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Original poster

Pulled over by the police with blue lights flashing because I BEEPED at them!

780 replies

BeepedAtPoliceCar · 30/08/2026 22:26

Long but I've tried to make it easy to read!

Tonight, I dropped DS at work and on the way back had just started moving off from a large roundabout to go straight across it. It was 7pm and the road is an A road, not a residential area.

I had noticed a police car coming down from the opposite side of the roundabout (no lights flashing) and assumed it was going straight across as it had no indicators but it turned right towards me so I had to stop.

As I moved onto the roundabout after it passed me. I beeped. A short tap to say where the hell are you going. I had also had to stop. I was moving when I beeped. This is important.

I assumed it was going to take the same exit as me but it It then continued round the roundabout again. Still no indication. So I did another short beep. The direction he was going in was to our local police station about 2 minutes down the road.

Yes it was in frustration as there are many idiots who don't indicate in my area and I've had many near misses. It's pretty shit the police are driving like that as well and it was also a hazard to other road users.

Maybe the driver wasn't aware his indicators weren't working?

Anyway I drive on but see in the my rear mirror a police car speeding up the road behind me, lights flashing, in the bus lane. The speed limit is 40 and I was doing that so he must have been doing 60 at least as he caught up with me in seconds.

I immediately knew he was coming after me.

The car came alongside me and the driver wound his window down, as did I, and shouted at me to pull over now, pull over now. He looked apoplectic with rage!

I pulled over in front of him in the bus lane and he drove behind me, bumper to bumper. I have never been stopped by the police before and got out of my car to go to speak to him (oops lucky it wasn't in the US!).

He's screaming get back in your car now, get back in your car now!

So I get back in and luckily had the presence of mind to start videoing on my phone as he came over. I asked for him name and badge number which he fired off so fast I couldn't catch it. He refused to repeat it. Refused to tell me which police station he was stationed at. He said I had contravened the highway code for beeping inappropriately and would be getting a penalty ticket.

I admit I was a bit argumentative (not rude) and said he only stopped me because he was pissed off I beeped at him and the police should know better.

He then said they were looking for a 'criminal' and were on police business so didn't have to indicate (no lights except when they came for me!) and they also didn't know where they were going. He also said he didn't need to indicate unless he was exiting the roundabout.

I asked him why if he was looking for a criminal, he decided to go after someone who beeped at him for not indicating.

He said I was stationery when I beeped so that is a road traffic contravention. I was moving so I asked him why he was lying. He then stated he'd need to do drug and alcohol tests.

I asked if he was joking and what basis did he have to suspect I was driving under the influence. He said because my behaviour - beeping at him - was 'bizarre' and I was driving dangerously, then asked if I was refusing? So I had to do them. They were clear obviously.

I said I would be making a complaint as I believed he was abusing his power because he was pissed off I beeped at him and 'how dare he bully members of the public'.

He then said MOVE NOW because I was in an active lane (bus lane where he forced me to stop) and if I didn't move now I'd get another ticket for failing to comply with an instruction from a police officer. I said 'who do you think you're talking to'.

I was very WTF and asked him to repeat the law I had broken and told him to give me the ticket so I could challenge it in court, so he said he did and I would get it in the post.

Two tickets - £130 and 3 points.

I then drove off. He didn't come behind me so I can only assume he went back round the next roundabout in the direction of the police station and the looking for a criminal was rubbish. In fact he said it so sarcastically, I think he meant looking for someone to book!

I have video of most of the interaction and he comes across very bullish and rude, especially when he was shouting at me to 'move now'. Literally no more than a minute until I did but he still said he had given me a ticket.

I did tell him I was putting the video on TikTok and would be making a complaint.
Quite shocked about this, and on reading about challenging the tickets in court, it seems that you can end up with a criminal conviction if you lose!

The lie about me being stationery when I beeped (which I have on video) should be easily disproven by their dashcam. Would they have to give me this if I challenge it?

Sadly I don't have my own. I ordered one ages ago, kept forgetting to set it up and it was on top of the bookcase at home!

WIBU?

OP posts:
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6
JamJar187 · 31/08/2026 13:09

ColdAsAWitches · 31/08/2026 11:42

The police car was already on the roundabout, and therefore had right of way. In no way was it necessary for the OP to beep him, particularly as he had already gone past her. There is no way to justify it as "making him aware of her presence", the only legal use of the horn.

