Gardai Stopping you for no reason

Mightyone

Does anyone else have this problem. The last time was at about half 3 in the morning and an unmarked car was tailgating me so I pulled into the margin to let him off next thing I know a siren going off and made stop. Also stopped and told me back tire was faulty took it to a garage the next day nothing was wrong. Does this kinda think happen to many young ppl? I only drive a 1L car so its not like i've a sham car or that.

Creamy Goodness

since getting my license (one month ago) i've been stopped three times.

first question they normally ask me is "Where's my L plates?" followed by "Where's your experience driver?" it's not like i'm breaking the law to warrant a pull over but i love seing the sickened face of a garda when i show them that sheet of paper saying i've sent away for my license.

Devon

"sickened face"?

Cremo wrote:

since getting my license (one month ago) i've been stopped three times.

first question they normally ask me is "Where's my L plates?" followed by "Where's your experience driver?" it's not like i'm breaking the law to warrant a pull over but i love seing the sickened face of a garda when i show them that sheet of paper saying i've sent away for my license.

Creamy Goodness

yeh, they seem to be pulling me over because they think a 19 year old can't pass a driving test. so when i show them my piece of paper they are like taken aback and just say "ohh, it's just a routine pull over", then they check the tax just to make it look legit.

kc66

Cremo wrote:

yeh, they seem to be pulling me over because they think a 19 year old can't pass a driving test. so when i show them my piece of paper they are like taken aback and just say "ohh, it's just a routine pull over", then they check the tax just to make it look legit.

Thats a ridiculous statement. They (all guards) are taken aback that a 19 year old has a full license? Many people I know had passed their test before they were 20. Then the guard has to make excuses so they dont look stupid? Right.

I wonder why you were really stopped 3 times. Iv been driving for many years (since I was 17) and have never been stopped.

ubu

I was 17 when I passed my test, I got stopped by the gards and i cant remember him being that shocked, i dont think its that extraordinary, or at least it shouldnt be, it seems to just be acceptable for people to drive around on provisionals all their lives.

as for the original question, id say at half 3 in the morning the Gards stop alot of the cars they see, theres a high chance of someone drink driving if your out at that time.

Sparky

i have been driving around for the past 3 weeks with just a cover note in the window and a piece of paper stamped by the dealer because i just got the car and i havnt been stopped once to check if everything is ok.

Still waiting on lyods to send over their cert.

Pixel8

i used to get stopped a lot as well in the first few years of driving. They always stop young people for the very fact that they are young and need to be disciplined, i suppose.
But also, you'll be more likely to be stopped a lot more if you have friends that are involved in illegal activities, drugs etc. The guards know who hangs around with who, and if you regularly visit someone who's being watched by them, then you'll be pulled over a lot more...

Mightyone

well I'm 22 and thats what pissing me off. I've been by myself when the shower of b**tards pulled me everytime keep asking em is that your car. One guard on when I handed him my licence which is a full irish licence (pink) asked me what provisional I was on gave me great satasfication in telling him it was a full.
The guards must be getting more stupid problem is there taking on too many hurlers and footballers who have about 2 brain cells but sounds good to have them in the force.

Preset No.3

I have the same problem with the garda in recent times. One night aboout 4am I was coming home and I noticed a car tailing me. I could tell straight away that it was an unmarked car.

Just as I was about to pull into my estate they flashed a blue light at me. I didnt stop, drove at 20kph around the length of my estate, which took about 2 minutes and pulled into my driveway. The garda pulled in after me, jumped out of the car and started hurling abuse at me, saying they signalled me to pull in and I should have done so. At this point I lost the rag with him and clearly said that they could be 2 carjackers with a blue strobe they bought off ebay trying to steal my car! They didnt appreciate that too much! I said there was no way I was stopping my €40,000 bmw for anything less than an official squad car, and if he had a problem with it, you could give me his name and ID number and I would take it up with the local superintendent in the morning.

