MK5 Golf GTI
General => Random Chat => Topic started by: Nodz on January 22, 2013, 09:48:46 pm
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I was on my way home tonight from a mates and noticed the police in my mirror following me. I thought nothing of it as its the route they use to go to the local high rise flats. Anyways I pull off to go home and pull up and they follow and pull up as well and one gets out. A bit bemused I asked if everything was ok and he said he was about to stop me about my number plates as they are illegal.
Now my plates have the St George on them with ENG underneath and have 3D font of the correct height, width and spacing between groups of characters.
Bemused still I asked why and he said it was the 3D font. I pointed out to him it was legal and is stated as being so on the DVLA and VOSA websites and his response was "well they haven't told us", I did get my phone out and said I'd have a quick look as I was under the understanding they are but Sod's law I didn't have reception (he also didnt mind me trying). He asked where I got the plates but I honestly can't remember as they have been on the car for over 2years but I said halfords still sell them like it, to which he said they have for show use only on them to which I replied that wasn't the case as a mate had bought some recently and they put the BS marks on with the 3D font. He said that he wasn't going to do me for them and it was only a warning to which I said fair enough, I'm not trying to argue the toss but I only have them on as I had made sure that such a font was legal. It basically got left with him saying to me to go and research as to whether they are legal or not as a traffic cop would've gave me a fixed penalty.
So basically is there any MOT testers or plod on here that can clarify as it seems that the DVLA doesn't state anything about 3D being legal anymore where as VOSA do in the MOT guide and in various other publications.
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Deserved the pull. They are illegal.
Not the 3D lettering of course.
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I would have told him to take off the 3D glasses and it would look ok. :driver:
Sorry couldn't resist, and I have no clue on the legality either. :ashamed:
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Deserved the pull. They are illegal.
Not the 3D lettering of course.
What the St Georges cross and ENG bit? That is also on the DVLA site as being legal now. All the UK countries flags and country codes are legal in the UK but GB is still required to be displayed when abroad
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I would have told him to take off the 3D glasses and it would look ok. :driver:
Sorry couldn't resist, and I have no clue on the legality either. :ashamed:
Lol, he was wearing glasses so I doubt that would've gone down well.
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I can't help you with the details of your plate's legality but I think that the Police guy was very good in the way he handled you and that your attitude helped a lot towards a satisfactory outcome. I know that TC was joking but if you had said anything like that, he would have been justified in throwing the book at you, IMO.
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From what I can see:
Following the DVLA guidelines: http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_067666.pdf (http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_067666.pdf)
9 National flags on number plates
You may, if you wish, display a GB national flag with letters on the number plate at the extreme left of the plate. The flags you can choose from are:
- Union Flag,
- the Cross of St George,
- the Scottish Saltire,
- the Red Dragon of Wales
The letters you can choose from are:
- Great Britain or GB;
- United Kingdom or UK;
- ENGLAND or England or ENG or Eng;
- SCOTLAND or Scotland or SCO or Sco;
- CYMRU or Cymru or CYM or Cym;
- WALES or Wales
So it looks like your flag and "ENG" are fine.
Nothing about the specifics of the font, but Halfords still sell; Standard, 3D, Highline & Carbon. They claim they are all legal.
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Pic of your plate so we can see the font in question??
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I can't help you with the details of your plate's legality but I think that the Police guy was very good in the way he handled you and that your attitude helped a lot towards a satisfactory outcome. I know that TC was joking but if you had said anything like that, he would have been justified in throwing the book at you, IMO.
TBH I don't see any point in giving them attitude as it doesn't help anyone and your more likely to get done. It just irritated me in the fact of when I pointed out various government bodies that state they are legal I got a response of "well they never told us" and that I was to go and research whether they was legal or not. I know there is alot of laws and legislation that they have to try and remember so it is difficult to remember them all but in this instance when my number pate is easily readable from over 20m (VOSA MOT guide regs) why tug me. I could understand if they was unreadable/italics/background pics etc, but if its something they are unsure on like this why not leaved it and look it up later is not life threatening/dangerous/unreadable.
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Pic of your plate so we can see the font in question??
These are the only 2 I have where I haven't blanked them out but not the best pics I'll try and get some better ones tomorrow:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi54.tinypic.com%2F23lmk4o.jpg&hash=335c6ed89469e34e01836fc92ab5d343d1225aec)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi52.tinypic.com%2F1zx1stl.jpg&hash=e5174a98fb46e463925ddb226c304f42b5eaf769)
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Couple of bits of info for you...
