Gardai abuse of the rules of the road

Kiss1037 · 05-09-2011 8:35am #1

I know that the Gardai have leeway re the rules of the road , but i'm geting very pissed off seeing them break the rules of the road, day in , day out

This morning i saw , the gardai pass me in a bus lane definitely at speed , several minutes later , i called into the local petrol station to see same gardai car parked up and the gardai buying coffee, then i saw a garda cycle through a red light.

I think we should start a post with a list of there discrepencies , so that we may hold them accountable like the rest of us to the rules of the road.

BTW i have no issue with them if they are on urgent business.

seamus · 05-09-2011 8:40am

I would rather the Gardai were able to move about freely and cover more ground, regardless of whether there's a current emergency, than pay them to sit in traffic all day.

Big Nasty · 05-09-2011 8:42am

This more suited to motors or roads?

Only going to turn in to a gardai bashing thread here.

chin_grin · 05-09-2011 8:42am

seamus wrote: »

I would rather the Gardai were able to move about freely, regardless of whether there's a current emergency, than have them sit in traffic.

Saw one in a car yapping away on her mobile while driving. Eejit.

hatrickpatrick · 05-09-2011 8:49am

MCMLXXV wrote: »

This more suited to motors or roads?

Only going to turn in to a gardai bashing thread here.

*facepalm*

For the LAST time. Demanding that our police force be held to the same standards and the same laws as ordinary citizens is NOT "police bashing", it's called democracy. No one is above the law, be they enforcer or legislator.

Big Nasty · 05-09-2011 8:53am

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

*facepalm*

For the LAST time. Demanding that our police force be held to the same standards and the same laws as ordinary citizens is NOT "police bashing", it's called democracy. No one is above the law, be they enforcer or legislator.

I'm not disagreeing with you - I'm just telling you the way this thread is going to go on AH. It's hardly the first one of its type here - you should know that by now yourself.

si_guru · 05-09-2011 8:54am

chin_grin wrote: »

Saw one in a car yapping away on her mobile while driving. Eejit.

IIRC the donut munchers are exempt from that law.

..didn't ye know they have driving super-powers? Anyway, why does any one think Gardai are some kind of benchmark for behaviour. It's no exactly brain surgery being a Gard.

Lollipops23 · 05-09-2011 8:55am

I saw a Garda texting while driving last week, outside Lanigan's on the Quays.

hatrickpatrick · 05-09-2011 8:55am

MCMLXXV wrote: »

I'm not disagreeing with you - I'm just telling you the way this thread is going to go on AH. It's hardly the first one of its type here - you should know that by now yourself.

I do, and I have never seen "garda bashing" threads here, only threads demanding that Gards follow the law and complaining that they get away with it when they don't.

To qualify as "bashing", the complaints have to be unreasonable, and they're usually not in the slightest.

TheZohanS · 05-09-2011 8:59am

Another garda bashing thread...awe bless.

Gardai have to take advance driving courses to drive garda vehicles, they're a damn sight better drivers than most that will post on this thread.

But anyway, rabble, rabble, 2 points for speeding and I'm bitter, rabble rabble, gardai are shìt, rabble, rabble let me drag my knuckles...

hatrickpatrick · 05-09-2011 9:01am

TheZohan wrote: »

Another garda bashing thread...awe bless.

Gardai have to take advance driving courses to drive garda vehicles, they're a damn sight better drivers than most that will post on this thread.

But anyway, rabble, rabble, 2 points for speeding and I'm bitter, rabble rabble, gardai are shìt, rabble, rabble let me drag my knuckles...

Why should I get two points for speeding and not a Gard, if they're not doing so out of necessity but to get to the feckin' shops quicker?

Big Nasty · 05-09-2011 9:01am

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

I do, and I have never seen "garda bashing" threads here

You've never seen a gardai bashing thread on AH!?! :eek:

LOL!

seamus · 05-09-2011 9:02am

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

For the LAST time. Demanding that our police force be held to the same standards and the same laws as ordinary citizens is NOT "police bashing", it's called democracy. No one is above the law, be they enforcer or legislator.

For proper enforcement, it stands to reason that the enforcers should be exempt from a number of laws while on duty in order to maximise their effectiveness.

If an ordinary citizen were to forcibly detain someone in order to execute an arrest, they could be charged with assault. Would you require that a Garda be subject to the same law?

A Garda who is off duty should absolutely be held to the same standard as everyone else, perhaps even more rigidly so.

Lurching · 05-09-2011 9:07am

TheZohan wrote: »

Another garda bashing thread...awe bless.

