Police stoped me for driving to close to car in front at RUSHHOUR

barrybevel

I got stopped by the police at 5;15pm today coming down from the M1 into town, at Whitehall just before you turn onto Griffith Avenue.

Guard said he was stopping me for dangerous driving - driving too close to car infront. It's crazy! Really. I couldn't believe it. I'm not joking he took all my details. My insurance details, everything.

This is DANGEROUS DRIVING not penalty points. He said he was not a traffic cop. I asked him when he was leaving if I was going to court and he said normally no but with my attitude I might be.

I have an English Licence which he got details from, he also has my friends address when I live now in Dublin and my home address in Connaught which is on my insurance certificate.

If this goes ahead, I guess I will receive a summons to court...I have no respect for the police anymore.

Am I screwed?

DublinDilbert

barrybevel wrote: »

I got stopped by the police at 5;15pm today coming down from the M1 into town, at Whitehall just before you turn onto Griffith Avenue.

Guard said he was stopping me for dangerous driving - driving too close to car infront. It's crazy! Really. I couldn't believe it. I'm not joking he took all my details. My insurance details, everything.

This is DANGEROUS DRIVING not penalty points. He said he was not a traffic cop. I asked him when he was leaving if I was going to court and he said normally no but with my attitude I might be.

I have an English Licence which he got details from, he also has my friends address when I live now in Dublin and my home address in Connaught which is on my insurance certificate.

If this goes ahead, I guess I will receive a summons to court...I have no respect for the police anymore.

Am I screwed?

To be honest are you sure your telling us the full story? It sounds strange...

Random

How close were you to the car in front ?

barrybevel

random wrote: »

How close were you to the car in front ?

Pretty close - I was in no danger of hitting him - but closer than I should have been.

Random

How fast were you going at the time?

barrybevel

Can I loose my licence for this? It's English so I can't.
What will happen if it goes to court? I could be banned from driving or get a fine.
I can't imagine I will get banned for driving to close to the car in front at that speed!

kmart6

barrybevel wrote: »

closer than I should have been.

And yet your giving out about it:rolleyes:

barrybevel

I don't know how fast - and they dont know either.
I was coming down to Whitehall at rushhour so not that fast. It was pretty busy.
They weren't complaing about the guy in front going fast just that if he stopped I would hit him.

biko

I condone this. Tailgating pisses me off big time, even if it was rush hour.
Btw, I guess this is one of those "you had to be there" moments?

barrybevel

kmart6 wrote: »

And yet your giving out about it:rolleyes:

You have never driven too close to the car in front at Rush Hour?

kmart6

biko wrote: »

I condone this. Tailgating pisses me off big time, even if it was rush hour.
Btw, I guess this is one of those "you had to be there" moments?

+1

Random

So you (admit) were travelling too close behind someone and the Guards pulled you for it. Grand so.

I don't know how you would lose respect in the police. They're out doing their job.

kmart6

barrybevel wrote: »

You have never driven too close to the car in front at Rush Hour?

Your giving out about the Gardai giving out to you about it...yet you admit you were too close...so what is your point here?!

Random

We probably all have and the truth is if we all got stopped for it we'd think twice before doing it again. This would mean less people crashing into the back of each other.

kmart6

random wrote: »

We probably all have and the truth is if we all got stopped for it we'd think twice before doing it again. This would mean less people crashing into the back of each other.

True,but I think a lot of accidents where someone run's into the back of another car when the traffic is barely moving is due to not concentrating,looking away etc....!

Random

kmart6 wrote: »

True,but I think a lot of accidents where someone run's into the back of another car when the traffic is barely moving is due to not concentrating,looking away etc....!

And with a greater distance between cars there would be a better chance of breaking in time, even with a lapse in concentration.

barrybevel

Drumcondra road at 5:30 everyone is dring close to each other!

peasant

Just because everybody drives on everybody elses bumper during rush hour doesn't mean that it is ok or safe to do so.

barrybevel

>>Just because everybody drives on everybody elses bumper during rush hour doesn't mean that it is ok or safe to do so.

