Random checks

[VetteG]

The Polis were out on Glasgow Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh this morning pulling in vehicles and doing random checks on the drivers. So be careful how much you drink of an evening if you are going to be driving in the morning!

G

[Mr Trophy]

They should be doing this all the time and not just for Christmas!

[KENZ]

How many of us can honestly say that they have not got behind the wheel with a hangover the day after a sess.

I just don't risk it these days..

[x200sxy]

I thought random checks were still illegal.

[jshell]

Ye thought wrong, they just have to stop you and then 'say' they think you've been drinking! Gets round all that nasty rules 'n fings.

Edited by jshell on Friday 19th December 14:51

[kennym999]

x200sxy said:

I thought random checks were still illegal.

No, the police for as long as I remember have had the power to stop any vehicle on a road for the purpose of a check. No rules to get around, they are the rules.

[Celt]

kennym999 said:

x200sxy said:

I thought random checks were still illegal.

No, the police for as long as I remember have had the power to stop any vehicle on a road for the purpose of a check. No rules to get around, they are the rules.

Yeah i always thought that to be the case there have been about 3 random stops within the last 2 years in the street right next to mine. Sometimes just targeting vans though.

[x200sxy]

See the last paragraph of this...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7788451.stm

[john185k]

x200sxy said:

See the last paragraph of this...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7788451.stm

Or have been involved in a collision or road traffic offence.

[jshell]

x200sxy said:

See the last paragraph of this...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7788451.stm

But in practicality it's not like that, they can just say they thought they smelt drink on your breath!

[erdnase]

I was pulled over as part of a late night roadside random check last year. My girlfriend was in the passenger seat honking of booze, and I thought "This'll be interesting!".

Pulled in, say hi, etc, and he sticks his head in, asks if I've had anything to drink. I say nope, nothing at all, expecting to have to explain the booze smell is from my gf. He just says fine, thanks, bye, more or less.

[willtvr]

kennym999 said:

x200sxy said:

I thought random checks were still illegal.

No, the police for as long as I remember have had the power to stop any vehicle on a road for the purpose of a check. No rules to get around, they are the rules.

Don't they have to have a reason to stop you, like committing a moving traffic offence or something?

[WZC1]

This was happening again on Queensferry Road, Edinburgh this morning

[Mattymouse33]

At the end of the day, if they catch at least one person, its a good thing

[kennym999]

john185k said:

x200sxy said:

See the last paragraph of this...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7788451.stm

Or have been involved in a collision or road traffic offence.

Original post said power to check drivers. By law you can be stopped at any time for purpose of a check, then if its suspected you are under influence you can be breath tested. There are more to 'checks' than just breath testing.

[Jockstar205]

The Police can stop any vehicle at anytime to check that the driver has proper documentation for that vehicle, eg. insurance, driver's licence and MOT (if one is required).

The rest is just a bonus

[phoenix14]

I was watching Police Interceptors, which is on Channel 5 the other day. I believe during this it was stated with current powers police can't simply stop you if they don't suspect you of something, but what they can do is have a stop in a layby, and pull people in to raise awareness, hand out leaflets etc.

It therefore gives them the opportunity to speak to drivers and hence smell their breath. If they suspect you of drink driving they then can legally breathalise you. They did admit in the programme it's a convenient way around the rules.

[m3coupe]

Wow, a post about the Police doing there job without some muppet come along and whinge about it.

Well done all the posters on this topic for having some sense and maturity.

[VetteG]

m3coupe said:

Wow, a post about the Police doing there job without some muppet come along and whinge about it.

Well done all the posters on this topic for having some sense and maturity.

As far as I can see, you are the only one who has whinged on this thread!

G

[kennym999]

phoenix14 said:

I was watching Police Interceptors, which is on Channel 5 the other day. I believe during this it was stated with current powers police can't simply stop you if they don't suspect you of something, but what they can do is have a stop in a layby, and pull people in to raise awareness, hand out leaflets etc.

It therefore gives them the opportunity to speak to drivers and hence smell their breath. If they suspect you of drink driving they then can legally breathalise you. They did admit in the programme it's a convenient way around the rules.

1st Ive heard. Not in Scotland anyway.