Show quote history

Yes I know, thats why the OP stopped her travel - that part is at the start of their post.

The difference is that the OP was already in motion, the police car failed to signal and its the good sense of the OP that made them stop when likely realising that the offending police car, without signalling, was proceeding.

Context, which you have either forgotten or omitted is relevant here. No point posting the second part of the OP's comment if you miss out the very first part of their remarks.

Unsurprising that the general public have a low value/trust/opinion in the police when they think they are a law unto themselves - and none are worse than when it comes to some of their driving/parking attitudes for which they would not hesitate to admonish ordinary motorists for if they did the same.

Animal Farm and all that springs to mind.

BeHardyBird · 31/08/2026 12:48

Briansgirls · 31/08/2026 11:05

You put it on Tik Tok 🙄 grow up !

Edited

I was going to ask if OP put it on Tiktok.

It's a 'thing' on there where people have obviously done something to wind up Police Officers, are then rude, non-compliant and just arseholes then put it on Tiktok to state Police are the arseholes.

ColdAsAWitches · 31/08/2026 12:47

JamJar187 · 31/08/2026 12:26

Politely, you are wrong.

This is what the OP said

"Tonight, I dropped DS at work and on the way back had just started moving off from a large roundabout to go straight across it. It was 7pm and the road is an A road, not a residential area.

I had noticed a police car coming down from the opposite side of the roundabout (no lights flashing) and assumed it was going straight across as it had no indicators but it turned right towards me so I had to stop."

My emphasis there.

OP did the right thing by halting her car, despite the police car not signalling as it is supposed to do - ergo, there was no right of way for either and especially not for the non-signalling police car.

So if use of the horn is not suitable in a situation like this, I am stumped as to when it should be used. As for the OP using the horn a second time, well, I can understand that, regardless of whether OP should or should not have.

Show quote history

Nothing you have typed there makes me wrong. The police car was already on the roundabout. It had right of way. If she had driven onto the roundabout and it had hit her, she would have been 100% at fault as she would have entered when it wasn't clear. And it had passed her when she beeped "As I moved onto the roundabout after it passed me. I beeped. A short tap to say where the hell are you going".

SirenScream · 31/08/2026 12:47

Picking a fight with the police, what a smart move, you're not remotely outgunned there, are you 🤪

TheEdgyMoose · 31/08/2026 12:47

JamJar187 · 31/08/2026 12:26

Politely, you are wrong.

This is what the OP said

"Tonight, I dropped DS at work and on the way back had just started moving off from a large roundabout to go straight across it. It was 7pm and the road is an A road, not a residential area.

I had noticed a police car coming down from the opposite side of the roundabout (no lights flashing) and assumed it was going straight across as it had no indicators but it turned right towards me so I had to stop."

My emphasis there.

OP did the right thing by halting her car, despite the police car not signalling as it is supposed to do - ergo, there was no right of way for either and especially not for the non-signalling police car.

So if use of the horn is not suitable in a situation like this, I am stumped as to when it should be used. As for the OP using the horn a second time, well, I can understand that, regardless of whether OP should or should not have.

Show quote history

"As I moved onto the roundabout after it passed me."
OP did not move onto the roundabout until after the police car had driven past her. The police car was on the roundabout first so it had right of way. I'm not sure what you are imagining here. OP stopping on the roundabout? Stopping after she had left the roundabout? How would roundabouts work if neither car had right of way?

JamJar187 · 31/08/2026 12:26

ColdAsAWitches · 31/08/2026 11:42

The police car was already on the roundabout, and therefore had right of way. In no way was it necessary for the OP to beep him, particularly as he had already gone past her. There is no way to justify it as "making him aware of her presence", the only legal use of the horn.

Show quote history

Politely, you are wrong.

This is what the OP said

"Tonight, I dropped DS at work and on the way back had just started moving off from a large roundabout to go straight across it. It was 7pm and the road is an A road, not a residential area.

I had noticed a police car coming down from the opposite side of the roundabout (no lights flashing) and assumed it was going straight across as it had no indicators but it turned right towards me so I had to stop."

My emphasis there.

OP did the right thing by halting her car, despite the police car not signalling as it is supposed to do - ergo, there was no right of way for either and especially not for the non-signalling police car.