Click here (http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/forms/~/media/pdf/leaflets/V796.ashx)
Click here (http://www.originalregistrations.co.uk/number-plate-rules)
As I understand it, your 3D style S reg (1998) plates are legal, (probably)... :confused:
There is only one font that is now legal unless your plate is older than 1.9.2001 (I think) and then it has to be similar ie The letters have to be black and the correct size, spaced correctly etc. my private plate is a P reg (1996) so if I understand it correctly I can have 3D font legally as long as its the same size, colour blah blah blah.
I have several sets of different plates and forgot to change over my 3D font style plates to the normal ones before the MOT and no problem at all. I always carry 2 sets, one normal, one other set.
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Cheers MC, I did see them but there's a VOSA one I can't get to load on here but loads on my phone that says 3D is allowed along with carbon as long as 20m away it looks mainly black and is readable but I cannot find it.
As to the years I believe its the year either the reg plate was fitted to the car, so after 2001 it needs to comply to new regs or if the car was registered after 2001 any number plate fitted to it requires to confirm to the new regs
I think I may get a cheap set of plates made up to carry in the boot.. but saying that they've been on for over 2 years and never been tugged and ANPR cameras read them fine
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3D 'style' plates are legal so long as they conform to the correct font which they look like they do. I take you have the BS number and name of the producer/postcode as well? The ENG/flag is a permitted variant so no issues on that front.
Can't find the exact legislation atm (I will find it though) but worth a print - https://www.gov.uk/displaying-number-plates/rules-number-plates
"Characters on a number plate can be 3D. "
As for the 'well they haven't told us" remark - that's not acceptable. How can you deal with offences when you don't even know the law. I've had the same experience as I run pressed, fully road legal plates. Got an apology out of it, especially after being told i'm also 'boy racer' but annoys me. It's no excuse.
One last point - although the MOT regs are pretty spot on with plates now, there was a period when legal plates were being failed and vice versa, so be wary of relying too much on the MOT manual - although it is an excellent read!
There is only one font that is now legal unless your plate is older than 1.9.2001 (I think) and then it has to be similar ie The letters have to be black and the correct size, spaced correctly etc. my private plate is a P reg (1996) so if I understand it correctly I can have 3D font legally as long as its the same size, colour blah blah blah.
If you mean because you have have 1996 plates, you can run as per the 1996 regs, you can't unfortunately. As you have physically placed the plates after 2001, the new regulations are the ones that govern your plates! I have a similar age private plate.....if you we could, i'd be running a black and silver :grin:
I think I may get a cheap set of plates made up to carry in the boot.. but saying that they've been on for over 2 years and never been tugged and ANPR cameras read them fine
Obviously up to you but if your plates are legal then leave them on. I know it's time/effort if you get stopped, but I don't carry spares in my car as I know i'm 100%. If I am given a FPN, I contest it, have my day in court and win - that's if it even gets that far!
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Taken from www.craigsplates.com :-
Road Legal Number Plates
There are only two fonts permitted on road legal number plates - standard (plain legal) and 3D font. Personalisation, non-standard images, or honeycomb backing are no longer legal. The spacing of the numbers and letters in your registration must match that printed in your V5C logbook (registration document). If you are unsure of the current legal requirements for road legal plates then visit the DVLA website. If you are looking to place your order through our plate-maker, it will only show legal options. If you want something smarter than standard acrylic plates, why not consider die pressed aluminium?
With a private/unusual plate I always print the rules and regulations and carry them in the glove box to save having to pop down to the police station the following day. :happy2:
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These are the only 2 I have where I haven't blanked them out but not the best pics I'll try and get some better ones tomorrow:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi54.tinypic.com%2F23lmk4o.jpg&hash=335c6ed89469e34e01836fc92ab5d343d1225aec)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi52.tinypic.com%2F1zx1stl.jpg&hash=e5174a98fb46e463925ddb226c304f42b5eaf769)
....Crikey! I can't much wrong with those except possibly in close-up detail. At least not enough to pull you. We all see very obviously illegal plates nearly everyday which need a pull.
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3D 'style' plates are legal so long as they conform to the correct font which they look like they do. I take you have the BS number and name of the producer/postcode as well? The ENG/flag is a permitted variant so no issues on that front.
Can't find the exact legislation atm (I will find it though) but worth a print - https://www.gov.uk/displaying-number-plates/rules-number-plates
"Characters on a number plate can be 3D. "
As for the 'well they haven't told us" remark - that's not acceptable. How can you deal with offences when you don't even know the law. I've had the same experience as I run pressed, fully road legal plates. Got an apology out of it, especially after being told i'm also 'boy racer' but annoys me. It's no excuse.
