Pulled by Aberdeen traffic police
Discussion
I got pulled by Aberdeen's finest last night for still having US plates on my car. The car's legally taxed and registered in the UK but I've not got round to changing the plates yet (had it booked in to get that done today!). But rather than just telling me to get them done (which, as I said, I was about to do today anyway), they charged me with 'fraudulent use of number plates'! Tossers! To me that implies that I'm trying to stealthily hide from the law on fake plates for criminal intentions. How inconspicuous am I likely to be in a white Dodge Viper that sounds like a NASCAR in Aberdeen with US plates? I can't imagine that the PF will go ahead with this nonsense. In which case, what a waste of public time and money... It's good to know that our roads are being policed by such sensible and reasonable characters!
Why are they tossers? If they are traffic police, then as far as I'm aware it's their job to enforce traffic law.
How long has your car been taxed and registered in the UK, and how difficult is it to get a set of plates made up and put on the car?
In fact, if you and your car are so conpicuous, why don't you just drive around with no plates at all. Then if the police need to contact you, rather than spend 30 seconds putting the reg no into the computer, they can spend all day trapesing round Aberdeen trying to find out who you are and where you live.
This way, the police avoid wasting public time and money doing what they're suppost to be doing, and are able instead to carry out unecessary and time consuming enquiries.
How long has your car been taxed and registered in the UK, and how difficult is it to get a set of plates made up and put on the car?
In fact, if you and your car are so conpicuous, why don't you just drive around with no plates at all. Then if the police need to contact you, rather than spend 30 seconds putting the reg no into the computer, they can spend all day trapesing round Aberdeen trying to find out who you are and where you live.
This way, the police avoid wasting public time and money doing what they're suppost to be doing, and are able instead to carry out unecessary and time consuming enquiries.
Edited by M5Dave on Monday 9th April 13:29
Edited by M5Dave on Monday 9th April 13:31
M5dave,
You're missing the point. I accept that they have every right to pull me over. But charging me with 'Fraudulent use of a number plate' is what makes them tossers. That's such an inappropriate charge given the circumstances. And they even admitted that the PF would probably not take it any further. A waste of public time and money as I said in my initial post. And, after relating my story, a very high ranking police officer in the Northern Constabulary agreed with my assessment of the situation. So it's official, Aberdeen traffic cops = tossers!
The point I was making, was that the laws relating to the display of no plates are there to make vehicles easily identifiable, and to assist the authorities in tracing the drivers of vehicles involved in unlawful activity easily and quickly.
Having a distinctive vehicle does not mean we can just display any number we choose, on the assuption that the police will eventually work out who we are.
Having said that, I don't think the charge is correct for the circumstances, I would have thought simply "failing to display a registration mark" would have been more appropriate.
However by running the car on American plates that's the risk you take, and to describe the police as tossers for prosecuting you, whether you agree with the charge or not, sets a slightly arrogant tone.
Having a distinctive vehicle does not mean we can just display any number we choose, on the assuption that the police will eventually work out who we are.
Having said that, I don't think the charge is correct for the circumstances, I would have thought simply "failing to display a registration mark" would have been more appropriate.
However by running the car on American plates that's the risk you take, and to describe the police as tossers for prosecuting you, whether you agree with the charge or not, sets a slightly arrogant tone.
a7see said:
That's pigs for you mate. Rather than catching real criminals, they just trying to take a piss by patrolling the streets and annoying general motorist with the most minute problems.
That's too true - you've obviously spent some time researching the topic objectively and spoken to or observed a variety of police officers to asertain whether they are 'trying to take a piss', you should post this on the 'plod' forum, you'd get more laughs although they'd only be 'minute' ones I'd imagine.
On second thoughts - did you just read this in The Sun or somewhere similar? At least it's an advantage being able to read before going to school, just need to brush up on the grammar and punctuation. And spelling (sic).
