A question for the police

[annedonnelly]

Driving up the A1 recently on a wet & miserable afternoon - so very poor visibility - I caught up with a car towing an unlit horsebox. I'm a fairly observant driver so I'd spotted the large grey oblong in plenty of time, but with many drivers not taking care and driving a lot faster than I do it looked like an accident waiting to happen.

So, the question is, should I have contacted the police and would they have made an effort to stop the vehicle? If so, is 101 the number to ring?

Once upon a time drivers appreciated being told when they had defective lights, but no-one seems to care nowadays.

 

[Black Sheep]

I appreciate someone telling me if my lights aren't working

I try and remember to check the lights on the motorbike every other time I use it

 

[vernon]

If you were driving and you didn't have a hands free phone and were not able to stop then no.

As it happens I was driving southwards late this afternoon in poor weather and poor visibility and came across an unlit trailer being pulled by an illuminated vehicle and a vehicle whose rear lights were so dim that it wasn't until I drew close that I realised that they were in fact lit.

I didn't see any point in trying to do anything as the traffic police are so thinly spread that I suspect that poor lighting would be the least of their concerns.

 

[CopperCyclist]

I didn't see any point in trying to do anything as the traffic police are so thinly spread that I suspect that poor lighting would be the least of their concerns.

This unfortunately. You may, if lucky have got a general obs message put out over the radio, you almost certainly wouldn't have got a unit specifically dispatched to attend. Just have to hope one day the car pulling up behind is a police car.

 

[Black Sheep]

Often wondered, if I were to see an un-lit vehicle or un-lit trailer too late and it results in a collision, is it up to me to prove that I had looked but the other driver having not ensured their vehicle was visible was responsible?

Nearly took out a black car today in poor conditions, he didn't have his lights on, I nearly changed lanes almost upon him as I didn't see him in my mirrors nor when I shoulder checked.

 

[vernon]

Often wondered, if I were to see an un-lit vehicle or un-lit trailer too late and it results in a collision, is it up to me to prove that I had looked but the other driver having not ensured their vehicle was visible was responsible?

Nearly took out a black car today in poor conditions, he didn't have his lights on, I nearly changed lanes almost upon him as I didn't see him in my mirrors nor when I shoulder checked.

Depends if there were independent witnesses otherwise it's your word against the other driver's.

 

[annedonnelly]

This unfortunately. You may, if lucky have got a general obs message put out over the radio, you almost certainly wouldn't have got a unit specifically dispatched to attend. Just have to hope one day the car pulling up behind is a police car.

Thanks CC. I wasn't looking to get the guy into trouble - he may not know that his lights had failed. But I'd hate to hear that there'd been an accident and I hadn't done anything to prevent it.

 

[srw]

Depends if there were independent witnesses otherwise it's your word against the other driver's.

If the other car is badly damaged enough to be taken off the road and inspected by the insurance company, or if the emergency services are called to the scene, someone will probably take a look at the light switch.

Still - it's probably prudent to go slowly enough that you can have some confidence that you won't hit something which is relatively poorly lit. Like a pedestrian (who doesn't have to carry lights) or a cyclist.