Went out for something to eat in Milton Keynes the other night. On the way home, I passed a load of cars and police in a car park - turns out there was some sort of cruise on. I decided to have a quick look, but it was a bit on the chavvy side so after a quick circuit round the car park I left.

 

However, to make sure that I wasn't going to run over any blingy white trainers, I had switched my front fogs on. So, I pull out of the carpark, turn right at the lights a hundred yards away, down to the roundabout 200 yards away, realise that I've still got them on and turn them off. A hundred yards later, I get pulled over.

 

'Evening officer, everything OK?' (Just expecting a check over of my car as it stood out in the crowd)

'Bit foggy is it? Hmm? Well, the good news is you won't get any points on your license.' (in the smarmiest, most condescending way possible)

 

At which point I explained why I had them on, that I hate it when people leave them on and that I'd turned them off at the roundabout.

 

He came back saying that he understands that I'm not a boy racer, that I’m not with ‘this lot’, that he realises it was just a silly mistake, that he totally understands where I'm coming from and that I'd already switched them off - but I'm getting a ticket anyway. No matter what.

 

'And if you own up to it, then write your name and address HERE and send a cheque or PO for £30, if you want to contest it fill in HERE and I'll see you in court' (smug grin).

 

£30 for 300 yards. Do we need any more proof that they are just out making easy money? Maybe they should have been having words with the people revving their cars until they were close to exploding, or the idiots who were cutting me up, or maybe even get out on the roads where every corsa and saxo was trying to race me and undertaking?

 

Hope it's worth thirty quid to them for me to lose all respect and faith I had in the police force. I’m sure there are some good guys out there and I know we have a couple on this forum, but seriously, morons like this are destroying any good work you do.

 

Rant over ;)

I have a great respect for the police but there is some that would push the letter of the law to far when it comes to easy picking and the ones that might make things a bit diffecult they turn a blind eye to, unlucky you were followed by one of these dick heads who think they know it all and they dont know how to act with discretion, but not all bad so dont let this put you of them

Totally agree that some coppers are complete T***S

 

but at the end of the day you had your fogs on and were caught, enough said

Totally agree that some coppers are complete T***S

 

but at the end of the day you had your fogs on and were caught, enough said

 

Totally agree mate - my own stupid fault and I said so to the guy. What really wound me up is how he was so smarmy and condescending despite agreeing that it was silly mistake that I had rectified before he even stopped me. A bit of professionalism, even if he was going to be hard nosed and by the book wouldn't have gone amiss...

I have a great respect for the police but there is some that would push the letter of the law to far when it comes to easy picking and the ones that might make things a bit diffecult they turn a blind eye to, unlucky you were followed by one of these dick heads who think they know it all and they dont know how to act with discretion, but not all bad so dont let this put you of them

 

Absolutely - I've met some great guys that went into the force to make a positive difference. It's just a shame that it's like a lot of other things (irresponsible bikers for example) - the few giving a bad name to the many. But it really is hard not to tar them all with the same brush when this sort of thing happens :(

The lesson is - admit nothing! Should have denied it and told him you'd see him in court!! Unless he had a camera running he'd really struggle... in fact I'm sure you'd have had maybe 100 witnesses from the cruise who would testify you didn't have your fogs on!!

 

You not slightly tempted to go to court??

The lesson is - admit nothing! Should have denied it and told him you'd see him in court!! Unless he had a camera running he'd really struggle... in fact I'm sure you'd have had maybe 100 witnesses from the cruise who would testify you didn't have your fogs on!!

 

You not slightly tempted to go to court??

 

Lol actually I really am tempted, but is it going to be worth it at the end of the day for thirty quid? I thought afterwards that I shouldn't have admitted to it, but I thought, be honest with the guy, he'll see that it was an honest mistake that caused no danger and if you're reasonable with him, he'll be reasonable with you. Fat chance. :rolleyes:

Lol actually I really am tempted, but is it going to be worth it at the end of the day for thirty quid? I thought afterwards that I shouldn't have admitted to it, but I thought, be honest with the guy, he'll see that it was an honest mistake that caused no danger and if you're reasonable with him, he'll be reasonable with you. Fat chance. :rolleyes:

 

That question works both ways - CPS/ Police have to justify their expenses too!

Just not worth taking to court for £30 when there's no points going on your license.