I agree.

But has anyone else been pulled for this?

Do you think they will go ahead with this?

BostonB

Now I have had experience of Cops being unfair myself but, as you say yourself,

barrybevel wrote: »

Pretty close - I was in no danger of hitting him - but closer than I should have been.

barrybevel wrote: »

...They weren't complaing about the guy in front going fast just that if he stopped I would hit him.

You seem to admit that you were too close. What is too close if not dangerous?

barrybevel

BostonB wrote: »

Now I have had experience of Cops being unfair myself but, as you say yourself,

You seem to admit that you were too close. What is too close if not dangerous?

I guess if he hit the breaks I would hit him.

But I bet the car behind me would hit me too!

kmart6

Very good point. There should be more chevrons on Irish roads!

barrybevel

The guard said it was dangerous driving. I looked up the penalty points and there IS one for tailgating:

"Failure to leave appropriate distance between you and the vehicle in front"
2 points €80

If that's all that happens I won't mind but if he bring me to court for dangerous driving like he said then it's bull****.

vectra

What car were you driving ?
What was the car in front of you ?

colly10

You won't get brought to court so forget about it, worst case scenario is that you'll get points. You do get the odd prick but overall the vast majority are fairly sound.
He didn't seem to like your attitude and thats why he mentioned a court appearance. Id say they hear excuses all day and that has to wreck their heads. I'll admit i've gotten away with the odd thing here and there when I should have been done because I appologised and didn't try to justify what I was doing. If your being smart and making excuses for yourself they'll screw ye.

vectra wrote: »

What car were you driving ?

If it was a Glanza, civic or something similar thats probably the reason you were pulled over

Gumbo

i hate to sound smart but i wish the garda would pull more people for this offence.

also on another note, if you living in Dublin but your insurance is in connactht (spelling) then technically, is your car insured?

you know the usual clause that the car must be at the insured address for atleast 3 days of the week.

vectra

kceire wrote: »

also on another note, if you living in Dublin but your insurance is in connactht (spelling) then technically, is your car insured?

you know the usual clause that the car must be at the insured address for atleast 3 days of the week.

Never heard of that before..
Are you sure ?

My insurance gives me cover to drive out foreign for a month or something along those lines.
But according to you I would have to go home every couple of days to stay covered

BostonB

kceire wrote: »

i hate to sound smart but i wish the garda would pull more people for this offence.

also on another note, if you living in Dublin but your insurance is in connactht (spelling) then technically, is your car insured?

you know the usual clause that the car must be at the insured address for atleast 3 days of the week.

That would make going away for a weeks holiday a bit hard no?

cabrwab

I think what it means is that if you give an address you must reside there with your car, at least 3 days a week, the month away from home driving foriegn is allowed, not living in dublin but having an address in galway or mayo or someplace with cheaper insurance costs.

The OP says he is staying at a friends place. He is alright anyway, english licence, can't do nothing YET!

barrybevel

colly10 wrote: »

You won't get brought to court so forget about it, worst case scenario is that you'll get points. You do get the odd prick but overall the vast majority are fairly sound.
He didn't seem to like your attitude and thats why he mentioned a court appearance. Id say they hear excuses all day and that has to wreck their heads. I'll admit i've gotten away with the odd thing here and there when I should have been done because I appologised and didn't try to justify what I was doing. If your being smart and making excuses for yourself they'll screw ye.
If it was a Glanza, civic or something similar thats probably the reason you were pulled over

Sound, as long as I don't go to court I don't mind getting the points.

Was driving a BMW 318 saloon.

barrybevel

cabrwab wrote: »

I think what it means is that if you give an address you must reside there with your car, at least 3 days a week, the month away from home driving foriegn is allowed, not living in dublin but having an address in galway or mayo or someplace with cheaper insurance costs.

The OP says he is staying at a friends place. He is alright anyway, english licence, can't do nothing YET!

I told the guard I'm staying at a friends house which I am and I told him I'm from Connaught so he didn't care about the insurance.

