PAPERmaking! FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TECHNOLOGY Volume 6, Number 2, 2020
SIX POTENTIAL OUTCOMES OF BEING PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE Motorists have been warned about the potential consequences of driving illegally on the road and being pulled over. Motoring experts from LeaseVan.co.uk have revealed exactly what could happen if drivers are caught breaking the law. Motorists could be given a simple warning if they have been seen driving dangerously, however it could also result in vehicles being seized depending on the severity of the crime. By ensuring that vehicles are safe and legal and that drivers are below the drink-drive limit and are driving safely, they should avoid being pulled over. A spokesperson from LeaseVan.co.uk said: “Britain’s roads are patrolled by police to ensure they’re kept safe and that all road-users are abiding by the law. If they do spot illegal activity, they can ask motorists to pull over and conduct a series of checks. The outcome of these checks is dependent on the severity of the crime.” 1. Pull over If you see a police car pulling up behind you and indicating, make sure you pull over when it’s safe to do so. If the police car comes in front of you, follow them to the safe zone, otherwise pull over at a refuge space, never on the hard shoulder. As Rule 107 of the highway code states, it is an offence not to comply with directions. 2. Licenses The police can then ask to see your driving licence, insurance certificate and/or MOT certificate. If you don’t have these in the vehicle with you, you have seven days to take them to a police station. You’re breaking the law if you take any longer than the week given to hand them over. 3. Fixed Penalty Notices If the reason you’ve been pulled over is due to a minor motoring offence, the police could hand you a FP N (Fixed Penalty Notice). This could be for careless or inconsiderate driving, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seat belt or being too close to another vehicle. You could be fined up to £200 and get points on your license for any of these offences. They could also, however, just issue a warning. 4. Breath test It’s perfectly legal for a member of the police to pull over any vehicle at any time to breathalyse the driver if they think you’ve been drinking, you’ve committed a traffic offence and/or you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident. If you refuse to take this without giving a ‘reasonable excuse’ then you may be arrested. If you pass the test then you will be able to go on your way, however if the test is failed and you have too much alcohol in your system, you will be taken to a police station. 5. Vehicle faults If your vehicle is faulty, for example one of the brake lights is broken, the police can hand you a ‘vehicle defect rectification notice’. You have 14 days to get your vehicle fixed and provide proof that this has happened. 6. Seize your vehicle If the vehicle is being used for careless or inconsiderate driving, it could be seized. It could also be seized if it’s being driven by someone without a proper license or insurance, is dange rously, illegally or obstructively parked, or if it’s been abandoned. There is a £200 release fee to be paid in order to get the vehicle back, plus £20 for every day it’s been stored.
Article 10 – Driving Issues
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