Garda checkpoint, full headlights on

rosemary1992 · 19-02-2020 1:42am #1

Hi all, new here so I apologise if this is in the wrong section.
Was driving home this evening and came across a Garda Checkpoint on an unlit road. There were blue lights on my side of the road and the Garda car was parked on the other side of the road with blue sirens on and full headlights on. The lights were so strong I could not see what was actually happening, whether it was an accident etc.
I slowed right down and could barely see the Garda in the middle of the road because of the full lights. I thought she motioned for me to pull in but wasn't sure again because of the lights, so did so to be safe.
When I rolled down the window I said I'm sorry I didn't know if you wanted me to pull in or not because I couldn't see with the lights, to which she replied well you can stay there now anyway.
My father was in the car said you're lights are way too strong you can't see because of them. She said that they have to be that strong so they can be seen (I think she may have been referring to the blue sirens) so I said it's just very hard to see because you have your full headlights on. She ignored this and asked for my driver's licence and breathalyzed me. All negative no bother. I gave up saying anything else so said thank you take care. To be honest was annoyed because I tried to tell her nicely but was just met with a very bad attitude.

My question is are Gardai checkpoints meant to use full headlights? Surely they should be the same as other road users and dim to oncoming traffic.
Thanks a million for your help.

mickdw · 19-02-2020 1:45am

I've seen them be oblivious to such things before but you are wasting your time trying to tell a garda anything.
They are brural for parking facing traffic on wrong side of road too and then even dipped beams will blind you.

kravmaga · 19-02-2020 1:47am

Never heard of check points being carried out with full head lights on?? In Dublin they have these small blue flashing lights which they place on the ground to warn motorists that a checkpoint is being operated.

Did you get her collar number? Reg number of the patrol car?

Was she wearing her hi vis vest? What reason did she give you to demand your licence and to breathalyse you?

Sounds like you came across a Nazi storm trooper.

You can always make a complaint at the local Garda station or via GSOC

19-02-2020 1:49am

So there were blue flashing lights & headlights.
And you slowed down.
Do seems like they did their job?

rosemary1992 · 19-02-2020 1:50am

mickdw wrote: »

I've seen them be oblivious to such things before but you are wasting your time trying to tell a garda anything.
They are brural for parking facing traffic on wrong side of road too and then even dipped beams will blind you.

You're dead right I suppose, they probably don't want to be seen in the wrong when they're in a role of authority. That's why I tried to say it as nicely as possible and so the road was safe for her and other users also. You're right though wasting my breath. Thanks a mill

rosemary1992 · 19-02-2020 1:53am

kravmaga wrote: »

Never heard of check points being carried out in Dublin with full head lights on??

Did you get her collar number? You can always make a complaint at the station or via GSOC regarding the poor behaviour of the officer

I only thought of that afterwards, you know how you'd be caught up in things at the time. Glad that I said it about the lights to her, hopefully someone else did too. Thanks for the advice ðŸ˜Š

jaxxx · 19-02-2020 1:54am

bubblypop wrote: »

So there were blue flashing lights & headlights.
And you slowed down.
Do seems like they did their job?

Me thinks you're missing the point.

Garda car was stopped with headlights on full, them coming opposite way.. .. ..

Lefty Bicek · 19-02-2020 1:54am

bubblypop wrote: »

So there were blue flashing lights & headlights.
And you slowed down.
Do seems like they did their job?

Do you drive ?

19-02-2020 1:55am

rosemary1992 wrote: »

My question is are Gardai checkpoints meant to use full headlights? Surely they should be the same as other road users and dim to oncoming traffic.
Thanks a million for your help.

Why would they be the same as incoming traffic?
They are not incoming traffic & they want you to stop.
Also, they want you to slow down, there are health & safety issues in relation to the guard standing on the road.
Of course they want you to slow down &/or maybe stop!

19-02-2020 1:56am

jaxxx wrote: »

Me thinks you're missing the point.

Garda car was stopped with headlights on full, them coming opposite way.. .. ..