I got 2 points before delivered to my Dublin address (I have English Licence).
When getting insured I told them about the points. I dont want them to use it as an excuse not to cover me if anything happens.

dumbyearbook

barrybevel wrote: »

I told the guard I'm staying at a friends house which I am and I told him I'm from Connaught so he didn't care about the insurance.

I got 2 points before delivered to my Dublin address (I have English Licence).
When getting insured I told them about the points. I dont want them to use it as an excuse not to cover me if anything happens.

FYI to say you're "from Connaught" basically says you're not......:D

Spook_ie

barrybevel wrote: »

Sound, as long as I don't go to court I don't mind getting the points.

Was driving a BMW 318 saloon.

Take the car away and burn it before having you ( and all other BMW drivers ) hung, drawn and quartered....;)

kluivert

If you cant see the tarmac in front of you then you are driving too close to the car in front.

By driving too close to the car in front at any time or at any speed you are increasing the risk of an accident.

ambro25

If you cant see the tarmac in front of you then you are driving too close to the car in front.

Bit more complicated/involved than that, but sound all the same. +1

cabrwab wrote: »

The OP says he is staying at a friends place. He is alright anyway, english licence, can't do nothing YET!

IE offense, UK License =
_ maybe points "put in the register in abbeyance" (for when they establish reciprocity, if ever... been on the books for donkeys' years),
_ definitely the fine,
_ Court unlikely (unless rightfully aggrieved... or being a pr1ck)

TBH, anyone driving in Dublin for any length of time > 1 month should know that, come 24th/25th of each month or thereabouts, you drive scrupulously to the Rules & Regs, because the Smurfs are out to make up their numbers and will do you for even letting a sneaky one out at the lights :pac:

Jack Bauer999

ambro25 wrote: »

Bit more complicated/involved than that, but sound all the same. +1



IE offense, UK License =
_ maybe points "put in the register in abbeyance" (for when they establish reciprocity, if ever... been on the books for donkeys' years),
_ definitely the fine,
_ Court unlikely (unless rightfully aggrieved... or being a pr1ck)

TBH, anyone driving in Dublin for any length of time > 1 month should know that, come 24th/25th of each month or thereabouts, you drive scrupulously to the Rules & Regs, because the Smurfs are out to make up their numbers and will do you for even letting a sneaky one out at the lights :pac:

In defence of the OP,
I dont know where everyone is living but where I am in Dublin every evening going home at 5.30 it’s a necessity to tailgail the car in front simply because if you don’t and leave more than a metre of space then half of dublin and their mothers that are skipping the queues will make sure that space is filled pronto!

Ciaran500

ambro25 wrote: »

TBH, anyone driving in Dublin for any length of time > 1 month should know that, come 24th/25th of each month or thereabouts, you drive scrupulously to the Rules & Regs, because the Smurfs are out to make up their numbers and will do you for even letting a sneaky one out at the lights :pac:

Always see this but I've yet to hear one even slightly reliable source. I seriously doubt guards are given targets for the amount of fines they hand out.

Degsy

kluivert wrote: »

If you cant see the tarmac in front of you then you are driving too close to the car in front.

By driving too close to the car in front at any time or at any speed you are increasing the risk of an accident.

And remember,if you run into the back of another car its ALWAYS your fault.It means you're travelling too close or travelling too fast.

is_that_so

Jack Bauer999 wrote: »

In defence of the OP,
I dont know where everyone is living but where I am in Dublin every evening going home at 5.30 it’s a necessity to tailgail the car in front simply because if you don’t and leave more than a metre of space then half of dublin and their mothers that are skipping the queues will make sure that space is filled pronto!

Disagree completely and having been rear-ended twice I feel little sympathy for the OP. Apart from the very slow < 10mph in some traffic imo tailgating is absolutely unacceptable. TBH If this is your attitude then maybe you should look at your driving. You are responsible for your own driving and driving with care. Much as I dislike some of the carry-on I stay far enough away from it to make sure I'm not part of the problem. If other road users are half-witted or selfish, as long as you get from A to B without damaging yourself or anyone else that's as much as you can ask.

