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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to think warning other drivers about police presence is a courtesy not enabling bad drivers?

221 replies

Boomerwang · 19/08/2020 03:57

Yesterday the police were making traffic stops near a school as it was the first day back (Sweden) and I put it out on facebook, reminding people to check over their cars, go another way if they are in a hurry and watch their speed etc. I put it in a local community group. I was roundly chastised and the thread was removed not long after. Coming from England I thought it was normal that people gave a heads up but their argument was that this way the idiot drivers and people with alcohol or drugs in their system were now warned and won't be taken off the road or fined.

I mean, I don't take drugs or drive under the influence or particularly fast over the speed limit so I wasn't considering that, but if this situation occurs again, I'd like to know what the majority think before I try to help again?

OP posts:
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Original poster
Boomerwang · 19/08/2020 04:00

My argument was that prevention was better than cure and even the most courteous of drivers can be caught out by a broken lightbulb, making a U-turn in the wrong place or a frayed seatbelt they didn't get around to fixing yet.

OP posts:
Noneformethanks · 19/08/2020 04:01

I can see both sides of this.

If it’s any help the same arguments happen on our loads Facebook page.

If it’s culturally a no, do t do it again.

Sorry, am on the fence I know.

Noneformethanks · 19/08/2020 04:02

Happen loads on our local and don’t.

Noneformethanks · 19/08/2020 04:04

But if you have a broken lightbulb or frayed seatbelt you shouldn’t be driving your car.

I got stopped the other week for having a brake light out. Genuinely didn’t realise and told the police I’d replace the bulb as soon as - went home via Halfords and had the bulb changed in their car park.

Wilko312 · 19/08/2020 04:29

YABU. I hate stuff like this. The whole point of the police being there is catching shitty drivers through the element of surprise. You posting it on a community thread means that the horrors who deserve to be caught will observe driving laws for the period they are likely to pass the police and then carry on as normal.

In essence you are enabling further bad driving.

heartsonacake · 19/08/2020 04:32

YABU. The police are there for a reason, and people should be driving safely and appropriately. If they are not, they deserve to be caught.

They were right that all you’re doing is enabling bad drivers and continuing to allow unsafe practice on the roads.

Original poster
Boomerwang · 19/08/2020 04:33

Okay I do see that point of view. What about flashing other drivers after going through a speed check? My Dad always did it, so I thought that's what you do. I realise fines work, make people put the effort in to keep themselves and their cars lawful to avoid more costly penalties, but doesn't a warning also make people do the same thing but without reaching the penalty point?

OP posts:
heartsonacake · 19/08/2020 04:34

(Also by doing this, you’re not “helping” anyone. It is not a kind thing to do.)

heartsonacake · 19/08/2020 04:35

What about flashing other drivers after going through a speed check? My Dad always did it, so I thought that's what you do.

No, that’s not “what you do”. You shouldn’t take driving tips off anyone who isn’t a driving instructor, because it leads to enabling of bad drivers.

You shouldn’t be doing that either. You’re not helping anyone.

Noneformethanks · 19/08/2020 04:35

I don’t flash speeders.

isabellerossignol · 19/08/2020 04:38

I think YABU. The whole point of them being there is to check that people are driving safely, in properly maintained cars. If you tell people to avoid the area you're undermining what they're meant to be achieving.

I think I'm a pretty safe driver, I try to adhere to the rules. If I make a mistake and break the speed limit and get caught I have only myself to blame. Ideally you'd want serial offenders to be the ones who are caught but in reality it doesn't matter if people speed all the time or rarely, we still shouldn't be doing it, so one deserves to be caught as much as the other. I mean, I'd be annoyed to be caught speeding because I try not to, but just because I rarely do it doesn't mean that it's any better or worse than anyone else doing it.

thepassionchair · 19/08/2020 04:39

In England I'm fairly sure it can be treated as an offence.

Original poster
Boomerwang · 19/08/2020 04:43

Yes I think it's called disruption of justice or something. Okay so it's looking like I have to unlearn this habit!

OP posts:
Theterrible42s · 19/08/2020 05:25

I hate being flashed - I don't speed anyway so that's never my first thought, it's always "shit what's wrong with my car" and a second or two of anxiety. Then I realise and have to shout "I'm doing fucking fifty!" to myself Blush

Newbameforanewdecade · 19/08/2020 05:41

Flashing drivers to warn of a speed check is quite normal - but this is MN where no one ever goes a Jot over 30 mph.
Not sure about putting it on FB though.

DdraigGoch · 19/08/2020 06:54

@Newbameforanewdecade

Flashing drivers to warn of a speed check is quite normal - but this is MN where no one ever goes a Jot over 30 mph. Not sure about putting it on FB though.
It's illegal to warn someone of a speed trap. People shouldn't need to be warned to slow down, they shouldn't be speeding in the first place.

AA patrols used to salute members when they passed them on their motorbikes. If they didn't salute, expect a speed trap. This worked because you can't be prosecuted for NOT doing something.

VashtaNerada · 19/08/2020 07:00

I think YABU but I wouldn’t feel too bad about it - totally get why you did it. It’s just that there really are a lot of dangerous drivers out there and the police have a job to do in keeping us all safe.

latticechaos · 19/08/2020 07:02

@Boomerwang

Yes I think it's called disruption of justice or something. Okay so it's looking like I have to unlearn this habit!
Oh I am glad you seem to be having a change of mind/heart.

I am not always happy with the police, but speeding drivers really should not be speeding.

gingercatsarebest · 19/08/2020 07:07

I hate being flashed. .I never know know why I am being flashed. ...also speed kills so if someone is caught doing it so much the better.

Spinakker · 19/08/2020 07:09

Your intentions were good but I agree it was unwise to write this up on Facebook. My dad used to say the same thing about flashing drivers. But writing the fb post you put yourself in a vulnerable position and could be breaking the law

vanillandhoney · 19/08/2020 07:14

@Newbameforanewdecade

Flashing drivers to warn of a speed check is quite normal - but this is MN where no one ever goes a Jot over 30 mph. Not sure about putting it on FB though.
Might be normal but it's illegal and police have been known to prosecute for it.
pinkbalconyrailing · 19/08/2020 07:18

what you did is an offence in some countries
yabu

KatherineJaneway · 19/08/2020 07:22

@Newbameforanewdecade

Flashing drivers to warn of a speed check is quite normal - but this is MN where no one ever goes a Jot over 30 mph. Not sure about putting it on FB though.
I assumed it was normal too.
Thedogscollar · 19/08/2020 07:25

If one of those drivers then went on to run over your loved one how would you feel about it then. You are disabling the police from their duties by warning potentially dangerous drivers therefore YABU

nc600 · 19/08/2020 07:27

Oh god, I hate it when people do this. YABU