The Garda car was on the opposite side of the road?
Presume it was a dual carriageway

19-02-2020 1:57am

Lefty Bicek wrote: »

Do you drive ?

Yes I do.
What's your point?

rosemary1992 · 19-02-2020 1:59am

bubblypop wrote: »

So there were blue flashing lights & headlights.
And you slowed down.
Do seems like they did their job?

Full headlights which blind oncoming traffic. I slowed down because I was unsure what was happening and it was a 100km zone.
You are right though it had the desired effect. Let's hope if it is the correct procedure that all other road users do the same and don't knock them down because they can't see them.

19-02-2020 2:00am

Could be a simple mistake by a Garda, and a misunderstanding when you tried to explain it.

A lot of squad cars are fitted with headlights where the beam lights alternate from side to side when the emergency lights are activated, but i think this is generally disabled for stationary vehicles (ie checkpoints and such).

rosemary1992 · 19-02-2020 2:05am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Could be a simple mistake by a Garda, and a misunderstanding when you tried to explain it.

A lot of squad cars are fitted with headlights where the beam lights alternate from side to side when the emergency lights are activated, but i think this is generally disabled for stationary vehicles (ie checkpoints and such).

Yeah at the end of the day they're just doing their job! It may have gotten lost in translation. Yes I know exactly which you mean the flashing headlights, these were constant. It probably was a genuine mistake and she just wanted to get on with doing her job! Thanks for the info

jaxxx · 19-02-2020 2:07am

bubblypop wrote: »

The Garda car was on the opposite side of the road?
Presume it was a dual carriageway

bubblypop wrote: »

Yes I do.
What's your point?

You need to go to Specsavers :pac:

rosemary1992 · 19-02-2020 2:08am

kravmaga wrote: »

Was she wearing her hi vis vest? What reason did she give you to demand your licence and to breathalyse you?

Sounds like you came across a Nazi storm trooper.

You can always make a complaint at the local Garda station or via GSOC

Do they have to give you a reason for asking for your licence/breathalyzing you? Ten years driving and this is the first time I've been breathalyzed so not a clue!

kravmaga · 19-02-2020 2:15am

rosemary1992 wrote: »

Do they have to give you a reason for asking for your licence/breathalyzing you? Ten years driving and this is the first time I've been breathalyzed so not a clue!

Do you never question people in authority positions, I do all the time.

I think you need to have a read of this.

https://www.iccl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ICCL_KYR_Justice_2014_LR.pdf

rosemary1992 · 19-02-2020 2:16am

bubblypop wrote: »

Why would they be the same as incoming traffic?
They are not incoming traffic & they want you to stop.
Also, they want you to slow down, there are health & safety issues in relation to the guard standing on the road.
Of course they want you to slow down &/or maybe stop!

I am oncoming traffic as I approach them and yes one would think that part of the health and safety of the Gardai standing on the road would be that I can clearly see them which I could not. My point is that others may not have done the same as they could not clearly see what was happening. I could not see the Garda until I was close as the lights were blinding me.
No it was not a dual carriageway, they were just parked at the other side of the road with their full lights facing me, hence why I couldn't see them properly.
At the end of the day though we won't get in a tissy about it as nothing bad happened! Was merely asking to see if anyone knew whether it was correct procedure. Thanks for your comments

rosemary1992 · 19-02-2020 2:21am

kravmaga wrote: »

Do you never question people in authority positions, I do all the time.

I think you need to have a read of this.

Hahaha I don't make a habit of it, real goodie two shoes here :L
Thanks, I'll have a read and be a real rebel from now on! ;P

BorneTobyWilde · 19-02-2020 2:59am

Guards are complete morons, if they say the grass is blue you are at absolutely nothing telling them it's actually green. So don't try, fools talk, fool argue while wise men listen to reason. Lesson is to not bother to argue with fools.

ratracer · 19-02-2020 3:39am

rosemary1992 wrote: »

Do they have to give you a reason for asking for your licence/breathalyzing you? Ten years driving and this is the first time I've been breathalyzed so not a clue!

