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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
LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 19/08/2020 09:41

if speed cameras were about safety they would be outside schools at 20 limits.

The dual carriageway to Dundee from the Dobbies roundabout is a prime example of this...they could end world poverty by installing speed camera there for a week. It's a 40 mph not that any bus or lorry seems aware of that in the slightest.

Burnthurst187 · 19/08/2020 09:43

I used to flash other drivers to warn them of a camera van when I was young but now my attitude has changed and I don't

If you're speeding you deserve to be caught

CaptainMyCaptain · 19/08/2020 10:24

[quote Redhair23]@CaptainMyCaptain oh well luckily the driver was a bit more alert and all ducklings were saved![/quote]
I'm sure I'd be alert to ducklings and wild life. Close to where I live there used to be a flock of wild geese who crossed a road to roost at night. Over the years they got run over one by one. When the last one was killed somebody put flowers on a lamp post and a note about it. Some drivers see that stretch of road with its speed bumps as a challenge, I think, I'd be quite happy to see speed cameras there.

CaptainMyCaptain · 19/08/2020 10:25

My point was that I never have any idea why drivers are flashing at me.

TomNook · 19/08/2020 10:25

It’s an offence. People have been prosecuted for it

dwiz8 · 19/08/2020 10:27

Yanbu

I see it as speed cameras have to be visible due to their purpose being a 'deterrent' not to catch people out. So I use the same rule for those police vans that pop up and stationary police cars who are watching for speed

The only element where I think you were unreasonable is that they were doing car checks. Not just speed checks, therefore if someone was holding illegal items or substances in their car they would have been tipped off

bettsbattenburg · 19/08/2020 11:03

@Boomerwang

Yes I think it's called disruption of justice or something. Okay so it's looking like I have to unlearn this habit!
Obstructing a police officer I think. Reserve flashing your lights as a warning for other things - I flashed mine the other day at a driver approaching a blind bend as there was flood water on the other side (luckily only on his side of the road, I don't drive through flood water)
isabellerossignol · 19/08/2020 11:09

My local (rural, sparse traffic) dual carriageway and motorway are perfectly safe to drive at 90mph. Locals often do.

I'd agree that motorways are often perfectly safe at high speeds, it works ok in other countries. But 90mph on a dual carriageway is insanity surely? What if someone pulls out from a side road?

Brefugee · 19/08/2020 11:11

Don't warn them. It is up to everyone to drive safely and within the law. And if they get stopped by police maybe they'll think about what they did and not do it again. A warning on fb means they'll just be careful there and then carry on as usual.

It's near a school. People should be driving carefully anyway. The fact the police do this means that there is enough of a worry about drivers at that spot.

isabellerossignol · 19/08/2020 11:11

There is a dual carriageway near me where people frequently drive at far in excess of 70mph and the casualty rate on it is phenomenal. Regular serious accidents often resulting in fatalities. It's the only road that I go out of my way to avoid.

AbyssusAbyssumInvocat · 19/08/2020 11:17

The police put on their website and sometimes on their Facebook page where they are doing car checks, speed cameras, drink driving checks etc. You are not breaking the law by sharing this info. You are if you flash them en route.

I have been known to flash and be flashed about mobile cameras. If someone is driving like a complete dock I won't. Ultimately, I think the lesson learnt by getting a ticket would equally be learnt by almost getting a ticket. Those that don't learn wouldn't learn from getting a ticket either... and there are many idiots that don't.

I am part of a Facebook group about mobile speed cameras. It's a constant "do you think I've got away with it?" Or "they caught me 100 times. They're just a cash cow" They aren't bothered by them because apparently the rules don't apply to them 🙄

Brefugee · 19/08/2020 11:22

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.

I've been driving for nearly 40 years and have been fined for speeding precisely once and i'd just clocked that the speed limit had changed and was already slowing down. My fault and i paid straight away.

It makes no odds if local drivers think a dual carriageway with a limit of 70 is safe to drive at 90. The LAW says 70 is the limit. And it really doesn't matter if you think the law is an ass - it is still the law. If you want it to be changed lobby your MP and follow the process of changing laws. Ferrying convoys of cars past a speed trap at 70 and getting waves of thanks? glad it makes you feel good. Very virtuous of you.

Traffic fines are a tax? What if they are? what is the money used for? Staff parties for the traffic police would be a step to far, but if they go to the local council for whatever they find appropriate? i can't get excited about that.

