sod all and insurance will offer 50/50 so no harm done.

Sorry to hear of your problems with this one Stuart. 
It is not the police at fault here but the insurance companies who, as usual, are trying hard not to pay out in full as that affects their commercial viability / to make as much money as they However the police will "do sod all" as this is a civil matter not a criminal one, and they have decided that they cannot substantiate that a criminal offence has taken place under the Road Traffic Act (1988).
can!!

This is NOT aimed at you Stuart, but this thread about an unfortunate collision involving amba's daughter and baby where there were easily identifiable reasons as to why the police would have found it difficult to ascertain a criminal offence that could eventually be supported by evidence for a criminal prosecution, has turned into an anti-police barrage.

The police are not perfect, as I can state after reviewing certain cases, but they, in reducing numbers, are trying very hard to concentrate on those cases where a criminal case is evident, and it is not a civil law one that they cannot be involved in, quite apart from Protecting and Serving (Kent Police's motto) the public whenever they can.

As I have said before, if you and I want a better police force in greater numbers who can deal with as many cases as possible at any one time, then speak or write to your MP, set up protest groups, and vote accordingly at the next general election.  If you do not then the number of police WILL reduce further over the next 5 years and they WILL struggle to effectively police YOUR community.

Im not to clued up on traffic law so please excuse my ignorance...however,A car has failed to give way (that's supported by the independent accessor) on said roundabout,caused injuries to the wife (not obvious at time as she was in shock and it takes a day or so for the injures to show) and tried to leave the scene of an accident...witness heard him telling me "You don't give way to the right on a rounbdabout".

Now id say Lizzie if there isn't a case to answer in law then why do we bother observing the highway code.

My post #40 has hopefully answered some of your querries Stuart, but I must ask, did you, or your wife, or anyone else call the police from the scene and request their attendance due to your wife being in shock/hurt?

No Lizzie we didn't as the Police attended whilst on route to another RTC.

We would have had to,due to the car blocking a busy roundabout.

Lizzie its not so much moaning about them,its relaying experiences.

Ive contacted the local station three times now requesting the PC who attended,contacts me with an update/explanation of what happened after we both left the scene.

No phone call..yes its a minor thing in the eyes of the law,as im sure me going round his house and smashing him into next week would be.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Please don't take this as a keyboard warrior moment...but I wish to god id have chinned the old bastard who hit Gemma (My car).

Spent an hour on the phone to a middle aged woman today from insurance company who said "we cant push for the other party to admit liability in case it effects your wifes personal injury claim"

Ive asked how the hell can it effect it and she said "well you want as much as you can get and if we go for a 50/50 you only get 50% of the Personal injury claim"

Excuse me my wife enters the roundabout and he fails to give way...bang...her car is a mess,and you already hinting at a 50/50 on this what the break.!

My feelings are now,im gonna rag the arse of my Saab...play chicken with other cars on roundabouts and if I do have a collision deny being there and then change my story and say its there fault.

Lets face it the police will do sod all and insurance will offer 50/50 so no harm done.

Sorry to hear of your problems with this one Stuart. 
It is not the police at fault here but the insurance companies who, as usual, are trying hard not to pay out in full as that affects their commercial viability / to make as much money as they However the police will "do sod all" as this is a civil matter not a criminal one, and they have decided that they cannot substantiate that a criminal offence has taken place under the Road Traffic Act (1988).
can!!

This is NOT aimed at you Stuart, but this thread about an unfortunate collision involving amba's daughter and baby where there were easily identifiable reasons as to why the police would have found it difficult to ascertain a criminal offence that could eventually be supported by evidence for a criminal prosecution, has turned into an anti-police barrage.

The police are not perfect, as I can state after reviewing certain cases, but they, in reducing numbers, are trying very hard to concentrate on those cases where a criminal case is evident, and it is not a civil law one that they cannot be involved in, quite apart from Protecting and Serving (Kent Police's motto) the public whenever they can.

As I have said before, if you and I want a better police force in greater numbers who can deal with as many cases as possible at any one time, then speak or write to your MP, set up protest groups, and vote accordingly at the next general election.  If you do not then the number of police WILL reduce further over the next 5 years and they WILL struggle to effectively police YOUR community.

