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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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7
isabellerossignol · 19/08/2020 08:29

@Warsawa31

This is just another tax collection for the most part. You might get away with a warning if you stroke their fragile ego enough, but the vast majority of those drivers will go on their merry way with a Decent fine for the government to wisely spend.
People often say that it's just to raise money but actually it doesn't really bother me if it is used as a money raising exercise. Because it's a 'tax' that everyone can avoid if they choose to.
JuniperFather · 19/08/2020 08:32

@cologne4711

To me I think this question boils down to:

(a) do you want speeding drivers to slow down and stop speeding; or

(b) do you want them to carry on so they get fined.

I prefer (a).

I prefer b) and I'll explain why.

If people are speeding, then they're doing it in the expectation that they can get away with it somehow. a) just enables them to continue doing that.

What do people think b) is all about? Fining people is designed to correct behaviour and get people thinking. If I get a £100 fine and three points, I'm going to drive slower because I don't want to tot up more points and fines and lose my licence.

People always complain about police, speed traps and fines....until a child gets killed outside a supermarket or school, and then it's "where are the bloody speed cameras on this rat run, where are the POLICE!!"

OP @Boomerwang YABU

JustCallMeGriffin · 19/08/2020 08:34

A good driver doesn't need to be warned of police presence, they're already driving appropriately.

Let the police catch all the other selfish fuckers and issue warnings/fines/prosecutions in line with how shitty and selfish a driver they are.

Redhair23 · 19/08/2020 08:34

@Cat14123

I'd appreciate the heads up, even if no one else does!

You can be the best driver in the world and not realise your speeds crept up! I could do without the inconvenience of points on my license.

I think warning people is a very English thing to do and it's always on community groups near me, I hope that doesn't change!

I don’t want you to get the heads up though or anyone else who is speeding!

I got fined last year for speeding and I deserved it, I could argue that that it wasn’t fair on a pretty empty motorway at 2am with a variable speed limit but I was still speeding and it’s my own fault.

Diceroll · 19/08/2020 08:36

People should just maintain their cars, crazy right? Police checks aren't just about 'catching' them this time, but hopefully will serve a reminder in the future to make sure their car remains road worthy. It's like those arseholes who post about speedchecks on Facebook, just don't speed would be my suggestion.

newtb · 19/08/2020 08:37

I always thought that flashing drivers heading towards a police check was an offence and you could be prosecuted for it. In both UK and France. Probably other countries, too.

JuniperFather · 19/08/2020 08:39

@newtb

I always thought that flashing drivers heading towards a police check was an offence and you could be prosecuted for it. In both UK and France. Probably other countries, too.
I wish people would be prosecuted for it.

What on earth is the point of it, other than to save people money just because you're bitter about having been fined?

The police in this instance are trying to do work and help society. If you're speeding, then it's time to face your responsibilities.

vanillandhoney · 19/08/2020 08:55

@Nottherealslimshady

Putting it on fb is never ideal. But flashing your lights at passing traffic and texting those yi know going same direction is dine I think. I think hidden speed cameras are dangerous and cause unexpected heavy breaking .
Meh. If you were going at the speed limit you wouldn't need to brake at all.
vanillandhoney · 19/08/2020 09:00

@cologne4711

To me I think this question boils down to:

(a) do you want speeding drivers to slow down and stop speeding; or

(b) do you want them to carry on so they get fined.

I prefer (a).

I prefer B.

Why should they get away with breaking the law and driving dangerously? If the police catch them driving like idiots then it's their own fault.

Why would you want to protect them?

Mittens030869 · 19/08/2020 09:01

@vanillandhoney But it's not just about the speeding driver, heavy breaking is also dangerous to other road users. It really does depend on what you value more highly: road safety or catching speeding motorists?

I'm not defending drivers speeding at all, the driver would be to blame if their heavy breaking caused an accident, but surely it's preferable for the accident not to take place at all?

Anniegetyourgun · 19/08/2020 09:05

unexpected heavy breaking

Is this Freudian slip of the week? Braking to avoid breaking. Could be a slogan.

Mittens030869 · 19/08/2020 09:06

Whoops, yes I meant to say 'braking'. Blush

Mittens030869 · 19/08/2020 09:07

I'm speaking from the experience of losing my FIL in a car accident. It was a devastating experience for the whole and I'd rather reduce the risk of an accident than catch speeding motorists at any cost.

