Pissed off an off duty garda - can I expect a court appearance?

nobodiez

Hi, so I was driving home from Wicklow to Dublin, on the N11, speed limit was 100km/h where as I was going about 125km/h in the overtaking lane since there were cars in the first lane. I see this tuned out 05 golf in front, driving barely 90 km/h, so I flashed him twice. He ignored me and continued driving in the same lane with no one in front for a few minutes, even though there were gaps to move away to the first lane. When I was annoyed so much that I tried undertaking he just increased his speed. So again, I go back to the overtaking lane, no one else in this lane but us, then flashed at him again a good few times. Evantually he moved out of the overtaking lane, and looked at me, gave me a sarcastic thumbs up or something, looked like a very young lad maybe 21, and then after I passed him he flashed his lights at me. So I was rude enough to show him my middle finger. He overtakes me then and shows me something that looked like a badge and shakes his head. What does that mean? Can I be asked to appear in court for dangerous driving? He couldn't prove I was speeding, he could say I was 'dangerously' undertaking.. That is GIVEN he is an actual Garda. Also if my car reg is still under my old address and the letter is sent there and I never find out about it what would happen? The car isn't even in my own name, but my ex partners, and I'm planning to leave for Canada in summer anyway.. Should I be worried? Any honest opinions? I highly doubt it but any input would be great. Thanks

frozenfrozen

He'd have to pull you in. He could report it but would just be doing so as a regular citizen. If he's only 21 he won't have many high up friends who'd be willing to risk anything by just handing out a dangerous driving charge

kneemos

Pair of yis in it.

JerCotter7

You didn't do anything dangerous? You didn't actually undertake in the end? He's not a gaurd. Just an idiot. They can't do you for showing the finger. Done it plenty of times and will do it again if someone almost kills me.

EdRedbird

he is not supposed to be in the right lane
First of all your an iejit for speeding

but i had an issue like that a few years back in reverse.
I am on the M1 overtaking at 120(+) a row of cars doing 100 - 119ish
Up my hole/bumper is this VW, pushing. now i cant stand that I tapped my brake twice..the third time I used it dropped from 120 back to 100 (still slowly overtaking a truck) next thing I am back in the left and this young one flashes a badge.. I pull over and she is inrtending to write me a ticket. She is in uniform on her way to work.

Now my suggestion was .
You write me that ticket and i will have YOU in court.
There are camera's along that stretch that will proof you were up my arse pushing and driving agressive.
The max speed here is 120 which I adhered to
You wanna throw shapes... make my f @ c k i n g day (she had some comments on that language as well
I drive a C3 and have two seats in the back.. I can do without a Passat giving them a visit.

She let me of with a warning.
I called the traffic corps afterwards with her shoulder number and license plate.

And Undertaking, well if people stick unduly in the overtaking lane and do not move after a friendly blink (not agressive flashing ) well I do the same.

Your words against his. Even if you were speeding he has no right to obstruct the overtaking lane

barney 20v

You op,and idiots like you are why I hate driving more and more each day...how are you insured on the car op? Not registered in your name??

mickdw

He was driving like an idiot, sitting in the outside lane for no good reason. He was obviously aware of you seeing as he upped his speed when you were alongside him.
I hearing alot stories of guys waving badges in this manner as some sort of threat.

cursai

Id say he's as embarrassed about the incident as you are.

JerCotter7

EdRedbird wrote: »

he is not supposed to be in the right lane
First of all your an iejit for speeding

but i had an issue like that a few years back in reverse.
I am on the M1 overtaking at 120(+) a row of cars doing 100 - 119ish
Up my hole/bumper is this VW, pushing. now i cant stand that I tapped my brake twice..the third time I used it dropped from 120 back to 100 (still slowly overtaking a truck) next thing I am back in the left and this young one flashes a badge.. I pull over and she is inrtending to write me a ticket. She is in uniform on her way to work.

Now my suggestion was .
You write me that ticket and i will have YOU in court.
There are camera's along that stretch that will proof you were up my arse pushing and driving agressive.
The max speed here is 120 which I adhered to
You wanna throw shapes... make my f @ c k i n g day (she had some comments on that language as well
I drive a C3 and have two seats in the back.. I can do without a Passat giving them a visit.