I think the thing that annoys me about them the most is their aggressive, arrogant and self-rightous attitude when they stop you. There's just no need for that and I'm sure they do it to see if they can ghet a rise out of folk. There's no reason why they can't just be civil and polite. I've been pulled over by cops in the US before and they are ultra-polite and it makes you less antagonistic when they're just doing their job. The police last night were initially trying to tell me they were going to impound my car until I showed them it was taxed and fully registered and that I had UK number plates in the boot that I was going to get fitted today. They were visibly pissed off (one actually said he was disappointed I had my documents!) when they realised the car had been legally registered and they couldn't get it towed away. And then, after they've charged you they're trying to be like your best mates! The whole affair was not conducted very professionally really.
ViperScot - how long has your car been running around on US plates? To have the vehicle registered in this country and taxed does not happen overnight so you have had plenty of time to get correct plates. Whether you are charged with no plates or fraudulent display is not relevant, the fact is you were in a vehicle that could not be traced to you. Handy for all those speed cameras in the Aberdeen area I should imagine.
Stop whining and accept the fine for a perfectly competent charge.
Al - I would have expected better from you - had a bad day?
Edited by not applicable on Monday 9th April 20:21
Holy crap!! For a minuite I thought I had stumbled into the P&P section by mistake lol.
Not so good about the plates Viperscot. It can be a bugger trying to get ones to fit due to being an import. I have only just sorted getting the correct size for the rear of mine. As I don't care for the letters on two lines. I thought it was a slap on wrists and £30 fine for plates these days?
Not so good about the plates Viperscot. It can be a bugger trying to get ones to fit due to being an import. I have only just sorted getting the correct size for the rear of mine. As I don't care for the letters on two lines. I thought it was a slap on wrists and £30 fine for plates these days?
Again the point has been missed! I'm not disputing that they had good reason to pull me over (I admit to being a bit lazy in getting the plates changed), it's what they charged me with. I would have totally accepted a charge relating to incorrect number plates but to be accused of fraud (implying I've kept the US plates on for devious purposes) is slightly insulting. And I can put my hand on my heart and say that no speed cameras ANYWHERE have caught my car speeding - I hadn't kept the US plates on for that reason! IWhat I've been charged with will never get past the PF and it's just a waste of everyone's time and money. We need to realise that it's our money these guys are wasting! No wonder Council Tax is so high in Aberdeen...
Completely off the point, but I did see and definatly hear a white viper roll down Union st. last evening, niiiccceee..... You should have tried the 'Fancy a go on the passenger seat' one....
Got done before because my front plate had fallen off, but was told that was the second time he had seen me with out one (didn't bother get fix it either). I would have thought a VRN was more in order certainly.
Got done before because my front plate had fallen off, but was told that was the second time he had seen me with out one (didn't bother get fix it either). I would have thought a VRN was more in order certainly.
hi Hamish, i saw you yesterday evening drive along the beachfront, i was out for a bite to eat and just parked my TVR which i thought was loud, nope - your car is king of loudness! very impressive indeed sir!
i'd say the cops were just jelous and looking for somebody to piss off.
was away offshore with your pal mr John F last week, good laugh!
i'd say the cops were just jelous and looking for somebody to piss off.
was away offshore with your pal mr John F last week, good laugh!
In the Aberdeen area it is common to see cars displaying foreign plates - with the number of oilfield families in town it's an international community. Whether they are legal or not at any given time is a moot point and one which the police presumably have a duty to ascertain.
However the police are public servants and could do with remembering it when they are doing the ascertaining. Especially in the current climate of the motorist feeling he is the object of persecution from all angles, including by the police through speed scameras, police officers should remember that they need all the friends they can get. Attitudes beget attitude, and it sounds like a bit of civility would have gone a long way in keeping public support rather than losing it. Maybe the police need some PR common sense.
J
However the police are public servants and could do with remembering it when they are doing the ascertaining. Especially in the current climate of the motorist feeling he is the object of persecution from all angles, including by the police through speed scameras, police officers should remember that they need all the friends they can get. Attitudes beget attitude, and it sounds like a bit of civility would have gone a long way in keeping public support rather than losing it. Maybe the police need some PR common sense.