Im not to clued up on traffic law so please excuse my ignorance...however,A car has failed to give way (that's supported by the independent accessor) on said roundabout,caused injuries to the wife (not obvious at time as she was in shock and it takes a day or so for the injures to show) and tried to leave the scene of an accident...witness heard him telling me "You don't give way to the right on a rounbdabout".

Now id say Lizzie if there isn't a case to answer in law then why do we bother observing the highway code.

My post #40 has hopefully answered some of your querries Stuart, but I must ask, did you, or your wife, or anyone else call the police from the scene and request their attendance due to your wife being in shock/hurt?

No Lizzie we didn't as the Police attended whilst on route to another RTC.

We would have had to,due to the car blocking a busy roundabout.

Sorry Stuart, I missed your post on the police officers "attending", so have amended my subsequent post accordingly. I personally would lodge a complaint

[Stuart30]

Please don't take this as a keyboard warrior moment...but I wish to god id have chinned the old bastard who hit Gemma (My car).

Spent an hour on the phone to a middle aged woman today from insurance company who said "we cant push for the other party to admit liability in case it effects your wifes personal injury claim"

Ive asked how the hell can it effect it and she said "well you want as much as you can get and if we go for a 50/50 you only get 50% of the Personal injury claim"

Excuse me my wife enters the roundabout and he fails to give way...bang...her car is a mess,and you already hinting at a 50/50 on this what the break.!

My feelings are now,im gonna rag the arse of my Saab...play chicken with other cars on roundabouts and if I do have a collision deny being there and then change my story and say its there fault.

Lets face it the police will do sod all and insurance will offer 50/50 so no harm done.

Sorry to hear of your problems with this one Stuart. 
It is not the police at fault here but the insurance companies who, as usual, are trying hard not to pay out in full as that affects their commercial viability / to make as much money as they However the police will "do sod all" as this is a civil matter not a criminal one, and they have decided that they cannot substantiate that a criminal offence has taken place under the Road Traffic Act (1988).
can!!

This is NOT aimed at you Stuart, but this thread about an unfortunate collision involving amba's daughter and baby where there were easily identifiable reasons as to why the police would have found it difficult to ascertain a criminal offence that could eventually be supported by evidence for a criminal prosecution, has turned into an anti-police barrage.

The police are not perfect, as I can state after reviewing certain cases, but they, in reducing numbers, are trying very hard to concentrate on those cases where a criminal case is evident, and it is not a civil law one that they cannot be involved in, quite apart from Protecting and Serving (Kent Police's motto) the public whenever they can.

As I have said before, if you and I want a better police force in greater numbers who can deal with as many cases as possible at any one time, then speak or write to your MP, set up protest groups, and vote accordingly at the next general election.  If you do not then the number of police WILL reduce further over the next 5 years and they WILL struggle to effectively police YOUR community.

Im not to clued up on traffic law so please excuse my ignorance...however,A car has failed to give way (that's supported by the independent accessor) on said roundabout,caused injuries to the wife (not obvious at time as she was in shock and it takes a day or so for the injures to show) and tried to leave the scene of an accident...witness heard him telling me "You don't give way to the right on a rounbdabout".

Now id say Lizzie if there isn't a case to answer in law then why do we bother observing the highway code.

My post #40 has hopefully answered some of your querries Stuart, but I must ask, did you, or your wife, or anyone else call the police from the scene and request their attendance due to your wife being in shock/hurt?

No Lizzie we didn't as the Police attended whilst on route to another RTC.

We would have had to,due to the car blocking a busy roundabout.

Sorry Stuart, I missed your post on the police officers "attending", so have amended my subsequent post accordingly. I personally would lodge a complaint

Easy done....

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Please don't take this as a keyboard warrior moment...but I wish to god id have chinned the old bastard who hit Gemma (My car).

Spent an hour on the phone to a middle aged woman today from insurance company who said "we cant push for the other party to admit liability in case it effects your wifes personal injury claim"

Ive asked how the hell can it effect it and she said "well you want as much as you can get and if we go for a 50/50 you only get 50% of the Personal injury claim"

Excuse me my wife enters the roundabout and he fails to give way...bang...her car is a mess,and you already hinting at a 50/50 on this what the break.!