She let me of with a warning.
I called the traffic corps afterwards with her shoulder number and license plate.

And Undertaking, well if people stick unduly in the overtaking lane and do not move after a friendly blink (not agressive flashing ) well I do the same.

Your words against his. Even if you were speeding he has no right to obstruct the overtaking lane

He was doing 120 on a dual lane. Let's hang him!

Also you must have done something more for her to even issue a warning.

Calling traffic corps was a waste of your time and theirs.

visual

Unless it has blue flashing lights I wouldn't have stopped.
But a off duity garda can still enforce the law although he probably won't bother if he didn't write down your details at the time.
Never see a garda badge myself what does it look like

CiniO

The main rule when behind the wheel is not to get upset by anyone's else behaviour.

OP if you approached him, flashed him and seen no reaction, you should just chill out and wait until idiot gives up his game.

In no circumstances you should get upset because of some idiot, because once you get upset you are becoming (and behaving like) idiot as well.

EdRedbird

visual wrote: »

Unless it has blue flashing lights I wouldn't have stopped.
But a off duity garda can still enforce the law although he probably won't bother if he didn't write down your details at the time.
Never see a garda badge myself what does it look like

Interesting question.
How dit TS recognise it

Although I am thinking of flashing a random photographic ID at people that annoy me on the road.

Put the **** up them for at least a few hours....way better than giving them the fingers

barney 20v

Still no clarification on how the op is insured to drive that car....registered to an ex.....???

EdRedbird

barney 20v wrote: »

Still no clarification on how the op is insured to drive that car....registered to an ex.....???

he might have a full license and be a named driver
He might have insurance in his own name on another vehicle

tossy

I doubt he is a guard to be honest,years ago i had a lad flash a badge at me like that (i wasn't doing much wrong - apart from upsetting him).I initially thought oh **** but he was along side me on the M7 in the middle of the day and then i copped he was flashing his fas safe pass badge at me - i guess he was so chuffed at passing the course,i laughed so loud i'm sure he heard me and just let him on.

barney 20v

EdRedbird wrote: »

he might have a full license and be a named driver
He might have insurance in his own name on another vehicle

Strange situation IMO.... His ex must be more patient than him clearly!!
Named driver on an ex gf policy and ex let's him use car with her consent???? Strange..

Anan1

barney 20v wrote: »

...how are you insured on the car op? Not registered in your name??

barney 20v wrote: »

Still no clarification on how the op is insured to drive that car....registered to an ex.....???

Would you stop with the nonsense, OP could be a named driver, OP could be covered under their own policy, or the owner of the car might have open driving on their policy.

barney 20v

staker wrote: »

Best thing to do is carry a balaclava and a toy gun in the glovebox for these scenarios.
Nah,seriously, both of ye ended up acting the eejit,if it does go any further,it's his word against yours,unless there's a dash cam involved

Hopefully so !

barney 20v

Anan1 wrote: »

Would you stop with the nonsense, OP could be a named driver, OP could be covered under their own policy, or the owner of the car might have open driving on their policy.

Its a legitimate question.... One the op did not clarify .

lkionm

* Clip clop clip clop clip clop clip clop*

You were speeding and should burn in prison for trying to get somewhere a little bit faster. It's people like you who could kill people.


* Clip clop clip clop clip clop clip clop*

johndaman66

EdRedbird wrote: »

I called the traffic corps afterwards with her shoulder number and license plate.

I'd expect that you wouldn't get too much joy out of that really.

barney 20v wrote: »

how are you insured on the car op? Not registered in your name??

That comment does not make any sense to me. Of course you can be insured in a car thats not registered in your name.

I certainly wouldn't loose any sleep over it OP. Whoever was driving that Golf I doubt if he was a guard. Guard or not he was a fu*king idiot whoever he was

Anan1

barney 20v wrote: »

Its a legitimate question.... One the op did not clarify .

It's an irrelevant, unfounded and frankly stupid accusation. The fact that the OP was driving a car not registered to them in no way suggests that they weren't insured.

barney 20v

Anan1 wrote: »

It's an irrelevant, unfounded and frankly stupid accusation. The fact that the OP was driving a car not registered to them in no way suggests that they weren't insured.