I pulled in when I felt safe, and the fact that there is a camera facing my driveway would give me further protection. They soon quickly backed off. You see most Garda prey on the fear factor, but if you know you are right, and are not smart about it, they will back off! For the record, I did contact the station in the next few days, but never got a call back! What I was told at a later stage is that if an unmarked car signals a pull in, and you wont pull in, call 999 straight away and report it. They will immediatialy confirm that indeed a car is signalling a pull in. Thats the only back up you really have!

Litcagral

Mightyone wrote:

well I'm 22 and thats what pissing me off. I've been by myself when the shower of b**tards pulled me everytime keep asking em is that your car. One guard on when I handed him my licence which is a full irish licence (pink) asked me what provisional I was on gave me great satasfication in telling him it was a full.
The guards must be getting more stupid problem is there taking on too many hurlers and footballers who have about 2 brain cells but sounds good to have them in the force.

It's good to know that they are out there doing their job. With an attitude like yours, it's no wonder that you are stopped regularly. Just because a Garda asks to see your provisional licence, it dosen't mean that he expects you to have one. He may be merely using it as an oportunity to hear you speak or to assess your reaction. The Gardai will regularly run a radio check on a vehicle before pulling it over. Your car may have been flagged on it.

PS If you are going to call other people 'stupid' it is better to do it with proper grammar and puncuation. Otherwise you will sound like a moron with "about two brain cells".

Archeron

Yep, used to happen all the time. Got my first car (crappy Corolla) when I was 18, and got stopped every second time I was out with my mates. Got the usual, torch light in the face, "is this your car", "where you off to BOY" "whos the boys in the back" and so on. Started to annoy me, but they stopped after a while. Like another poster says, I think they get to know the cars and people they need to watch, so once they're used to seeing you and your car in the area, and they know you're not up to any mischief, they should just leave you be. Just grin and bear it for the time being, they are doing their job. (as annoying as that can be, ah well)

Seth Brundle

If you saw some dangerous driving or your car was stolen or whatever, you would be wondering where the gardai were. Be happy they are out monitoring the roads and you were inconvienenced for a few minutes only - get over it.

_Kaiser_

I don't think people are giving out about the cops actually doing their jobs (for a change! I could tell ye all some stories), I think it's more the unwarranted condescending and downright insulting attitudes some of them have. There are a lot of them out there on power trips and who think a badge lets them insult and patronise the general public :mad:

Henry Ford III

Preset No.3 wrote:

...if an unmarked car signals a pull in, and you wont pull in, call 999 straight away and report it. They will immediatialy confirm that indeed a car is signalling a pull in. Thats the only back up you really have!

On your handsfree mobile phone presumably

Big Nelly

Kaiser2000 wrote:

I don't think people are giving out about the cops actually doing their jobs (for a change! I could tell ye all some stories), I think it's more the unwarranted condescending and downright insulting attitudes some of them have. There are a lot of them out there on power trips and who think a badge lets them insult and patronise the general public :mad:

Usual crap talked about the Garda, I have been on the road since I was 16, over 10 years now, never was I stopped unless at a check point. Since I was born many many years ago have only had a few dealing with the Garda in a justice sence(getting ID and so on I dont count) and everytime they have been very helpful and very nice people.

I also used to work part time as a carpenter in my younger days and my boss had a nice number doing the majority of the work for the local Garda station(not mentioning which station) and they where always really sound and nice people. Also one of friends father is a detective and he is sound

This is just the usual crap that people spout out about the Garda, complaining if they are checking peoples cars then crying if the Garda don't stop people and so on. Afriad to say it but it seems to be more of a problem in Dublin than anywhere else in the country with the general public having this atitude.

goodfella867

He is right though. He isn't saying that they're all idiots with a bad attitude, just that alot of them out there are on a power trip.

Big Nelly

goodfella867 wrote:

He is right though. He isn't saying that they're all idiots with a bad attitude, just that alot of them out there are on a power trip.