It is normal and legal for Mandatory Alcohol Testing to be carried out, same as checkpoints for tax/ insurance:

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2010/act/25/section/10/enacted/en/html#sec10

The full headlights thing is a load of balls, and a danger to motorists and the Garda herself. I don’t think people understand the glare their headlights can cause. They shouldn’t have been left on at a static checkpoint.

CharlieCroker · 19-02-2020 6:21am

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Guards are complete morons, if they say the grass is blue you are at absolutely nothing telling them it's actually green. So don't try, fools talk, fool argue while wise men listen to reason. Lesson is to not bother to argue with fools.

That's some sweeping statement to make about 14,000 people.

gordongekko · 19-02-2020 6:49am

kravmaga wrote: »

Never heard of check points being carried out with full head lights on?? In Dublin they have these small blue flashing lights which they place on the ground to warn motorists that a checkpoint is being operated.

Did you get her collar number? Reg number of the patrol car?

Was she wearing her hi vis vest? What reason did she give you to demand your licence and to breathalyse you?

Sounds like you came across a Nazi storm trooper.

You can always make a complaint at the local Garda station or via GSOC

FFS who'd be a gardai. Complaints to gsoc over them having headlights on

whomitconcerns · 19-02-2020 6:53am

rosemary1992 wrote: »

Hahaha I don't make a habit of it, real goodie two shoes here :L
Thanks, I'll have a read and be a real rebel from now on! ;P

Save yourself, don't read it. Suffice to say if they don't have their hat on then maritime law applies and they have to speak Irish to convict...

But seriously, don't become one of them... If you are that worried about it that you have to read that whole doc, better to ask yourself what are you doing wrong to have that worry.

If you have a concern ask but respect the people trying to do their job and don't just be obtuse for the sake of being obtuse.

But in your orig point, I would have said it to then also, but, after that, whatever sand just get on with life

Millionaire only not · 19-02-2020 7:24am

A lot of the posters got out of wrong side of bed this morning!
Original op was just saying the attitude of the Gardaí at checkpoint , and I would agree some of them are quiet ignorant in there attitudes at times !
I have given up being anyway helpful to them of if pulled in for any reason , I give them my license say nothing just let them get on with it !
I’d say there a jealous of what people drive tbh ! And believe themselves to be inferior to others because I wear a Garda uniform ! A lot of them seem to have problems what ever it’s about !

BronsonTB · 19-02-2020 11:11am

Millionaire only not wrote: »

A lot of the posters got out of wrong side of bed this morning!
Original op was just saying the attitude of the Gardaí at checkpoint , and I would agree some of them are quiet ignorant in there attitudes at times !
I have given up being anyway helpful to them of if pulled in for any reason , I give them my license say nothing just let them get on with it !
I’d say there a jealous of what people drive tbh ! And believe themselves to be inferior to others because I wear a Garda uniform ! A lot of them seem to have problems what ever it’s about !

Yep, like every profession...good and bad out there...

Wishbone Ash · 19-02-2020 11:24am

rosemary1992 wrote: »

Hi all, new here so I apologise if this is in the wrong section.
Was driving home this evening and came across a Garda Checkpoint on an unlit road. There were blue lights on my side of the road and the Garda car was parked on the other side of the road with blue sirens on and full headlights on. The lights were so strong I could not see what was actually happening, whether it was an accident etc.
I slowed right down and could barely see the Garda in the middle of the road because of the full lights. I thought she motioned for me to pull in but wasn't sure again because of the lights, so did so to be safe.
When I rolled down the window I said I'm sorry I didn't know if you wanted me to pull in or not because I couldn't see with the lights, to which she replied well you can stay there now anyway.
My father was in the car said you're lights are way too strong you can't see because of them. She said that they have to be that strong so they can be seen (I think she may have been referring to the blue sirens) so I said it's just very hard to see because you have your full headlights on. She ignored this and asked for my driver's licence and breathalyzed me. All negative no bother. I gave up saying anything else so said thank you take care. To be honest was annoyed because I tried to tell her nicely but was just met with a very bad attitude.