J
Hollowpockets - didn't know you knew John F. He could (and probably has!) told you some interesting stories from our murky past! He is indeed a good lad. And yes, the Viper is LOUD, especially on full throttle. The noise may have been what alerted the plod to the car in the first place. They did concede (after going through the legal formalities) that the car did sound good, to which I replied 'It's legal, it passed an MOT!' Wasn't sure if they were angling for another charge!
John W - I totally concur - excellent post!
John W - I totally concur - excellent post!
Edited by ViperScot on Monday 9th April 21:38
not applicable said:
Al - I would have expected better from you - had a bad day?
Edited by not applicable on Monday 9th April 20:21
A bad day plus some bad experience from the ABZ bobbies over the years. My apologies. But do agree with Viperscot regarding some of their attitudes. Maybe just my luck to have always bumped into the ones with intimidating and sacarstic attitude, and honestly, it wasn't nice or funny at all regarding some of those sacarstic remarks they made when I was sitting at the back seat of a cop car and hence my comment this morning. Once again, my apologies for being harsh this morning.
Edited by a7see on Monday 9th April 23:32
Sounds like you were being a bit of a jerk.
When I took my Ultima to its SVA I had no plates. I was dreading being pulled over and having to spend half the morning explaining that I had the only known legal excuse for not having number plates on my car (and the insurance and VOSA confirmation to prove it!). Once I'd got my SVA I drove in my boring regular car to get it registered and then off round to Halfords to get plates made up and didn't drive it until I'd fitted them. It wasn't hard and didn't take very long.
I think that the police had every right to haul you over and to be rightly pissed off when they discover that your swinging the lead. It really takes the piss out of law abiding people who do take the effort to do the right thing. As others point out the police have better things to be doing but they can hardly be expected to ignore someone who is blatantly ignoring the law.
When I took my Ultima to its SVA I had no plates. I was dreading being pulled over and having to spend half the morning explaining that I had the only known legal excuse for not having number plates on my car (and the insurance and VOSA confirmation to prove it!). Once I'd got my SVA I drove in my boring regular car to get it registered and then off round to Halfords to get plates made up and didn't drive it until I'd fitted them. It wasn't hard and didn't take very long.
I think that the police had every right to haul you over and to be rightly pissed off when they discover that your swinging the lead. It really takes the piss out of law abiding people who do take the effort to do the right thing. As others point out the police have better things to be doing but they can hardly be expected to ignore someone who is blatantly ignoring the law.
Sorry mate but I saw your Viper parked up on the Beachfront on Sunday. Actually reversed back to check out the plate. Had a good laugh about it, as in how can he get away with that one in Aberdeen?
Then 2 minutes later. the dreaded "vehicle check" on the Boulevard. No problem for me, but I did think, "there's going to be one very harassed Viper owner if he comes up this way".
Sorry, but maybe you've just pushed the reg. no. a bit much for Grampians finest.
Then 2 minutes later. the dreaded "vehicle check" on the Boulevard. No problem for me, but I did think, "there's going to be one very harassed Viper owner if he comes up this way".
Sorry, but maybe you've just pushed the reg. no. a bit much for Grampians finest.
I was gestured to wind down my window by a vehicularly challenged Police Officer (he was on foot patrol) while I was stationary at the traffic lights in my Diablo.
This happened in Inverness a few weeks a go. As I lowered the window, the Officer commented in an extremely patronising tone:
"Driving a car like that round here Son is only asking for trouble".
"Does your head reach the top of your helmet officer?" I replied.
As he ran towards my car, the traffic lights turned green.
I didn't hear what he said next as I drove off (in a sensible fashion of course and observing the highway code).
There is just no pleasing some people. Maybe my new illegally spaced registration number 'F11 CKU' nerked him.
This happened in Inverness a few weeks a go. As I lowered the window, the Officer commented in an extremely patronising tone:
"Driving a car like that round here Son is only asking for trouble".
"Does your head reach the top of your helmet officer?" I replied.
As he ran towards my car, the traffic lights turned green.
I didn't hear what he said next as I drove off (in a sensible fashion of course and observing the highway code).
There is just no pleasing some people. Maybe my new illegally spaced registration number 'F11 CKU' nerked him.
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