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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bloody police - merry sodding Christmas

345 replies

NThound · 26/12/2019 14:44

More than 2 months ago I made a bloody stupid error and just slipped through a red light in queuing traffic though I had actually noticed that a police car was a few cars behind - I don't make a habit of breaking the law, but it does make it even more stupid. He pulled me over a bit up the road (which was horrible - never happened to me before in 15 years of driving) and I admitted my error of judgement and apologised. In my defense (I didn't say this to him as I didn't want to make excuses) it was awful traffic - we had been stuck there for ages and I was visiting an elderly relative who I rarely see and had to nip out for something and felt guilty and stressed at how long it was taking). It was my fault though I know.

Police man said he had written it up and would send it off but 'hopefully' I would hear nothing back in the light of my apology and clean license. He also checked my tyres as he said they were currently focussing on them but he then made no comment on them.

I had my MOT done two weeks later and it failed on one of the tyres, which I thought was odd but never mind. Weeks went by and I heard nothing then on Christmas fucking Eve came the letter. FFS. I have just logged on to try and book a course and I have less than two months to book it because this has taken more than two months to come through. In order to get it done in time I have a choice of two courses that are within 30 miles of me - I live in a central location between two biggish cities. It's ridiculous - I'm going to have to try and get time off but don't want to risk a refusal as then I'd be stuffed so may decide to call in sick, which is not something 'I want to do.

AIBU to think this is shit? If police think you have made an honest fuck-up they shouldn't 'write it up' and if they do it shouldn't be near enough impossible to book a course you have been offered because they have sat on it for more than 2 months?

OP posts:
Butchyrestingface · 26/12/2019 18:06

We’ll never agree - no way did I nearly cause an accident on that occasion, I'm calling in sick to do the course

Ach well, we’ll probably see you back here looking for advice when your boss catches you pulling a sickie. Crown Grin 👍

Some employers do ‘ave ‘em.

Piggywaspushed · 26/12/2019 18:07

I compared you to Sacoolas more because of the attitude than the event. But she did believe herself to be a good driver: everyone does until something happens.

And, no , my DH has not killed anyone. But I did tell him to suck it up. I told you that story to tell you that people with better reasons for jumping light s(such as not actually seeing them so doing so by accident) did not get off with the offence, no matter how much compassion for the circumstances the police show.

As it goes, his ex colleague did kill a cyclist once after never having any points on his licence. Of course these things happen. He was pulling out a junction that he thought was clear.

But I come back to my original point of how daft you had to be to do this at a red light when you KNEW a police car was behind you!

Witchend · 26/12/2019 18:10

I'm sure your DF is very good at what he does, but this wouldn't necessarily get to me. As stated above, there is an 80% chance of survival if a child is hit by a car at 30mph

Much comfort to the 20%, plus the 80% who have injuries, some life changing. One of my friends was killed age 11yo by a car doing around about 10mph. Didn't really make much difference to them that the car wasn't speeding when they overtook the bus did it?

No one is that stupid to think that it doesn't matter because "80% survive" really are they?
Or if they are then should they be driving? No, they shouldn't.

Leighhalfpennysthigh · 26/12/2019 18:16

I occasionally get caught speeding. Always take the points as I can't be bothered spending a day being lectured to.

Runnerduck34 · 26/12/2019 18:18

I understand your frustration but you need to suck it up. The police are just doing their job .
Mind you a neighbour has just had their garage broken into , burglars were seen and descriptions and car registration number taken, they made off with tools etc. however police will not investigate, so moral.of story is jump red light at your peril , but steal from garages and sheds as you please !

goodluckdontdie · 26/12/2019 18:29

Where I live, rules of the road are less strictly enforced and the police are more likely to let you off for little things like this.

The annual deaths per 100,000 motorists is also 9x higher than it is in the UK. That is a HUGE difference.

I'd take the UK's fastidiousness any day.

DowntownAbby · 26/12/2019 18:30

@Justaboy maybe RTFT?

It’s been pointed out many times that OP was served a verbal NIP at the roadside.

Yet still you and another’s are coming to give incorrect advice about the 14 days.

lyralalala · 26/12/2019 18:30

I think the OP is a good example as to why the coppers in my family think the awareness course should be in addition to points

lljkk · 26/12/2019 18:45

The course is not available at your convenience. Take the points or take unpaid leave (if you can). Those are your choices. Pull your big girl pants on & suck it up.

WireBrushAndDettolMaam · 26/12/2019 18:49

I occasionally get caught speeding. Always take the points as I can't be bothered spending a day being lectured to.

There’s only one outcome that will work for you.

