Odd Unmarked Car

smarty

I was driving on the M50 yesterday when I heard a police siren coming from behind. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a flashing blue light on the dashboard of a car.

What surprised me about this was the fact that it was a Ford Fusion! It doesnt look like a typical garda car. The passenger was wearing an Ireland football jersey. Were these guys undercover guards, or guys chancing their arm to fly down the M50???

Kimbot

Hmmmm.... sounds like chancers!!!

cargrouch

Do firemen on-call have blue lights so they can get to the station quicker?

Eoin

cargrouch wrote:

Do firemen on-call have blue lights so they can get to the station quicker?

The full time guys aren't allowed any concessions in their private vehicles, don't know if the same applies to the voluntary ones.

Pataman

Next time check to see if it has a Dublin reg and no insurance disc.

Aodh

I saw a dark blue Focus parked just off Stephens Green last night, it had what looked like LED bicycle lights on it. Two in rear window, two on dashboard, two stuck to the front bumper below the grill and another two on the front wings over each wheel.
No sign of any Guards or extra aerials though.

hottstuff

Don't take it for granted.
Ive been pulled by many a weird car.
As said check for the D reg and no tax , with insurance disc up top.

Turner

Its the other way round, tax but no insurance disc.

jayok

Well if it's anything I saw a 02-D Ford Galaxy TDI (of all things) with a blue light on the dash tear up O'Connell St, Dublin a few days ago. Don't see why they wouldn't have a Fusion.

As for chancers wouldn't fancy getting caught for doing that (impersonating a Garda)

exactiv

a lot of the unmarked cars with blue lights aren't garda cars at all. a mate of mine is in the coast guard / sea rescue, they're allowed to have blue flashing lights and sirens on their private cars for use only when paged for an emergency.

delly

exactiv wrote:

a lot of the unmarked cars with blue lights aren't garda cars at all. a mate of mine is in the coast guard / sea rescue, they're allowed to have blue flashing lights and sirens on their private cars for use only when paged for an emergency.

Coast guard members can have blue lights???? Well I do have a lot of spare time....

Seriously though, there are a lot of non Garda reasons someone could have a blue light, but on another note the rozzers have copped on a little in terms of getting non obvious unmarked cop cars, so I wouldn't be too surprised if it was.

As well as checking for tax and the Dublin reg, if i'm coming up behind a car on the motorway i'll check for a dealer sticker on the rear window or a dealer cover around the rear plate, both of which won't be on a cop car.

Dilbert75

These days there's no such thing as a "typical" unmarked garda car. You could get caught by just about anything - I heard recently about someone being pulled by an old 4wd that he thought was being used by a farmer to check livestock.

Eoin

Chief--- wrote:

Its the other way round, tax but no insurance disc.

I thought government vehicles don't need a tax disc?

smarty

The Ford Fusion also had a siren. Are other people, such as coast guards, allowed to use a siren?

Tipsy Mac

I am 99% sure that it's only state owned vehicles and not even privately owned Garda vehicles that can use blue flashing lights/siren. I would not stop under any circumstances besides being rammed or stingered by any car other than one with no insurance disc and blue lights.

Henry Ford III

eoin_s wrote:

I thought government vehicles don't need a tax disc?

Incorrect. They do.

Pataman

Every motor vehicle(electric, diesel, petrol etc) must pay road tax. Government vehicles arent required to have a insurance disc because they self insure, same as Dublin Bus.

Eoin

Henry Ford III wrote:

Incorrect. They do.

You sure? From the oasis.gov.ie site

It's important to be aware however, that not all vehicles require motor tax. The following vehicles are exempt:

* State-owned vehicles
* Diplomatic vehicles
...

heliguy

A few years ago the garda had 20 year old renault 5 ball of rust that a ban Garda drove around town waiting to have her handbag snatched.
You would be very surprised what the Gard's drive around in, although unless your a drug dealer I wouldn't worry about these cars there not after you. Just get out of their way, they don't blow cover without a good reason.


Animal rescue can also legally use blue lights (blue marked vans)

tabatha

i think its wrong that the garda can drive and pull over people in these cars. as a woman i dont think i would pull over if i was driving late and night and one of these cars came up behind me with lights flashing. how am i to know if its the garda or chancers? wonder what would happen there?

smarty

tabatha wrote:

i think its wrong that the garda can drive and pull over people in these cars. as a woman i dont think i would pull over if i was driving late and night and one of these cars came up behind me with lights flashing. how am i to know if its the garda or chancers? wonder what would happen there?