My feelings are now,im gonna rag the arse of my Saab...play chicken with other cars on roundabouts and if I do have a collision deny being there and then change my story and say its there fault.

Lets face it the police will do sod all and insurance will offer 50/50 so no harm done.

Sorry to hear of your problems with this one Stuart. 
It is not the police at fault here but the insurance companies who, as usual, are trying hard not to pay out in full as that affects their commercial viability / to make as much money as they However the police will "do sod all" as this is a civil matter not a criminal one, and they have decided that they cannot substantiate that a criminal offence has taken place under the Road Traffic Act (1988).
can!!

This is NOT aimed at you Stuart, but this thread about an unfortunate collision involving amba's daughter and baby where there were easily identifiable reasons as to why the police would have found it difficult to ascertain a criminal offence that could eventually be supported by evidence for a criminal prosecution, has turned into an anti-police barrage.

The police are not perfect, as I can state after reviewing certain cases, but they, in reducing numbers, are trying very hard to concentrate on those cases where a criminal case is evident, and it is not a civil law one that they cannot be involved in, quite apart from Protecting and Serving (Kent Police's motto) the public whenever they can.

As I have said before, if you and I want a better police force in greater numbers who can deal with as many cases as possible at any one time, then speak or write to your MP, set up protest groups, and vote accordingly at the next general election.  If you do not then the number of police WILL reduce further over the next 5 years and they WILL struggle to effectively police YOUR community.

Im not to clued up on traffic law so please excuse my ignorance...however,A car has failed to give way (that's supported by the independent accessor) on said roundabout,caused injuries to the wife (not obvious at time as she was in shock and it takes a day or so for the injures to show) and tried to leave the scene of an accident...witness heard him telling me "You don't give way to the right on a rounbdabout".

Now id say Lizzie if there isn't a case to answer in law then why do we bother observing the highway code.

My post #40 has hopefully answered some of your querries Stuart, but I must ask, did you, or your wife, or anyone else call the police from the scene and request their attendance due to your wife being in shock/hurt?

No Lizzie we didn't as the Police attended whilst on route to another RTC.

We would have had to,due to the car blocking a busy roundabout.

Sorry Stuart, I missed your post on the police officers "attending", so have amended my subsequent post accordingly. I personally would lodge a complaint

Easy done....

Thanks, and I would add Stuart that you need to ask to speak to an Inspector at the PC's station,lodge a complaint giving all the details of what has transpired pointing out the latest fact that the PC has failed to come back to you, and request this matter is dealt with. 

PS This is the Kent Police advise on lodging a complaint, but I am sure it will be little different from the one covering your neck of the wood:

http://www.kent.police.uk/contact_us/have_your_say/complaints_compliments/pages/Copy%20Of%20About%20individuals.html

 

[Lizzie_Zoom]

...........................and this Stuart is the procedure for Cambridgeshire Police:

https://www.cambs.police.uk/contactus/complaint.asp

 

[Stuart30]

...........................and this Stuart is the procedure for Cambridgeshire Police:

https://www.cambs.police.uk/contactus/complaint.asp

 

Many thanks Lizzie...will be on phone tomorrow.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

...........................and this Stuart is the procedure for Cambridgeshire Police:

https://www.cambs.police.uk/contactus/complaint.asp

 

Many thanks Lizzie...will be on phone tomorrow.

My pleasure!  I hope you get some answers.

[Crazycarzowner]

when was the last time you heard of anyone being given a ticket for a non functioning brake light, or being given a ticket for incorrectly spaced lettering on their numberplate?


Bread & butter of any traffic cop & I always use them as a way in i.e. means to stop a vehicle, as they are committing a moving traffic offence. £50 for a brake light out is a bit steep BUT VDRS can be an alternative.

My personal opinion is that the officer (Special???) who dealt with it didn't have the necessary experience to deal, any injury RTC especially a FTS 'should' be dealt with  by a traffic bobby who should know what he's doing!