More Thames Valley Time Wasting

Yesterday evening I was strolling past the Magdalen St Cinema, and I saw a police car stopped on the side of the road. It was one of the expensive (for the taxpayer) Omegas, designed for high speed work - not at all over the top for central Oxford, oh no.

Two policemen were stood behind it, writing out tickets of some description for two cyclists whom they had apprehended. The thing is, I can't see what the cyclists could have done wrong - certainly not to the extent that they deserved a fine. Unroadworthy bikes? They looked in better condition than most of the bikes you see in this place. Lack of lights? It wasn't dark enough to warrant them. Cycling down Cornmarket? It was outside the hours of restriction, as far as I know. They had possibly jumped a red light, but cyclists seem to do that all the time; why were they singled out, and why wasn't a warning good enough?

I would have loved to have asked the cops what was going on, but I'd have probably been banged up for the night for wasting police time.

I very much enjoyed celebrating Sam's 18th last night - it was quality and great to see the family. It also turned out not to be the only milestone; the family Volvo made it to the 100,000 mile mark. Sometime after midnight it somehow seemed appropriate to take a ride in the car before the folks left, and watch the odometer reach this important figure. Talk about bizarre.

Yes I know I'm sad.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I know 2 people who have been stopped by the police for jumping red lights on bikes! Its an immediate fine (quite rightly, as it is very dangerous) and also a cycling course must be attended i believe. The quote "people do it all the time" is not an excuse accepted by the police...
Fri Jun 10, 09:23:00 PM GMT
Sam Pritchard said…
Yes it shouldn't be done, but don't you think the police should be concentrating on more important things, Mr Anonymous?!
Fri Jun 10, 09:30:00 PM GMT
JP... said…
Jumping red lights can indeed be very dangerous. My point however was that in a place where lots of people do it all the time, singling people out is very unfair. A much better system is needed, and I do feel that a warning for a first time offence at such a minor junction would suffice.
Sat Jun 11, 04:42:00 PM GMT
Anonymous said…
Well maybe if they make an example of some people, then everyone will stop doing it! You can't only catch criminals who are seen as having carried out "worse" crimes, or society would collapse! So I hope the police go on catching cyclists, just as they would if a motorist had done the same thing!
Tue Jun 14, 07:18:00 PM GMT
Anonymous said…
I spotted another incidence of police time/resource wasting the other day. Picture the scene: Merton Street, Oxford at around 12.30pm. Just the time when exams finish. A few police officers standing about to arrest any law-breaking students. A few girls with tea-towels on their heads, and masks over their mouths appear. The police advance, asking the girls to remove their masks as it is not allowed... something about terrorists is muttered... what a joke. A few girls coming to meet someone finishing exams dressed up..and the police move in susspecting a suicide bomber?!
Tue Jun 21, 10:18:00 AM GMT
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