Not any that I have met, or anybody that I know, think it is more a problem with the person that is dealing with them than the Garda themselves.

Savman

Big Nelly wrote:

Not any that I have met, or anybody that I know, think it is more a problem with the person that is dealing with them than the Garda themselves.

Just because you've never come across these types doesnt mean they don't exist. Trust me, there are some right power-trippy feckers who love nothing more than giving some random guy a good grilling.

I've been stopped loads of times, for absolutely no logical reasons whatsoever and in 50% of cases the officers were fine, the other 50% were arrogant so and so's.

I can understand stopping cars for speeding or driving erratically but some of 'em just pick out random cars to make it look like they're doing their job that night. Bull.

5500

Its called policing.Its how they gather intelligence,info and generally just suss out who you are ect.

Ive only ever been "pulled" over once and all of my cars would have stuck out like sore thumbs.The gaurd said to me he'd seen the car around alot and just wondered who was driving it,asked how much money id spent on it and then said goodluck!

Big Nelly

Savman wrote:

Just because you've never come across these types doesnt mean they don't exist. Trust me, there are some right power-trippy feckers who love nothing more than giving some random guy a good grilling.

I've been stopped loads of times, for absolutely no logical reasons whatsoever and in 50% of cases the officers were fine, the other 50% were arrogant so and so's.

I can understand stopping cars for speeding or driving erratically but some of 'em just pick out random cars to make it look like they're doing their job that night. Bull.

Yeah Im sure every Garda in the country goes around stopping random cars for no reason what so ever? thats why me and all of my family(large family) have never been stopped except for speeding(brother and father) or at a checkpoint. Seems strange when my family has never had a problem and you seem to get stopped for no "logical" reason? I think if you check there is probably a very good reason why they are stopping you

Oh yeah I do over 20K a year so its not like I am never on the road, spend most of my life on it to be honest

Big Balls

Preset No.3 wrote:

call 999 straight away and report it. They will immediatialy confirm that indeed a car is signalling a pull in.

I'm not really sure what you mean here (how would a 999 operator know a guard had flashed a blue light at you?) and second of all, it's a complete waste of a 999 line.

I had a similar experience with a guard who followed me bumper to bumper for about 2 miles until I left him in a GTI, when he caught up in his Corolla, wearing nothing to suggest he was a copper, driving alone and started to read the riot act, I explained that I left him for dust as I didn't know who he was and why did it take so long for him to want to pull me in ie. the 2 miles previous. He saw my point and off I went.

Preset No.3

Preset No.3 wrote:

I pulled in when I felt safe, and the fact that there is a camera facing my driveway would give me further protection. They soon quickly backed off. You see most Garda prey on the fear factor, but if you know you are right, and are not smart about it, they will back off! For the record, I did contact the station in the next few days, but never got a call back! What I was told at a later stage is that if an unmarked car signals a pull in, and you wont pull in, call 999 straight away and report it. They will immediatialy confirm that indeed a car is signalling a pull in. Thats the only back up you really have!

I believe there was a serial rapist in America who got a blue light for his car and used it to to pull over and rape women.

The police chief ordered that no unmarked cars should be pulling motorists over and told motorists not to stop for unmarked cars.

MarkR

Cremo wrote:

since getting my license (one month ago) i've been stopped three times.

first question they normally ask me is "Where's my L plates?" followed by "Where's your experience driver?" it's not like i'm breaking the law to warrant a pull over but i love seing the sickened face of a garda when i show them that sheet of paper saying i've sent away for my license.

So you think that just because you've posted off your request for a test you're ok? First I heard of that. Checked oasis.gov and can't see any mention of this..

MarkR

Preset No.3 wrote:

I could tell straight away that it was an unmarked car.

From the 1st of april you could receive two points for that.

