Ceri JC
21-12-06, 11:37 PM
I'd never had a tug from the police before, but 5 minutes ago I did. Not on the bike, but instead (like my previous speeding) in the car of all things. I was heading along my road (thankfully only 2mph over the limit- it's a road that could be a 40 and there was nothing else about). I saw blue lights in the distance in my mirrors and assuming (because I didn't think I'd been up to anything naughty) it wasn't for me, turned off down a side street to park. Halfway into the gap, they turn into the road and I finish parking (as it'd be a quicker way of letting them past), but they don't go anywhere- just turn off their lights. I look over at them, a bit bemused and see them talking amongst themselves (there are 3 of them). I wind down my window and wait and one gets out the car and comes over. None of the usual formalities, or "Are you aware why we've stopped you sir?", but they dive straight in
"Evening sir, we just wanted to talk to you because of the way you came round the corner."
Me, genuinely perplexed and not even sure which corner they mean, "Sorry, which road do you mean?"
"Back on Ty Newydd"
"At the lights?"
"Yes"
I just looked blank as I had no idea what they were talking about.
"It looked like you were going a bit fast, almost as if you skidded it round."
"No- I mean, I was stopped at the lights- It's not like I came down the hill and swung it round quickly."
"Okay, it just looked a bit quick from our perspective."
"Fair enough, I'm happy to accept your opinion on that."
"Have you been drinking this evening?"
"No, not a drop."
"Are you aware of our drink driving campaign?"
"Yes, I imagine you're spot checking a lot of people this close to Christmas?"
"Yes"
"Well, as I say, I've not been drinking; I'm happy to give you a sample if you like?"
"No, that won't be neccessary, Sir. I can tell you've not been drinking. Thanks for you time, please be careful, the roads can be a bit slippy this time of the year." Then back in the car, a wave and they were off.
That was it, no warning, no paperwork, no real telling off or indeed feeling of "phew, they let me off" afterwards. Thing is, I really wasn't dragging off the lights in anything quick, I was pottering home from a mate's house in my lowly 1.3l Toyota Corolla Estate. It's a pretty old, slow car (120K on the clock) and the whole thing rolls a lot in corners, so is it possible that they misinterpreted the car lolling then straightening up as a skid and recovery? Perhaps it was just an excuse to spot check me for drink driving? Maybe just to give a probationer (there were 3 and she was young) a go at stopping someone? :-k
"Evening sir, we just wanted to talk to you because of the way you came round the corner."
Me, genuinely perplexed and not even sure which corner they mean, "Sorry, which road do you mean?"
"Back on Ty Newydd"
"At the lights?"
"Yes"
I just looked blank as I had no idea what they were talking about.
"It looked like you were going a bit fast, almost as if you skidded it round."
"No- I mean, I was stopped at the lights- It's not like I came down the hill and swung it round quickly."
"Okay, it just looked a bit quick from our perspective."
"Fair enough, I'm happy to accept your opinion on that."
"Have you been drinking this evening?"
"No, not a drop."
"Are you aware of our drink driving campaign?"
"Yes, I imagine you're spot checking a lot of people this close to Christmas?"
"Yes"
"Well, as I say, I've not been drinking; I'm happy to give you a sample if you like?"
"No, that won't be neccessary, Sir. I can tell you've not been drinking. Thanks for you time, please be careful, the roads can be a bit slippy this time of the year." Then back in the car, a wave and they were off.
That was it, no warning, no paperwork, no real telling off or indeed feeling of "phew, they let me off" afterwards. Thing is, I really wasn't dragging off the lights in anything quick, I was pottering home from a mate's house in my lowly 1.3l Toyota Corolla Estate. It's a pretty old, slow car (120K on the clock) and the whole thing rolls a lot in corners, so is it possible that they misinterpreted the car lolling then straightening up as a skid and recovery? Perhaps it was just an excuse to spot check me for drink driving? Maybe just to give a probationer (there were 3 and she was young) a go at stopping someone? :-k