You could take the registration number and dial 999. They will tell you immediately if it is a legitimate guarda car.

babybundy

Pataman wrote:

Next time check to see if it has a Dublin reg and no insurance disc.

i've seen unmarked garda cars with all 3 discs up as well i've been told they are using c reg in cork

DublinWriter

eoin_s wrote:

You sure?

They are required to display a tax disc. The tax amount shown on the disc is marked as 'nil'.

DublinWriter

heliguy wrote:

A few years ago the garda had 20 year old renault 5 ball of rust that a ban Garda drove around town waiting to have her handbag snatched.

I really doubt that. Unlike the states, police here and in the UK can't use 'entrapment' as a technique to catch crims.

babybundy

DublinWriter wrote:

I really doubt that. Unlike the states, police here and in the UK can't use 'entrapment' as a technique to catch crims.

its not entrapment its eh waiting good evidence , red handed

_Kaiser_

tabatha wrote:

i think its wrong that the garda can drive and pull over people in these cars. as a woman i dont think i would pull over if i was driving late and night and one of these cars came up behind me with lights flashing. how am i to know if its the garda or chancers? wonder what would happen there?

Someone else brought this up lately.. its a good point.

Answer: ring 999 and say you're being flagged down by a car and get them to verify it's legit.

_Kaiser_

DublinWriter wrote:

I really doubt that. Unlike the states, police here and in the UK can't use 'entrapment' as a technique to catch crims.

Well if reports on another thread lately about these new unmarked cars tailgating to "encourage/pressure" you to speed are to be believed then that's exactly what they're at.

I've said it before.. it's getting to the point where you need a front/rear camera on cars to (possibly) defend yourself against the muppetry on our roads.

delly

heliguy wrote:

Animal rescue can also legally use blue lights (blue marked vans)

They have red lights afaik

Kimbot

smarty wrote:

You could take the registration number and dial 999. They will tell you immediately if it is a legitimate guarda car.

And get done for being on the phone while your at it!

taby_dub

Quote:
Originally Posted by tabatha
i think its wrong that the garda can drive and pull over people in these cars. as a woman i dont think i would pull over if i was driving late and night and one of these cars came up behind me with lights flashing. how am i to know if its the garda or chancers? wonder what would happen there?

Quote: Someone else brought this up lately.. its a good point.

Answer: ring 999 and say you're being flagged down by a car and get them to verify it's legit.

999 is an emergancy number!!!!! Also its against the law to use a mobile phone while driving.....

Store the number of your local station and if this happens ring them (on your handsfree) and they will give you the local station number.

Ive had this happen to me. Im a young female driving a 2.5 bmw convertable Driving from rathfarnham to d6 at 4am a car was following me for bout 10 mins flashing blue lights, 2 guys unmarked no way i was pulling over rang my local station d6 and they done a call out to the cars to find out who it was... It was a good 5mins b4 they found out it was a car from rathfarnham.

Its better to be safe than have your car nicked. But dont be ringing 999 its not a life threating situation

_Kaiser_

taby_dub wrote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by tabatha
i think its wrong that the garda can drive and pull over people in these cars. as a woman i dont think i would pull over if i was driving late and night and one of these cars came up behind me with lights flashing. how am i to know if its the garda or chancers? wonder what would happen there?

Quote: Someone else brought this up lately.. its a good point.

Answer: ring 999 and say you're being flagged down by a car and get them to verify it's legit.

999 is an emergancy number!!!!! Also its against the law to use a mobile phone while driving.....

Store the number of your local station and if this happens ring them (on your handsfree) and they will give you the local station number.

Ive had this happen to me. Im a young female driving a 2.5 bmw convertable Driving from rathfarnham to d6 at 4am a car was following me for bout 10 mins flashing blue lights, 2 guys unmarked no way i was pulling over rang my local station d6 and they done a call out to the cars to find out who it was... It was a good 5mins b4 they found out it was a car from rathfarnham.

Its better to be safe than have your car nicked. But dont be ringing 999 its not a life threating situation

If I was a young woman (I'm not ) driving along late at night and had an unmarked car with 2 guys in it tailing me, waving me down the last thing I'd be worried about is going through my mobile wondering what Garda station to ring or getting done for using a mobile - which isn't illegal just yet btw.

Big Balls

taby_dub wrote:

Quote:
Ive had this happen to me. Im a young female driving a 2.5 bmw convertable Driving from rathfarnham to d6 at 4am a car was following me for bout 10 mins flashing blue lights, 2 guys unmarked no way i was pulling over rang my local station d6 and they done a call out to the cars to find out who it was... It was a good 5mins b4 they found out it was a car from rathfarnham.

