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AIBU?

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Original poster

Escort police knock down 80 yr old woman

247 replies

4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 13:01

Escort police, protecting Sophie Wessex, knocked down an 80 year old woman yesterday.

Why does SW need a police escort? Motor bikes surrounding her car?

AIBU to think this is madness?

OP posts:
Original poster
4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 19:25

Redglitter · 11/05/2023 17:35

Well that explains a lot about your way of thinking 😂😂😂

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Come on - a bit of humor?

Some got it - some didn't!

OP posts:
Emotionalsupportviper · 11/05/2023 19:30

I got it (for all I have been snipey). I thought it was very funny!

EasterBreak · 11/05/2023 19:31

jcyclops · 11/05/2023 17:03

The poor woman was knocked down on the Pelican Crossing that crosses the westbound A4 West Cromwell Road at the (blocked off) end of Nevern Road.

I would doubt very much that a woman in her 80s would try to "nip across" a busy three-lane major road, so I think it is safe to assume she was probably using the Pelican and crossing on the green man.

The police rider should be arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, just like any other person who did the same.

Agree to this. Hopefully charges are brought against the driver.

Coxspurplepippin · 11/05/2023 19:35

EasterBreak · 11/05/2023 19:31

Agree to this. Hopefully charges are brought against the driver.

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Even if he's done nothing wrong Hmm

Redglitter · 11/05/2023 19:50

Agree to this. Hopefully charges are brought against the driver

Ffs what about letting the investigators find out what happened and if he was actually at fault

Kazzyhoward · 11/05/2023 19:58

Redglitter · 11/05/2023 19:50

Agree to this. Hopefully charges are brought against the driver

Ffs what about letting the investigators find out what happened and if he was actually at fault

It's pretty common for "normal" drivers to be interviewed under caution and maybe arrested, if they cause serious injury or death to another person whilst driving. It's basically part of the "fact finding" investigation, so, yes, a police officer should be treated in exactly the same way as a normal driver would be if they've been involved in such a collision. They'd then be bailed until a later date pending further investigations.

Original poster
4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 20:06

Emotionalsupportviper · 11/05/2023 19:30

I got it (for all I have been snipey). I thought it was very funny!

😁

OP posts:
Scienceadvisory · 11/05/2023 20:06

Kazzyhoward · 11/05/2023 19:58

It's pretty common for "normal" drivers to be interviewed under caution and maybe arrested, if they cause serious injury or death to another person whilst driving. It's basically part of the "fact finding" investigation, so, yes, a police officer should be treated in exactly the same way as a normal driver would be if they've been involved in such a collision. They'd then be bailed until a later date pending further investigations.

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Except that the first poster was saying she hoped the driver would be charged. Not that she hoped a fair and proper investigation would be carried out. That's what @Redglitter was challenging - the ignorant jumping to guilt, ignoring the concept of innocent until proven otherwise and condemning the driver before any investigation.

Original poster
4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 20:14

PerfectYear321 · 11/05/2023 17:16

Is that Sunak?

But...WOW

OP posts:
Redglitter · 11/05/2023 20:19

Kazzyhoward · 11/05/2023 19:58

It's pretty common for "normal" drivers to be interviewed under caution and maybe arrested, if they cause serious injury or death to another person whilst driving. It's basically part of the "fact finding" investigation, so, yes, a police officer should be treated in exactly the same way as a normal driver would be if they've been involved in such a collision. They'd then be bailed until a later date pending further investigations.

Show quote history

It's also pretty common for "normal drivers" to be treated with compassion, to give a statement & not be arrested or cautioned until there's a case to answer to

Original poster
4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 20:21

BMW6 · 11/05/2023 19:24

OP upthread you accused someone of "Abuse of power"

Who are you accusing?

I am not accusing DoE or anybody specifically.

But - I do think that these things come in waves. That under the "security" blanket a lot can happen.

And we need to always question.

OP posts:
GrouchyKiwi · 11/05/2023 20:21

Emotionalsupportviper · 11/05/2023 19:11

Importing the worst of American megalomania, as usual.

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I do think it's likely that the first Asian Prime Minister of the UK has had credible death threats so a strong protective detail makes sense. This does look ridiculous, mind you.

Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, has had credible death threats against himself and his family. It must be awful to be a politician or public figure sometimes.

rwalker · 11/05/2023 20:23

EasterBreak · 11/05/2023 19:31

Agree to this. Hopefully charges are brought against the driver.

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Think we need to find out what happened first
then “hopefully “ it will be dealt with according
obviously u seem to have the facts and information about what happened as you seem to think it was the drivers fault

unlike sky and bbc who reported on

wildfirewonder · 11/05/2023 20:30

Lellochip · 11/05/2023 14:10

Do you people all imagine they're tearing around the streets at breakneck speed all the time? They do drive normally on occasion you know...

They do drive faster than the speed limit on occasions when it is not necessary for security. They should be required to travel at the speed limit unless they have security reasons for not doing so.