Gardai have to take advance driving courses to drive garda vehicles, they're a damn sight better drivers than most that will post on this thread.

But anyway, rabble, rabble, 2 points for speeding and I'm bitter, rabble rabble, gardai are shìt, rabble, rabble let me drag my knuckles...

If this is the case, why are these driving courses not available to members of the public to reduce the number of road deaths?

Eitherway, this is a cop-out (pardon the pun). It doesn't matter how good a driver a Gard is, using bus lanes and talking on a phone etc is illegal.

Lustrum · 05-09-2011 9:08am

From the Road Traffic Act 1961...

(2) Part VI of this Act shall not apply to—

(a) a vehicle owned by the State or a person using such vehicle in the course of his employment,

(b) a vehicle under seizure by a person in the service of the State in the course of his duty or a person using such vehicle in the course of his employment, or

(c) a member of the Garda Síochána or an officer of any Minister using a vehicle for the purpose of a test, removal or disposition of the vehicle pursuant to this Act or any regulation thereunder.

I suppose if it pisses you off that much you could always apply and join them!

TheZohanS · 05-09-2011 9:09am

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

Why should I get two points for speeding and not a Gard, if they're not doing so out of necessity but to get to the feckin' shops quicker?

Why should a garda get assaulted practically daily when dealing with asswipes in his job and not you?

Life is unfair.

tayto lover · 05-09-2011 9:10am

chin_grin wrote: »

Saw one in a car yapping away on her mobile while driving. Eejit.

I believe they are exempt this law.

Bosco boy · 05-09-2011 9:11am

si_guru wrote: »

chin_grin wrote: »

Saw one in a car yapping away on her mobile while driving. Eejit.

IIRC the donut munchers are exempt from that law.

..didn't ye know they have driving super-powers? Anyway, why does any one think Gardai are some kind of benchmark for behaviour. It's no exactly brain surgery being a Gard.

I've a feeling your no brain surgeon yourself!

Snakeblood · 05-09-2011 9:11am

seamus wrote: »

For proper enforcement, it stands to reason that the enforcers should be exempt from a number of laws while on duty in order to maximise their effectiveness.

If an ordinary citizen were to forcibly detain someone in order to execute an arrest, they could be charged with assault. Would you require that a Garda be subject to the same law?

A Garda who is off duty should absolutely be held to the same standard as everyone else, perhaps even more rigidly so.

Yeah, but in order to be exempt from a particular law, the gardai should be exempted explicitly from that law. It shouldn't be just open to interpretation. As far as I'm aware, Gardai aren't allowed go down the bus lane to get to the shops, unless someone is robbing those shops.

TheZohanS · 05-09-2011 9:12am

Lurching wrote: »

If this is the case, why are these driving courses not available to members of the public to reduce the number of road deaths?

Eitherway, this is a cop-out (pardon the pun). It doesn't matter how good a driver a Gard is, using bus lanes and talking on a phone etc is illegal.

These courses are available to the general public, google "advanced driving courses".

Mr. Incognito · 05-09-2011 9:12am

TheZohan wrote: »

Gardai have to take advance driving courses to drive garda vehicles, they're a damn sight better drivers than most that will post on this thread.

Pretty sure there are a fair chunk of them driving under super's letters and it doesn't matter if you are the Dukes of Hazard if you are texting or on the phone or distracted.

Cop's flout the law all the time. In every country in the world- with power comes abuse. Simples.

Bannasidhe · 05-09-2011 9:13am

TheZohan wrote: »

Another garda bashing thread...awe bless.

Gardai have to take advance driving courses to drive garda vehicles, they're a damn sight better drivers than most that will post on this thread.

But anyway, rabble, rabble, 2 points for speeding and I'm bitter, rabble rabble, gardai are shìt, rabble, rabble let me drag my knuckles...

I have no penalty points. I have taken (and passed) advanced driving courses in the UK and Australia. I have worked at Templemore as a training consultant. Yes, I believe the emergency services need to be allowed flexibility when responding to calls. However, I object when I see (as I did last week) a guard sitting in her car in traffic (she was in the lane next to me for a good 10 minutes) chatting and then texting on her mobile and then pull someone over 5 minutes later for doing the same thing. The guard was using a mobile phone while driving - this is against the law. She was not responding to a call-out. Indeed, after she issued a penalty notice to the driver she stopped, the same guard had time to pop into Tesco for milk.

It smacks of one law for us/another law for them - haven't we had enough of that sh*ite in Ireland?

tayto lover · 05-09-2011 9:15am

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

I do, and I have never seen "garda bashing" threads here, only threads demanding that Gards follow the law and complaining that they get away with it when they don't.