One last point - although the MOT regs are pretty spot on with plates now, there was a period when legal plates were being failed and vice versa, so be wary of relying too much on the MOT manual - although it is an excellent read!
Nice one Jonny, knew I weren't going mad. The comment he made did annoy me but I've just spent since posting this looking legislation lol.
I just found this but is dated july 2010: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:ue9bz95aFcsJ:www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MoT%2520-%2520Issue%252047%2520-%2520Jul%25202010.pdf+number+plate+regulations+3d+font+vosa&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi1ioNwtu2NibF27zob8evVT___jDreXPQnZrEK-G0WShI6SwMP0LuBCcrH88uT6wlF0C2yRjrqXuNL3p16qpdGL-BrFwOZhLfScSsgE8zBQFdRrQMFEPjRQMt5TdMnxAMSPQDm&sig=AHIEtbSHv0pdlR9hJq4yBapCrmRbsHShYg
Page 8/9 Regulation 6.3
‘Three-dimensional characters may use grey edging or a chequered, carbon fibre effect. These and some other style characters are permissible, provided the font style
is adhered to and when viewed from approximately 20 metres the characters appear predominantly black.’
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I know Robin, easily readable, I will admit my rear plate is dirty as I have been driving it alot today but its till readable from over 20m's away in the dark.
Cheers Andy, I see that earlier, I just gonna find it from a government site tho so #I can print it and leave in the glove box.
Jonny the only thing I've seen tonight regarding pressed plates that they can do you on is the plate is not made of retroreflective material and also because the letters are not flat to the plate they cannot be read by ANPR
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/113434-warning-pressed-metal-plates.html
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3D 'style' plates are legal so long as they conform to the correct font which they look like they do. I take you have the BS number and name of the producer/postcode as well? The ENG/flag is a permitted variant so no issues on that front.
Can't find the exact legislation atm (I will find it though) but worth a print - https://www.gov.uk/displaying-number-plates/rules-number-plates
"Characters on a number plate can be 3D. "
As for the 'well they haven't told us" remark - that's not acceptable. How can you deal with offences when you don't even know the law. I've had the same experience as I run pressed, fully road legal plates. Got an apology out of it, especially after being told i'm also 'boy racer' but annoys me. It's no excuse.
One last point - although the MOT regs are pretty spot on with plates now, there was a period when legal plates were being failed and vice versa, so be wary of relying too much on the MOT manual - although it is an excellent read!
Nice one Jonny, knew I weren't going mad. The comment he made did annoy me but I've just spent since posting this looking legislation lol.
I just found this but is dated july 2010: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:ue9bz95aFcsJ:www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MoT%2520-%2520Issue%252047%2520-%2520Jul%25202010.pdf+number+plate+regulations+3d+font+vosa&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi1ioNwtu2NibF27zob8evVT___jDreXPQnZrEK-G0WShI6SwMP0LuBCcrH88uT6wlF0C2yRjrqXuNL3p16qpdGL-BrFwOZhLfScSsgE8zBQFdRrQMFEPjRQMt5TdMnxAMSPQDm&sig=AHIEtbSHv0pdlR9hJq4yBapCrmRbsHShYg
Page 8/9 Regulation 6.3
‘Three-dimensional characters may use grey edging or a chequered, carbon fibre effect. These and some other style characters are permissible, provided the font style
is adhered to and when viewed from approximately 20 metres the characters appear predominantly black.’
Mate your fine. Keep them on. Print all the stuff you've found, stick all the qoutes into a word document and print them off. Maybe they wanted to talk to you and use the plates as a way in...who knows. I've been pulled for a 'document check', when actually all they wanted to do is have a sniff around and look to see I was some dealer driving a white golf (of which there are plenty! :grin: ). Young person = white gti = gotta be doing something wrong! hahaha, then i just get a "ohh, it's you"!
