Page 10 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2017

Federation

issues reminder

to police drivers

olice officers responding to emergency England and Wales, and is published on Page
calls or engaging in pursuits are being 11, is intended to correct the assumption,
Pwarned they could be prosecuted for also held by many members of the public,
driving offences just like any other motorist. that police officers can break traffic rules.
The Police Federation of England and The letter states: “Legal advice has
Wales has written to all of its members to recently highlighted that police response
remind them that “there are no legal and pursuit drives are, in most
exemptions from the offences of careless or circumstances, highly likely to fall within the
dangerous driving” for officers responding to definitions of careless and or dangerous
calls for help from the public. driving.
Current legislation means that “There are no exemptions to the offences
regardless of their training and experience, of careless or dangerous driving to permit
officers are judged by the standards of the emergency driving.”
“careful and competent driver” who is It continues: “A typical response or
unlikely to go through a red light, cross the pursuit drive is likely to involve the officer
wrong side of bollards and so on. This means contravening traffic signs and or speed
those engaging in a response or pursuit are limits. A course of driving involving
vulnerable to a prosecution charge of contravention of traffic signs and speed
dangerous or careless driving. limits is very likely to fall within the Tim Rogers.
Speaking at the national Federation definition of careless or dangerous driving.”
conference in May, West Midlands Police Officers are being advised that they The Federation has been campaigning
Federation’s deputy secretary Tim Rogers, should: for a change in the law for the past seven
who is also the national Federation’s l Drive in a way which is lawful and does years. West Mercia’s Chief Constable
response driving lead, said the current law not contravene the laws of dangerous or Anthony Bangham, who is roads policing
was unsatisfactory and unworkable leaving careless driving lead at the National Police Chiefs’ Council,
officers risking their liberty and livelihood. l Not undertake any manoeuvre which signalled at conference, in May, that he
The letter, which has been sent to more may well fall outside the standard of the would work closely with the Federation on
than 120,000 Federation members across careful and competent non-police driver. the issue.

10 federation August/September 2017 www.westmidspolfed.com