Police are pulling over loads of cars in my local town

[VivaLeBeaver]

Stopping people and asking them where they’re going, is it essential, etc. Glad they’re taking it seriously.

And not local to me, but saw this “ticket” on fb. So police saying you can’t drive somewhere to exercise. I know that was being discussed earlier.

I have had to pop out occasionally since Monday due to a death in the family. I am doing any necessary business to do with that so that it's just one member of the family out and about.

I am ensuring I do everything I can from home but had to travel to my Nan's house as people were coming to collect the hospital bed we had been loaned (no one else lives there) plus I dropped clothes off with the funeral director.

As I have been out and about in the small northern town I live in, I am pleased to say that everywhere has been really quiet, people taking social distancing seriously etc. The police have been around in their cars but not pulling people up because everyone seems to be following the rules.

I think the police are right to question people if they are not social distancing or seem to be out without good reason. It will help people to take it seriously.

I'm not suggesting that every police officer is power-hungry, but a significant minority certainly are. Add them to the proportion who are institutionally racist and the others who aren't the brightest and you have serious potential for abuse.

Wow. Someone certainly hasn't had their dose of the 'community spirit' pill. These people who you are being so vile about are putting themselves on the front line to help this country through a pandemic. Maybe hold off on the nasty criticism at a time like this?

well, one of the government ministers expressly said it was ok to drive to a quiet place and exercise.
But the difference between that and the example in the OP, is that people are driving to beauty spots to go for a walk.
That wasn't what was intended by the guidelines.

The roads are very very quiet. My son drives a grocery delivery van for a living and says it is quiet every day now and much easier to drive at work

Not here it isn't (urban north of England). The roads are full of cars and what looks like
Families out for the day
Cars with dogs.

And worryingly in the evening, boy racers in powerful cars, weaving in and out of delivery trucks and racing each other from junctions.

Work vans, delivery trucks and nurses yes but there are still too many family jaunts going on

What's wrong with walking around a town or city centre for exercise? Especially as they are becoming so quiet now

I live in a village. Looking out my windows as we're still self-isolating for another few days, it doesn't seem much less busy than normal - if anything, more family groups walking past. I was kind of looking forward to a walk when I can go out again, not so much now.

We have 2 dogs who need a lot of exercise. I also have back problems which makes lead walking them painful. I have been driving 5 minutes to my usual woodland walk, where I see nobody else the whole time I’m there. The alternative would be to walk to the park, which is packed with everyone else walking dogs, and is 20 min each way walking on streets, past 2 supermarkets which are busy. How can the choice to carry on with my normal routine be worse than the alternative?
I have reread all the government instructions and cannot see anything saying I have to exercise from my front doorstep. If anyone can show me otherwise please do

I have aquestion though.
My parents are elderly and have been self isolating for a couple of weeks.

I get their shopping delivered along with mine, as I have a recurring delivery slot. Then I drive to their house and drop it off, and drive home. they live 30 minutes drive away.
Occasionally I am going to have to go to the chemist on the way to pick up prescriptions.

That shoudl all be allowed as I am getting them shopping and helping a vulnerable family.

How do I prove this to the police though, apart formt he shopping in the boot!

Wateriswide

If you join Bredbury,Romiley and Woodley sk6 facebook group you can see the discussion of police attending a popular walking spot that most people drive to get to

Would driving to drop off food to elderly parents be ok? Got a family member doing this and hope I haven't dropped them in it... perhaps will tell them to take the receipt or something in case they are pulled over...

I'm glad my village seems to being sensible. We need milk (I've increased my milk delivery from the milkman but that doesn't start until tomorrow). Walked to the village shop, saw there was none, messaged a friend who left a pint on her door step. It's a 10 min walk there through the village and I saw maybe 5 other people walking. Not a soul at the park.

The town is a 10 min drive away and I haven't been for a week so I don't know what that's like.

Bizarrely, despite living rurally, I do need to travel to exercise and to walk the dogs. There is no safe walking route from my house to the nearest footpath, so I usually jump in the car with the dogs and drive 5 mins to the next village where there are fields, woods and a park. I am staying well away from other people to maintain the distance regulations, but I would argue that travel is essential.

Driving to get to a walk is what people think they will use as an excuse when the police stop them. It wont work from this evening.

I agree it’s probably more to avoid road traffic accidents rather than police flexing their muscles (although there are idiots in every profession who enjoy the power they have).

@steppemum - think we have the same problems, must have cross posted!

Also, my dh works in maintenance/property (his own company) and will need to visit his offices one or twice a week - how will he go about proving this if he’s stopped by the police - does anyone know?

Well it's too in the mail now so it's definitely happening or going to.

I just despair I really do.

I'd love to take my dc out for a walk but I can't. My own road and park is too busy and with car parks closing to vast acres of woods, where even in the peak of summer we don't get close to anyone I don't know where we can go.
And yet Boris and his medical officers said it's really important to get out.
Infact only last week sir Patrick said the risk of transmission at race meets etc was very very low.

*Wateriswide
*
More proof it's not rumours

*You may not have to but plenty will. Those whose doors open out directly onto main roads or live in city and town centres.

What's wrong with walking around a town or city centre for exercise? Especially as they are becoming so quiet now*

This. We've been going for daily walks around the neighbourhood. We live city centre. We don't have to drive somewhere to physically walk. There's a guy in France who has run a marathon on his balcony!

Got a family member doing this and hope I haven't dropped them in it... perhaps will tell them to take the receipt or something in case they are pulled over...

This I think would be classed as essential travel but yes keep the receipts (they are time stamped)

As I understand it. Unless there is a good reason (nurses visiting people etc) then only one person can be in a car

I'm in Cumbria and the police are out in force, and they've made it very clear that you cannot drive, park up and go for a walk. Exercise needs to be done from your doorstep.

If you have a beach or mountain or empty fields on your doorstep, then by all means you can go and use that space, but you shouldn't be driving to the beach or woods and then exercising. We're incredibly lucky to have fields over the road and a beach a mile away so can walk there if we want.

It's a good idea. If everyone chooses to take their exercise time in the most picturesque areas locally, those areas will get crowded and defeat the object of social distancing.

If we all do this right instead of looking for loopholes and special circumstances it will be over and done with faster.

If you drive somewhere and have an accident - I'd bet your house that you won't be covered if you can't prove you were going somewhere essential. Ie if shopping, was a supermarket between you and the scene of the accident

steppemum - think we have the same problems, must have cross posted!

yes, I think having the shopping in the car, and receipts for on the way home will do it.

I am actually going to be delivering to 4 households, all vulnerable and not able to leave the house. All can't get delivery slots. Asda are going to think I've opened a hotel with all the shopping coming to mine on a Tuesday morning!
Then sort, then deliver, 1,2,3 local, then drive to parents. hope they don't wnat a y ice cream, it's not going to make it!

I thought the restrictions indicated doing a form of exercise a day around your house, not having a drive away for a hike. Honestly... so many people are just making things difficult for EVERYONE.