Fixed penalty (3 points & £60) for the following...

[Peter C]

If I was a traffic copper I would issue on the spot fines for the following:

 

Driving with fog lights on in clear weather conditions.

Because: it doesn't look cool and 4 bright lights dazzle oncoming traffic

 

Driving with no lights switched on in foggy conditions.

Because: you can see where you're going but others take longer to notice you, which may lead to an accident.

 

Driving with snow on the roof.

Because: if you brake hard, the snow may slide over your windscreen and block your vision, which may lead to an accident.

 

Driving with lights / indicators obscured by snow.

Because: other driver's cannot see you or which way you propose to go.

 

Driving within 6 foot of the car in front, aka tailgating:

Because: if the car in front brakes hard, there is a chance you will not stop in time to avoid hitting the car in front.

 

Driving whilst using a mobile phone.

Because: you are not concentrating on driving, increasing the risk of causing or being involved in an accident.

 

I am sure that whilst all of the above are valid contraventions of the Highway Code, they are also issues that seriously piss me off.

 

If I was traffic plod I would go out of my way to hand out fines for the above.

 

Rant over, man I feel better.

[eddyramrod]

If I was a traffic copper I would issue on the spot fines for the following:

 

Driving with fog lights on in clear weather conditions.

Because: it doesn't look cool and 4 bright lights dazzle oncoming traffic

 

Driving within 6 foot of the car in front, aka tailgating:

Because: if the car in front brakes hard, there is a chance you will not stop in time to avoid hitting the car in front.

 

Driving whilst using a mobile phone.

Because: you are not concentrating on driving, increasing the risk of causing or being involved in an accident.

 

I am sure that whilst all of the above are valid contraventions of the Highway Code, they are also issues that seriously piss me off.

 

If I was traffic plod I would go out of my way to hand out fines for the above.

 

Rant over, man I feel better.

 

These few must be worth double points...

 

To which I must add, smoking while driving. Before anyone knee-jerks, hold up a moment and think of this: how much attention and hand-occupation is involved in finding your fags, getting one out of the pack and into your mouth, and operating a lighter, even the one built into the car? Too much, is my answer. And when you've done all that, you're going to be driving in your own little toxic fogbank, with two of your fingers occupied in holding a paper tube filled with burning leaves. Yeah, you really want that in your car, don't you!

[garethj]

*and breathe*

 

I wouldn't do any of those. I'd prefer freedom whilst driving. I might be tempted to remove insurance cover in the event of an accident, that might make people a bit more careful although it's mostly half-baked.

 

I'd hand out swift retribution for those dawdling in the middle lane of a motorway because it causes huge tailbacks on what should be free flowing roads. In fact with all the CCTV I'd spot a hold up, then look at the 2 miles of CCTV up ahead and see what caused it. Then I'd eradicate whatever it is.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

If I was a traffic copper I would issue on the spot fines for the following:

 

Driving with fog lights on in clear weather conditions.

Because: it doesn't look cool and 4 bright lights dazzle oncoming traffic

 

Driving within 6 foot of the car in front, aka tailgating:

Because: if the car in front brakes hard, there is a chance you will not stop in time to avoid hitting the car in front.

 

Driving whilst using a mobile phone.

Because: you are not concentrating on driving, increasing the risk of causing or being involved in an accident

 

These few must be worth double points...

 

To which I must add, smoking while driving. Before anyone knee-jerks, hold up a moment and think of this: how much attention and hand-occupation is involved in finding your fags, getting one out of the pack and into your mouth, and operating a lighter, even the one built into the car? Too much, is my answer. And when you've done all that, you're going to be driving in your own little toxic fogbank, with two of your fingers occupied in holding a paper tube filled with burning leaves. Yeah, you really want that in your car, don't you!

 

The driving in Cyprus must really bother you!

[eddyramrod]

In fact with all the CCTV I'd spot a hold up, then look at the 2 miles of CCTV up ahead and see what caused it. Then I'd eradicate whatever it is.

 

Oh no, that's far too sensible. You should be CCTV Director, but of course the further up the ladder one is, the less sense one has, fact.

 

And Mr Hatred, I'm just trying to calm down enough to post on the Grumpy thread about exactly that!

[Guest]

People who are turning right on a roundabout, but don't feel the need to indicate, so you start pulling out and then have to anchor on. To add insult to injury, they usually indicate off it - helpful. If you're only going to indicate once, perhaps the one which will stop people T-boning you is preferable.

[cobblers]

Foglights piss me off in an "OH GR8 LOOK AT MY FOGLIGHTS, MY CAR IS SO SPORTY AND UPMARKET!" way. It's like driving round with your back wiper on 24/7 to show off. Although I'd say about 20% of the offenders are women driving renault scenics who genuinely don't have a clue what any of the switches do or what the symbols mean, so just flap their arms towards the dash until some light appears to beam out of the front of the car or they finish screaming at the child in the back of the car and have to scream off in a huff.