Show me where I accused the op of NOT being insured??

johndaman66

barney 20v wrote: »

Its a legitimate question.... One the op did not clarify .

I for one genuinely don't follow the angle your taking here. Granted it probably is an unusual situation being insured and driving an ex girlfriends car but why cast aspersions over whether or not he is insured to drive it?

I think its only fair that we assume he is insured to drive the car. If not, well were opening up a new can of worms and thats probably an issue that should be discussed on a new thread I reckon

barney 20v

johndaman66 wrote: »

I for one genuinely don't follow the angle your taking here. Granted it probably is an unusual situation being insured and driving an ex girlfriends car but why cast aspersions over whether or not he is insured to drive it?

I think its only fair that we assume he is insured to drive the car. If not, well were opening up a new can of worms and thats probably an issue that should be discussed on a new thread I reckon

It was a question to the op... Not an accusation or casting aspersions as you state.

johndaman66

barney 20v wrote: »

casting aspersions as you state.

It would seem very much so to me. Anyways, I don't really follow the angle your taking at all...

zenno

nobodiez wrote: »

Hi, so I was driving home from Wicklow to Dublin, on the N11, speed limit was 100km/h where as I was going about 125km/h in the overtaking lane since there were cars in the first lane. I see this tuned out 05 golf in front, driving barely 90 km/h, so I flashed him twice. He ignored me and continued driving in the same lane with no one in front for a few minutes, even though there were gaps to move away to the first lane. When I was annoyed so much that I tried undertaking he just increased his speed. So again, I go back to the overtaking lane, no one else in this lane but us, then flashed at him again a good few times. Evantually he moved out of the overtaking lane, and looked at me, gave me a sarcastic thumbs up or something, looked like a very young lad maybe 21, and then after I passed him he flashed his lights at me. So I was rude enough to show him my middle finger. He overtakes me then and shows me something that looked like a badge and shakes his head. What does that mean? Can I be asked to appear in court for dangerous driving? He couldn't prove I was speeding, he could say I was 'dangerously' undertaking.. That is GIVEN he is an actual Garda. Also if my car reg is still under my old address and the letter is sent there and I never find out about it what would happen? The car isn't even in my own name, but my ex partners, and I'm planning to leave for Canada in summer anyway.. Should I be worried? Any honest opinions? I highly doubt it but any input would be great. Thanks

Hey, fook all that crap, the both of you are assholes. Concentrate on the road while driving at that speed instead of annoying other drivers. the other driver should have just moved into the slow lane to let your speed-ass go by as with idiotic (i own the road sh1te) get's people killed.

PS: 'sarcastic thumbs up' means keep it up buddy you arsehole and you will get yourself killed.



Thanks for the infraction. It makes no difference to my comment Someone doesn't like hearing the truth.

barney 20v

johndaman66 wrote: »

It would seem very much so to me. Anyways, I don't really follow the angle your taking at all...

Clearly.... Back to the op post...both the op and the other driver are idiots to drive like that IMO...excessive speed,dangerous undertaking etc etc... Op admitted these offences and is looking to see if he is in trouble or not!
I seriously hope that the motors forum do not condone this type of idiocy on our roads??

sullydublin

Just don't drive like a tit & you will be fine !!

EdRedbird

EdRedbird wrote: »

now i cant stand that I tapped my brake twice..the third time I used it dropped from 120 back to 100

ffs brake testing is dangerous, she should have done something to you for it

Sofiztikated

EdRedbird wrote: »

he is not supposed to be in the right lane
First of all your an iejit for speeding

but i had an issue like that a few years back in reverse.
I am on the M1 overtaking at 120(+) a row of cars doing 100 - 119ish
Up my hole/bumper is this VW, pushing. now i cant stand that I tapped my brake twice..the third time I used it dropped from 120 back to 100 (still slowly overtaking a truck) next thing I am back in the left and this young one flashes a badge.. I pull over and she is inrtending to write me a ticket. She is in uniform on her way to work.

Now my suggestion was .
You write me that ticket and i will have YOU in court.
There are camera's along that stretch that will proof you were up my arse pushing and driving agressive.
The max speed here is 120 which I adhered to
You wanna throw shapes... make my f @ c k i n g day (she had some comments on that language as well
I drive a C3 and have two seats in the back.. I can do without a Passat giving them a visit.

