Unmarked Car - Blue dash light only

YESHUCKSTER · 21-12-2012 10:55am #1

Was on the M7 (just after Carlow exit) heading south last Friday afternoon about 2pm in heavy but moving traffic - it was moving at about 100km due to lorries and the heavy rain etc. I was in the fast lane passing the slower traffic which was travelling at about 90km when next thing this white 'box type' jeep comes flying up behind me flashing the lights like mad. He came to within feet from the back of the car but there was no-where I could go as the traffic in the left lane was constant - think it was a couple of buses actually. Next thing as well as flashing the headlights he turns on what looked like Blue LED lights on the dashboard. There was no other lights such as the hidden ones on the grill or sides or back - just the dashboard light. This continued for about 30/40 seconds until it was safe for me to move into the slow lane and let this guy passed. I did not get reg nor the make but I have serious doubts as to whether this was a Garda or just some chancer? Anyone have an idea?

sparrowcar · 21-12-2012 11:02am

Plenty of unusual unmarked Garda cars out there. Not all have the grill lights/aerials etc you expect from the standard unmarked mondeo's.

A better description of the "white box" jeep might help?

YESHUCKSTER · 21-12-2012 11:12am

Had a look on carzone and the closest looking that I could find is a 2007 Ford Ranger - basically a flat bed pick-up with a hard-cover box unit over the flat-bed.

I know there are a lot of non-standard unmarked cars in-use but I thought they normally were all kitted out with grill lights / aerials - how else can you tell if they are genuine or not.

Surely anyone could buy a flashing Blue dashboard light so I am pretty sure if he tried to pull me over I would not have stopped.

AltAccount · 21-12-2012 11:28am

Do some people not also qualify to use them because of their job - i.e. Fireman/ambulance staff on call using their own vehicle to get to an emergency?

YESHUCKSTER · 21-12-2012 11:40am

AltAccount wrote: »

Do some people not also qualify to use them because of their job - i.e. Fireman/ambulance staff on call using their own vehicle to get to an emergency?

was thinking that also - I suppose this could be the case alright

21-12-2012 11:49am

YESHUCKSTER wrote: »

Surely anyone could buy a flashing Blue dashboard light so I am pretty sure if he tried to pull me over I would not have stopped.

It's illegal to do so. As for pulling over, if you have doubt about the authenticity of the guards, either continue to drive to the next town and pull in at the garda station, or ring the local garda station (mobile use is allowed in emergencies)

rallye150flyer · 21-12-2012 12:15pm

AltAccount wrote: »

Do some people not also qualify to use them because of their job - i.e. Fireman/ambulance staff on call using their own vehicle to get to an emergency?

Not the case retained firefighters cannot have blue lights on there personal cars and must obay the rules of the road while heading to the station.

AltAccount · 21-12-2012 12:19pm

Does that just apply to them, or to everyone?

YESHUCKSTER · 21-12-2012 12:39pm

Am going to enquire with a Garda who lives around the corner to see what his take on it. Seems like this guy was taking a risk if it the blue dashboard light is illegal as I could have been anyone (off duty Garda or even an genuine unmarked car)

Reati · 21-12-2012 12:44pm

28064212 wrote: »

ring the local garda station (mobile use is allowed in emergencies)

Rather take my chances than try in vain to explain why I was using the phone.

21-12-2012 1:52pm

YESHUCKSTER wrote: »

Am going to enquire with a Garda who lives around the corner to see what his take on it. Seems like this guy was taking a risk if it the blue dashboard light is illegal as I could have been anyone (off duty Garda or even an genuine unmarked car)

There is a white Box Ranger in the College. Could have been that one.

Terrontress · 21-12-2012 3:16pm

28064212 wrote: »

It's illegal to do so. As for pulling over, if you have doubt about the authenticity of the guards, either continue to drive to the next town and pull in at the garda station, or ring the local garda station (mobile use is allowed in emergencies)

How would you know the number of the local station? Is a 112 or 999 call any use?

21-12-2012 3:21pm

Terrontress wrote: »

How would you know the number of the local station? Is a 112 or 999 call any use?