CUT
Jonny the only thing I've seen tonight regarding pressed plates that they can do you on is the plate is not made of retroreflective material and also because the letters are not flat to the plate they cannot be read by ANPR
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/113434-warning-pressed-metal-plates.html
Pressed metal in itself is not retorlfective, BUT it can be treated to be. The ones I have have been subject to BSI testing and do conform to the required standard. I've seen the documents and verified with the BSI as I very nearly went to court over it. The maker is one of only two pressed plate makers in the UK. As for ANPR not being able to read it! Rubbish. ANPR can read a hell of a lot more. People think incorrect spacing = camera can't read. Incorrect, it reads it perfectly, indeed alot of illegal numberplates are read. The rules are there to make it super easy to read and to ensure everyone is the same. Prssed plates are also read perfectly with no issues. Indeed, foreign vehicles are read correctly despite a lot being on pressed backgrounds - our eastern european friends spring to mind. ANPR is used to weed their vehicles out when they have stayed too long in the without re-registering. Generally the only reason why ANPR can't read properly is because the camera is positioned very poorly. The 3D aspect is legal as discussed.
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3D 'style' plates are legal so long as they conform to the correct font which they look like they do. I take you have the BS number and name of the producer/postcode as well? The ENG/flag is a permitted variant so no issues on that front.
Can't find the exact legislation atm (I will find it though) but worth a print - https://www.gov.uk/displaying-number-plates/rules-number-plates
"Characters on a number plate can be 3D. "
As for the 'well they haven't told us" remark - that's not acceptable. How can you deal with offences when you don't even know the law. I've had the same experience as I run pressed, fully road legal plates. Got an apology out of it, especially after being told i'm also 'boy racer' but annoys me. It's no excuse.
One last point - although the MOT regs are pretty spot on with plates now, there was a period when legal plates were being failed and vice versa, so be wary of relying too much on the MOT manual - although it is an excellent read!
Nice one Jonny, knew I weren't going mad. The comment he made did annoy me but I've just spent since posting this looking legislation lol.
I just found this but is dated july 2010: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:ue9bz95aFcsJ:www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MoT%2520-%2520Issue%252047%2520-%2520Jul%25202010.pdf+number+plate+regulations+3d+font+vosa&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi1ioNwtu2NibF27zob8evVT___jDreXPQnZrEK-G0WShI6SwMP0LuBCcrH88uT6wlF0C2yRjrqXuNL3p16qpdGL-BrFwOZhLfScSsgE8zBQFdRrQMFEPjRQMt5TdMnxAMSPQDm&sig=AHIEtbSHv0pdlR9hJq4yBapCrmRbsHShYg
Page 8/9 Regulation 6.3
‘Three-dimensional characters may use grey edging or a chequered, carbon fibre effect. These and some other style characters are permissible, provided the font style
is adhered to and when viewed from approximately 20 metres the characters appear predominantly black.’
Mate your fine. Keep them on. Print all the stuff you've found, stick all the qoutes into a word document and print them off. Maybe they wanted to talk to you and use the plates as a way in...who knows. I've been pulled for a 'document check', when actually all they wanted to do is have a sniff around and look to see I was some dealer driving a white golf (of which there are plenty!:grin:). Young person = white gti = gotta be doing something wrong! hahaha
Quite possibly, I just pulled over (which I don't think they expected) and carried on getting stuff out the car (as they drove past and then stopped) so they must've been mid check or something
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the plates look ok to me with the lettering been right going on the pic
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CUT
Quite possibly, I just pulled over (which I don't think they expected) and carried on getting stuff out the car (as they drove past and then stopped) so they must've been mid check or something
I replied further above...
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the plates look ok to me with the lettering been right going on the pic
All thats changed on the rear regarding the numberplate is that its now in a Wolfsburg number plate holder but its the same plates and are still clearly visible
CUT
Quite possibly, I just pulled over (which I don't think they expected) and carried on getting stuff out the car (as they drove past and then stopped) so they must've been mid check or something
I replied further above...
Just seen, I only brought up the pressed issue as I saw that thread and you mentioned you had them :happy2:
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the plates look ok to me with the lettering been right going on the pic
All thats changed on the rear regarding the numberplate is that its now in a Wolfsburg number plate holder but its the same plates and are still clearly visible
CUT
Quite possibly, I just pulled over (which I don't think they expected) and carried on getting stuff out the car (as they drove past and then stopped) so they must've been mid check or something
I replied further above...
Just seen, I only brought up the pressed issue as I saw that thread and you mentioned you had them :happy2:
cool man. loads of misconceptions about pressed plates. A lot are illegal which doesn't help (and I do have a set :p). My plates are also in a wolfsburg plate holder!! :smiley:
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As already suggested, it's an excellent idea to have some back-up documentation copies in your glovebox. You shouldn't have to but it's a convenience thing and means you won't be held up for so long.