She let me of with a warning.
I called the traffic corps afterwards with her shoulder number and license plate.

And Undertaking, well if people stick unduly in the overtaking lane and do not move after a friendly blink (not agressive flashing ) well I do the same.

Your words against his. Even if you were speeding he has no right to obstruct the overtaking lane

If the other driver was overtaking, he has every right to be in the overtaking lane.

What speed the OP was doing is irrelevant. Speedo's can be off, could be clocked at 130kmph on the speedo, and doing 115kmph.

barney 20v wrote: »

You op,and idiots like you are why I hate driving more and more each day...how are you insured on the car op? Not registered in your name??

This sounds very accusitory to me, chief.

Don't worry about it, OP, sounds like someone was being a tit.

johndaman66

barney 20v wrote: »

Clearly....

Hmm, not sure if any of the other contributors to the thread who quoted you do either mind. As I see it while the sitation is somewhat unusual we have no real reason to doubt that the OP is insured to drive the car.

barney 20v wrote: »

Clearly....

Back to the op post...both the op and the other driver are idiots to drive like that IMO...excessive speed,dangerous undertaking etc etc... Op admitted these offences and is looking to see if he is in trouble or not!
I seriously hope that the motors forum do not condone this type of idiocy on our roads??[/QUOTE]

I agree with you there. Its probably not even about aportioning blame aS both drivers were wrong in one way or another. Still though the driver of that Golf is an absolute fu*king idiot, guard or not...

barney 20v

Sofiztikated wrote: »

If the other driver was overtaking, he has every right to be in the overtaking lane.

What speed the OP was doing is irrelevant. Speedo's can be off, could be clocked at 130kmph on the speedo, and doing 115kmph.



This sounds very accusitory to me, chief.

Don't worry about it, OP, sounds like someone was being a tit.

Your interpretation "chief" ....incorrect though.

zenno

Oh I forgot to mention...enjoy your fine for being a danger to other motorists.

wandatowell

What does "tuned out" mean?


Does it mean the car was nice or does it mean its a piece of sh1t??

CiniO

Sofiztikated wrote: »

If the other driver was overtaking, he has every right to be in the overtaking lane.

The only thing is that many drivers after overtaking one vehicle (very often with speed difference of less than 5km/h) stays on overtaking lane as they are planing to overtake next vehicle in the front.
Problem is that this next vehicle very often is 300 metres ahead, and it takes few minutes for that driver to reach it, while he is still in overtaking lane.

Sofiztikated

barney 20v wrote: »

Your interpretation "chief" ....incorrect though.

Incorrect it may be, it's the way it came across to me, and a few others.

Anyway, back on topic.

Abi

It's a shame there wasn't a real cop around to catch the two of you in action. Do know how nerve wrecking it is to have someone drive up the hole of your car flashing at you?

As another poster said, there was a pair of you in it. He was a fücking tool for not pulling over for you and you are a bully.

If you hadn't started that shït he would likely have pulled over for you at some point. Normal, law abiding motorists have to share roads with you two, and your main concern is that you might have gotten yourself in bother?

Look at the bigger picture, if you don't drive like a dick then you don't get in trouble.

EdRedbird

Barney... I answered that question 3x
How can you be insured... you cand hold a license as you obviously cant read

bluewolf wrote: »

ffs brake testing is dangerous, she should have done something to you for it

Its not testing it was warning her of for being up my h o l e.
Thats only allowed dressed in PVC with a strap on ... not with your care
her behavior was dangerous for If I really would have needed to brake she would have had no time to react

Sofiztikated wrote: »

If the other driver was overtaking, he has every right to be in the overtaking lane.

Read the OP the guy was hanging around in the overtaking lane without need
If you are able to undertake.... It means that the person you are undertaking should have been in the left lane in the first place

What speed the OP was doing is irrelevant. Speedo's can be off, could be clocked at 130kmph on the speedo, and doing 115kmph.