If you felt there was imminent danger, then yes. Otherwise, directory services

Tyron Jara · 21-12-2012 4:29pm

YESHUCKSTER wrote: »

Was on the M7 (just after Carlow exit) heading south last Friday afternoon about 2pm in heavy but moving traffic - it was moving at about 100km due to lorries and the heavy rain etc. I was in the fast lane passing the slower traffic which was travelling at about 90km when next thing this white 'box type' jeep comes flying up behind me flashing the lights like mad. He came to within feet from the back of the car but there was no-where I could go as the traffic in the left lane was constant - think it was a couple of buses actually. Next thing as well as flashing the headlights he turns on what looked like Blue LED lights on the dashboard. There was no other lights such as the hidden ones on the grill or sides or back - just the dashboard light. This continued for about 30/40 seconds until it was safe for me to move into the slow lane and let this guy passed. I did not get reg nor the make but I have serious doubts as to whether this was a Garda or just some chancer? Anyone have an idea?

Best way to know in my opinion is if a siren starts going off as well. People buy blue lights ya so that can be anyone but a siren inst as common on somebody pretending. So if this car came up behind you did they have a siren on?

cypressg · 21-12-2012 4:45pm

Same thing happened to me on the m50 about 3 years ago except it was a porche cheyenne jeepy thing!I was in the fast lane overtaking the traffic in the slower lane but not fast enough for the cheyenne's satisfaction so he came up behind me very aggressively and very close.I did nothing and continued on my path and then the next thing there are blue lights flashing from his grill(which is right up behind me) if I recall correctly.
I kept on doing what I was doing and it eventually ended up with me in the slower lane and him taking a slip-road off to the left and pulling alongside me and both of us staring each other out of it,he had a child in the passenger seat with him.Think it was some sort of criminal myself.

Disclaimer-I amn't somebody that hogs the fast lane

YESHUCKSTER · 21-12-2012 4:56pm

Tyron Jara wrote: »

Best way to know in my opinion is if a siren starts going off as well. People buy blue lights ya so that can be anyone but a siren inst as common on somebody pretending. So if this car came up behind you did they have a siren on?

No siren or anything else like that - only the blue light on the dash

POGAN · 22-12-2012 12:08am

I know a unit that use one of these but if you wish call any station they will check it out,siren aren't allows used they may need to get somewhere without making big song and dance. not drawing attention to themselves

hope it answers your question

Terrontress · 22-12-2012 12:57am

28064212 wrote: »

If you felt there was imminent danger, then yes. Otherwise, directory services

Does the legislation allowing a driver to call the Gardai extend to calling 11811 to reach the Gardai?

If a Garda sees you on the phone, you claim it was to the local station but there is no record of their number in your phone, because 11811 put you through, you could be in trouble.

As the op was on the motorway network it is not unreasonable to consider that he might not know the number, or even location, of the nearest station.

Sorry for going off topic but it is an interesting issue to consider.

POGAN · 22-12-2012 1:09am

Terrontress wrote: »

Does the legislation allowing a driver to call the Gardai extend to calling 11811 to reach the Gardai?

If a Garda sees you on the phone, you claim it was to the local station but there is no record of their number in your phone, because 11811 put you through, you could be in trouble.

As the op was on the motorway network it is not unreasonable to consider that he might not know the number, or even location, of the nearest station.

Sorry for going off topic but it is an interesting issue to consider.

emergency numbers as in 999 or 112 is exempt from the rta to best of my knowledge

22-12-2012 5:21pm

Terrontress wrote: »

Does the legislation allowing a driver to call the Gardai extend to calling 11811 to reach the Gardai?

If a Garda sees you on the phone, you claim it was to the local station but there is no record of their number in your phone, because 11811 put you through, you could be in trouble.

As the op was on the motorway network it is not unreasonable to consider that he might not know the number, or even location, of the nearest station.

Sorry for going off topic but it is an interesting issue to consider.

Because the garda wouldn't believe you and check with the station that you called. And sure you get a text with the number you are looking for.

POGAN · 22-12-2012 10:15pm

foreign wrote: »

Because the garda wouldn't believe you and check with the station that you called. And sure you get a text with the number you are looking for.

Well if u ran in to foreign he def wouldnt believe anyone

stoneill · 23-12-2012 4:35am

Coast Guard responders are allowed have blue lights on personal cars.
Might have been one of those lads.

Leo Demidov · 23-12-2012 10:45am

stoneill wrote: »

Coast Guard responders are allowed have blue lights on personal cars.
Might have been one of those lads.

The Coastguard in Carlow rarely respond with blues on!

goldie fish · 23-12-2012 1:38pm

Customs?

stoneill · 23-12-2012 10:47pm

wexfjord wrote: »

The Coastguard in Carlow rarely respond with blues on!