To qualify as "bashing", the complaints have to be unreasonable, and they're usually not in the slightest.

Could you point out a post where you have actually defended the Gardai ?
I think you are a bit of a basher yourself.

splashthecash · 05-09-2011 9:17am

I past by a gardai car parked on a double line just in front of a T junction bend - saw him coming out of a shop with a sausage roll and coffee...just pised me off. If I was to have gone up to him, I'd probably be accused of "being smart or cheeky"

ShiresV2 · 05-09-2011 9:18am

TheZohan wrote: »

Gardai have to take advance driving courses to drive garda vehicles, they're a damn sight better drivers than most that will post on this thread.

I wish that were true but look here, in 2006 when we were flush with the cash:

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that, the number of gardaí who are driving Garda cars generally and have chief superintendent’s permission [is] 2013

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the number of gardaí appointed to the Traffic Corps in the past 12 months who are driving on chief superintendent’s permission [is] 17

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2006/02/09/00116.asp

It's depressing that we're not affording these guys proper training when the same set of organisations are constantly on at the average user about about road safety.

TheZohan wrote: »

Another garda bashing thread...awe bless

I don't get the begrudgers. If the cops can get somewhere quicker because they can exceed the speed limit or use a bus lane, even if it's just to buy more doughnuts, then fair play to them. I wish I could do that, I can't, but why begrudge them.

chin_grin · 05-09-2011 9:20am

tayto lover wrote: »

I believe they are exempt this law.

Who Guards the Gardaí! Somebody please think of the children. Rabble rabble, etc.

Although that is shocking to me. Didn't know that! Why can't they put bluetooth sets in their vehicles then?

rounding tattenham Corner · 05-09-2011 9:24am

The gardai for their own safety should follow the rules of the road. Since the average IQ of a garda is much lower than the average person, so they need to put all their limited intelligence into concentrating on the road.

si_guru · 05-09-2011 9:28am

Bosco boy wrote: »

I've a feeling your no brain surgeon yourself!

You are quite correct I am not a brain surgeon.

hardCopy · 05-09-2011 9:29am

TheZohan wrote: »

Another garda bashing thread...awe bless.

Gardai have to take advance driving courses to drive garda vehicles, they're a damn sight better drivers than most that will post on this thread.

But anyway, rabble, rabble, 2 points for speeding and I'm bitter, rabble rabble, gardai are shìt, rabble, rabble let me drag my knuckles...

Actually, a massive number of gardai don't get to do the course because there is a long back log. All they need to drive a car is a full license and a letter of exemption from their chief. The only need to do the course to drive a van or motorbike

seamus · 05-09-2011 9:30am

chin_grin wrote: »

Although that is shocking to me. Didn't know that! Why can't they put bluetooth sets in their vehicles then?

It's not necessarily that simple unless you can get all the bluetooth headsets to sync with all the phones.

The actual problem is that even in the good times the funding provided to the Gardai was quite poor. Their radio system up until a couple of years ago (2008 or 2009 afaik) was still an old (1980s) standard wide open to scanners and had relatively poor coverage - for many units, the mobile phone provided better coverage along with a completely secure line. When you're working scum-infested areas, the last thing you need is for the scum to know where you're going before you do.

They've since moved to TETRA, but I'm not sure if that's complete at this stage.

However, since TETRA is still a form of broadcast radio (effectively), they will still need to use mobiles to get in direct contact with other members.

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/ididojqlkf/rss2/

tayto lover · 05-09-2011 9:31am

chin_grin wrote: »

Who Guards the Gardaí! Somebody please think of the children. Rabble rabble, etc.

Although that is shocking to me. Didn't know that! Why can't they put bluetooth sets in their vehicles then?

There was an article in the papers awhile back about the Gardai having to use their own mobile phones to take official calls in the cars because their radio system is so outdated it won't work and you talk about bluetooth. The Gardai were threatening to refuse to use their own phones in protest at the poor radio system in that article. Also rather than talk about the way the Gardai are driving I would like to know how many un-roadworthy vehicles they are driving again due to Govt cutbacks it seems.

Snakeblood · 05-09-2011 9:31am

ShiresV2 wrote: »

I don't get the begrudgers. If the cops can get somewhere quicker because they can exceed the speed limit or use a bus lane, even if it's just to buy more doughnuts, then fair play to them. I wish I could do that, I can't, but why begrudge them.