"Failure to stop when so required by a member of the Garda Siochana - 2 points"

koneko

MarkR wrote:

So you think that just because you've posted off your request for a test you're ok? First I heard of that. Checked oasis.gov and can't see any mention of this..

I think he means he passed his test, photocopied the piece of paper they give you (certificate that you passed), and sent off for his full licence.

Big Balls

MarkR wrote:

So you think that just because you've posted off your request for a test you're ok? First I heard of that. Checked oasis.gov and can't see any mention of this..

Mark I think you'll find your certificate of competency and the pink receipt you have entitles you to drive while waiting for your licence.

Preset No.3

MarkR wrote:

From the 1st of april you could receive two points for that.

"Failure to stop when so required by a member of the Garda Siochana - 2 points"

I would rather take the chance and argue it in court than stop my car, than have someone put a knife to my face and drive off in my pride and joy!

Alun

MarkR wrote:

From the 1st of april you could receive two points for that.

"Failure to stop when so required by a member of the Garda Siochana - 2 points"

Thing is though, how do you verify that the driver of an unmarked car behind you with a blue flashing light is, in fact, a member of the Garda Siochana and not just some nutcase trying to steal your car? Answer: you don't. If it's a guard standing in front of you waving his light sabre / lolipop thing at you, then that's another matter altogether.

JohnCleary

I've been driving for 2 years now. 1.5 of those years is in a non standard car, 'modified' both internally and externally & engine conversion. I was 17 when I started driving, 19 now.

Not once have I been pulled, and i've always been waved on at checkpoints (As I always have valid NCT/Tax/Insurance). I think the reason is because I don't act the muppet in my car, I obey the rules of the road. Because of this i've never been the cause of attention to the Gardai. Oh I also don't have a w4nker 'going nowhere' loud exhaust, although its not the OE system

Roddy23

Lads if you are on your second provisional, and you are stopped with no other experienced driver with you, what happens. I thought I heard before that once you are on your second provisional its okay, but just want to be sure. Cheers!!

Seth Brundle

On a 2nd 'B' provisional our government deem you to be good enough to drive on unsupervised.
See http://oasis.gov.ie/transport/motoring/provisional_driving_licence.html

Big Balls

JohnCleary wrote:

I've been driving for 2 years now. 1.5 of those years is in a non standard car, 'modified' both internally and externally & engine conversion. I was 17 when I started driving, 19 now.

Not once have I been pulled, and i've always been waved on at checkpoints (As I always have valid NCT/Tax/Insurance). I think the reason is because I don't act the muppet in my car, I obey the rules of the road. Because of this i've never been the cause of attention to the Gardai. Oh I also don't have a w4nker 'going nowhere' loud exhaust, although its not the OE system

Different strokes.. I was told by a guard that I must be doing ''very well for myself'' at a tax/insurance checkpoint a few years back. It was none of his business if I can pi55 diamonds and sell it to Arabs to pay for my car.

signs

Big Balls wrote:

Different strokes.. I was told by a guard that I must be doing ''very well for myself'' at a tax/insurance checkpoint a few years back. It was none of his business if I can pi55 diamonds and sell it to Arabs to pay for my car.

I've had a similar experience, but it was more pure envy, than jealousy.

I was in a crash with a double decker bus (they're fault, of course) last year, and when the Garda came, the bus driver started giving it loads to them, saying the usual like he's only young, whats he doing driving that kind of car etc. The guard told him to do one. When the bus driver went after passing his info, the guard had a genuine chat, and basically said he was mad at older drivers putting down young people, I said guard I'm thirty, he said Jesus, I hope when I'm thirty I've a similar lifestyle etc. Dead sound he was, not like some i've met before.

JohnCleary

signs wrote:

I've had a similar experience, but it was more pure envy, than jealousy.