They are still responsible for inland waterway rescue.

flazio · 24-12-2012 10:27am

From the OP's post, it does seem suspicious, there is no mention of any audio sirens accompanying the vehicle, which you would expect any ES vehicle, primary or secondary, to have on board, also the blues only came on when behind our OP, if they were responding to an emergency, shouldn't they been on the whole time?

Pataman · 24-12-2012 10:50am

stoneill wrote: »

Coast Guard responders are allowed have blue lights on personal cars.
Might have been one of those lads.

No They are not.
The list of allowed vehicles is very short

Here is the list:http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2011/en/si/0695.html

source · 24-12-2012 11:20am

flazio wrote: »

From the OP's post, it does seem suspicious, there is no mention of any audiot sirens accompanying the vehicle, which you would expect any ES vehicle, primary or secondary, to have on board, also the blues only came on when behind our OP, if they were responding to an emergency, shouldn't they been on the whole time?

Not necessarily, Gardai are often tasked with jobs that do not require full use of emergency lighting and siren, but may still need to get there quickly. In such an occasion, Gardai will continue to their call without lights or sirens and if they need to pass slow moving traffic, will activate the lights to make drivers aware of their presence while passing.

Locust · 26-12-2012 2:24am

Sometimes guys might just go with blue lights and no siren or neither. (Presuming it was Gardai) Common sense dictates that they might not want to activate the siren if they were responding to a call nearby where they obviously didn't want the culprits to know they were close (i.e. intruders etc you can hear a siren from a good ways off).
Although you say this happened on the motorway, which is unusual. Then again the siren could have been faulty or broken which has happened before!

Barry Barry · 30-12-2012 8:18am

28064212 wrote: »

It's illegal to do so. As for pulling over, if you have doubt about the authenticity of the guards, either continue to drive to the next town and pull in at the garda station, or ring the local garda station (mobile use is allowed in emergencies)

What do you do if this happens but the guards mistake it for a vehicle failing to stop?

Fiery mutant · 30-12-2012 8:55am

There has been a couple of instances this Christmas of store managers around the city, being pulled over by flashing blue lights on their way home from work, only to find its criminals who tell them to return to store and empty the safe.

I've be very wary of just lights, and will only pull over if a siren wails.

finnharpsboy · 30-12-2012 9:48am

ive heard that santry garda station in dublin use a red subaru impreza

collegeme · 30-12-2012 9:56am

I've seen one or two cars using these blue lights to get through traffic and my instinct was that they were not guards or any member of emergency services.

30-12-2012 6:18pm

Fiery mutant wrote: »

There has been a couple of instances this Christmas of store managers around the city, being pulled over by flashing blue lights on their way home from work, only to find its criminals who tell them to return to store and empty the safe.

I've be very wary of just lights, and will only pull over if a siren wails.

I often pull people over in marked patrol cars using lights only.

MissEmcee · 31-12-2012 5:57pm

foreign wrote: »

I often pull people over in marked patrol cars using lights only.

"Marked Patrol Car" - Lights, siren, battenburg, D reg, Mules, uniforms as distinct from a guy in civies in an ordinary car with a blue dash strobe. I remember an artic was hijacked about 6 or 7 years ago I think around Nass by a could of gougers in a blue mondeo with a blue magnetic revolving Light and double roof antenna. To the best of my knowledge they pulled it for speeding and hijacked the load which was full!of cigarettes or was it vodka?

31-12-2012 6:34pm

MissEmcee wrote: »

"Marked Patrol Car" - Lights, siren, battenburg, D reg, Mules, uniforms as distinct from a guy in civies in an ordinary car with a blue dash strobe. I remember an artic was hijacked about 6 or 7 years ago I think around Nass by a could of gougers in a blue mondeo with a blue magnetic revolving Light and double roof antenna. To the best of my knowledge they pulled it for speeding and hijacked the load which was full!of cigarettes or was it vodka?

"un-marked patrol car" - lights, siren, D reg, mules, uniform. What's your point? Again I've pulled people over in an un-marked car with only blues on.

Just for everybody here, the Garda fleet is varied. There are mondeos, focus, fiesta, rangers, toranos, almeras, xsaras, skodas, landcruisers, galaxys, volvos, land rovers, range rovers, corollas. They are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. So don't go all Jim Corr when blue lights start flashing in your rear window.

