What's the story with Garda Driving?

Irjudge1 · 29-12-2008 08:47PM #1

Can somebody enlighten me please what is the story with Gardai driving and the rules of the road. Is there simply a rules of the road do not apply to gardai law? This is a serious question I am not trying to be a smart ass.

I regularly see squad cars turning right at no right turn signs, taking short cuts up a short length of one way street.

But I have to say the most recent act I saw would not have looked out of place if the driver had been wearing a baseball cap a hoodie and driving a Peugeot 205 with go faster stripes.

On the M1 between the Drynam interchange and donabate interchange I was overtaken in the fast lane by a white transit. Cue a squad car with garda driver sped up fastlane and drove within 1 car length from the back of the van. No flashing lights no siren. Kept driving up the van's ass and slipped in and out over the edge of carriageway line on the median side.

The guy in the van had nowhere to go because the slow lane was packed solid. So the Garda keeps up his ass swerving in and out. Then on the approach to the swords interchage the van pulls into the slow lane. Garda floors it and cuts across the chevron for the slip lane at intersection in front of an artic which has to brake hard to avoid hitiing the squad car.

If this guy is supposed to have carried out an advanced driving course I'd be shocked by what it would appear he had learnt or not as the case may be?

So what is the story if you are driving at speed and are going to run lights etc do you not have to have the flasing lights etc to warn the public to get out of the way?

Turner · 29-12-2008 09:01PM

Would you believe they actually teach that manouvre on the standard driving course (I have completed both car, van and motorcycle driving courses), to drive very close to the vehicle you are following with your right tyre nearly in the central medium.

Its designed to have your headlights directly in the drivers right door mirror. Its to let the driver in front know that you are on duty and need to pass in a hurry. Usually in combination with a blast of flashing headlights or a siren blast. You have to be ready with the brakes though as many people may jam on the brakes. Its practiced alot on motorways.

As for what he did with the shevrons, obviously it against the law for a civilian to cross a white line, gardai are exempt. Cant comment on why he crossed them in this situation.

Driving up one way streets, taking no right turns, driving on pedestrian streets is acceptable for gardai, ambulance and fire brigade.

Obviously not in a dangerous manner though.

People feel very jealous that emergency services can do this, because they themselves cant!

With regard to your last point, to run lights you do not need to have your lights or sirens on or even be responding to an emergency

You simply need to be on duty.

Irjudge1 · 29-12-2008 09:16PM

Thanks for the reply

Chief--- wrote: »

As for what he did with the shevrons, obviously it against the law for a civilian to cross a white line, gardai are exempt. Cant comment on why he crossed them in this situation.

He was trying to exit the m/w and the quickest way was to cut in front of the artic. Still scared the **** out of the truck driver from what I saw.

As for the overtaking It does seem strange and I think most civilians would think along the lines as I did that the flashing blue lights indicate urgency and that the gardai are on official business. Unfortunately it would also appear that every second BMW 7 series driver attempts to use that overtaking manouvre.

Turner · 29-12-2008 09:25PM

Ah yeah it indicates urgency and the need to get past.

Some people think blue lights behind them means stop immediately.

Even in the over taking lane :eek::eek:

Has happened to me about 20 times while travelling with blue lights. Once on a motorcycle doing an ambulance escort of a man who had died numerous times (and been resusatated) throughout the journey.

Trust me i used some expletives, i think my visor fogged up.

Irjudge1 · 29-12-2008 09:53PM

Chief--- wrote: »

Ah yeah it indicates urgency and the need to get past.

Some people think blue lights behind them means stop immediately.

I don't have a guilty concience.:D

bmcgrath · 29-12-2008 09:59PM

It's not a fast lane....

the locust · 29-12-2008 10:06PM

On a side note.
Sometimes Gardai kill the blue lights and sirens a bit before they arrive at the scene of a call as they don't want to alert certain people at the call to their iminent arrival... Also shocking as it may sound i've been in cars where low and behold the siren and/or blue lights don't work! (Although not a common occurance).

ian_m · 05-01-2009 11:06AM

I see Gardaí using mobile phones whilst driving and on duty. That's certainly not legal.

deadwood · 05-01-2009 12:00PM

ian_m wrote: »

I see Gardaí using mobile phones whilst driving and on duty. That's certainly not legal.

That certainly is!