Because the laws of the land should apply to all the people in the land equally except where explicitly stated.

tayto lover · 05-09-2011 9:32am

Snakeblood wrote: »

Yeah, but in order to be exempt from a particular law, the gardai should be exempted explicitly from that law. It shouldn't be just open to interpretation. As far as I'm aware, Gardai aren't allowed go down the bus lane to get to the shops, unless someone is robbing those shops.

Did i hear you complaining about taxis or is it just the Garda as usual ?

Kiss1037 · 05-09-2011 9:34am

The point of starting this thread was not to bash the gardai , but to hopefully shame someone to get them to behave responsibility and not like kids, how can they expect others to behave when they are not behaving also, just because these laws do not apply to them is no excuse whatsoever.

As for the advanced training , crap , loads of others have also completed these courses, it teaches one how to drive better and safer, not how to be able to break the rules and not be a danger to others.

Snakeblood · 05-09-2011 9:34am

tayto lover wrote: »

Did i hear you complaining about taxis or is it just the Garda as usual ?

Dunno what you're on about. Explain please?

tayto lover · 05-09-2011 9:35am

Bannasidhe wrote: »

I have no penalty points. I have taken (and passed) advanced driving courses in the UK and Australia. I have worked at Templemore as a training consultant. Yes, I believe the emergency services need to be allowed flexibility when responding to calls. However, I object when I see (as I did last week) a guard sitting in her car in traffic (she was in the lane next to me for a good 10 minutes) chatting and then texting on her mobile and then pull someone over 5 minutes later for doing the same thing. The guard was using a mobile phone while driving - this is against the law. She was not responding to a call-out. Indeed, after she issued a penalty notice to the driver she stopped, the same guard had time to pop into Tesco for milk.

It smacks of one law for us/another law for them - haven't we had enough of that sh*ite in Ireland?

Maybe the Super was waiting for his milk. a bun and a packet of fags.

tayto lover · 05-09-2011 9:37am

tayto lover wrote: »

Did i hear you complaining about taxis or is it just the Garda as usual ?

Taxis also use bus lanes and are allowed use mobiles when driving.
I didn't hear you complain about them, only the Gardai.

hondasam · 05-09-2011 9:40am

Kiss1037 wrote: »

I know that the Gardai have leeway re the rules of the road , but i'm geting very pissed off seeing them break the rules of the road, day in , day out

This morning i saw , the gardai pass me in a bus lane definitely at speed , several minutes later , i called into the local petrol station to see same gardai car parked up and the gardai buying coffee, then i saw a garda cycle through a red light.

I think we should start a post with a list of there discrepencies , so that we may hold them accountable like the rest of us to the rules of the road.

BTW i have no issue with them if they are on urgent business.

you are 100% definite it was the same garda car with the same gardai on board, you are prepared to testify in court. Take your time.

You mean you and the other people who have issues with AGS.

Every week we have at least one thread about how ****e gardai are etc.
Anyone who thinks they could do a better job, sign up.

You forgot to say if they paid for the coffee or not.

Snakeblood · 05-09-2011 9:41am

tayto lover wrote: »

Taxis also use bus lanes and are allowed use mobiles when driving.
I didn't hear you complain about them, only the Gardai.

Taxis are transporting people to their destinations, I don't really have a problem with them using bus lanes. Them using mobiles? yeah, I'm not sure that's legal, and if it is, it probably shouldn't be.. Gardai who are going to the shops (yes, as in not official business) shouldn't be using bus lanes to make life more convenient for themselves.

If you want to start a thread about Taxi drivers, go ahead. If you are just being arsey for the sake of it, be my guest.

Bannasidhe · 05-09-2011 9:41am

tayto lover wrote: »

Taxis also use bus lanes and are allowed use mobiles when driving.
I didn't hear you complain about them, only the Gardai.

Last time I looked taxi drivers are not tasked with ensuring people adhere to the rules of the road and have the power to issue penalties/arrest. Or has that changed?

Bosco boy · 05-09-2011 9:45am

rounding tattenham Corner wrote: »

The gardai for their own safety should follow the rules of the road. Since the average IQ of a garda is much lower than the average person, so they need to put all their limited intelligence into concentrating on the road.

what a contribution! Shouldn't you be at school or are you not old enough to go?

tayto lover · 05-09-2011 9:47am

Bannasidhe wrote: »

Last time I looked taxi drivers are not tasked with ensuring people adhere to the rules of the road and have the power to issue penalties/arrest. Or has that changed?

Get off your high horse. The Garda are doing a great job and if you worked in many other countries you would know that. Stop the petty complaining. I am proud of my police force.

blindsider · 05-09-2011 9:47am

Tetra is deployed almost everywhere. Some parts of Donegal and a few other very remote areas may not be 'on air' yet, but they will be by end of 2011.