AndyT

barrybevel wrote: »

Pretty close - I was in no danger of hitting him - but closer than I should have been.

If you are incapable of driving at a safe distance from the car in front (rush hour traffic or not) then you're certainly not capable of making a judgement on how likely you are to 'hit him'.

It's about time the Garda started prosecuting drivers for tailgating.

Jack Bauer999

is_that_so wrote: »

Disagree completely and having been rear-ended twice I feel little sympathy for the OP. Apart from the very slow < 10mph in some traffic imo tailgating is absolutely unacceptable. TBH If this is your attitude then maybe you should look at your driving. You are responsible for your own driving and driving with care. Much as I dislike some of the carry-on I stay far enough away from it to make sure I'm not part of the problem. If other road users are half-witted or selfish, as long as you get from A to B without damaging yourself or anyone else that's as much as you can ask.

Yup that is my attitude and ive no problem with it what so ever,
I've never been involved in an accident thus far or receive any penalty points so don’t believe there anything wrong with my driving,
Obviously im not talking about tailgating while doing 50 mph, which also I believe the OP said he wasn’t moving very fast,

kleefarr

barrybevel wrote: »

I got 2 points before delivered to my Dublin address (I have English Licence).

Which is your permenant address? Connaught or Dublin?

BostonB

Jack Bauer999 wrote: »

In defence of the OP,
I dont know where everyone is living but where I am in Dublin every evening going home at 5.30 it’s a necessity to tailgail the car in front simply because if you don’t and leave more than a metre of space then half of dublin and their mothers that are skipping the queues will make sure that space is filled pronto!

Which is more important keeping your space or safety?

I can understand in a queue keeping tight up to the quy in front if theres someone bullying their way in and skipping queues, but I don't think this is the case here. I hate tail gaters aswell, its a really dangerous habit to develop. But if you bend the rules, you have to expect at some point you'll meet a cop having a bad day, its just Karma. Especially in Ireland where theres little consistency in the enforcement.

ambro25

Ciaran500 wrote: »

Always see this but I've yet to hear one even slightly reliable source. I seriously doubt guards are given targets for the amount of fines they hand out.

I doubt in the extreme you would ever "hear one even slightly reliable source", as you can imagine the scandal this would bring about.

I have been commuting daily in South Dublin for nearly 4 years, now know all of the "ker-ching spots" in/around D6, and have only ever seen Gards in said "ker-ching spots" in the last 7 or so days of any given month. Note that they have not been there every month, but that I have observed them whenever they have been there often enough to give the 'myth' enough credence to continue voicing it. So, my comment's based on real life observation, not interweb-spread conspiracy (and regardless, I don't partake in Boards' anal retentives' fave game of "prove it with a source or retract it", so take it or lump it - like I care! )

barrybevel wrote:

I got 2 points before delivered to my Dublin address (I have English Licence).

I missed that in the thread the first time around - now that's interesting, as I know for a fact that a person with a UK license, who was stopped under the same offence, got the €80 fine but that the points were clearly said (in Garda letter) to be 'noted down and would be enforced whenever UK license exchanged for an Irish license'. The fine was paid and that was the end of that, no Court.

FuzzyWuzzyWazza

ambro25 wrote: »

I doubt in the extreme you would ever "hear one even slightly reliable source", as you can imagine the scandal this would bring about.

I have been commuting daily in South Dublin for nearly 4 years, now know all of the "ker-ching spots" in/around D6, and have only ever seen Gards in said "ker-ching spots" in the last 7 or so days of any given month. Note that they have not been there every month, but that I have observed them whenever they have been there often enough to give the 'myth' enough credence to continue voicing it. So, my comment's based on real life observation, not interweb-spread conspiracy (and regardless, I don't partake in Boards' anal retentives' fave game of "prove it with a source or retract it", so take it or lump it - like I care! )

+1, you can observe this happening in the greater Dublin area almost every month.

ambro25 wrote: »

I missed that in the thread the first time around - now that's interesting, as I know for a fact that a person with a UK license, who was stopped under the same offence, got the €80 fine but that the points were clearly said (in Garda letter) to be 'noted down and would be enforced whenever UK license exchanged for an Irish license'. The fine was paid and that was the end of that, no Court.

cabrwab wrote: »

The OP says he is staying at a friends place. He is alright anyway, english licence, can't do nothing YET!