If you don't like what the money gets spent on use your vote wisely and lobby the people who are standing as candidates to spend it how you want it spent.

In Germany there are often police outside schools. Especially at this time of year when the first graders start. And they are ruthless. As they should be. The speed limit around schools and hospitals is 30kph and some people are lobbying to have it reduced to 20.

ProfessorSlocombe · 19/08/2020 11:35

This worked because you can't be prosecuted for NOT doing something.

(panto chorus)

Oh yes you can.

SimplySteveRedux · 19/08/2020 11:38

If drivers are warning others about a speed trap implemented by the police, or general police presence, they could be in breach of section 89 of the Police Act 1997. This law dictates that this offence is when a motorist will “wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty.”

Up to £1,000 fine.

vanillandhoney · 19/08/2020 11:45

[quote Mittens030869]@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?[/quote]
But you could brake heavily for any number of reasons - not just a speed camera. A child or deer in the road, for example. Or an accident when you come around the corner, or a fallen tree or a massive pothole.

It's up to the driver to be aware of potential hazards and react accordingly. If someone heavily braking causes an accident that suggests a) they're driving too fast or b) the subsequent drivers are too close or more likely c) a combination of both.

LittleMissRedHat · 19/08/2020 11:48

@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!

You are clearly NOT the best driver in the world if you don't know your speed has changed so much that you would be caught by a speed camera. Not knowing what speed you are doing could be driving without due care and attention... If you don't want the "inconvenience" of points on your licence, it's quite easy, keep an eye on your speed like everyone else does!
Mittens030869 · 19/08/2020 11:51

So according to you, those flashing warning signs that you need to slow down aren't right either? But it's not just about the offending driver, it's about the safety of other road users. .

Mittens030869 · 19/08/2020 11:53

I've just experienced the devastation of a road traffic death. If warnings slow the traffic down and prevent accidents, that's worth it IMO.

PhilCornwall1 · 19/08/2020 12:09

OP, this is MN land where everyone is perfect and would never dream of doing over 70 on a motorway.

What's funny about half the posts on here where people are venting, is the fact that the Police actually say when they are targeting an area. It's in the press and quite a few forces tweet it. I follow a load of forces on Twitter for no other reason than this.

Just waiting for a Peter Perfect to now say the Police are being unreasonable! Hmm

Gobbycop · 19/08/2020 12:21

Maybe instead of boring speed awareness courses drivers can deliver death messages on behalf of police.

Not having that burden would be fucking brilliant.

ProfessorSlocombe · 19/08/2020 12:23

OP, this is MN land where everyone is perfect and would never dream of doing over 70 on a motorway.

Just start a thread about how you were driving at 70 in the outside lane and see how quickly your arse comes off ...

Hoppinggreen · 19/08/2020 12:28

I could be imagining it but I think someone was prosecuted for flashing speeders to warn them about a Police checkpoint.
I wouldnt do it, if they arent speeding they cant get caught can they?
No idea about Sweden but in Germany (where DH is from) that sort of behaviour wouldnt go down well at all

sunstreaming · 19/08/2020 12:31

Some of these replies demonstrate the way people think is not logical. I cannot understand why people would think it's OK for drivers to only obey rules e.g. speed limits to avoid being caught. Maybe these people have never suffered an RTA and don't know anyone who has. When people say that an unexpected speed trap could cause an accident because the driver 'would have to brake heavily' they are confused by thinking that the only reason for an RTA is this. Anddriving at 100mph on a Germanautobahn is totally different from driving at that speed on a dual carriageway. I'm astounded that people can think their experience of a situation, which is obviously
limited is better than the overview that the police, in this instance have. And as for thinking the police set up road traps just to 'get the fine money' Grow up for goodness sake. Do you REALLY think that police officers starting their shift decide to set up a speed trap for their personal gratification and then share the fine money between themselves?

PhilCornwall1 · 19/08/2020 12:31

@ProfessorSlocombe

OP, this is MN land where everyone is perfect and would never dream of doing over 70 on a motorway.

Just start a thread about how you were driving at 70 in the outside lane and see how quickly your arse comes off ...

Might put that to the test Grin
sunstreaming · 19/08/2020 12:34

And how does one of the posters above 'know' that the people driving very fast on her local dual carriageway are all 'locals'? Ridiculous statement. There's something about getting behind the wheel of a car which makes many people think the world has just been rearranged for their convenience. God help them if they meet another such person coming the opposite way!