My question is are Gardai checkpoints meant to use full headlights? Surely they should be the same as other road users and dim to oncoming traffic.
Thanks a million for your help.

It may have been a mis-understanding. You refer to 'full lights' which is a term many people say when they are referring to dipped headlights (as opposed to parking lights). If you had said 'high beams', it may have had more effect. The Garda may not have realised that the main beams were on. (In some cars, the blue interior light indicating that the main beams are on is poorly placed).

She may have also thought you were referring to the blue lights.

It's also possible that the car was parked on uneven ground making the dipped headlights shine higher up.

wmMagner · 19-02-2020 11:40am

rosemary1992 wrote: »

Hi all, new here so I apologise if this is in the wrong section.
Was driving home this evening and came across a Garda Checkpoint on an unlit road. There were blue lights on my side of the road and the Garda car was parked on the other side of the road with blue sirens on and full headlights on. The lights were so strong I could not see what was actually happening, whether it was an accident etc.
I slowed right down and could barely see the Garda in the middle of the road because of the full lights. I thought she motioned for me to pull in but wasn't sure again because of the lights, so did so to be safe.
When I rolled down the window I said I'm sorry I didn't know if you wanted me to pull in or not because I couldn't see with the lights, to which she replied well you can stay there now anyway.
My father was in the car said you're lights are way too strong you can't see because of them. She said that they have to be that strong so they can be seen (I think she may have been referring to the blue sirens) so I said it's just very hard to see because you have your full headlights on. She ignored this and asked for my driver's licence and breathalyzed me. All negative no bother. I gave up saying anything else so said thank you take care. To be honest was annoyed because I tried to tell her nicely but was just met with a very bad attitude.

My question is are Gardai checkpoints meant to use full headlights? Surely they should be the same as other road users and dim to oncoming traffic.
Thanks a million for your help.

I've seen the same thing with the lights twice. I thought they were doing it to illuminate the reg plates of the on coming traffic for the camera.

sweet_trip · 19-02-2020 3:13pm

Saw one of the traffic gardai ford rangers in the dark evening last month with only the front DRL's on and no rear lights. Oblivious.

:rolleyes:

Tazzimus · 19-02-2020 5:58pm

bubblypop wrote: »

Yes I do.
What's your point?

Do you understand how headlights work and the effect full beams have on a car coming towards them?

19-02-2020 10:58pm

Tazzimus wrote: »

Do you understand how headlights work and the effect full beams have on a car coming towards them?

He's a garda too I believe, so there's no talking to him.

Esel · 19-02-2020 11:08pm

salonfire wrote: »

He's a garda too I believe, so there's no talking to him.

They would certainly be on your case if you drove up to a checkpoint with full headlights on...

BorneTobyWilde · 19-02-2020 11:22pm

CharlieCroker wrote: »

That's some sweeping statement to make about 14,000 people.

Not at all considering they all back each other up in their foolishness. All for one and one for all, grass is blue!

Killinator · 19-02-2020 11:24pm

Only thing I'll say as a possible excuse (I'll not get bogged down in being called a moron) is that the lights in the patrol cars are rubbish, like you'd have better light off 2 candles.
Even the new i40s are shockingly bad to the point that I've had to drive with high beams just to see a normal distance as would be expected of dipped beams. That said I still don't have them on when driving against oncoming traffic obviously.

I have had people say the blues are too bright and they weren't talking about high beams as I always change to drls when pulled up at a CP.
So I can see where there may have possibly been confusion over the issue raised by the op as to what lights they were talking about and the Garda in question just not being aware they'd left high beams on.

But I wasn't there so I can't say for sure, just giving a guess coming from the moron's side.

kennethsmyth · 20-02-2020 11:55am

Killinator wrote: »

Only thing I'll say as a possible excuse (I'll not get bogged down in being called a moron) is that the lights in the patrol cars are rubbish, like you'd have better light off 2 candles.
Even the new i40s are shockingly bad to the point that I've had to drive with high beams just to see a normal distance as would be expected of dipped beams. That said I still don't have them on when driving against oncoming traffic obviously.