When I got my Hella DRL's installed where my foglights were I anticipated lots of pulls and keep the Hella handbook in the car. In fact I've only been pulled once by the Police over it and they weren't inclined to believe me until I produced the written stuff and then they were extremely apologetic and started telling me what a nice car I had. I got 'pulled' by more guys on car forums over my DRL's than by the Police!
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I got my pressed plates from dubmeister and they are UK road legal as they are retroreflective and have all the required details/stamps :happy2:
Not been stopped by the feds though so not sure what they would say.
Think I need to keep some printed info in the glovebox.
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Hi mate,
May be worth printing some of the websites out that are linked in this thread and keeping them in your car just in case?
I always keep a copy of my insurance docs hidden in the car, saves having to go down to the Police Station if you can give them all the proof they require by the side of the road :happy2:
Graeme
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I can't help thinking it was more of a routine stop to get a 'feel' for you, and the plate discussion happened from there. Once they've realised you're not banned/drunk/car thief then that's why you weren't ticketed. They may not know the rules, but I can't see them pulling you again TBH.
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I can't help thinking it was more of a routine stop to get a 'feel' for you, and the plate discussion happened from there. Once they've realised you're not banned/drunk/car thief then that's why you weren't ticketed. They may not know the rules, but I can't see them pulling you again TBH.
....I think the same after seeing pics of your plate. Just the Police doing their job and checking you out. It irritates me when some people get annoyed or offended by a pull - How can the Police be expected to know whether you are up to no good or not - They're right to investigate every possibility as they see fit, IMO.
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Tugged, pulled... if it's a female office it all sounds good to me! :grin:
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Tugged, pulled... if it's a female office it all sounds good to me! :grin:
....I got pulled by a female Italian Police officer called Julia once in Northern Italy and she was in an Alfa Romeo too. She took my car keys while she investigated me. I was a bit worried because I had been speeding but she told me that the check was because they were seeing a lot of cars stolen.
Well, on roads like this it would be rude not to drive fast..................
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2F18_HeadingSouth_Italy.jpg&hash=cea3403bad75d08eb85df1a8f254961d89d60ba4)
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Lol, where I come from tugged and pulled mean getting noshed off :wink:
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Deserved the pull. They are illegal.
Not the 3D lettering of course.
What the St Georges cross and ENG bit? That is also on the DVLA site as being legal now. All the UK countries flags and country codes are legal in the UK but GB is still required to be displayed when abroad
Thats good then. Last time i checekd the only flag allowed was the Euro stars and GB.
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3D 'style' plates are legal so long as they conform to the correct font which they look like they do. I take you have the BS number and name of the producer/postcode as well? The ENG/flag is a permitted variant so no issues on that front.
There is only one font that is now legal unless your plate is older than 1.9.2001 (I think) and then it has to be similar ie The letters have to be black and the correct size, spaced correctly etc. my private plate is a P reg (1996) so if I understand it correctly I can have 3D font legally as long as its the same size, colour blah blah blah.
If you mean because you have have 1996 plates, you can run as per the 1996 regs, you can't unfortunately. As you have physically placed the plates after 2001, the new regulations are the ones that govern your plates! I have a similar age private plate.....if you we could, i'd be running a black and silver :grin:
Good stuff. Thanks for explaining!
I can't help thinking it was more of a routine stop to get a 'feel' for you, and the plate discussion happened from there. Once they've realised you're not banned/drunk/car thief then that's why you weren't ticketed. They may not know the rules, but I can't see them pulling you again TBH.
Agree. I've been stopped just once in my Golf and that was a warning for speeding (which I wasn't) and then they checked me and the car out and off they went.
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What a refreshingly balanced thread about the actions of the Old Bill. As you said, they can't be expected to know every act and section.
TBH, as long as they are as reasonable as the officers who stopped you, I'd like to be stopped more often (as long as I haven't been doing anything wrong, of course!) How else will my car ever be recovered if it's ever stolen, unless the Police are stopping cars? And, as it can be a week or two between trips, I'd rather they didn't wait until I reported it missing.
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^^^^
@ SRC:
I wholeheartedly agree - It's actually quite rare for a Policeman/woman to behave rudely and out of order and if they do, it's usually in response to those with a bad attitude. It's the bad cases which get the publicity.
I prefer to work with people, not against them.
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^^^^
@ SRC:
I wholeheartedly agree - It's actually quite rare for a Policeman/woman to behave rudely and out of order and if they do, it's usually in response to those with a bad attitude. It's the bad cases which get the publicity.
I prefer to work with people, not against them.