 

Proper tailgating really needs cracking down on, too. It's much more of a safety issue than speeding, and there is a good percentage of road users who seriously do not understand what a reasonable following distance is.

 

Smoking pisses me off mainly because it makes cars stink, but I suppose it is pretty hazardous if you are clumsy. I wouldn't drive along holding a soldering iron.

 

I think more attention needs to be paid to people who drive normal (modern) cars at 50mph on the motorway in perfect conditions. Not so much a penalty, but if they are only confident enough to go 50mph when it is safe to do almost double that, then their driving skillz really need some looking at. Obviously, if 50mph means screaming the bollocks off the car, or the tyres are 45 years old, or its raining heavily or you are stuck in 2nd gear then it's fine, but if you are in a 2 year old Corsa then you need to be shot in the face immediately.

[Richard]

Not so much a penalty...shot in the face immediately.

 

How is that not so much a penalty?

[Negative Creep]

3 points for having only one brake light working

 

 

12 points for driving in the dark with only front fogs and sidelights

[boobydoo]

6 month ban for chucking fag ends out the window. Most cars have an ashtray.

 

12 month ban for chucking fast food wrappers, cartons and half eaten meals out the window.

 

Everything else I can live with.

 

Oh, and be consistent when banning people for speeding. I got banned a few years ago for totting up 12 points. Fair enough....6 month ban , I paid my dues.

But don't let other people off just because they either have;

 

1.A sick aunty in Macclesfield that depends on them

2. A good solicitor

3.Their job depends on being able to drive.

 

Treat everyone the same.

[M'coli]

But don't let other people off just because they either have;

 

1.A sick aunty in Macclesfield that depends on them

2. A good solicitor

3.Their job depends on being able to drive.

 

Treat everyone the same.

Also, if use of a car is so important to them, why did they not modify their behaviour to prevent toting up so many points?

[eddyramrod]

Oh that's easy... rampant stupidity.

[Richard]

There should only be one offence- driving like a cock.

[autofive]

i really dont understand the "you cant drive and smoke' argument (apart from the rubbish out the window bit)

 

it' s very easy to smoke and drive

eat and drive

drink and drive (non-alcoholic, obviously)

use a phone and drive

use a CB radio and drive

change a tape or cd and drive

shout at kids in the back and drive

scratch your nose and drive

look at and listen to a satnav and drive

check your speed and drive

read road signs and drive

hold a conversation with a passenger and drive

the list is endless

 

driving is not difficult.

If you cant drive and do any of the above things without it affecting your drving then you shouldnt be allowed on the road anyway - your just too crap to be in charge of a vehicle

[chaseracer]

Not so much a penalty...shot in the face immediately.

 

How is that not so much a penalty?

It would probably be a blessed relief after being in a Corsa.

[Waderider]

"I think more attention needs to be paid to people who drive normal (modern) cars at 50mph"

 

I regularly drive between 50 and 60mph on motorways and A roads in Scotland, to save fuel. I keep left for what it's worth. Occasionally on exciting winding roads I let rip and madly exceed the limit.

 

Point is, slow driving doesn't indicate a lack of driving ability or confidence. But I don't fall into the usual drivers trap of thinking I'm better than everyone else. Not often anyhow

 

Oh aye, I agree with most of the above. Roads are a bit mad and crowded and need policed more I'd say. My favourite, being caught by a fixed speed camera should lead to a speeding ticket AND prosecution for not driving with due care and attention! How the feck to you miss a big luminous box on a pole, often with supplementary warning signage?! Probably lighting a fag......

 

I've only had one ticket in my life, 39mph on Achintore Road in Fort William, and in my yoof I truly was the fastest thing on four wheels. The roads are very lightly policed in Scotland.......

[Cavcraft]

If they ban smoking behind the wheel then road rage is going to become far more frequent.

 

Things they should give points for?

 

Being so fucking stupid you have a 4x4 you a ) can't drive and b ) have to park partially on the kerb with the rest blocking the road off outside your kid's school.

[Skizzer]

use a phone and drive

 

Holding a phone in free flowing traffic while driving a Baadermatic doesn't seem too much of a crime, unless basic spatial awareness requires all your mental processing power.

 

Looking down at the text message you're typing while steering round a roundabout with your knees, however, is CRIMINALLY FUCKING STUPID and requires you to be publicly disembowelled with the sharp end of your own crudely severed arm. Loads of tossers doing this in London (the texting that is, not the disembowelling, at least not this side of the river).