Speeding is Illegal, and sometimes dangerous
Speedo's have a 10% tolerance , If you are clocking 120 where you are allowed 100 you are going a minimum of 10 to fast (And tolerance the other way 30)
And no I am not holier than. I have done 150 160 on the M1 (Actually 190 once after they misplaced the baby in the Rotunda). that does not make it legal or less dangerous. You can speed quite safely, but if it goes wrong you are always at fault

CiniO

EdRedbird wrote: »

And no I am not holier than. I have done 150 160 on the M1 (Actually 190 once after they misplaced the baby in the Rotunda). that does not make it legal or less dangerous.

I can't see any relation between speeding and being dangerous on the road (causing danger).
Speeding occurs when you are travelling above posted speed limit.
Danger occurs when you are travelling at speed greater than safe.
Very often those 2 terms have nothing to do with each other.

SV

Actually can't believe the amount of people who are condemning the OP.

I'd bet that there is hundreds here that have done the same thing flashing a car to move out of the overtaking lane.

The only arsehole here is the gimp who wouldn't move out of the lane and then decided to speed up when OP tried to undertake.
Yet ye all start saying the OP is a bully? ha.

barney 20v

EdRedbird wrote: »

Barney... I answered that question 3x
How can you be insured... you cand hold a license as you obviously cant read



Its not testing it was warning her of for being up my h o l e.
Thats only allowed dressed in PVC with a strap on ... not with your care
her behavior was dangerous for If I really would have needed to brake she would have had no time to react


Read the OP the guy was hanging around in the overtaking lane without need
If you are able to undertake.... It means that the person you are undertaking should have been in the left lane in the first place

Speeding is Illegal, and sometimes dangerous
Speedo's have a 10% tolerance , If you are clocking 120 where you are allowed 100 you are going a minimum of 10 to fast (And tolerance the other way 30)
And no I am not holier than. I have done 150 160 on the M1 (Actually 190 once after they misplaced the baby in the Rotunda). that does not make it legal or less dangerous. You can speed quite safely, but if it goes wrong you are always at fault

With respect edredbird...you are not the op,my question was to the op

CiniO

SV wrote: »

Actually can't believe the amount of people who are condemning the OP.

I'd bet that there is hundreds here that have done the same thing flashing a car to move out of the overtaking lane.

The only arsehole here is the gimp who wouldn't move out of the lane and then decided to speed up when OP tried to undertake.
Yet ye all start saying the OP is a bully? ha.

There is nothing wrong to flash a car in front of you to gently ask him to move (maybe he missed you).

But OP did slightly different thing.

When I was annoyed so much that I tried undertaking he just increased his speed. So again, I go back to the overtaking lane, no one else in this lane but us, then flashed at him again a good few times. Evantually he moved out of the overtaking lane, and looked at me, gave me a sarcastic thumbs up or something, looked like a very young lad maybe 21, and then after I passed him he flashed his lights at me. So I was rude enough to show him my middle finger.

In general that's not average driver behaviour. It probably wouldn't be average even in Russia.
That's where road rage begins.

SV

The guy acted like a díck to him and annoyed him to the point where he showed him the finger.

It's not half as bad as is being made out here, by this you'd swear he followed him and gave out etc.

zenno

SV wrote: »

The guy acted like a díck to him and annoyed him to the point where he showed him the finger.

It's not half as bad as is being made out here, by this you'd swear he followed him and gave out etc.

Your concentration should be on the road and not acting the bollix with other drivers, simples. Tons of metal flying around at 125kph can become one nasty mess if one second of your time is distracted, so yeah, it is more than half as bad.

Watch the road and don't be a wanker O.P. slán leat

SV

zenno wrote: »

Your concentration should be on the road and not acting the bollix with other drivers, simples. Tons of metal flying around at 125kph can become one nasty mess if one second of your time is distracted, so yeah, it is more than half as bad.

Watch the road and don't be a wanker O.P. slán leat

he stuck his finger up, lol. You'd swear it was a complex kinda act. It's equal to most other things everyone does in the car every day.

So y'know sticking your finger up at another driver is dangerous as it takes your concentration off the road.
In the same regard, never talk to a passenger in the car, never look at your fuel gauge/temperature gauge, NEVER EVER change the radio station and for gods sake please don't look at your speedo. It'll take your concentration off the road.