100 percent I agree. I work with the police a lot and obviously you get one or two that are so and so's but you get that in every job
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TBH, as long as they are as reasonable as the officers who stopped you, I'd like to be stopped more often (as long as I haven't been doing anything wrong, of course!) How else will my car ever be recovered if it's ever stolen, unless the Police are stopping cars? And, as it can be a week or two between trips, I'd rather they didn't wait until I reported it missing.
Same here, even after being stopped a total of 28 times last year :surprised: still happy for them them to pull me over, each time it was in the early hours of the morning after work driving within the law, I'd rather know that there was a good chance of my car being out late at night without me in it being stopped
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I can't help thinking it was more of a routine stop to get a 'feel' for you, and the plate discussion happened from there. Once they've realised you're not banned/drunk/car thief then that's why you weren't ticketed. They may not know the rules, but I can't see them pulling you again TBH.
TBH I am thinking the same now, when I posted this the other night it was abit of a knee jerk post but in hindsight I think your right.
Tugged, pulled... if it's a female office it all sounds good to me! :grin:
There is a few nice officers round this way, shame it weren't none of them :evilgrin:
Thats good then. Last time i checekd the only flag allowed was the Euro stars and GB.
They was illegal but then whilst the the legislation was being changed I'm sure it was said that a blind eye would be turned to Country flags and ENG, SCO etc as the law was being changed to allow these.
What a refreshingly balanced thread about the actions of the Old Bill. As you said, they can't be expected to know every act and section.
TBH, as long as they are as reasonable as the officers who stopped you, I'd like to be stopped more often (as long as I haven't been doing anything wrong, of course!) How else will my car ever be recovered if it's ever stolen, unless the Police are stopping cars? And, as it can be a week or two between trips, I'd rather they didn't wait until I reported it missing.
I agree I did wonder where the thread was gonna go and I'm glad it hasn't turned into the usual slagging off coppers thread.
Again my initial post was a bit of a knee jerk reaction as it had only just happened.
Same here, even after being stopped a total of 28 times last year :surprised: still happy for them them to pull me over, each time it was in the early hours of the morning after work driving within the law, I'd rather know that there was a good chance of my car being out late at night without me in it being stopped
Bloody hell thats alot of times, think this is only my 3rd time in nearly 9 years of driving.
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I can't help thinking it was more of a routine stop to get a 'feel' for you, and the plate discussion happened from there. Once they've realised you're not banned/drunk/car thief then that's why you weren't ticketed. They may not know the rules, but I can't see them pulling you again TBH.
I think this is highly likely. The GTI is a commonly nicked motor and they may have used your plates as an excuse to check out your body language while being questioned , 9 times out of 10 a tea leaf will give themselves away by looking or sounding dodgy - as you were driving your own car with nowt to hide they will have noticed that (or maybe Ive been watching too many Traffic Cop programmes on TV!)
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Obviously excluding the OP from this...
They've got such good instinct, how many times do you watch those programs and they pull someone who looks 'iffy' - and bazinga, they've got a drunk scumbag with no insurance/tax/licence, an outstanding warrant and concealing drugs up their arse.
They can pull as many people as they like IMO, the more tossbags off the road, the better.
I love the Police, I'd gladly pay more tax to have even more of them.
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Obviously excluding the OP from this...
They've got such good instinct, how many times do you watch those programs and they pull someone who looks 'iffy' - and bazinga, they've got a drunk scumbag with no insurance/tax/licence, an outstanding warrant and concealing drugs up their arse.
They can pull as many people as they like IMO, the more tossbags off the road, the better.
I love the Police, I'd gladly pay more tax to have even more of them.
Don't you think they may have edited the program that way?
I do agree that the Police are an important tax expenditure, but like in every walk of society you still get some that are cun*s; it's just the way life is.
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I'm fully aware of their strike rate hardly being the 100% they show on TV - but this myth they just sit in laybys waiting for easy speeding targets to drive past is miles from the truth.
The Police represent all of us, they're you, me, him, her - so yes, there's the odd bad ones. I've never come across one, maybe I've always passed the attitude test...
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I'm fully aware of their strike rate hardly being the 100% they show on TV - but this myth they just sit in laybys waiting for easy speeding targets to drive past is miles from the truth.
The Police represent all of us, they're you, me, him, her - so yes, there's the odd bad ones. I've never come across one, maybe I've always passed the attitude test...