I was in a crash with a double decker bus (they're fault, of course) last year, and when the Garda came, the bus driver started giving it loads to them, saying the usual like he's only young, whats he doing driving that kind of car etc. The guard told him to do one. When the bus driver went after passing his info, the guard had a genuine chat, and basically said he was mad at older drivers putting down young people, I said guard I'm thirty, he said Jesus, I hope when I'm thirty I've a similar lifestyle etc. Dead sound he was, not like some i've met before.

A bus driver considered a 30 year old young?? LOL

Savman

Big Nelly wrote:

I think if you check there is probably a very good reason why they are stopping you

Well then perhaps you might enlighten me as to what that reason is? Because they cops themselves never seemed to know.

"Who are ya"
"Where are ye goin'"
"Is this your car"
"did you just throw cannabis out yer window"

Yep, top drawer policing indeed. :rolleyes:

Mightyone

I don't havea sumped up car. got a mate of mine who is a guard to check how many times my car has been stopped on there system and it was logged once think theres alot of guards on power trips. also respect all the rules of the road esp. those roundabout ones which no one seems to give a sh1t about. No points either. Just wait until the 1st of April and ever young driver in the country will have have about 6 before they know it. :v:

JohnCleary

Mightyone wrote:

I don't havea sumped up car. got a mate of mine who is a guard to check how many times my car has been stopped on there system and it was logged once think theres alot of guards on power trips. also respect all the rules of the road esp. those roundabout ones which no one seems to give a sh1t about. No points either. Just wait until the 1st of April and ever young driver in the country will have have about 6 before they know it. :v:

Must get my Sergant friend to check the catalouge to see if my car has ever been queried

Head The Wall

kbannon wrote:

On a 2nd 'B' provisional our government deem you to be good enough to drive on unsupervised.
See http://oasis.gov.ie/transport/motoring/provisional_driving_licence.html

If you fail your test and then have to apply for a third or fourth provisional license you are back in the situation where you have to have a fully licensed driver in the car with you. Not many people know this but the government reckons that if you fail your test you need to have an experienced driver with you till you can pass the test. Makes some sense

Pixel8

Savman wrote:

Well then perhaps you might enlighten me as to what that reason is? Because they cops themselves never seemed to know.

"Who are ya"
"Where are ye goin'"
"Is this your car"
"did you just throw cannabis out yer window"

Yep, top drawer policing indeed. :rolleyes:

The guards know the answers to most of the questions they ask you. The only reason they ask you is to see if you lie about anything, and if you do, they'll come down on ya like a ton of bricks. Doesnt matter what you've done, if you lie about it, expect to get the full whack. If you're honest with them, they'll treat you as good as they can...

Our man in Havana

There is no obligation on you to stop for an unmarked car. Also a garda that is not in uniform has no power to stop you.

Seth Brundle

Bond-007 wrote:

There is no obligation on you to stop for an unmarked car. Also a garda that is not in uniform has no power to stop you.

have you a source for this?

ambro25

kbannon wrote:

have you a source for this?

Don't think the source matters much, tbh. Looks like a consensus, that once you got yourself a 'nice' set of wheels, short of unloading a 12 bore into the late-at-night-suspiciously-tailgating-car (:D ), you ain't gonna stop for blue lights or what else unless it's a genuine Panda.

I know I wouldn't - Court/Judge/riot act to follow, or otherwise. Done it once in UK and wasn't faulted for it (led them a good 5 miles, at speed - they must have thought I was an escaped convict or something by the end of it :rolleyes:- in my drive ).

Nearly done it once here, around Rathfarnham/Ballyboden, as unmarked red focus came out of nowhere on my ass and two civies in it looked right brutes - but then it was Saturday mid-afternoon, nice clear day with plenty of passign traffic, so I did stop: they proved to be downright mugs, and I can only surmise they were envious/jealous of the car (I was driving the mx-5 top down) and decided to try & ruin my day - I ruined theirs instead

That said, I've also been stopped at checkpoints late at night, and the Garda there have always been absolutely A-OK & very civil, so there ya go.