WireBrushAndDettolMaam · 26/12/2019 18:50

I think the OP is a good example as to why the coppers in my family think the awareness course should be in addition to points

Glad it’s not just me!

countrygirl99 · 26/12/2019 18:54

I posted earlier about a fatal accident I witnessed when a driver ran a red light. He was sobbing that ye hadn't seen the motorcyclist so hadthought it was ok to go. That didn't stop the motorcyclist being decapitated in front of me.

Orangepancakes · 26/12/2019 18:55

You fucked up, you could have killed somebody. It happens, often when people make 'quick mistakes'. There is no excuse. But sure, bring in media rubbish about race statistics to excuse your crappy behaviour.

Gang crime- largely black offenders- often found in large groups- you are going to create 12 stop and searches from one incident.

Burglars/theft/drugs- largely white offenders- found solitarily or at most in groups of two. One/two stop and searches per incident.

Burglars make an effort not to be seen. Gangs are often blasé. Don't care if you stop and search them because the drugs/knives are hidden somewhere on their block and they know you won't find them.

Nothing to do with targeting black people AT ALL.

Legoandloldolls · 26/12/2019 18:56

I think your my first yabu.

Police are enforcing the law. Without laws someone could skip a light and hit your car or kids. Would you feel peeved if they just apologised and then was allowed to jog on?

It's not legal. You got in trouble. Take the points

Rachelfromfriends1 · 26/12/2019 18:57

I find the entitled attitude of the OP contrasted with the vote ratio hilarious. What a slaughtering, merry Xmas opXmas Grin

BellsAJingleTheRoastedChestnut · 26/12/2019 18:59

I'm sure your DF is very good at what he does, but this wouldn't necessarily get to me. As stated above, there is an 80% chance of survival if a child is hit by a car at 30mph

Oh so just one in five children die? That's fine then Hmm. Christ on a bike.

Isithometimeyet0987 · 26/12/2019 19:01

Yabvu YOU jumped the red light. YOU knew the police where behind you. YOU didn’t care. YOU could have caused an accident. I have zero sympathy for you. You will have to sort out doing the course even if you have to tell your boss (your fault for jumping the light) then so be it deal with it, either that or suck it up and take the points. I’ve seen the consequences of people like you jumping a light, I saw a person hit by a car because the car went trough the light so no I don’t really car if you inconvieneced and I don’t care of you think I’m being to harsh.

LocksMyth · 26/12/2019 19:02

I am glad you are not a friend of mine.. because your reaction to this, would have been a deal breaker.
I hope no one close to you is never involved in an RTA.
Your flippant attitude saddens me. Please, please think about the wider implications of what could have happened.
You have had a lucky escape.

Justaboy · 26/12/2019 19:04

So you have broken the law then ? And would be done for it, if there was a red-light camera there too

Yes i expect i would have been. I would have attended court and told the magistrates why I acted the way I did and to that extent to throw myself on their mercy.

However I would have a clear conscience that I had not hindered an emergency vehicle on its way to save a life!.

Had a simmilar situation at a railway crossing some time ago now I know that It could be sometime before the barriers opened again so vaulted across a fence to a trackside telephone, quick word with the signaller barriers shot up ambulance passed all well again.

CatkinToadflax · 26/12/2019 19:05

all this saying I could have killed someone is tedious though

Tedious?!! I think this must be the most arrogant, inappropriate comment I have ever read on Mumsnet.

fluffiphlox · 26/12/2019 19:06

Are you perhaps related to the other poster who is unhappy about being given a hospital appointment early on NYE? I think the fashionable word is ‘entitled’.

theprincessmittens · 26/12/2019 19:06

I was hit by a car, aged 17, that was doing less than 30mph...I survived, but I was left with a crushed right leg that was nearly amputated...I was lucky that it was saved, but I had to learn to walk again, and have been dealt with severe chronic pain ever since...I also had a cancerous tumour removed from the impact site a year after the accident...3 rounds of chemo and radiotherapy followed. The cancer returned when I was 38. I'm now 51 and will be lucky to make 60.

But like you keep bleating like the pathetic POS you are, I 'survived'...

GenderfreeJoe · 26/12/2019 19:07

Its a punishment, it's not supposed to be easy. You can take the points or do the day. I've been there. It's annoying. But I don't see why you should be let off if you jumped a light. Fwiw the course is actually quite good.

LocksMyth · 26/12/2019 19:08

... Assuming you are genuine, and not just doing this for a reaction..

BrickTop999 · 26/12/2019 19:11

I dont have time to read the full thread
The NIP in this case was the police officer saying you might be prosecuted when he stopped you. The 14 days are only in respect of offences where you were remotely caught ( cameras/ speed guns etc ) but not stopped

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