Terrontress · 01-01-2013 7:04pm

foreign wrote: »

"un-marked patrol car" - lights, siren, D reg, mules, uniform. What's your point? Again I've pulled people over in an un-marked car with only blues on.

Just for everybody here, the Garda fleet is varied. There are mondeos, focus, fiesta, rangers, toranos, almeras, xsaras, skodas, landcruisers, galaxys, volvos, land rovers, range rovers, corollas. They are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. So don't go all Jim Corr when blue lights start flashing in your rear window.

You initially stated marked car.

I think anyone unsure about the authenticity of a Garda vehicle should keep going and phone 112, explain your concern to them.

02-01-2013 3:31pm

Terrontress wrote: »

You initially stated marked car.

I think anyone unsure about the authenticity of a Garda vehicle should keep going and phone 112, explain your concern to them.

I did and it was directed at the poster saying they will only pull over if they hear a siren. I was saying how I don't always use the siren. Then somebody raised a point about equipment on a marked car.

And to the poster saying about store managers getting pulled over, any information to back that up?

MissEmcee · 02-01-2013 6:59pm

foreign wrote: »

I did and it was directed at the poster saying they will only pull over if they hear a siren. I was saying how I don't always use the siren. Then somebody raised a point about equipment on a marked car.

And to the poster saying about store managers getting pulled over, any information to back that up?

If it was directed at the other poster then why "quote" my post. Come to think of it dont reply - you seem to get very thick very easily.

03-01-2013 9:09am

MissEmcee wrote: »

If it was directed at the other poster then why "quote" my post. Come to think of it dont reply - you seem to get very thick very easily.

Just read the sequence of posts again. Not too hard to understand.

Anyway, think the OP's question has been answered and this thread has gone the way other threads on this question have gone before.

J K · 03-01-2013 6:38pm

Terrontress wrote: »

You initially stated marked car.

I think anyone unsure about the authenticity of a Garda vehicle should keep going and phone 112, explain your concern to them.

Because the possibility exists that someone could masquerade as a garda that does not give any member of the public the right to ignore(even temporarily) a garda. Aside from the fact that it is illegal, think about the consequences, you cannot police society that way.

Also you can phone who you want but you'll have garda cars coming at you from all points of the compass and will be doing well to get away. The disruption you cause will surely be considered in the court case that follows for you.

Terrontress · 03-01-2013 8:14pm

J K wrote: »

Because the possibility exists that someone could masquerade as a garda that does not give any member of the public the right to ignore(even temporarily) a garda. Aside from the fact that it is illegal, think about the consequences, you cannot police society that way.

Also you can phone who you want but you'll have garda cars coming at you from all points of the compass and will be doing well to get away. The disruption you cause will surely be considered in the court case that follows for you.

Phoning Gardai is not ignoring the situation. And at least if other Garda vehicles arrive you can stop with confidence.

A Garda has to adequately identify themselves before expecting compliance and a it could be argued that a flashing blue light powered from the cigarette lighter and stuck on to the sunscreen with suction pads is not sufficient identification. No judge would disagree.

J K · 03-01-2013 9:33pm

Terrontress wrote: »

Phoning Gardai is not ignoring the situation.

Yes it is. You were directed to stop. Failed to do so. s109 RTA.

A Garda has to adequately identify themselves before expecting compliance

You're just inventing your own rules. Where did you get adequately identify. What's adequate for you might not be adequate for someone else. It's a free pass for everyone to ignore gardai. How can i be sure he is a garda. Anyone could make that uniform. I'm not obeying him.

and a it could be argued that a flashing blue light powered from the cigarette lighter and stuck on to the sunscreen with suction pads is not sufficient identification.

A flashing blue light is used by garda vehicles to identify themselves. For you to say that it can be faked by someone else is no different to how somoeone could put the full markings of a patrol car on a mondeo to fake it. The uniform could easily be copied. Many have been stolen in burglaries. Not that they would be difficult to duplicate exactly in being made up.
To the point I made in the first post - the fact it is possible to masquerade as a garda or garda car does not give a charter for people to disobey the law or refuse to follow directions if a garda. I think this is what you want. A clever loophole to give people a free pass to ignore gardai. It would work in any situation. Entirely subjective. "Judge I wasn't quite sure if he was a garda. He didn't talk like one. One of his buttons was missing."
You either have a rule of law or you don't. If it's up to people to make a personal assessment of a gardas authenticity before accepting them as one then you will have a free for all. You might as well get rid of the whole thing then. Every man for himself.

beachhead · 03-01-2013 9:39pm

Only Gardai on duty are allowed to use a blue light.Report anyone else you see using them.They are not allowed abuse the traffic laws by trying to force you of the road.

ballsymchugh · 03-01-2013 9:45pm

Fiery mutant wrote: »

There has been a couple of instances this Christmas of store managers around the city, being pulled over by flashing blue lights on their way home from work, only to find its criminals who tell them to return to store and empty the safe.