So if use of the horn is not suitable in a situation like this, I am stumped as to when it should be used. As for the OP using the horn a second time, well, I can understand that, regardless of whether OP should or should not have.

5MinuteArgument · 31/08/2026 12:09

TheEdgyMoose · 31/08/2026 12:04

Can we coordinate this somehow and try and make it a bit more tuneful?

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😂

GarlicAnything · 31/08/2026 12:08

'Emotional beeping' is an offence. You should only use your horn as an immediate warning. Obviously drivers commit this offence all the time, but he's technically correct.

At the same time, he also appears to be a bit of a loon. YA both BU.

TheEdgyMoose · 31/08/2026 12:04

5MinuteArgument · 31/08/2026 11:55

The roads would be a cacophony of beeping horns if we all took the same line as the OP.

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Can we coordinate this somehow and try and make it a bit more tuneful?

badbunnysadbunny · 31/08/2026 11:59

5MinuteArgument · 31/08/2026 11:55

The roads would be a cacophony of beeping horns if we all took the same line as the OP.

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Thats what I mean! Surely she’s not beeping everytime someone doesn’t indicate etc , or maybe she does? I honestly can’t remember the last time I beeped someone. In my experience pointing out someone is driving like a dick makes them drive even MORE like a dick

5MinuteArgument · 31/08/2026 11:55

badbunnysadbunny · 31/08/2026 11:52

I applaud you challenging the police officer for being arrogant but I’m curious - surely if you beep everyone you observe driving badly you must be beeping multiple times each car journey? The standard of driving is so poor I can’t imagine calling it out each time.

The roads would be a cacophony of beeping horns if we all took the same line as the OP.

Lentilcakes · 31/08/2026 11:55

Ps: I don’t love the police and appreciate some are on an ego trip, but that’s why you need to not antagonise them. Just apologise and move on - I’m sure if you had then there would’ve been ok madam, don’t do it again (or a lesser fine). They wield the power, you don’t.

TheEdgyMoose · 31/08/2026 11:54

Hyperbolically · 31/08/2026 09:56

But when was the last time you heard of anyone being pulled over and fined for beeping their horn at another road user? You have to think deeper about what this means. Separate how you feel about OP and her actions from what this officer did. He was angry that someone challenged his driving and didn’t immediately bow down to him and went over the top. Officers don’t usually put their lights on, pull perils over and fine them for these things. It shows a lack of control on his part and I think OP might have stumbled upon one of the bad apples.

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OP tried to pull onto a roundabout when there was another car already on it that had right of way. She had to brake to avoid a collision with that car and then decided to beep at the other car because she was annoyed. She complains that it wasn't indicating but ultimately, if there had been a collision, she would have been at fault. This isn't just about beeping a horn, I suspect she was actually pulled up for careless or inconsiderate driving. I don't think that's over the top. I was once pulled over for having my fog lights on when it wasn't foggy. A minor thing, and it was accidental, but it could be distracting for other road users so I have no issue being pulled up on it. If you break the law you deal with the consequences.

badbunnysadbunny · 31/08/2026 11:52

I applaud you challenging the police officer for being arrogant but I’m curious - surely if you beep everyone you observe driving badly you must be beeping multiple times each car journey? The standard of driving is so poor I can’t imagine calling it out each time.

Lentilcakes · 31/08/2026 11:52

Why would you beep at a police car - that is very strange. Yes, I get frustrated at non-indicating drivers (even as a passenger!) but to beep a patrol car is def not on. I just let the police get on w their jobs - would you beep them if they ran a red light at an emergency?!

You obviously got his goat, you should’ve just meekly accepted you were in the wrong to avoid confrontation w them. Good job this wasn’t the US!!

TikTok my arse.

ColdAsAWitches · 31/08/2026 11:42

JamJar187 · 31/08/2026 10:10

Indeed - and its these bad apples that then gives all Police a bad name.

Beeping at a Police car for driving without signalling in ordinary circumstances that the OP describes was necessary, even if it may be deemed a "crime".

Police are not immune or exempt from road use criticism if they drive badly - well done on the OP for calling it out and challenging that unhinged copper.

Dashcams are invaluable for instances like this to showcase and report those bad apple officers.

Show quote history

The police car was already on the roundabout, and therefore had right of way. In no way was it necessary for the OP to beep him, particularly as he had already gone past her. There is no way to justify it as "making him aware of her presence", the only legal use of the horn.