You'll end up paying costs of at least £50, an increased fine and that new "victims support donation" or whatever it is of about £20 or something for poor victims of crime that you had nothing to do with.

Basically at least £100 down the drain plus a day off work to sit around until they adjurn it cos they ran out of time and you have to book a further day off which happened to me LOL

No court is ever going to take your word against a copper over something like driving with fog lights on.

It's your word against someone who has (in their eyes) sworn to do his duty.

If the cops were going to fix you up over something they could make it a lot worse for you than a £30 fine.

Just not worth taking to court for £30 when there's no points going on your license.

You'll end up paying costs of at least £50, an increased fine and that new "victims support donation" or whatever it is of about £20 or something for poor victims of crime that you had nothing to do with.

Basically at least £100 down the drain plus a day off work to sit around until they adjurn it cos they ran out of time and you have to book a further day off which happened to me LOL

No court is ever going to take your word against a copper over something like driving with fog lights on.

It's your word against someone who has (in their eyes) sworn to do his duty.

If the cops were going to fix you up over something they could make it a lot worse for you than a £30 fine.

 

Yeah, that was my reasoning. I'm an IT contractor so I'd lose a day's pay too, so for the sake of £30 I reckon I'm just going to have to pay it. At the end of the day, I know it was my fault, it's just so bloody petty! A simple 'OK, you've been stupid, don't do it again' would have been enough. Makes me want to be just as petty in return and cause em thirty quid's worth of hassle! Think I'll go chuck eggs at the police station now ;)

You could always write to the local Chief Constable and complain that you are disgusted at such a petty waste of public money on such a triviel matter, when they were obviously trying to justify the time spent in the area due to the cruise in the first place!!!!

(Or something along those lines)

You never know ;)

Milton Keynes and Kempston are horrid for cars as all the cops stop anything that looks fast!!! Thats why Kempston Retail Park was shut on Sundays as soon as SHops shut to stop cruises and then every1 hit MK and all the cops used to sit on the A roads to MK with Speed guns and have a field day!!!

 

Happened to me in MK too! although i literally just pulled into the car park, Parked up and i was given a warning for attending an unofficial and illegal Cruise!!

 

Didnt help when she asked what my car was and she said is it a Honda and i smirked XD

You could always write to the local Chief Constable and complain that you are disgusted at such a petty waste of public money on such a triviel matter, when they were obviously trying to justify the time spent in the area due to the cruise in the first place!!!!

(Or something along those lines)

You never know ;)

 

You know what, that might be a damn good idea! Thought about sending something with the payment but I reckon writing to the Chief Constable would be a good idea. More than likely wouldn't make a jot of difference, but might make me feel better ;)

Milton Keynes and Kempston are horrid for cars as all the cops stop anything that looks fast!!! Thats why Kempston Retail Park was shut on Sundays as soon as SHops shut to stop cruises and then every1 hit MK and all the cops used to sit on the A roads to MK with Speed guns and have a field day!!!

 

Happened to me in MK too! although i literally just pulled into the car park, Parked up and i was given a warning for attending an unofficial and illegal Cruise!!

 

Didnt help when she asked what my car was and she said is it a Honda and i smirked XD

 

LOL yeah - that'd have gone down well ;)

 

There were plenty of speed traps about that night, but made sure I was legal at all times - that's why I'm so pi$$ed off at myself for being stupid with the fogs!

 

Seriously though - you just pulled in and got a warning? I reckon I attend unofficial cruises everytime I get my shopping from Asda then!

Milton Keynes and Kempston are horrid for cars as all the cops stop anything that looks fast!!! Thats why Kempston Retail Park was shut on Sundays as soon as SHops shut to stop cruises and then every1 hit MK and all the cops used to sit on the A roads to MK with Speed guns and have a field day!!!

 

Happened to me in MK too! although i literally just pulled into the car park, Parked up and i was given a warning for attending an unofficial and illegal Cruise!!

 

Didnt help when she asked what my car was and she said is it a Honda and i smirked XD

 

LMFAO honda

its not worth all the agro. i would just pay up and forget about it. i would pay in cash. and change up £30 into 1p peices and watch them count it.

its not worth all the agro. i would just pay up and forget about it. i would pay in cash. and change up £30 into 1p peices and watch them count it.

 

good idea and they cant do anything about it lol

I didn't know it was an offence this??!. Couldn't you argue that you thought it was foggy?.