If it is not safe for the royals to be out of the palace travelling at the speed limit, they should stay indoors rather than endangering other road users, IMO.

The security costs a bloody fortune. If we cut their appearances we could cut the bill.

Original poster
4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 20:40

wildfirewonder · 11/05/2023 20:30

They do drive faster than the speed limit on occasions when it is not necessary for security. They should be required to travel at the speed limit unless they have security reasons for not doing so.

If it is not safe for the royals to be out of the palace travelling at the speed limit, they should stay indoors rather than endangering other road users, IMO.

The security costs a bloody fortune. If we cut their appearances we could cut the bill.

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They do drive too fast in highly populated places.

That is partly why they should be used carefully and for a few.

OP posts:
BMW6 · 11/05/2023 20:40

4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 20:21

I am not accusing DoE or anybody specifically.

But - I do think that these things come in waves. That under the "security" blanket a lot can happen.

And we need to always question.

Show quote history

I think it's piss poor to post accusations of "abuse of power" then backtrack and post a meaningless word salad saying nothing at all.

If you have points to raise then raise them.
Throwing out soundbites hoping some shit will stick weakens your cause.

Original poster
4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 20:47

BMW6 · 11/05/2023 20:40

I think it's piss poor to post accusations of "abuse of power" then backtrack and post a meaningless word salad saying nothing at all.

If you have points to raise then raise them.
Throwing out soundbites hoping some shit will stick weakens your cause.

Show quote history

I am not trying to backtrack and I really hate word salads so sorry about that!

Let me try - I think it is an abuse of power to use things like a police escort of there is no need for it. (I think a LOT can hidden in the "oh security" answer).

I think it is an abuse of power to use the siren on an ambulance if it is just going back to base and does not want to sit in traffic.

I think it is an abuse of power for a teacher to humiliate a student.

There are lots of examples of abuse of power.

I am not accusing the DoE because I am pretty sure she did not call the MET and get a few officers sent over.

But I do question whomever is in charge of getting her from a to b.

I don't know if that is any clearer?

OP posts:
sewerrat · 11/05/2023 20:57

sadly that's what happens when youre in the way of our emergency services. I wish the woman well

BlueChairs · 11/05/2023 21:08

Weird how the DM link you provided is a skinresources link huh.

Are you the journalist who wrote the story or is Mumsnet getting money from Mail clicks?

Original poster
4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 21:14

BlueChairs · 11/05/2023 21:08

Weird how the DM link you provided is a skinresources link huh.

Are you the journalist who wrote the story or is Mumsnet getting money from Mail clicks?

I am definately not a journalist as you can probably note frommy spelling and general writing skills.

I also am not a Mumsnet marketing anything.

Sorry about the link- it may have changed but you can read about it in the papers and on BBC website.

OP posts:
Original poster
4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 21:17

sewerrat · 11/05/2023 20:57

sadly that's what happens when youre in the way of our emergency services. I wish the woman well

I don't know if I would be so philosophical if it was my mum?

Or Gran.

Or child.

And so on.

OP posts:
Original poster
4plusthehound · 11/05/2023 21:18

BlueChairs · 11/05/2023 21:08

Weird how the DM link you provided is a skinresources link huh.

Are you the journalist who wrote the story or is Mumsnet getting money from Mail clicks?

I just checked the link - it works fine for me.

But it is the Daily Mail.

OP posts:
BMW6 · 11/05/2023 22:14

OP

Thank you for clarifying

Let me try - I think it is an abuse of power to use things like a police escort of there is no need for it. (I think a LOT can hidden in the "oh security" answer).

As you rightly point out, the persons being escorted don't call the shots on this. I don't know what is used to assess whether protection is needed, and to what extent. Neither do you - you think it's abuse of power, but for whose gain?
I'd imagine without Police Protection VIP's would become targets for criminality / terrorism and that would invite danger to the wider public as well as the VIP surely.

You surely accept that some people need Police Protection? If so, what is your issue specifically in this instance?

I think it is an abuse of power to use the siren on an ambulance if it is just going back to base and does not want to sit in traffic.

I agree

I think it is an abuse of power for a teacher tohumiliate a student.

I agree

Redglitter · 11/05/2023 22:18

I think it is an abuse of power to use the siren on an ambulance if it is just going back to base and does not want to sit in traffic

Where do you get the idea thats a thing??? Emergency service drivers drive on their own licence. Any accidents, speeding fines etc go on their personal driving licences.

If police officers are speeding, even to an emergency call, they have to justify it. Of they run a red light or a speed camera on their way to a call they have to have it recorded on the incident so that when the ticket comes in they can justify their actions

There's no way in hell anyone's going to drive with blues & twos just to get in while their dinner is still hot

Elvis1956 · 11/05/2023 22:26

I love the fact that the op is more concerned that it's Sophie Wessex than who's been hit....right the Bristol Rovers liberation movement kidnap a member of the royal family...
It's a fucking accident...I spilt Brown sauce on the table tonight just put m me down