Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: shyboy on 07 July 2008, 10:17:03
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Saturday night at 10.30pm., traffic light junction in Ormskirk, Lancs, pulled up at red light behind a Police patrol car. There were no other vehicles waiting at any of the five roads controlled by these lights, but when they turned green for us, he just sat there and didn't move. Then, as they turned to amber, he pulled away, leaving me at the red. Annoying to say the least, as they take ages to go through the full cycle.
Normally, I would give a blip on the horn, or lights at night, to wake up the driver, but thankfully didn't in this case. Do you think he was most likely occupied on his radio, in a daze, or just waiting to see if I showed any signs of aggression, perhaps through having had a drink, (which I hadn't)?
How would you have re-acted?
Bill.
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i would have gave them a blast of horn bill ;D
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If it had been the other way around he would have pulled you over for sure.
Best to ignore it as you did and vent your spleen on here :y
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If I knew there was no problem if I was pulled, I would have given a polite blip of the horn as I would to any other dozy bugger.
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i would have gave them a blast of horn bill ;D
Yeah. But you're bigger than me and could defend yourself! ;)
What's up with your Miggy, Mark?
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As the use of a horn is only SUPPOSED to indicate danger/warning, and should not be used when stationary, you would have risked a "conversation" and even a fixed penalty .... you did the right thing IMHO :y :y
Methinks they were trying to be clever. >:( >:( >:(
Highway code article 112
112
The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn
* while stationary on the road
* when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am
except when another road user poses a danger.
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nowt up with my saloon but bought a estate manual with seized cambelt tensioner so in middle of rebuiding engine bill !! then will be selling saloon ! how are you doing matey :y
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I'm fine thanks, Mark.
Only had to use the back box of the 2.0l exhaust you sold me, so i've got the rest as spares for the moment.
Bill.
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If I knew there was no problem if I was pulled, I would have given a polite blip of the horn as I would to any other dozy bugger.
;) I`d like to say I`d have given a quick 'polite-toot' (as jimbob said) and then, only after a considerable 'grace' waiting period. ::)
....but, weighing the risks of it being a stroppy-plodder: I`d probably done just-what you did Bill! :y
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If you were in the pre facelift car then a small nudge would have been in order. They were clearly asleep. However I think the plastic on facelift Omegas seems more fragile/prone to cracking so wouldn't have risked that. In the facelift three loud toots of the horn and flashing of lights would have been sufficient to get you pulled. ;D
Me I would have waited , what is an extra couple of minutes in the grand scheme of life! :y
varche
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As people have said already you done the right thing...im afraid Police are like a wife,makes no matter if your right you can argue with them till your blue in the face and they will always say there right. ::)
Correct me if wrong but aint you only allowed too pass through on Amber if it would be unsafe to stop....as in your right on top of lights just about too pass through when amber comes on.?
If he blatantly drove through after light being on green maybe a call to the local cop shop would be an idea.
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On reflection, Debs, I think the best course of action in these cases, even with non-uniformed people, is to bite your tongue and wait for the annoyance to subside. As Entwood said, if I had re-acted, I would probably have wasted more time at the roadside trying to tolerate an officious bobby giving me a dressing down at best.
Thank goodness I'm a gentle, soft, awfully nice, lump of putty. ::) ;)
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I think you did the right thing Bill. I have been in situations a few times with the police where i have felt as if i was being bated, best to leave them to their games and rise above it!
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If you were in the pre facelift car then a small nudge would have been in order. They were clearly asleep. However I think the plastic on facelift Omegas seems more fragile/prone to cracking so wouldn't have risked that. In the facelift three loud toots of the horn and flashing of lights would have been sufficient to get you pulled. ;D
Me I would have waited , what is an extra couple of minutes in the grand scheme of life! :y
varche
Varche! What a terrible thing to suggest. My pre-facelift is just as loved as my 2.6l.
But you're right. Life's too short to worry too much about other idiots on the road.
All the suggestions above have gone through my mind, but I wouldn't have the guts to do any of them. Although SWMBO would. :-[
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Report them :y
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Report them :y
For what offence?
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worst I can think of is (not) driving without due car and attention.
Prove it though ;D
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You can flash your lights though while stationary as they are to be used to say 'I'm here, notice me' rather than the accostomed 'after you' which has been adopted into common usage nowadays.
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The offence of driving without due care and attention, contained in section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1998, can usually only be heard in the magistrates court.
The Law does not actually state what is meant by careless driving, but courts say that the standard of driving has to be that of a reasonable and careful driver. In certain circumstances, the court may look to the Highway Code as a source of advice on what constitutes good driving, but the guidelines in it do not all carry the weight of law.