[autofive]

use a phone and drive

 

Holding a phone in free flowing traffic while driving a Baadermatic doesn't seem too much of a crime, unless basic spatial awareness requires all your mental processing power.

 

Looking down at the text message you're typing while steering round a roundabout with your knees, however, is CRIMINALLY FUCKING STUPID and requires you to be publicly disembowelled with the sharp end of your own crudely severed arm. Loads of tossers doing this in London (the texting that is, not the disembowelling, at least not this side of the river).

 

texting is one i didnt think of - i have seen people doing that, and driving badly at the same time, usually while braking slightly and weaving around the road

[overheadvalve]

This made me smile. If some people find it so difficult to drive and smoke or eat for instance chocolate and /or drink soft drinks or coffee etc etc etc then maybe they should just do the driving.

I have been driving for more years than i care to remember and frankly i find it quite easy if (IF) you pick the right time and place etc to eat/smoke/drink etc.

Maybe i'm just not noticing the guy behind me suddenley realising that traction control and abs will not save him as he is screeching sideways to a halt (or swerving into the oncoming articulated lorry in the nearside lane preferably in his shiney new Toyota hybrid ) because i have let my speed drop from 68mph to 58 mph whilst i light a fag (with the lighter i have not so conveniently placed somewhere on the fukcing dashboard

Only joking but as i was reading the rest of this thread the image of mr perfect came to mind in his Toyota Prius

just

[Tayne]

.

[HillmanImp]

If they ban smoking behind the wheel then road rage is going to become far more frequent.

 

I generally don't smoke unless i am pissed but keep some fags in the car to keep me calm if i am in traffic as have a terrible temper that can flare towards people in german cars acting like twunts flashing their lights etc

 

You get all sort of distractions in cars. I remember changing lanes whilst playing with the stereo on the M1 a few years ago and doing it again whilst headbanging to Bohemian Rhapsody.

 

The fog light thing pisses me off too, but not as much as those HID lights......

[Mr H Sceptre]

Trying to change radio station on some of these modern German cars is pretty bloody distracting, what with having to navigate your way through a menu system Bill Gates would be proud of using some useless silver knob down by the handbrake.

[dieselnutjob]

Front fogs shouldn't dassle if they're properly adjusted though.

They have a cuttoff just like dipped beam.

Maybe the alignment should be checked in the MOT just like dipped beam is.

I don't use my front fogs very often at all because I know how much is pisses people off (whether they are right to be pissed off or not), but for exampe in the current roadworks on the M25 it's so dark you can hardly see the temporary barrier at all and the third lane is pretty narrow, and there's no cats eyes. If I could switch them on there it would really help as they nicely throw a bit of light out low down to the side so that you can actually see the barrier.

 

I find it a bit annoying when people say that you shouldn't use front fog lights "because they dassle" when mine don't. If the problem is badly adjusted lights then the problem is badly adjusted lights.

 

Is there actually a motoring offense of "using front fog lights"? or is it actually an offense of dassling oncoming road users? which you might or might not be doing if you have your front fogs switched on.

[retrogeezer]

front fog lights when it's foggy is not an issue. The trouble is some drivers think they have front fog lights when what they actually have are 'driving' lights for using on dark country lanes to light up the kerbs and then just leave them on whenever they feel like it.

[Rocket88]

To which I must add, smoking while driving. Before anyone knee-jerks, hold up a moment and think of this: how much attention and hand-occupation is involved in finding your fags, getting one out of the pack and into your mouth, and operating a lighter, even the one built into the car? Too much, is my answer. And when you've done all that, you're going to be driving in your own little toxic fogbank, with two of your fingers occupied in holding a paper tube filled with burning leaves. Yeah, you really want that in your car, don't you!

 

 

With all due respect.............bollocks. I've been smoking for 30 years now, and I've become quite good at it. Us dedicated smokers can spark up a tab without even realising we've done it..............

[Tartan58]

Some very reasonable suggestions being made here.

 

Don't really have much to add but just want to get something off my chest in relation to:

Being so fucking stupid you have a 4x4 you a ) can't drive and b ) have to park partially on the kerb with the rest blocking the road off outside your kid's school.

This type of behaviour has been really bugging me of late, there's a couple of schools at the end of my road and with all the snow recently there's only a single track clear, guess who expects who to get out of the way - you've got the 4x4 therefore in these conditions you get out of my way - then I can laugh all the harder when you get stuck. End of rant, this should probably be in the grumpy old man thread.

[Peter C]

Fuck, I forgot to mention 4x4 drivers.

 

There's a twat in the village that drives one of those small newish squareish Nissan 4x4s. Unless it's pitch black he never puts his lights on. I saw him last Saturday bombing through the village in thick fog sans lights. A few days earlier he was driving (speeding) past some parked cars and forced a young lady in a Nissan Micra to swerve and hit a post. At least he stopped to apologise. I can't stand the ****.