King Ludvig · 05-01-2009 02:33PM

ian_m wrote: »

I see Gardaí using mobile phones whilst driving and on duty. That's certainly not legal.

The're allowed to use their mobiles if its in the course of their duties. Obviously not if its just to ring the woman

Mr Jinx · 05-01-2009 02:46PM

King Ludvig wrote: »

The're allowed to use their mobiles if its in the course of their duties. Obviously not if its just to ring the woman

can't they not use their state of the art modern digital radio system ?

Eru · 05-01-2009 06:40PM

ian_m wrote: »

I see Gardaí using mobile phones whilst driving and on duty. That's certainly not legal.

Fantastic comment there. What else are you certain about?

sdanseo · 05-01-2009 07:27PM

ian_m wrote: »

I see Gardaí using mobile phones whilst driving and on duty. That's certainly not legal.

People (in general, not just you) should get their details right before claiming that a statement is fact. It's happening more and more on this forum in particular, to the extent that one could pretty much categorising posts into one of three colums

- Moaning person who know shíte all
- Persons with a genuine interest in ES operations or who aim to join ES
- Members of ES; Gardaí, Police, EMTs/Paramedics etc

I'm open to critique on this one btw.

In this case, you're wrong.

TheNog · 05-01-2009 07:55PM

Mr Jinx wrote: »

can't they not use their state of the art modern digital radio system ?

We are still using the old analogue radio down the country. The bloody thing is older than me and i'm 32!!

TheNog · 05-01-2009 07:57PM

ian_m wrote: »

I see Gardaí using mobile phones whilst driving and on duty. That's certainly not legal.

We can use mobile phones while driving and so can the public but you must be ringing an Emergency Service at the time and must be able to prove it.

jackregan · 06-01-2009 12:14AM

TheNog wrote: »

We can use mobile phones while driving and so can the public but you must be ringing an Emergency Service at the time and must be able to prove it.

A blanket exemption for AGS or an exemption for operational purposes?

Is an AGS member still exempt if its shown he's on the phone to the missus?

ian_m · 06-01-2009 08:04AM

The times I have witnessed Gardai using mobile phones whilst driving could certainly not be described as emergency situations.

Quote from a report from the Garda Síochána Inspectorate.
Police officers operating Garda vehicles must provide a positive example for other road users and management should develop policies to ensure such is the case. In non-emergency situations, police officers should fully comply with the rules of the road in the operation of vehicles, observing speed limits, traffic signals and refraining from the use of mobile phones while driving.

http://www.gsinsp.ie/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=55&Itemid=39

geurrp the yard · 06-01-2009 08:46AM

ian_m wrote: »

The times I have witnessed Gardai using mobile phones whilst driving could certainly not be described as emergency situations.

Id challange that and say that It doesnt have to be a case where its an emergency. I dont know if your aware but some of the communications systems used by the gaurds are crap so sometimes its a case where the garda has to resort to using his mobile. Again thats not to say that there is gards out there that are taking the piss and been on their phone to the wife or whoever while driving.

deadwood · 06-01-2009 11:36AM

geurrp the yard wrote: »

Id challange that and say that It doesnt have to be a case where its an emergency. I dont know if your aware but some of the communications systems used by the gaurds are crap so sometimes its a case where the garda has to resort to using his mobile. Again thats not to say that there is gards out there that are taking the piss and been on their phone to the wife or whoever while driving.

Agreed.
Can I just point out that the Guard will, in most cases, be using his/her own mobile phone! They still don't issue mobile phones to p.c. plod!

dredre · 06-01-2009 11:47AM

city4life wrote: »

thats not a piece of law....its something written by a civilian

all law is written by civilians!

ian_m · 06-01-2009 12:01PM

city4life wrote: »

thats not a piece of law....its something written by a civilian

Agreed. But it sure is a very good recommendation. Civilian or otherwise.

TheNog · 06-01-2009 04:22PM

ian_m wrote: »

Agreed. But it sure is a very good recommendation. Civilian or otherwise.

I agree with the Inspectorate on this one. We shouldn't be using our mobiles while driving. In fact we shouldn't using our own mobiles at all for any reason while at work. If a phone call has to be made it should be made to the observer and on a state mobile. No exceptions.

I recently told everyone on my unit to stop calling me on my own mobile while at work as I always sign out a state mobile for myself.