In virtually all cases, Tetra is now the official radio communications tool - it's secure and allows inter-agency communication e.g. the Ambulace service and will also include the FB's if/when the Fire Service change over.

There is absolutely no reason for a Gda to use a mobile while driving - texting is just scandalous. The general public is prevented from phoning/texting while driving for safety reasons, why would this not apply to the Gardai also? If a Garda was on the phone, it would have to be official, urgent business? Not a phone-call to find out what's for dinner?

Interesting to see what would happen if a Garda was in an
RTA (on the phone) and the phone call was not official?

Do the Gardai still get a deal from O2 for phones and minutes/texts etc?

WRT contacting Tetra limitations on contacting another member, i.e 1-1 calls, Tetra can do this, the Gardai have to request it.

hondasam · 05-09-2011 9:48am

Bosco boy wrote: »

what a contribution! Shouldn't you be at school or are you not old enough to go?

You should be out catching criminals I suppose you are on boards at work:p

tayto lover · 05-09-2011 9:48am

Snakeblood wrote: »

Taxis are transporting people to their destinations, I don't really have a problem with them using bus lanes. Them using mobiles? yeah, I'm not sure that's legal, and if it is, it probably shouldn't be.. Gardai who are going to the shops (yes, as in not official business) shouldn't be using bus lanes to make life more convenient for themselves.

If you want to start a thread about Taxi drivers, go ahead. If you are just being arsey for the sake of it, be my guest.

No i think i will be just a begrudger like you for the sake of it.

blindsider · 05-09-2011 9:49am

tayto lover wrote: »

Taxis also use bus lanes and are allowed use mobiles when driving.
I didn't hear you complain about them, only the Gardai.

Really? Is that why so many have a bluetooth headset?

cladda1112 · 05-09-2011 9:51am

only last week a garda car pass me out at speed on a white line. As the traffic was bad ahead i managed to catch up again and when we got to the town they parked outside an eating house in town behind another police car on yellow lines. An hr later on my way home i passed the hotel pub again to see them all come out and get in to their cars. Would mind but my brother was caught last week for passing out a tractor on the same stretch of road. Only place in abut 2 miles that you can pass out safe.

Snakeblood · 05-09-2011 9:51am

tayto lover wrote: »

No i think i will be just a begrudger like you for the sake of it.

I think rules should apply to everyone in a country. I'm not sure how that's begrudgery for the sake of it.

TheZohanS · 05-09-2011 9:53am

Snakeblood wrote: »

Taxis are transporting people to their destinations, I don't really have a problem with them using bus lanes. Them using mobiles? yeah, I'm not sure that's legal, and if it is, it probably shouldn't be.. Gardai who are going to the shops (yes, as in not official business) shouldn't be using bus lanes to make life more convenient for themselves.
.

And where do you think the gardai have been before they pick up a cup of coffee? Where do you think they go after they've picked up their coffee?

Would you rather the gardai spend their time sitting in traffic?

Jesus a bit of common sense wouldn't go astray here.

seamus · 05-09-2011 9:53am

Snakeblood wrote: »

Gardai who are going to the shops (yes, as in not official business) shouldn't be using bus lanes to make life more convenient for themselves.

They're always on official business, while they're on duty. But they still need to eat. Maybe they should have scheduled lunch breaks where they all just clock off for an hour and ignore any calls over the radio?

For the entire trip from wherever to the shops and back again, they are on official business. If they spot something on that trip, they will divert and chase that up and not go to the shops. How do you propose we separate "official business" from "non-official business" while the Garda is on duty?

jonsnow · 05-09-2011 9:54am

TheZohan wrote: »

Another garda bashing thread...awe bless.

Gardai have to take advance driving courses to drive garda vehicles, they're a damn sight better drivers than most that will post on this thread.

But anyway, rabble, rabble, 2 points for speeding and I'm bitter, rabble rabble, gardai are shìt, rabble, rabble let me drag my knuckles...

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/courts/garda-in-fatal-crash-didnt-have-a-driving-licence-inquest-told-1945362.html

A garda who was on his way to court when he knocked down and killed a pensioner did not have a driving licence, an inquest has heard.

Garda Brian O'Connor held only a provisional licence and this expired over three years before the collision which claimed the life of Claire Barr (77). However, Dublin City Coroner's Court yesterday heard that under current legislation gardai do not need to hold a licence when they are driving a vehicle in the course of their duties.

Gardai abuse of the rules of the road

Comments