CiniO

SV wrote: »

he stuck his finger up, lol. You'd swear it was a complex kinda act. It's equal to most other things everyone does in the car every day.

So y'know sticking your finger up at another driver is dangerous as it takes your concentration off the road.
In the same regard, never talk to a passenger in the car, never look at your fuel gauge/temperature gauge, NEVER EVER change the radio station and for gods sake please don't look at your speedo. It'll take your concentration off the road.

You'd be surprised, but sticking your mid-finger is an offence in many EU countries, and you can simply earn penalty points and fine for doing that.
It's a pity this doesn't work in Ireland.

SV

CiniO wrote: »

You'd be surprised, but sticking your mid-finger is an offence in many EU countries, and you can simply earn penalty points and fine for doing that.
It's a pity this doesn't work in Ireland.

I'm not arguing with that being the wrong thing to do. I think sticking your middle finger up is bad anyway but it'd be just as bad for a passenger to do it or indeed to do it walking along the street.

The poster I replied to though was insinuating it was dangerous as it removed your concentration from the road, and that insinuation is absolute bull.

Abi

SV wrote: »

Actually can't believe the amount of people who are condemning the OP.

S, by his own admittance he was being at least 'rude' and was getting angry.

I'd bet that there is hundreds here that have done the same thing flashing a car to move out of the overtaking lane.

I agree with you, there probably are, but it doesn't make it right.

The only arsehole here is the gimp who wouldn't move out of the lane and then decided to speed up when OP tried to undertake.
Yet ye all start saying the OP is a bully? ha.

I think he was, yes. You need to at least try to keep a level head when you're driving. It'd dangerous driving, on both sides, no matter how you dice it up.

nobodiez wrote: »

When I was annoyed so much that I tried undertaking he just increased his speed.

Two wrongs here. Undertaking, and the gobshyte in the golf antagonized by speeding up.

So again, I go back to the overtaking lane, no one else in this lane but us, then flashed at him again a good few times.

Rather than think 'well this guy is just a fúcking prick' and pull back.

Evantually he moved out of the overtaking lane, and looked at me, gave me a sarcastic thumbs up or something, looked like a very young lad maybe 21, and then after I passed him he flashed his lights at me. So I was rude enough to show him my middle finger.

Anyone else seeing the similarities here?

Should I be worried? Any honest opinions? I highly doubt it but any input would be great. Thanks

Yes, you need to reassess your driving. You cannot get wound up by everyone on the road. Speed limits are not targets. Just because you're in some kind a hurry doesn't mean everyone else is.

A couple of months back I had this **** stain riding the arse off my car, I could see him coming from a distance at high speed behind me. When he got to the arse of the car he sat hard on it while I was in the over taking lane (I was over taking, not sitting in it for the sake of it). There was no space for me to pull into to let this guy pass and he began flashing and got closer and closer to my car. I've experienced this a couple of times in the past, but this was truly frightening. I felt like if I didn't collide with something in the left lane he'd end up hitting me from behind.

It is NOT fair to do this to anyone. The only time I've ever used a flash was to allow someone to take a turn and never on the motorway.

An 'innocent' flash behind someone can be perceived as aggressive on the motorway, because there is no way of telling other wise. I've yet to come across a 'flasher' that did so from a safe distance on the motorway. Its wankery of the highest order.

zenno

Have you ever had the privilege of been sent back in time ?

Well now you have...

As was said.. Hey, fook all that crap, the both of you are assholes.

Drive safely "all", and we will all get on together fine on the pot-holes of Irelands bangeoed roads. Driving down to cork on the back-roads is like taking the B&I ferry to hollyhead in a tornado or cat 5 hurricane.

O.P: just take it easier because you will still get there, but speeding...if you ever get there err...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3pGTzczLFs

nobodiez

Thanks for all the opinions.
I am insured to drive any car on the road that is road legal with the owners permission since I have a third party extensions, so yes I AM insured to drive the vehicle that I was driving.
About that 'off duty garda', I was seriously doubting he was a garda to be honest myself, but still wondering, if a genuine off duty garda that's wearing casual clothes, casual car that has no flashing lights, surely you don't have to pull over, since you don't know it's a genuine garda?