Richie
Established Member
Hi Onion Head
Its the same here in the UK but you don't see it so often now as when I was younger (I might still do it if I forget
) The Section 89(2) of the Police Act 1996 outlines what can happen if motorists obstruct an officer:
Quote: “Any person who resists or wilfully obstructs a constable in the execution of his duty, or a person assisting a constable in the execution of his duty, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, or to both.”
It is argued that a motorist warning other drivers of a speed trap could be ‘obstructing’ an officer. Therefor a fine for obstructing a police officer is capped at level three on the fine scale, with drivers able to receive a maximum penalty of £1,000! Unless the rule has changed over the years?
There was a case in 2018 when a motorist was pulled over by a certain police force in East Anglia after flashing serval oncoming cars to warn them about a speed gun. They were then charged with wilfully obstructing a police officer in the course of her duties and found guilty. The court fine amounted to £350 and ordered to pay £350 costs and a £75 victim surcharge.
