Watching the "Police, Camera, Action" type TV programs I notice that drivers, upon being stopped by a police car, are often invited to leave their own vehicle and sit in the back of the police car whilst their details are being checked.
I think everyone is aware of the extreme danger of motorway hard shoulders and if this happened to me on the motorway, would I be within my rights to refuse to leave the safety of my vehicle unless I am supplied with a Hi-viz jacket?
Particularly if the police driver who stopped me was already wearing one because he acknowledged the danger he was in.
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I don't know whether you have legal right for a hi-viz jacket, but I do know (from Pepipoo forum) that you can definitely ask for a copy of Police & Criminal Evidence Act book.
Plods are legally bound to supply you this! If they don't have it, they need to get it from another patrol car.
Also, if you have any passenger, you can take him/her with out in plod's car for being a witness (again from Pepipoo).
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I can see your point, but as they are alongside you at all times from your car to theirs I can't really see what you would gain - if other car drivers can see him then they are aware of whats going on, especially as the police cars' lights are also on! I would tend to think that they would think that you were "trying it on!"
Surely you are not saying that you do not carry one for your own use in an emergency, though?!
Pound shop has them for... a pound... btw!
Edited by b308 on 31/03/2008 at 10:13
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simple solution is dont do anything worthy of getting yourself pulled over that way no need for a hi-viz vest in the first place.
as for the P.A.C.E handbook they are not legally obliged to give it to you there and then just as soon as is practably possible after it is requested they are however within their rights to verbal convey the contents of the P.A.C.E legislation in lieu of you recieving a copy back at the nick
Edited by welshlad on 31/03/2008 at 11:13
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If you are really worried about the safety of walking back along the motorway, shielded by a police car with its lights flashing, then surely you ought to follow the standard advice and move onto the verge well clear of the carriageway? I thought we kept being told not to sit in a stationary vehicle on the hard shoulder?
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would I be within my rights to refuse to leave the safety of my vehicle unless I am supplied with a Hi-viz jacket?
I think the flashing blue lights on top of the police car will attract other drivers attention a lot more readily than 1 extra hi-viz jacket at the scene.
Better to be compliant rather than antagonistic in those sort of situations, IMHO.
;o)
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Probably the most dangerous place to be on a motorway is sitting in the back of a car with flashing lights on - they draw "target attraction" crashes like moths to a flame.
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You get the book only if you're arrested and are at a Police Station. You don;t have to comply
with the request to go into the Police vehicle unless you're being arrested/detained. You can ask for someone to go with you and may be a good idea. Hi Viz request is a good one.
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You could always drive off and be a star in "Police camera action" and cite "not supplied with a hi-viz vest" as your defence. ;0)
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I strongly advise you to avoid any such shenanigans. I have twice been pulled over for speeding, once when I was 21 and once last year at 27. Both times I was appologetic and respectful, and both times they let me off. The second time I was driving at a seriously disqualifiable speed and I got 3 points rather than a summons due to the way I behaved when the guy talked to me. I think about it like this - what type of person do I help more at work - polite or rude?
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There's an old saying 'behaviour breeds behaviour'. I'd take the advice of the post above. Being deliberately obstructive (which is how I would see this), isn't conducive to leniency.
If you insist in sitting in your car, be prepared to hand over your keys, because I wouldn't want you driving off while I'm on my radio.
Edited by midlifecrisis on 31/03/2008 at 20:54
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You obviously understand the reason for wearing them so, as b308 says, why not have your own.
You know it makes sense.
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if the police driver who stopped me was already wearing one because he acknowledged the danger he was in.
Why not ask for stab-proof vests too?
Hang on, too late. Harriet Harman got to wear one just the other day when going walkabout in London with her local Police.
Edited by jbif on 02/04/2008 at 14:12
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