Seth Brundle

grand - I just don't want me or my significant other to be punished for looking after our own personal safety.
I'll keep driving and tell them that some guy on the internet told me to keep driving.

Big Nelly

Savman wrote:

Well then perhaps you might enlighten me as to what that reason is? Because they cops themselves never seemed to know.

"Who are ya"
"Where are ye goin'"
"Is this your car"
"did you just throw cannabis out yer window"

Yep, top drawer policing indeed. :rolleyes:

Maybe you should ask yourself why are they stopping you all the time, not complain about the Garda because they are doing there job.

You never answered my question. Why do they stop you all the time and I never get stopped? again as I mentioned I don't think its a Garda problem only a problem with the people they are dealing with

elexes

ive never been stoped by the gards for anything out of the ordinary . just a lil chat while they look at my body kit wheels and my tax/ins

they then ask for my lisence . the only one that ever gave me a bit of hassel looked like he was just out of school and had a big chip on his shoulder . i prefer seeing the age 30+ gards around as they never seem to carry the chip with them . ive never had probloms with them ever .

Turner

Bond-007 wrote:

There is no obligation on you to stop for an unmarked car.

Absolute rubbish.

109.—(1) A person driving a vehicle in a public place shall stop the vehicle on being so required by a member of the Garda Síochána.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence.


111.—Where, in exercise of any power or the performance of any duty conferred or imposed by or under this Act, any member of the Garda Síochána makes in a public place a request, requirement or demand of, or gives an instruction to, any person, such person shall not be bound to comply with the request, requirement, demand or instruction unless the member either—

( a ) is in uniform, or

( b ) produces, if requested by such person, an official identification card or such other evidence of his identity as may be prescribed.


Gardai in unmarked cars are either normal unarmed Gardai in uniform or else are armed detectives in plain clothes. On activating blue lights or siren this is a direct sign for you to stop your vehicle.

If you fail to do this you can be prosecuted for failing to stop.

Just to note, Gardai are allowed to use reasonable force to stop a vehicle that is failing to stop.

Big Nelly

Chief--- wrote:

Just to note, Gardai are allowed to use reasonable force to stop a vehicle that is failing to stop.

Yeah this is true, thats why a few years ago when joyriding was alot more commen and Garda where suddenly all driving Izuzu Trooper with huge bullbars on the front of them to run you off the road

I used to drive one of them and I can tell you it would have no problem slamming you off the road, my mum crashed one into a telegraph pole and the pole was in sh*t but the bullbar had only a few marks on it. God knows what you would be like if one hit you

Alun

109.—(1) A person driving a vehicle in a public place shall stop the vehicle on being so required by a member of the Garda Síochána.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence.

111.—Where, in exercise of any power or the performance of any duty conferred or imposed by or under this Act, any member of the Garda Síochána makes in a public place a request, requirement or demand of, or gives an instruction to, any person, such person shall not be bound to comply with the request, requirement, demand or instruction unless the member either—

( a ) is in uniform, or

( b ) produces, if requested by such person, an official identification card or such other evidence of his identity as may be prescribed.

So where does it say that sticking a blue flashing light on top of the car is "evidence of his identity"? Or is he supposed to wave his ID card out of the window at you?

Turner

I suppose that is something you would have to try and convince a judge.

You saw a car behind you with a blue light flashing and sirens blaring and did not know who it was...

Might work i suppose.

Savman

Big Nelly wrote:

You never answered my question. Why do they stop you all the time and I never get stopped?

You never read my last post, obviously. You're asking me to speculate as to WHY the fools stop me, maybe it's cos I'm in a mondeo and they think I'm a special branch buddy of theirs or maybe its because I'm under 30 years of age, shock horror :rolleyes:

You seem to be incinuating that I'm attracting their attention, I really wish you'd open your mind, for just a minute, to the possibility that they are out with nothing to do and have to just pull over cars to make themselves seem busy (or just trying to get lucky that I'm robbing brinks allied warehouses :eek: )