Yep the points are now stored for when the EU, not just UK and Ireland, link the points systems across europe. They have been working on this in Brussles for the last few years.

Gumbo

Jack Bauer999 wrote: »

In defence of the OP,
I dont know where everyone is living but where I am in Dublin every evening going home at 5.30 it’s a necessity to tailgail the car in front simply because if you don’t and leave more than a metre of space then half of dublin and their mothers that are skipping the queues will make sure that space is filled pronto!

thats ok when your crawling through the city centre but on one of the countries major roads, ie the M1 a motorway with a speed limit of 120kmph in places tailgating is a major offence and if you agree to this then you should be shot, maybe a bit a harsh there but you get my point LOL

bazzachazza

Which is more important keeping your space or safety?

I can understand in a queue keeping tight up to the quy in front if theres someone bullying their way in and skipping queues, but I don't think this is the case here. I hate tail gaters aswell, its a really dangerous habit to develop. But if you bend the rules, you have to expect at some point you'll meet a cop having a bad day, its just Karma. Especially in Ireland where theres little consistency in the enforcement.

+1

Its Karma.

ambro25

FuzzyWuzzyWazza wrote: »

Yep the points are now stored for when the EU, not just UK and Ireland, link the points systems across europe. They have been working on this in Brussles for the last few years.

Well, so long as they wipe 'em clean at the legal interval (is it 2 or 3 years?) even if the system has not yet been implemented by then (e.g. assuming 2 years, 'note 2 points in 2008, delete them in 2010, whilst the EU-wide system is still not in place by 2010')...

But somehow I doubt that's happening :pac:

[wildly O/T]Moreover so long as different EU countries have different types infractions attracting dfifferent amounts of points which can/cannot be challenged (the 'automatic doubling of points if contesting the fine' over here springs to mind... talk about a f*cking banana republic or what!?!), I can't really see this EU-wide system working... in any other way than for still further bashing motorists on the head, with no recourse.[end O/T]

ramanujan

kceire wrote: »

thats ok when your crawling through the city centre but on one of the countries major roads, ie the M1 a motorway with a speed limit of 120kmph in places tailgating is a major offence and if you agree to this then you should be shot, maybe a bit a harsh there but you get my point LOL

the OP said he was beside the turn off for griffith avenue. which means the speed limit was 50km. so big speeds weren't involved. maybe you said something to piss the garda off? like "what are you stopping me for?" etc!!!
2 penalty points would probably be fair since you were by your own ommission driving too close. Garda should have been courtious to you though and made it clear what he was going to do.


Its funny any time a read a motoring offence thread everyone piles in and says "the gardai, they're dead right, down with that sort of thing". But the majority of the time you dont have complete info.

BostonB

From experience theres no such thing as the perfect driver, or cop. We're all human and make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from our mistakes. But the cops need to be fair if people are going to respect them.

The question here is does the punishment fit the crime. We don't know the facts, and weren't there, and can only judge based on the info given. I think 2 points and a fine would be fairer than dangerous driving in this case. I think some offences are automatically "dangerous driving" even if the event itself was not actually dangerous all things considered.

Gumbo

ramanujan wrote: »

the OP said he was beside the turn off for griffith avenue. which means the speed limit was 50km. so big speeds weren't involved. maybe you said something to piss the garda off? like "what are you stopping me for?" etc!!!
2 penalty points would probably be fair since you were by your own ommission driving too close. Garda should have been courtious to you though and made it clear what he was going to do.


Its funny any time a read a motoring offence thread everyone piles in and says "the gardai, they're dead right, down with that sort of thing". But the majority of the time you dont have complete info.

thats fair enough, my mistake!