SV650.org - SV650 & Gladius 650 Forum - View Single Post

Red Herring · 17-02-10, 06:34 AM

That's a fairly open question, it would depend on the purpose of the road check. Sticking with this thread it would seem you just have to be riding a bike, but if we accept they can't stop all the bikes then clearly riding around 100m behind a group of 10 other bikes is going to improve your chances of them being to busy when you get there.... but perhaps more seriously they would prioritize those that fit their perception of "most likely to need my advice". This is likely to include those riding quickly, wearing loud gear, having sports bikes or generally looking like they are out having fun. Contrary to common belief they don't need a reason to stop you, but they do need a reason to detain you, so going back to my earlier thread should you find yourself in a queue waiting to be "processed" you are well within your rights to ask why you can't ride off. They need to have a reasonable suspicion, then and there, that you are committing an offence to keep you waiting, they can't just line you up for a fishing expedition. Like I said, be polite but direct. If you say "Do you suspect I have committed an offence"? and the copper replies "no" they can't detain you. If they say "yes" simply ask "what is that suspicion based on"? Most coppers at this point will stall, (unless of course he can't hear you over your unbaffled Racefit). Their only option at that point is to either ask your details so they can check your documents, or to let you continue. If they do anything else they are on thin ice.

I'm not trying to tee you all up to be rebellious bikers, but it is important that the police do things properly. Sometimes they do get carried away with well intentioned enthusiasm and the odd reminder now and then does them no harm. Most coppers you meet in these road checks will be perfectly reasonable people (there's always the odd idiot) and provided you don't come across as Mr. Angry you're very unlikely to get a hard time. Oh and for the real enthusiastics amongst us if the police are stopping you based on the type of vehicle you are driving/riding, or because you fit a certain description that becomes a PACE road check, which opens up another whole can of worms for them......

17-02-10, 06:34 AM	#46
Red Herring Member Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,708	Re: Coming soon to a roadside near you. That's a fairly open question, it would depend on the purpose of the road check. Sticking with this thread it would seem you just have to be riding a bike, but if we accept they can't stop all the bikes then clearly riding around 100m behind a group of 10 other bikes is going to improve your chances of them being to busy when you get there.... but perhaps more seriously they would prioritize those that fit their perception of "most likely to need my advice". This is likely to include those riding quickly, wearing loud gear, having sports bikes or generally looking like they are out having fun. Contrary to common belief they don't need a reason to stop you, but they do need a reason to detain you, so going back to my earlier thread should you find yourself in a queue waiting to be "processed" you are well within your rights to ask why you can't ride off. They need to have a reasonable suspicion, then and there, that you are committing an offence to keep you waiting, they can't just line you up for a fishing expedition. Like I said, be polite but direct. If you say "Do you suspect I have committed an offence"? and the copper replies "no" they can't detain you. If they say "yes" simply ask "what is that suspicion based on"? Most coppers at this point will stall, (unless of course he can't hear you over your unbaffled Racefit). Their only option at that point is to either ask your details so they can check your documents, or to let you continue. If they do anything else they are on thin ice. I'm not trying to tee you all up to be rebellious bikers, but it is important that the police do things properly. Sometimes they do get carried away with well intentioned enthusiasm and the odd reminder now and then does them no harm. Most coppers you meet in these road checks will be perfectly reasonable people (there's always the odd idiot) and provided you don't come across as Mr. Angry you're very unlikely to get a hard time. Oh and for the real enthusiastics amongst us if the police are stopping you based on the type of vehicle you are driving/riding, or because you fit a certain description that becomes a PACE road check, which opens up another whole can of worms for them...... Last edited by Red Herring; 17-02-10 at 06:37 AM.