....Yep, sitting in laybys with a speed gun is usually what the camera vans do nowadays,
I've yet to come across a Police with a bad attitude too. I've come across one rather humourless one but the rest have been great. The first speeding ticket I ever got was when I first had the GTI and was for 93 mph on a traffic free 70 limit dual carriageway A-road. I was booked on the Eurotunnel a few days later and the guy phoned me at home on a Saturday to make sure I got my licence back so my documents would be in order. That was way beyond his call of duty. It was a marked BMW estate and I've seen him around since.
Put yourself in their shoes: If some stranger gives you attitude, how are you likely to react? A good Police is experienced at accepting how some drivers may initially feel emotionally when stopped and only up the anti according to how you behave.
Very focussed driving experience develops their (and your) ability to recognise the body language of a driver through their car. It might sound strange and impossible but the number of times you have been able to anticipate a particular driver's moves is proof of that.
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Slip roads to motorway or dual carriageways. I've seen so many ppl get caught in the same location that most regulars use their hazards to slow peeps down... A lot think your being arsey so I don't bother anymore. Still seems a good earner as they are there every week day without fail. The road in question doesn't have a fatalities marked on it either... Just a nice downhill dual carriageway with slip road to tuck up in, easy pickings.
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If people are daft enough to speed, then it's their own fault. We all do it, you just have to suck it up if you get caught.
Most of the time people's gripes with the Police are because they're stopping them doing something they shouldn't. Their are some trivial laws, but the Police don't make them, they just enforce them. Those moaning about the trivial should take it up with their MP instead.
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Obviously excluding the OP from this...
They've got such good instinct, how many times do you watch those programs and they pull someone who looks 'iffy' - and bazinga, they've got a drunk scumbag with no insurance/tax/licence, an outstanding warrant and concealing drugs up their arse.
They can pull as many people as they like IMO, the more tossbags off the road, the better.
I love the Police, I'd gladly pay more tax to have even more of them.
I had this mentioned to me the other day and TBH since the Mk5 has become more affordable the amount of them round here now with dodgy Monza's, illegal tints, etc and knowing the groups that the people driving them hang about in, it wouldn't surprise me if any of the above applied to them (and more than likely does tbh). This makes me think that as I've got a modified Mk5 I could have fallen into this category and that was probably one of the reasons I was stopped.
Slip roads to motorway or dual carriageways. I've seen so many ppl get caught in the same location that most regulars use their hazards to slow peeps down... A lot think your being arsey so I don't bother anymore. Still seems a good earner as they are there every week day without fail. The road in question doesn't have a fatalities marked on it either... Just a nice downhill dual carriageway with slip road to tuck up in, easy pickings.
I very much doubt they are there catching people speeding. IIRC most traffic patrol cars now have ANPR on board so they are probably sat there until it flashes up no insurance/tax/MOT or any other markers on cars/owners of that vehicle.
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It's all about discretion though isn't it, and for the most part Police do allow for this - however some will not. A prime example and abuse of this, is Section 59; first legislated to cover the boy racer problem and cruising, burn outs in car parks etc. However, Police are now using this for minor offences where otherwise there is no proof.
Not only that, and this is where it gets interesting, a member of the public could report you, for let's say a noisy intake (Forge twintake, Neuspeed whatever) or what they think is you speeding, a Police officer in uniform could then come round and issue you with a Section 59, something that you have Absolutely no recourse in, no evidence supplied, none required... where is the democracy / discretion / sense in that!?
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Slip roads to motorway or dual carriageways. I've seen so many ppl get caught in the same location that most regulars use their hazards to slow peeps down... A lot think your being arsey so I don't bother anymore. Still seems a good earner as they are there every week day without fail. The road in question doesn't have a fatalities marked on it either... Just a nice downhill dual carriageway with slip road to tuck up in, easy pickings.
I very much doubt they are there catching people speeding. IIRC most traffic patrol cars now have ANPR on board so they are probably sat there until it flashes up no insurance/tax/MOT or any other markers on cars/owners of that vehicle.
Believe it mate, an awful lot in work have been caught when they first started camping out there. We tell ppl to watch out for it if they have a meeting with us.
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Locally to me (where I got caught before I knew about it) the slip road gets used regularly to catch folk speeding. And of course, ANPR gets checked too.
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It's all about discretion though isn't it, and for the most part Police do allow for this - however some will not. A prime example and abuse of this, is Section 59; first legislated to cover the boy racer problem and cruising, burn outs in car parks etc. However, Police are now using this for minor offences where otherwise there is no proof.
Not only that, and this is where it gets interesting, a member of the public could report you, for let's say a noisy intake (Forge twintake, Neuspeed whatever) or what they think is you speeding, a Police officer in uniform could then come round and issue you with a Section 59, something that you have Absolutely no recourse in, no evidence supplied, none required... where is the democracy / discretion / sense in that!?