Mr Jinx · 06-01-2009 05:42PM

TheNog wrote: »

I agree with the Inspectorate on this one. We shouldn't be using our mobiles while driving. In fact we shouldn't using our own mobiles at all for any reason while at work. If a phone call has to be made it should be made to the observer and on a state mobile. No exceptions.

I recently told everyone on my unit to stop calling me on my own mobile while at work as I always sign out a state mobile for myself.

I might send in my O2 bill on an A8, see what the super says !!

deadwood · 07-01-2009 01:33AM

Mr Jinx wrote: »

I might send in my O2 bill on an A8, see what the super says !!

He'll say "how the [EMAIL="f@$k"]f@$k[/EMAIL] does Garda Jinx get his A85 to stick to the roof?"

Eru · 08-01-2009 10:04PM

city4life wrote: »

observer?? whats that...ffs sake, my place would have 3 walking arounf town and me in the car on my tod

with regard to using your own phone, most annoying thing ever. we've one fella who refuses to use the radio, no matter how many times. i don't mind for sensitive information, but giving me a material damage t/a over my own mobile...ffs. country in resession and we ringing each other when there is no need for it

Guy in my place, no matter what call he goes to its always "Can you get the sho to ring me on the mobile please?". FFS, make a call for gods sake and take your cuffs out!

jt123456 · 10-01-2009 12:17AM

Question for anyone who has done the advanced driving course or any sort of training on defensive driving... Whats the procedure/best recommendation for being tail gated. Typically a situation like a BMW (with/without northern plates) right up your a*** almost touching your bumper while your happily sitting at 55-60mph?

Sometimes when im in an evil mood, id slow right down to 40mph to really **** them off, especially when there's oncoming traffic so they can't overtake. Serves them right. Usual answers in the pub are, "suddenly hit the breaks and then get a claim in".

djtechnics1210 · 10-01-2009 12:02PM

If your in the outside lane, pull in to inside lane and let it pass. If not get reg number and ring traffic watch

timmywex · 10-01-2009 12:51PM

jt123456 wrote: »

Question for anyone who has done the advanced driving course or any sort of training on defensive driving... Whats the procedure/best recommendation for being tail gated. Typically a situation like a BMW (with/without northern plates) right up your a*** almost touching your bumper while your happily sitting at 55-60mph?

Sometimes when im in an evil mood, id slow right down to 40mph to really **** them off, especially when there's oncoming traffic so they can't overtake. Serves them right. Usual answers in the pub are, "suddenly hit the breaks and then get a claim in".

+1, i slow right down, anyone asks"trying to create less of an impact":D

Fighting Irish · 10-01-2009 03:10PM

ian_m wrote: »

I see Gardaí using mobile phones whilst driving and on duty. That's certainly not legal.

wrong

gem25x · 10-01-2009 06:59PM

jt123456 wrote: »

Question for anyone who has done the advanced driving course or any sort of training on defensive driving... Whats the procedure/best recommendation for being tail gated. Typically a situation like a BMW (with/without northern plates) right up your a*** almost touching your bumper while your happily sitting at 55-60mph?

Sometimes when im in an evil mood, id slow right down to 40mph to really **** them off, especially when there's oncoming traffic so they can't overtake. Serves them right. Usual answers in the pub are, "suddenly hit the breaks and then get a claim in".

I like to wait till im next to the car in the slow lane so BMer guy cant undertake me and slow things down nicely to a steady 40mph and if he still doesnt get the message i tap my brakes...... works a charm every time!!

:D:D

assuming the role of "the little lady" ha ha ha ha ha ha

djtechnics1210 · 11-01-2009 05:57AM

gem25x wrote: »

I like to wait till im next to the car in the slow lane so BMer guy cant undertake me and slow things down nicely to a steady 40mph and if he still doesnt get the message i tap my brakes...... works a charm every time!! :D:D

assuming the role of "the little lady" ha ha ha ha ha ha

Why not just pull into slow lane and let them pass. :rolleyes:
Its meant to be an overtaking lane... thats why there's two lanes.
If doing 40mph then get into the inside lane and stop holding up everyone behind.
The procedure for garda drivers is to match the speed of the car in front and if car doesn't move (which it never does, because people think they can drive away happily in the outside lane and let everyone behind them go as slow as them) then flash headlights to indicate you want to pass.

What's the story with Garda Driving?

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