Garda Checkpoints

pandamoanium

I just came across another poster here query regarding driving unaccompanied, without L Plates etc.. and well after a quick brush with the law tonight I just wanted to remind you all - stick with the rules, it's not worth it if you get caught!

I was out for a meal with my parents this evening and I decided to get in a wee bit of practice before my lesson tomorrow, so afterwards I drove us home.

Now the drive home was only about 8 miles away, however most of it was through the city and through one or two toughie roundabouts.

Now, I was in the car with my two parents and with my Mother beside me repeatedly reminding me to take it slow and steady (To say she's of a nervous disposition would be an understatement to say the least...) I thought I was going along grand, albeit it a bit slow, but I guess I stuck out like a sore thumb..

Just after the last roundabout big blaring blue lights behind started flashing on and off, then the sirens came on full blast.. Whoopsie, time to pull over and take the flak..

A nice young guard comes strolling over and asked me where I was going, when I replied I was having a driving lesson with my parents and that I ws on the way home. Luckily enough I wasn't too far from home at this stage.

I was a bit in shock wondering why he had pulled me over so I asked him what I had done wrong, luckily I don't think I did anything too bad - he said he was concerned that we were going slow and thought we were lost (We have a Kerry car!) and ws coming over to see if we needed directions to anywhere.

Anyways, he turned out to be lovely and said he had been following me for a while back admiring my driving, saying that I was going "nice and steady" but he thought we were lost and looking for somewhere..

Ok, so in my case he turned out to be lovely, but had I not had an accompanied driver with me / L Plates displayed / Learners Permit on me then I fear it could have been quite the different outcome this evening..

This was an unmarked car too guys, so just remember, they are out there, they are watching and can pull you over at anytime for anything, so don't take a chance, it's not worth it.

I knew I had done nothing wrong, but I'll tell ya my heart skipped a beat when I saw the lights flashing and the siren go on!

Random

Hold on, you're a learner driver who got pulled over by the Garda and have nothing but praise for them? And you're saying they were only pulling you over to over you help because they thought you were lost?

That's bizzare. Nice to see the garda are out and about though

pandamoanium

Lol, yes bizarre as it sounds, true!

I got a bit flustered when I was signalled to pull over wondering what the hell I had done - trust me I wouldn't be driving on busy roads at night time if I didn't think I was competent of doing so yet, and I knew I had been signalling, hadn't cut anyone off, crossed into a lane or anything like that..

He said that he was from Kerry and on seeing our KY reg car thought we were from there too, and he noticed I had been driving a bit slow and thought perhaps we were a bit lost - y'know how it is, looking out for a road name etc..

Anyways, he couldn't have been nicer at all, praised me for a my driving, told me I was doing great and to keep it up etc..

But as I said, had I not had a qualified full licence holder with me, wasn't displaying L Plates, didn't have the relevant licence etc.. on me.. well it could have been a different story altogether!

So just remember y'all, you can get stopped at anytime for any reason!

jhegarty

Random wrote: »

And you're saying they were only pulling you over to over you help because they thought you were lost?

Seems a bit strange to me. Perhaps she was having a chat to see if the driver had any drink on board. (not that there is anything wrong is she was).

Op, don't forget the making good progress section on the test. You must have been going very very slowly to look lost.

owenmakken

jhegarty wrote: »

Perhaps she was having a chat to see if the driver had any drink on board. (not that there is anything wrong is she was).

Thank you, nothing wrong with a glass of wine with dinner or pint whatever, totally against lowering the limit aswell - drink doesnt cause accidents - idiots do.

jhegarty

owenmakken wrote: »

Thank you, nothing wrong with a glass of wine with dinner or pint whatever, totally against lowering the limit aswell - drink doesnt cause accidents - idiots do.

I think you will find drink does causes accidents.

pandamoanium

My first thoughts were too that they thought I had been drinking and was therefore being *too* cautious and going slow so as not slip up, however the Garda came over to the passengers window, so it was mainly her he was talking to, he didn't come over to my (drivers side) of the car.

If they thought I had one too many on me would they not have come to my side to make sure? I'm sure they would have been able to suss it out just through talking to me from the passengers side anyhow..

Re: speed - funnily enough I was actually doing the speed limit on the road concerned (30mph) however, it is a good straight road, so most people do go a lot faster than the speed limit permits..

So whilst I was probably going a bit slower than a lot cars normally would on that particular stretch of road, I was still actually doing the speed limit.

Anyways, he was dead sound, it was good to see them out and about on the prowl in relative anonymity!

Hooch

owenmakken wrote: »

drink doesnt cause accidents - idiots do.

Very very irresponsible comment:rolleyes:

Clare Bear

And where does the actual "Garda Checkpoint" come in to it? That wasn't a Garda Checkpoint.

timmywex

I can spot unmarked garda cars out from a mile off!

You get used to it when theyre constnalty in your estate and your constantly getting lifts home from town off them

I reckion its all about where you drive and what routes you drive when your unaccompanied! Who you know helps aswell:D

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Beau x1

A girl in my year got fined €1000 for driving unaccompanied, no kidding. It does happen.