....Section 59 can be very controversial. We have to trust that the Police, as the majority will do, use it responsibly. The idea that a member of the public THINKS you are speeding when you might not be, or doesn't like you overtaking under full throttle (to complete the manoevre quickly) and then reports you, is very worrying.
I have reported a driver to the local Police (who know me) but only after I witnessed him doing the same thing on three separate occasions. He was wheelspinning off the traffic lights in the centre of town and accelerating hard down a pedestrian very busy street on a street market day too (extra busy with kids and folks stepping off the pavement). Basically showing off. Having the F-word on his rear bumper sticker helped me ID him and the Police told me they were going to visit him.
I only decided to report him because I witnessed it three times, several weeks apart. I have been badly cut up by another driver who was without question driving dangerously all the way ahead but I'm not going to report every instance I see of bad driving.
I think that there are times when all of us secretly would love to have hidden blue lights and a siren which we could switch on legally. Or is that just me!?
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It's all about discretion though isn't it, and for the most part Police do allow for this - however some will not. A prime example and abuse of this, is Section 59; first legislated to cover the boy racer problem and cruising, burn outs in car parks etc. However, Police are now using this for minor offences where otherwise there is no proof.
Not only that, and this is where it gets interesting, a member of the public could report you, for let's say a noisy intake (Forge twintake, Neuspeed whatever) or what they think is you speeding, a Police officer in uniform could then come round and issue you with a Section 59, something that you have Absolutely no recourse in, no evidence supplied, none required... where is the democracy / discretion / sense in that!?
I'm sorry, but until I see any independent evidence of this, I can't accept it as anything more than urban myth.
Joe Chav moaning on a forum that he got section 59'd and 'wasn't even doin nuffin wrong' isn't proof this happens. People tell lies and swear on their hamster's life to plead they're innocent. A lot.
As for a member of the public reporting you for having X, and the Police coming round and finding you do indeed have X - then tough sh*t. You shouldn't have had X.
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Oh Tony, I'm sure it helps you to think that anyone who had every received an S59 was a Burberry wearing chav, tearing up the McDonalds car park at 3AM, but in the real world it simply isn't the case.
These are dished out like confetti in lieu of REAL evidence, and that is my problem with it, in any other instance you would have your day in court in this democratic society of ours; a Section 59 is an affront to that, something that belongs in the Soviet Union, circa 1962.
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Oh Tony, I'm sure it helps you to think that anyone who had every received an S59 was a Burberry wearing chav,
^^^^
Did someone mention Burberry?
This Burberry Beauty can tug me any time she feels like it - I'll come willingly every time......
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Oh Tony, I'm sure it helps you to think that anyone who had every received an S59 was a Burberry wearing chav, tearing up the McDonalds car park at 3AM, but in the real world it simply isn't the case.
These are dished out like confetti in lieu of REAL evidence, and that is my problem with it, in any other instance you would have your day in court in this democratic society of ours; a Section 59 is an affront to that, something that belongs in the Soviet Union, circa 1962.
If you were shooting for a Stalin reference there, you're a few years out. What does the father of Russian space exploration have to do with chavs getting punished for being cocks?
Sheesh, do they not teach kids anything about modern history these days....
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Oh Tony, I'm sure it helps you to think that anyone who had every received an S59 was a Burberry wearing chav, tearing up the McDonalds car park at 3AM, but in the real world it simply isn't the case.
These are dished out like confetti in lieu of REAL evidence, and that is my problem with it, in any other instance you would have your day in court in this democratic society of ours; a Section 59 is an affront to that, something that belongs in the Soviet Union, circa 1962.
If you were shooting for a Stalin reference there, you're a few years out. What does the father of Russian space exploration have to do with chavs getting punished for being cocks?
Sheesh, do they not teach kids anything about modern history these days....
More to do with the missile crisis of '62 that set the soviet union inwardly into even more of a police state (get the reference now Tony?). :surprised: Thought ppl of your generation paid more attention, guess not.
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Forgive me, I didn't for one moment think you we're going to pull the Police Stare card, I'd not detected that degree of irrational thought.
Here, have Orwell's 1984 too.
Outstanding.
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More to do with the missile crisis of '62 that set the soviet union inwardly into even more of a police state (get the reference now Tony?). :surprised: Thought ppl of your generation paid more attention, guess not.
What?? :confused:
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Oh your pussy photos nice.