[mnde]

There's a few things I would add to the original post:

 

"If I was a traffic copper I would issue on the spot fines for the following:

 

Driving with fog lights on in clear weather conditions.

Because: it doesn't look cool and 4 bright lights dazzle oncoming traffic

Rear fogs too.

 

Driving with no lights switched on in foggy conditions. And heavy rain

Because: you can see where you're going but others take longer to notice you, which may lead to an accident.

I agree, this infuriates me - I'm convinced people think "well I can see, what's the problem?". See and Be Seen!

 

Driving with snow on the roof.

Because: if you brake hard, the snow may slide over your windscreen and block your vision, which may lead to an accident.

Plus the car behind gets a snowstorm when speeds picks up. Just lazy not to clear it all off. "It's so cold" is not an excuse

 

Driving with lights / indicators obscured by snow.

Because: other driver's cannot see you or which way you propose to go.

Yes! Lazy and dangerous as above. The amount of cars I saw going around like this was unbelievable.

 

Driving within 6 foot of the car in front, aka tailgating:

Because: if the car in front brakes hard, there is a chance you will not stop in time to avoid hitting the car in front.

And it is intimidating behaviour. This is one of my most hated driver characteristics. ESPECIALLY at night. And sad to say it's normally the same models of car everytime. MINIS are big offenders. Also, overtaking on country roads just because you're impatient or to get one car further ahead in the traffic... What has it gained you other than a few precious seconds?

 

Driving whilst using a mobile phone.

Because: you are not concentrating on driving, increasing the risk of causing or being involved in an accident."

 

I am sure that whilst all of the above are valid contraventions of the Highway Code, they are also issues that seriously piss me off.

 

If I was traffic plod I would go out of my way to hand out fines for the above.

 

Rant over, man I feel better."

 

And in addition:

 

Yes, 3 points for driving with one brake light out. But also for driving with one HEADLIGHT out. I see this so often. I'd say 2 in 5 Peugeot 206 drivers have one headlight out. And driving at night with only sidelights, like the minivan I saw last night!

 

What about the cars with a dodgy earthing fault which means the brakelights plus high level brake light are PERMANENTLY lit??

 

I agree with Hirst about non-indicating at roundabout. The ones that annoy me are the ones that take the first exit left without indicating. Well, if I'd known you were going left I could have gone! Also drivers who get in the right hand lane just to try and outdrag you and overtake/cut you up when you're both going "straight over" (single carriageways).

 

Also: fines to HGV drivers for being unnecessarily obstructive and dangerous on motorways. Pulling out, forcing you to slam your anchors on when you're halfway alongside them. Overtaking other HGVs uphill at 55.999 MPH. Why overtake uphill when it's going to take you several minutes to complete the manoeuvre and blocks two whole lanes?

 

Mark.

[ashmicro]

I frequently use my front fogs when driving around the housing estate where I live. This is because there's always that much shit lying on the road, chiefly Bacardi Breezer/WKD/other poof juice bottles lying around. I ran over a vodka bottle about 2 years ago and ruined 2 sodding expensive tyres on my Merc.

 

Tailgating really gets on my tits. Quite apart from the safety issue, it always strikes me as another driver trying to intimidate me. A local man here had the right idea. He was so sick of being tailgated on the main road near here that he bought a 1970s Land Rover, and the next time he was taigated he slammed on the brakes, and got smacked in the arse. By a police car.

 

Some years ago I was helping a mate move house, and we'd hired a 7.5 tonner Leyland rigid, which was a bit shagged and didn't go very fast. The woman who ran into the back of us was so close we didn't even know she was there. If it hadn't been for that big box section bar affair on the back of the truck, she'd have been under it. We bounced out to see what had happened, an I was aghast to see that the driver was a NURSE, and had two very small kids in the car.

 

Some people driving trucks need a smack. A friend of mine was almost killed last week when a truck landed on top of her Pug 407 (it was on the TV news). Dickwad in the HGV was going too fast, and clipped the kerb. Might is not always right.

 

Bloody wee lads on scooters who ride around at 20,000 RPM doing 20 miles per hour. Me and a mate were using an ATM one Friday evening, prior to going to the pub. As we were crossing the road to get to said boozer, one of these damned things came towards us, flat out with the rider looking down and behind. He then proceeded to fall of when hitting one of those mini-roundabouts that just a big white spot painted on the road surface. We picked him up after making the usual checks for neck/back injury. My mate (who is a police sergeant) said to this wee lad "You know why you came off don't you? You were driving like a twat"

 

 

Rant over!!