I have had people say the blues are too bright and they weren't talking about high beams as I always change to drls when pulled up at a CP.
So I can see where there may have possibly been confusion over the issue raised by the op as to what lights they were talking about and the Garda in question just not being aware they'd left high beams on.

But I wasn't there so I can't say for sure, just giving a guess coming from the moron's side.

Fair play, I don't believe for a second you or most other guards are moron's and its an easy mistake to leave on the high beams - we are all human. But I think what most people are saying is that the day to day contact with some guards leaves a lot to be desired when maybe we as citizens are also trying to help.

?Cee?view · 20-02-2020 12:51pm

Killinator wrote: »

Only thing I'll say as a possible excuse (I'll not get bogged down in being called a moron) is that the lights in the patrol cars are rubbish, like you'd have better light off 2 candles.
Even the new i40s are shockingly bad to the point that I've had to drive with high beams just to see a normal distance as would be expected of dipped beams. That said I still don't have them on when driving against oncoming traffic obviously.

I have had people say the blues are too bright and they weren't talking about high beams as I always change to drls when pulled up at a CP.
So I can see where there may have possibly been confusion over the issue raised by the op as to what lights they were talking about and the Garda in question just not being aware they'd left high beams on.

But I wasn't there so I can't say for sure, just giving a guess coming from the moron's side.

That makes complete sense. The standard of equipment you guys have to put up with is abysmal.

Genuine question. Are Guards trained to be rude in certain situations and traffic situations in particular? What I mean it, is it a calculated attitude to take control of a particular situation i.e. you tell someone to provide a licence or answer a question rather than asking to see a licence or for an answer?

Killinator · 20-02-2020 4:28pm

No, unfortunately some guards are just ignorant pricks and some join hoping to get a cushy job in the Super's office and treat 'regular' work with disdain and as a result treat the public like something they stepped in
I won't lie, I work with a few of them from time to time and it infuriates me to see it as I know the impression it gives and even practically we may rely on these people for help/info later down the line for who knows what.
The higher ups can't/won't do anything about it as they need every body they can get, so an air of untouchable.....ness results with the very people who don't need it while the hard work diligent lads run to fix their messes.

Such is life really, it ain't limited to our job.

But back on topic, no, we are given very little training in communication at CPs other than making demands for licences/breath tests and the like. And to be fair one should not need training to know how to talk to people appropriately, that should be a given. The ones who give a damn will pick up the tricks for getting bits of information whilst the aforementioned morons will grunt and wave you on unless you give 'cheek'

?Cee?view · 20-02-2020 5:07pm

Killinator wrote: »

No, unfortunately some guards are just ignorant pricks and some join hoping to get a cushy job in the Super's office and treat 'regular' work with disdain and as a result treat the public like something they stepped in
I won't lie, I work with a few of them from time to time and it infuriates me to see it as I know the impression it gives and even practically we may rely on these people for help/info later down the line for who knows what.
The higher ups can't/won't do anything about it as they need every body they can get, so an air of untouchable.....ness results with the very people who don't need it while the hard work diligent lads run to fix their messes.

Such is life really, it ain't limited to our job.

But back on topic, no, we are given very little training in communication at CPs other than making demands for licences/breath tests and the like. And to be fair one should not need training to know how to talk to people appropriately, that should be a given. The ones who give a damn will pick up the tricks for getting bits of information whilst the aforementioned morons will grunt and wave you on unless you give 'cheek'

Thanks. I appreciate that response. It's not fair that people such as yourself have to put up with the crap some of your colleagues cause. As you say though, it's not limited to your job, however, your job involves dealing with such awful crap that you could do with your colleagues pulling together.

Thanks again.

kennethsmyth · 20-02-2020 5:18pm

?Cee?view wrote: »

Thanks. I appreciate that response. It's not fair that people such as yourself have to put up with the crap some of your colleagues cause. As you say though, it's not limited to your job, however, your job involves dealing with such awful crap that you could do with your colleagues pulling together.

Thanks again.

I'd also like to say thanks to Killinator as hopefully more like him will prevail.

Garda checkpoint, full headlights on

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