Author Topic: Unlawful traffic stop?  (Read 1492 times)

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Unlawful traffic stop?
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Interesting one. With the benefit of hindsight i wish I had done some things differently. i also dont intend to do anything about it just intrested to see other opinions.

I was driving along a dual carriage way with cruise set at 70mph. Passing cars gong slower on the inside lane. I approached a slwoer moving car in the fast lane. Obviously going slightly less than 70mps. My cruise braked to keep me the required distance.

Once all cars on the inside lane had been passed the car in the fast lane infront of me stayed in the fast lane. I gave itg a few moments. No other cars to over take but he didnt move over/

I disconnected the cruise and closed the gap, slowly and steadily. Hopefully to make him realise that a car was behind wanting to do the speed limit and make my way past. I didnt ever get close and dont beleive i was at all aggressive/

Then from his rear window 2 flashing blue lights come on. Obviously I now realise its an unmarked car so backed off. And indicated left into the nearside lane.

I took a moment to think and decided rationally i hadnt done anything wrong however closing the gap had obvioulsy annoyed him.

He stayed in the outside lane and i reset my cruise to 70 on the inside lane. As again he was doing slightly less than 70 so the gap closed again but we are now in different lanes.

We now overlap and I cruise past with a very small differencial in speed. He then pulls in behind me.

We continue 2-3 miles and approach a roundabout. Both in the nearside lane. Make our way around. Take the first exit. Still dual carriageway but speed limit reduces to 50. I rest my cruise to 50 and slowly pull away from him. One mile later he is 3-400 yards behinds me. Closes the gap and pulls me over.

Approaches now open window and asks me to step out to dicuss the manner of my driving.

The converstaion goes along the lines of him saying i was doing 60 in the 50. I was not. My cruise was set to 50 and i was being followed by an unmarked police car so I was quite certain!! And that i had no right to undertake. I pointed out that he shouldnt have been travelling in the overtaking lane doing less than legal speed limit and not pulling over. I had clearly annoyed him and he had also annoyed me.

I suggested that we agree to disagree and he said that it was not for me to educate drivers about lane discipline. He is the educator. i pointed out that the educator should also be required to follow the rules!

At no time did he indentify himself or ask me to identify myself. All he asked was if the car was mine. He appeared to record my reg in his phone but took no other details. He wore a blackpolice t shirt. Then told me to watch myself and let me on my way.

Im guessing he was off duty and i had annoyed him enough to want to teach me a lesson but was what he did lawful?

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Re: Unlawful traffic stop?
« Reply #1 on: »
What do you think was unlawful about it?
I am not qualified to give legal advice in the UK. While I will do my best to help you, you should not rely on my advice as if it was given by a lawyer qualified in the UK.

Re: Unlawful traffic stop?
« Reply #2 on: »
Propably not on duty? Didnt record the stop? Didnt break any rules?

Perhaps i mean was it lawful?
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Re: Unlawful traffic stop?
« Reply #3 on: »
Can’t see why not.
I am not qualified to give legal advice in the UK. While I will do my best to help you, you should not rely on my advice as if it was given by a lawyer qualified in the UK.

Re: Unlawful traffic stop?
« Reply #4 on: »
It wasn’t you was it?  ;D
« Last Edit: July 15, 2025, 02:14:08 pm by Benny130 »

Re: Unlawful traffic stop?
« Reply #5 on: »
It wasn’t you was it?  ;D

Nah, I’d have booked you.
I am not qualified to give legal advice in the UK. While I will do my best to help you, you should not rely on my advice as if it was given by a lawyer qualified in the UK.
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Re: Unlawful traffic stop?
« Reply #6 on: »
What for out of interest?

Re: Unlawful traffic stop?
« Reply #7 on: »
What for out of interest?
Tailgating, and overtaking on the left, are usually treated as Careless Driving. The definition of that is driving which "falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver."

Re: Unlawful traffic stop?
« Reply #8 on: »
What for out of interest?

You deliberately (in all senses of the word) "undertook" a car you knew to be a police car?

"Very bold" as Sir Humphrey might say...
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