MargaretMeldrew · 31/08/2026 11:42

TheEdgyMoose · 31/08/2026 11:29

The police car was already on the roundabout. OP wasn't. The police car had right of way.

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Exactly. And the OP admits herself that she beeped her horn out of frustration (for all the times other motorists have done the same as the police car.) She didn’t do it to warn the vehicle of her presence and avoid a possible collision.

mybeautifulemeraldparure · 31/08/2026 11:35

GasPanic · 31/08/2026 11:29

I've seen some pretty appalling examples of police driving.

Basically if your account reflects reality then it's not really an example of good policing.

The police should really be engaging with the (generally) law abiding public public and keeping them on side. Policing happens with the consent of the public in this country.

Actions like this just propagate the myth that the police have time to waste on trivia rather than "catching real criminals" - basically always there to come down on the mostly law abiding public for relatively trivial offences but not there for example to turn up when you need them to for a burglary.

But I think it is fair to say we are only hearing one side of the story here and that there are no winners in the respect a (probably) previously law abiding person has been turned against them (which makes their job harder if this happens across the public as a whole) and from your perspective you obviously have the penalty.

The question is I guess was it always going to end this way, with two entrenched parties refusing to back down to a compromise position, or whether a better outcome was possible.

Also, it's fair to say that unprompted erratic and confrontational behaviour may suggest alcohol or substance abuse.

mybeautifulemeraldparure · 31/08/2026 11:33

CaptainMyCaptain · 31/08/2026 11:31

I'm surprised she didn't tell him she pays his wages (as if public sector workers don't pay tax).

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Yes! 😂

CaptainMyCaptain · 31/08/2026 11:31

mybeautifulemeraldparure · 31/08/2026 09:23

My favourite bit was when she said "who do you think you're talking to?" when he asked her to leave the bus lane!
Unbelievable.

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I'm surprised she didn't tell him she pays his wages (as if public sector workers don't pay tax).

Soontobe60 · 31/08/2026 11:30

Genevieva · 31/08/2026 07:27

There are rules about giving out tickets and fines. Being annoyed with a member of the public isn’t one of them. Beeping, as far as I know, is not customary in Britain, but if it was done when the police car was driving in front of her without indicating, it was perfectly legal. If it was afterwards, it might warrant a £30 fine, but no more. Not indicating is just as much a driving offence. So, she was foolish, but the police officer appears to have misused his powers.

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The most serious driving offence here was pulling out onto a roundabout when a car was coming from the right.

TheEdgyMoose · 31/08/2026 11:29

CruelsummerTS · 31/08/2026 10:45

I’m not sure I agree with other posters that you were wrong to beep (although probably unwise to been a police car!) because from the description of the event it sounds like you were cut up by the police car unexpectedly travelling across your lane with no indication, so you in theory were using your horn whilst moving to warn the driver of your presence which is exactly what the Highway Code says you can use your horn for.

The police car was already on the roundabout. OP wasn't. The police car had right of way.

GasPanic · 31/08/2026 11:29

I've seen some pretty appalling examples of police driving.

Basically if your account reflects reality then it's not really an example of good policing.

The police should really be engaging with the (generally) law abiding public public and keeping them on side. Policing happens with the consent of the public in this country.

Actions like this just propagate the myth that the police have time to waste on trivia rather than "catching real criminals" - basically always there to come down on the mostly law abiding public for relatively trivial offences but not there for example to turn up when you need them to for a burglary.

But I think it is fair to say we are only hearing one side of the story here and that there are no winners in the respect a (probably) previously law abiding person has been turned against them (which makes their job harder if this happens across the public as a whole) and from your perspective you obviously have the penalty.

The question is I guess was it always going to end this way, with two entrenched parties refusing to back down to a compromise position, or whether a better outcome was possible.

Briansgirls · 31/08/2026 11:05

You put it on Tik Tok 🙄 grow up !

NCForOneNightOnly · 31/08/2026 11:05

BeepedAtPoliceCar · 30/08/2026 22:38

Why though?

They're supposed to uphold the law not target people for pulling them up on bad driving, which could have caused an accident if I had sped off without looking properly as many of my fellow road users seem to do.

Who's fault would it have been if there was an accident.

He also stated on video, you only need to indicate on a roundabout if you're exiting.

Not what the Highway Code says.

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Edited because I can’t be arsed…