Should Gardai use unmarked cars for 'normal' traffic stops?

TomOnBoard

I'm seeing loads of LED light kits available for vehicles that can be used to strobe, blink etc. and can be easily fitted to ordinary cars.

Its ok when they're fitted with orange or white lenses. However, they can easily be fitted with blue or red filters and pretend to be emergency lights. If I'm travelling and an unmarked car presents itself using such lights, how can I know that they're legitimate, and not some thug trying to rob, attack or otherwise harm me?

I think the time has come has come for AGS to use only marked cars for conducting normal traffic stops, particularly at night and in rural areas. In particular, if I was a woman driving at night, I would be very fearful and woukd NOT want to stop for such a car. Where would that then leave me legally?

crusier

TomOnBoard wrote:

I think the time has come has come for AGS to use only marked cars for conducting normal traffic stops, particularly at night and in rural areas. In particular, if I was a woman driving at night, I would be very fearful and woukd NOT want to stop for such a car. Where would that then leave me legally?

Don't stop if you are in doubt and ring 999, they will soon find out out if the car is legit that is trying to stop you.

Mountainsandh

Wasn't there a gang that were at exactly that, in rural Wexford I think ?

found it :
http://www.thejournal.ie/woman-hospitalised-garda-impersonator-2596000-Feb2016/

As a female often driving on my own in rural Ireland, it did worry me a little at the time.

Atlantic Dawn

I wouldn't consider stopping unless I could see it had Dublin plates and only the tax disc displayed on windscreen.

crusier

Atlantic Dawn wrote:

I wouldn't consider stopping unless I could see it had Dublin plates and only the tax disc displayed on windscreen.

In fairness that's easily replicated!

TomOnBoard

The solutions being suggested are that the public have to decide (in a highly stressful situation occurring when they have just been lit up by a set of flashing lights from behind) whether they should stop or not for a vehicle containing no markings. Then

A) if they don't stop, they're going to have to rationalise whether to call 999 (assuming they have a phone and/or coverage and are able to do so while driving) and verify, or drive ahead (possibly many km) to a Garda Station (assuming there's one open) and do all this while the lights are blinding away in their rearview...or

if they do stop, its suggested that if they're not happy with the shape, demeanour or identity of the person presenting, they should kindly advise the person that they're not happy (through the side window that has by now been lowered a crack to allow the identification wallet to be handed through) and will proceed to a Garda station, or else do a Jason Statham and floor the vehicle and drive like a lunatic and proceed to step A) above, all the while avoiding the hammer that is about to strike the side window being held by the thug who is by now clearly up to 'no good'!

Remember, this is a normal traffic stop! It's not a situation where a roaming band of marauders are being chased down by AGS, its not a kidnap victim being rescued! It's a situation where an unmarked vehicle is being used in place of a marked one for whatever reason.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I'd never stop for an unmarked car and I've always instructed my family to do likewise.

flazio

I wouldn't advise that attitude, the guard may have noticed a major flaw on your vehicle that you haven't, (oil leak spreading all over the road for example, one of your tyres on the brink of breaking) or if it's ahead of you it may be the case they're first on scene at an accident and are trying to stop you going through and making things worse. Read the situation, keep a rational head and don't unlock the doors until you see a wallet badge.