I've be very wary of just lights, and will only pull over if a siren wails.

they don't even have to buy the lights, they can download the iphone app that mimics them.

Terrontress · 04-01-2013 4:53pm

J K wrote: »

Yes it is. adequate for you be sure he is a garda. Anyone could make that uniform. I'm not obeying him.

in the first post - the fact it is possible to masquerade as a garda or garda car does not give a charter for people to disobey the law or refuse to follow directions if a garda. I think this is what you want. A clever loophole to give people a free pass to ignore gardai. It .

Yes, I think we are in basic agreement. Better not to stop unless you are sure it is a Garda.

04-01-2013 8:42pm

beachhead wrote: »

Only Gardai on duty are allowed to use a blue light.Report anyone else you see using them.They are not allowed abuse the traffic laws by trying to force you of the road.

Go and read the legislation. Then come back with a sensible comment.

kravmaga · 07-01-2013 6:44pm

YESHUCKSTER wrote: »

Was on the M7 (just after Carlow exit) heading south last Friday afternoon about 2pm in heavy but moving traffic - it was moving at about 100km due to lorries and the heavy rain etc. I was in the fast lane passing the slower traffic which was travelling at about 90km when next thing this white 'box type' jeep comes flying up behind me flashing the lights like mad. He came to within feet from the back of the car but there was no-where I could go as the traffic in the left lane was constant - think it was a couple of buses actually. Next thing as well as flashing the headlights he turns on what looked like Blue LED lights on the dashboard. There was no other lights such as the hidden ones on the grill or sides or back - just the dashboard light. This continued for about 30/40 seconds until it was safe for me to move into the slow lane and let this guy passed. I did not get reg nor the make but I have serious doubts as to whether this was a Garda or just some chancer? Anyone have an idea?

May have been an Special Detective Unit vehicle from the square or ERU.

Not all AGS vehicles have snub aerial on top or blue led front grill and side.

Turner · 07-01-2013 11:14pm

My advice always is, if you are apprehensive about stopping for an unmarked Garda vehicle (suspecting it is a bogus person trying to rob / hijack you) proceed at the same speed with your hazards on..

Diall 999 and ask for it to be confirmed (you are allowed call 999 while driving)

If it is a real unamrked Garda car and you do not stop for it, after a short while you will undoubtedly see a lot more Garda vehicles fall in behind you and your trailing car.

You will know it is safe to stop and explain your reasons for not stopping.

Marked Garda car means stop!!

Capri · 10-01-2013 12:54am

cypressg wrote: »

Same thing happened to me on the m50 about 3 years ago except it was a porche cheyenne jeepy thing!I was in the fast lane overtaking the traffic in the slower lane but not fast enough for the cheyenne's satisfaction so he came up behind me very aggressively and very close.I did nothing and continued on my path and then the next thing there are blue lights flashing from his grill(which is right up behind me) if I recall correctly.
I kept on doing what I was doing and it eventually ended up with me in the slower lane and him taking a slip-road off to the left and pulling alongside me and both of us staring each other out of it,he had a child in the passenger seat with him.Think it was some sort of criminal myself.

Disclaimer-I amn't somebody that hogs the fast lane

I did see a grey VW Touareg with red tail strobes being let thru to an accident on the N11 - ambulance / fire ??

No matter who they are they shouldn't use the siren/lights to 'bulldoze' through traffic - and if they cause /are involved in an accident, will they remain at the scene :mad: If they were professionals then less use of the lights/siren actually speeds up progress thru traffic if they 'read' the road ahead.

antichrist · 10-01-2013 4:45am

Capri wrote: »

If they were professionals then less use of the lights/siren actually speeds up progress thru traffic if they 'read' the road ahead.

Are you speaking generally or about the VW?

Unmarked Car - Blue dash light only

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