Anniegetyourgun · 19/08/2020 09:10

Those who are saying it's better to drive slowly than to be caught are missing the point. Drivers who are only driving slowly only because they know there is a police trap will continue not to drive slowly when/where there isn't one. It solves the problem in one place on one day only. Catching the buggers reduces the problem overall.

I can't even get my head round the "it's just to make money" reasoning. I suppose you could say it's just to save money having to clean up the motorway after one of those inconvenient pile-ups, I'll grant you that much.

CaptainMyCaptain · 19/08/2020 09:13

@Redhair23

I flashed cars the other day but it was to warn them of ducklings in the road so that was the most sensible abuse of lights that I can think of.

I judge people who put warnings on Facebook about police speed traps as it defeats the point.

But how would anyone know that's why you were flashing until they saw the ducklings themselves anyway. I never know why people are flashing do they mean my lights are on/off, indicators flashing, someone I know, any other reason? By the time I've worked it out it's too late anyway. I'd rather rely on my own vigilance.
BKCRMP · 19/08/2020 09:14

Locally every one does on one stretch of road because they slashed the speed limit from 70 to 40 and it's so wide and obstruction free it's incredibly easy to go well over and it's a favourite spot for the police. In others where accidents tend to happen or near schools I wouldn't prewarn.

JuniperFather · 19/08/2020 09:14

If the police catch them driving like idiots then it's their own fault.

Spot on. I think however what I've learned with all this 'flashing drivers' business is that some folk see the police as a 'common enemy' and that speeding laws are ludicrous. So flashing another driver is a way of saying 'let's save you from that one mate'

Redhair23 · 19/08/2020 09:18

@CaptainMyCaptain honestly you are jumping on that?! Grin.

Good old mumsnet. You will be delighted to know that the post van slowed right down and pulled over to the side. He guided them off the road and back in to the pond.

It was posted on my local FB group. It was a real feel good story...or it was until today.

I always slow down if someone flashes me from the other way as it’s usually a deer in the road or some other obstruction.

bugsinarow · 19/08/2020 09:24

It doesn't matter what anyone here thinks. You live in Sweden and its a different culture. If you want to get on with people there I suggest you start understanding how they see things instead of being on a one woman mission to change the culture to an English one. You are in danger of ending up the mad colonialist era English women, saying, 'I'm am English! I am doing it the English way! That's not how we do it in Blighty, y'know.'

Isn't Sweden a far more collective culture than the individualistic one in England? That might explain the difference in attitude.

CaptainMyCaptain · 19/08/2020 09:24

@redhair23 I don't know what you mean unless you referring to the texting while driving which does happen.

I'm serious in my reply to your post about the ducklings, I would appreciate the thought behind your warning but I'd never work it out in time.

Babdoc · 19/08/2020 09:25

My local (rural, sparse traffic) dual carriageway and motorway are perfectly safe to drive at 90mph. Locals often do.
If I spot the mobile speed camera van a mile or two up ahead, I will pull into the outside lane and slow to 70mph, so the drivers behind me have to do the same - that way I can lead a convoy of us through the speed trap safely. I usually get waves or flashes of thanks as I tuck in after passing the camera.
I’m all in favour of trapping people doing 40mph past a school, where they could kill a pedestrian, but trapping on a straight dual carriageway with v little traffic is purely to generate money. There is no safety issue.
Ive driven on the German autobahn with no speed limit - Ive done 100mph, and been overtaken by Mercs and BMWs, but the driving standard was good, people willingly changed lane to allow traffic to merge from slip roads etc. Apparently we British can’t be trusted to use our common sense in the same way, and have to be forced to accept an arbitrary limit, which was set in the days before good road design and modern braking systems.

megletthesecond · 19/08/2020 09:28

Yabu. Let them get caught and bollocked. That will make the roads a safer place. Not giving them a heads up.

Emeraldshamrock · 19/08/2020 09:30

I'd appreciate the heads up if I was doing something wrong but I don't think I'd deserve it.
YWBU. The police need to be supported in their roles.

Redhair23 · 19/08/2020 09:30

@CaptainMyCaptain oh well luckily the driver was a bit more alert and all ducklings were saved!

Dragonsanddinosaurs · 19/08/2020 09:35

Did you really intend to help anyone who was driving without insurance, driving while drunk/drugged, driving an unroadworthy car? Or anyone that might have been wanted by the police for more serious offences? I think your FB post was incredibly naive at best. It's not just people driving a shade over the limit, or with the odd light out you were helping out.