I'd say the guard ate the bejaysus out of you when they finally got you to pull over.

_Kaiser_

Big Balls wrote:

I'd say the guard ate the bejaysus out of you when they finally got you to pull over.

I'd be sure to get his name, number and station and report him in the morning to his superintendent. The girl did the right thing. She's young, alone and in a high powered BMW. Perfect target for some of the scum out there

Big Balls

Well I drove away from what I thought were to55ers in an Audi A6 well into triple figures on the M50 and I nearly got a court appearance over it.

Turned out they were to55ers in an Audi A6 but they were also coppers.

I drive a car which would be a target for thieves also so I do appreciate what the girl is saying but I think 10 mins of flashing blue lights behind you is taking the mick.

DubNside

Tell tale signs that its an unmarked Garda car:
1. Extra aerial(s) on the roof.
2. No Surrounds on licence plates or dealer stickers on rear..
3. Usually dirty and look like there in bad nick, e.g no hub cap covers.
4. Small blue led's in the front grill.
5. Siren - As any muppit can buy a blue flashing light, but not a siren.
6. Watch to see if the passenger is using a hand-held radio.

If you are stopped keep your doors locked and ask for I.d.

WizZard

DubNside wrote:

2. No Surrounds on licence plates or dealer stickers on rear..

I'm afraid this little myth is being cottoned onto by the Gardaí. A few unmarked cards have dealers surrounds, although I've yet to see dealer stickers (but then again I pull these off my own car too).

cargrouch

DubNside wrote:

Tell tale signs that its an unmarked Garda car:
1. Extra aerial(s) on the roof.
2. No Surrounds on licence plates or dealer stickers on rear..
3. Usually dirty and look like there in bad nick, e.g no hub cap covers.
4. Small blue led's in the front grill.
5. Siren - As any muppit can buy a blue flashing light, but not a siren.
6. Watch to see if the passenger is using a hand-held radio.

If you are stopped keep your doors locked and ask for I.d.

A guard I know quoted me much the same list but added "carrying two fellas with big thick heads on 'em":D

Tipsy Mac

WizZard wrote:

I'm afraid this little myth is being cottoned onto by the Gardaí. A few unmarked cards have dealers surrounds, although I've yet to see dealer stickers (but then again I pull these off my own car too).

They are not allowed have any garage details on them as this would be state vehicles providing free advertisements for them.

gstonesmx5

they have also been known to use jap imports.
it is a red toyota camery late 90's. how unlikley
is that. their used to be an early 90's late 80's
omega in a right state they used for hiding behind
when doing speed checks on the side of roads.
some of the unmarked isuzu troopers have tinted
windows and some are also chipped.
it might not be safe to speed but its quite likley
you well be caught with the better unmarked fleet
out there.

fightin irish

DubNside wrote:

2. No Surrounds on licence plates or dealer stickers on rear..
.

As someone mentioned this one has changed now. We are regulary asked to fit number plate surrounds to un marked garda cars when they are in for work....If i remember correctly this is only in the last year or so....

Gilgamesh

I guess the model of the car isn't relevant for the undercover vehicles.

They pobably do the same as in London, if a high powered car is seized and not picked up or claimed for within a specific timespan (don't know how long though) the Police are allowed to put the car into their service.

was in london recently and was amazed to see a '05 Subaru Impreza WRX with police decalls running around

Big Balls

Gilgamesh wrote:

I guess the model of the car isn't relevant for the undercover vehicles.

They pobably do the same as in London, if a high powered car is seized and not picked up or claimed for within a specific timespan (don't know how long though) the Police are allowed to put the car into their service.

was in london recently and was amazed to see a '05 Subaru Impreza WRX with police decalls running around

Coppers in the UK have been using Scoobies for years.

babybundy

DubNside wrote:

Tell tale signs that its an unmarked Garda car:
1. Extra aerial(s) on the roof.
2. No Surrounds on licence plates or dealer stickers on rear..
3. Usually dirty and look like there in bad nick, e.g no hub cap covers.
4. Small blue led's in the front grill.
5. Siren - As any muppit can buy a blue flashing light, but not a siren.
6. Watch to see if the passenger is using a hand-held radio.

If you are stopped keep your doors locked and ask for I.d.

and keep your engine runing ,wheels pointing out slightly and handbrake down if they say anything just say simplily and confidently say i.d. first they cant complain but dont forget to put your handbrake on once you've verified who they are