The following types of behaviour may constitute careless driving:
tailgating another vehicle
pulling out in front of a vehicle, creating a risk of collision
driving inappropriately fast according to the road conditions
otherwise not paying attention to the road
Inconsiderate Driving
A similar offence to careless driving is inconsiderate driving, which includes driving which unreasonably upsets other road users, because it is particularly aggressive or selfish. If a car purposely and repeatedly tailgates, flashes or beeps its horn at another driver, then the charge of inconsiderate driving could be made out.
I don't think you'd suceed with a due care and attention, Jimbob ;D
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Whilst using the horn at such an occasion might not be to the letter of the highway code, if it's the only tool at your disposal to alert another driver to their lack of attention to road conditions I'd be rather surprised if a court would find you guilty of any of the above.
Kevin
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I think you did the best thing Bill although annoying...
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Whilst using the horn at such an occasion might not be to the letter of the highway code, if it's the only tool at your disposal to alert another driver to their lack of attention to road conditions I'd be rather surprised if a court would find you guilty of any of the above.
Kevin
Fully agree - although I'd possibly go with a quick light flash
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Report them :y
For what offence?
Being a complete knob!
I have reported Police to the Police on quite a few occasions. They do tell the drivers that their have been complaints about them.
Oh mainly Pandas being driven by prats. And a friendly traffic Policeman told me to do this.
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Being a complete knob!
Which section of the Road traffic act does this come under ::) ;D ;D
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Sitting at green lights could be construed as DWDCAT.
They probably do it regularly.
A couple of complaints will make their bosses discuss it with them.
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Report them :y
For what offence?
For holding me up, James. That's almost a capital offence!
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Good God! I'm starting to sound like Jaime.
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Whilst using the horn at such an occasion might not be to the letter of the highway code, if it's the only tool at your disposal to alert another driver to their lack of attention to road conditions I'd be rather surprised if a court would find you guilty of any of the above.
Kevin
Fully agree - although I'd possibly go with a quick light flash
..you'd definiteley have been booked for that.. ;D
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i would have also given a pip on the horn, after all, its there to warn others of your presence... i'd want him/her to know i was there waiting to proceed through a green light!
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I know the junction well Bill "fiveways" outside Ormskirk, it's a bit of a "pig" I think you did the right thing, you had of probably disturbed him counting his do-nuts and made him have to start again. ::) ;D
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flash of lights might have gone completely unnoticed if they weren't even able to see a green light
turn the tables, police car behind ordinary car remaining stationary at a green light, what would the cop have done? no brainer
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I would have jumped out gone up to his car tapped on the window & said "you pass your test & you think your'e Nicky bloody Lauda, now get on your way you black basta*d" ;)
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It's difficult to tell what the best thing to do is, it all depends on the mood of the officers in the car, they may have been waiting and acting on advice for some one coming towards the lights.
They may have just been wondering whether to pull you and let you make the 1st move by hooting your hoote. I hate to say but you can never tell with the Police these days.
The main thing is that you acted in accordance to the law, even if they might not have. :y :y
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I would have jumped out gone up to his car tapped on the window & said "you pass your test & you think your'e Nicky bloody Lauda, now get on your way you black basta*d" ;)
;D Hahahaha!!!!....`nearly choked on my coffee when I read that! ;D
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It's difficult to tell what the best thing to do is, it all depends on the mood of the officers in the car, they may have been waiting and acting on advice for some one coming towards the lights.
They may have just been wondering whether to pull you and let you make the 1st move by hooting your hoote. I hate to say but you can never tell with the Police these days.
The main thing is that you acted in accordance to the law, even if they might not have. :y :y
i know i wouldn't have though, and i'd have loved for them to pull me over aswell!
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I would have jumped out gone up to his car tapped on the window & said "you pass your test & you think your'e Nicky bloody Lauda, now get on your way you black basta*d" ;)
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Even if I tried for weeks I could never think up something so subtle, Phil her up. But I'll give it a go if I'm ever in the same situation again. ;D
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i think you did the best thing mate. so much easier to just sit there with your thumb up your ass and leave them to play their stupid games. he was prob just sat waiting for you to react in some way. :y :y :y :y
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i think you did the best thing mate. so much easier to just sit there with your thumb up your ass and leave them to play their stupid games. he was prob just sat waiting for you to react in some way. :y :y :y :y
I agree, sometimes it is just best to bite the bullet ::) ::) ::)