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Busman747 · 23-01-2005, 22:16

The other day near Gatwick, a Mother was killed in a car crash and her 12 year old son was badly injured. A tragic event but we all know the risks of course as soon as we drive out onto the highways..........

What makes this item of news threadworthy despite it happening over 250 miles away is the fact that her car was hit by a Mitsubishi Shogun which was being driven by the Sussex police and witnesses claim it "jumped" the red traffic lights despite not having any blue flashing lights showing or sirens on...............The police car could not have been responding to an emergency as it contained an arrested prisoner!

As a footnote in the national press, it was added that in 1997, there were 8 deaths from Police pursuit but by 2003, the figures had rocketed to 31.

Last week, I walked past a Police van parked illegally (yellow lines and wheels on pavement) outside a chippy in Accy town centre. The driver, in uniform came out the chippy, put his chips on the dashboard and drove off with a sausage in his mouth!

Again, only last week, while travelling behind an M.P.V. with Police markings In Accy, I noticed that a brake light was "out" These things happen of course, and it is common knowledge that Police vehicles have a roadside check every morning so I was rather taken aback two days later to find myself behind that same vehicle with the same light not working...

Just before this last weekend, I was travelling up Omerod Street and reached the mini roundabout at the junction of Willows Lane at the same time as a Police car which was on my right. We both stopped on the line and to my surprise, he waved me on to cross in front of him. He had the right of way but would not budge so forcing me to make an illegal manouvre. I noticed that behind him? was another Police van and I hope that the driver had the opportunity later to have words with the first driver as he was in a perfect position to witness Highway Code ignorance...

The next day, travelling DOWN Omerod Street, I approached a mini roundabout and coming towards me was a large black Police van. The driver indicated left, turned...and then must have realised that he had gone the wrong way. We have all done it, you swear under your breath, carry on and look for a suitable place to turn round...not this copper! despite being in a large van, he stops, reverses back onto the roundabout and then does a 5 point turn in the middle of the junction to continue his way in the opposite direction!

I have been brought up to believe that the safest drivers on the road are our own police force, we are constantly being told of the strenuous training they receive before sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle. They are the ones that issue tickets to us for faulty lights, they reprimand us for driving without due care and attention, so I seriously wonder what is happening at the moment within the Police force? Is it lack of funds to adequately train officers or maybe modern day officers feel that they are above the law??

23-01-2005, 22:16	#1
Busman747 Always EVIL within us Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Accrington Posts: 1,568 Blog Entries: 4 Liked: 40 times Rep Power: 1670	Our Wonderful Police...cough cough The other day near Gatwick, a Mother was killed in a car crash and her 12 year old son was badly injured. A tragic event but we all know the risks of course as soon as we drive out onto the highways.......... What makes this item of news threadworthy despite it happening over 250 miles away is the fact that her car was hit by a Mitsubishi Shogun which was being driven by the Sussex police and witnesses claim it "jumped" the red traffic lights despite not having any blue flashing lights showing or sirens on...............The police car could not have been responding to an emergency as it contained an arrested prisoner! As a footnote in the national press, it was added that in 1997, there were 8 deaths from Police pursuit but by 2003, the figures had rocketed to 31. Last week, I walked past a Police van parked illegally (yellow lines and wheels on pavement) outside a chippy in Accy town centre. The driver, in uniform came out the chippy, put his chips on the dashboard and drove off with a sausage in his mouth! Again, only last week, while travelling behind an M.P.V. with Police markings In Accy, I noticed that a brake light was "out" These things happen of course, and it is common knowledge that Police vehicles have a roadside check every morning so I was rather taken aback two days later to find myself behind that same vehicle with the same light not working... Just before this last weekend, I was travelling up Omerod Street and reached the mini roundabout at the junction of Willows Lane at the same time as a Police car which was on my right. We both stopped on the line and to my surprise, he waved me on to cross in front of him. He had the right of way but would not budge so forcing me to make an illegal manouvre. I noticed that behind him? was another Police van and I hope that the driver had the opportunity later to have words with the first driver as he was in a perfect position to witness Highway Code ignorance... The next day, travelling DOWN Omerod Street, I approached a mini roundabout and coming towards me was a large black Police van. The driver indicated left, turned...and then must have realised that he had gone the wrong way. We have all done it, you swear under your breath, carry on and look for a suitable place to turn round...not this copper! despite being in a large van, he stops, reverses back onto the roundabout and then does a 5 point turn in the middle of the junction to continue his way in the opposite direction! I have been brought up to believe that the safest drivers on the road are our own police force, we are constantly being told of the strenuous training they receive before sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle. They are the ones that issue tickets to us for faulty lights, they reprimand us for driving without due care and attention, so I seriously wonder what is happening at the moment within the Police force? Is it lack of funds to adequately train officers or maybe modern day officers feel that they are above the law?? __________________ Pray that there is intelligent life somewhere up in space, 'Cause there's Bu""er all down here on Earth - (Eric Idle) Last edited by Busman747; 23-01-2005 at 22:57.