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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:
Leafyhouse · 26/12/2019 23:40

I do think there's a hierarchy of Police work though. Right at the top, there's counter-terrorism, where people rush to the scene heroically like that London Bridge police officer. Then there's detectives who clear up murders, abuse cases etc. Then the poor sods on patrol sorting out drunks and looking out for muggers. Finally there's the spreadsheet heroes who sit in a van writing up tickets for people doing 45 in a 40. There was talk of farming that work out to traffic wardens, but that would have required granting them powers of arrest.

I've no axe to grind personally - clean license held for a long time - but I do think it's the arse end of police work.

lyralalala · 26/12/2019 23:42

Actually I think this kind of thing does nothing to endear the police to the public. Every time I hear Police whining about budget cuts, I am somewhat tempted to say 'Sod handing out stupid tickets then'.

What is stupid about ticketing a driver who was so impatient, and arrogant, that they choose to deliberately drive through a red light?

Moonflower12 · 26/12/2019 23:43

You actually 'ran' an amber light previously to your red light. An amber light means stop, in law- not nip in quickly before a red light. Look at your Highway Code. Only green means you can proceed with caution.

Liverpool52 · 26/12/2019 23:50

My husband got a notice two weeks before he was due to deploy and his deployment would have put him outside the timeframe for getting points. He had one day that wasn't pre-deployment training. They would not extend. Bad driving has consequences. Shit happens.

Nat6999 · 26/12/2019 23:54

Get down your nearest Kwik fit tomorrow & get the tyre changed, if you are lucky you may not hear back from the police & if you do having a receipt to prove that you have changed the tyre would show that you have done the right thing.

Nat6999 · 26/12/2019 23:59

Sorry just seen that you have been notified, you have two choices, take the points & pay the fine or pay for the course to avoid spoiling your clean licence. Taking the points & fine will be cheaper, after 3 years the points are cleared off & in future make sure your car is fully road worthy & be more careful. The courses usually take at least half a day but if you need a clean licence it is worth it but otherwise don't forget to declare your points to your insurance company.

Havaina · 27/12/2019 00:05

I had my MOT done two weeks later and it failed on one of the tyres, which I thought was odd but never mind

I'm not blaming the police for me failing the MOT and obviously I've changed the tyre since then hmm, but I think it's surprising that he didn't either book me for that too if it was already gone my then, or mention that it was getting close - not to save me from failing the MOT (which makes no difference to anything anyway as you just have to fix things that need fixing) but because of safety.

So you think the police told every MOT place in the area to fail your MOT on one of your tyres?

That’s hilarious 😂 . Do you also think the moon landings are a conspiracy, OP?

Havaina · 27/12/2019 00:10

Perhaps the Policeman didn't spot how bad your tyre was - but it's not up to him to safety check your vehicle - it's up to you.

So he made a mistake then? Well, we all do... apart from the perfect --people on here of course

No he didn’t make a mistake, he let you sort out your tyre at your next MOT so maybe you should be grateful?

iamNOTmagic · 27/12/2019 00:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

theWarOnPeace · 27/12/2019 00:14

Why are people being so mean? Driving is not an exact science and we all make little errors from time to time.

Yeah it is. The exact science is: do not jump red lights because it’s dangerous and disrupts the rules and system of the roads/road users. It want a “little error“, because the OP did it willfully and deliberately. OP should have points taken plus fine, plus be bloody flamed for wasting precious police time with such selfish and idiotic behavior.

Happinessinapeartree · 27/12/2019 00:22

You'd like that Shaggy song.

fllinn · 27/12/2019 00:31

I'm glad you've had your arse handed to you on a plate by the MN population. How dare you refer to our police as "bloody police"

Exactly this.

Just the title flared my anger. Have some respect for police OP, they work hard and sacrifice a great deal, whether that's working Christmas Day away from their families or on the other end of the spectrum, some officers lose their lives protecting the public. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Havaina · 27/12/2019 00:33

How dare you refer to our police as "bloody police"

It’s ok to criticise police when necessary. There is too much police brutality in the UK.

halocompanach · 27/12/2019 00:56

There is too much police brutality in the UK

The police have, justifiably, sent the OP a letter. They didn't turn up at 6am with their big red door key and drag her out of bed Biscuit

Havaina · 27/12/2019 00:59

@halocom

Can you actually read? I said criticise when necessary Biscuit

halocompanach · 27/12/2019 01:00

and it's not necessary for the OP to criticise the police.

Of course I can read, you however, don't seem to be able to be polite

Havaina · 27/12/2019 01:03

Yes because giving me the biscuit was really polite Hmm Hypocrite.

halocompanach · 27/12/2019 01:11

Haha, pull the other one it's got bells on.

Havaina · 27/12/2019 01:14

Another meaningless cliche. What a surprise.

halocompanach · 27/12/2019 01:18

Another meaningless cliche. What a surprise.

Do you actually have a point that is relevant to this thread or are you just here to make asinine comments?

crustycrab · 27/12/2019 01:22

YABU and you're an absolute wanker.

Happinessinapeartree · 27/12/2019 01:22

Havana, you're irritating my insomnia with your twatty comments on most threads.

Go to sleep!

saltysally · 27/12/2019 01:28

Wind em up and watch them go

Yep it's the holidays!

snoopy456 · 27/12/2019 01:39

Take the points then, pay the fine and the extra insurance it will cost you. Stop moaning and get on with it. YABVU

safariboot · 27/12/2019 01:49

YANBU

Everyone who breaks the law has the right to due process and for the penalty to be fair and just. You don't deserve to be an worse position than someone else who committed a similar offence just because your local police are slowpokes. The police are expected to obey the law and regulations just the same way you are.

If you want to dispute things you can contact a motoring lawyer. Lots of people get traffic offences dropped because the police did things wrong themselves.

Whatever happens, please try and be a better driver in future.

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