Checking purpose of car journeys

Traffic on the roads round us has increased a lot in the last week and feels nearly back to normal. Police setting up check points at key locations and stopping cars to check the reason for their journey would be a visible sign that things are not back to normal yet and make people think twice about trips which are not necessary. Police will need a script cleared with lawyers so they don't misrepesent the law. Some people will just lie about what they are doing. But most people don't like lying to authority. They will just do what they think other people are getting away with.

Why the contribution is important

Keeping numbers out in public as low as possible is going to be hard but is what needs to happens so we can get out of this sooner without haviong to go into reverse.

The roads getting busier also has an immediate effect on the safety of being on the pavement - people will be forced to gether because the road isn't safe to walk on and some poeple don't bother or forget to stop till it is.

People are getting the message from lots of directions that we are starting to go back to normal. Politicans just saying that isn't the case is not going to be enough. There need to be visible signs and checks. Stopping all cars passing a particular point routinely is less intimidating than police picking out some individuals in the street.

by LouieH on May 05, 2020 at 04:20PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 1.9
Based on: 114 votes

Comments

  • Posted by AlexMD May 05, 2020 at 16:28

    Sorry, I don't want to live in a police state. I also happen to support the police and the last thing they need, is to have to behave in this way and so alienate the public.

  • Posted by MaddyBisset May 05, 2020 at 16:32

    Marching into a totalitarian state with this one Louie, it's a one star from me.

  • Posted by jdmacd May 05, 2020 at 16:32

    Partner lives 28 miles away. Have not seen for 7 weeks. If lockdown continuing surely this could be added as a reason to travel .

  • Posted by dbridge964 May 05, 2020 at 16:37

    We do not live in a 'police state' and this kind of idea should be very firmly squashed. it will lead to long-term alienation between police and public.

  • Posted by JerryRE May 05, 2020 at 16:37

    Make people fear both the virus and the police. The way social isolation has been enforce by both the police and politicians is a joke. B&Q open, Costa, Fast food outlets, visiting second home just undermines the concept. Alcohol a necessity? So much effort is cutting alcohol consumption and then says it a necessity. Is this virus dangerous or not?

  • Posted by JohannaS May 05, 2020 at 16:42

    I live in a rural part of Moray and even I have noticed more traffic this week. I endorse this idea.

  • Posted by PB0307 May 05, 2020 at 16:53

    I am 100% behind this idea. Those who are not obviously want to flaunt the rules. We live in a rural part of the Scottish Borders, on a main road, and have noticed a ridiculous increase in traffic over the past week. It's like a bank holiday, every day, with cars, caravans, trucks, and vans going past - even motorbikes. There's no reason for the majority of these people to be out. We have also seen a lot ofpeople arriving from other cities and towns to exercise at our nature reserve. They then park up in our street and spend hours here soaking up the sun before driving back to wherever they came from. In my view, this simply isn't acceptable. Even a police officer patrolling on foot should be a deterrent to those who are driving here, parking up and exercising miles from home. We have a street packed with parked cars that don't belong to residents.

  • Posted by Fionnagh May 05, 2020 at 17:00

    I am still driving back and forward to work every day and have noticed a large number of cars on the road. I don’t think people are listening to the advice of the government where it should be essential travel only, not family trips to B&Q etc. I have never once been stopped by the police to ask why I’m on the road nor have I seen any police. I think a lot more needs to be done to stop people traveling who don’t need to be. It sometime later feels that there is no lockdown at all!!

  • Posted by OwenVickers May 05, 2020 at 17:04

    Frightening idea.

  • Posted by GotBoost May 05, 2020 at 17:05

    A complete violation of a basic human right and rightfully, completely illegal. We do not live in a police state and all existing legislation is still effective i.e. stops require probable cause. I suggest you refer to the NPCC guidance that this legislation gives no right for stop and account. Perhaps these people are on essential journeys for the running of their household which are accounted for in the covid legislation.

  • Posted by elainee May 05, 2020 at 17:05

    We cant move to a police state.

  • Posted by Ossian May 05, 2020 at 17:09

    No thank you! We do not live in the police state and the police should be focused on real crimes.

  • Posted by sczettner May 05, 2020 at 17:44

    Orwell's 1984 was a warning, not a handbook.

  • Posted by Webster2 May 05, 2020 at 18:13

    It has taken a few weeks to identify sectors that require more assistance and redeploy staff to these areas. Lots of colleagues, including myself, are now driving daily to help out. There are several legitimate reasons for the increase in car numbers. Stopping cars would not only waste valuable police time but delay those who are trying to help out during this situation.

  • Posted by Llynn May 05, 2020 at 18:21

    In the UK we have policing by consent...the current powers given to the police during this crisis should be repealed as soon as possible.

  • Posted by ProtestTheHero May 05, 2020 at 19:22

    Sounds like the opinion of a Stasi official, and shows no awareness of the impact on mental health this proposal would have on an already anxious and fearful nation.

  • Posted by AnnaKucharska May 06, 2020 at 10:22

    The police should be checking on people & on the spot fines for those out on a weekend / day trip.
    In this seaside town it’s been very noticeably busier the last two weekends, and the road traffic is creeping up day by day.

  • Posted by alogan May 06, 2020 at 13:10

    Think the police have better things to do with their time! Checking at tourist spots might be one thing, but stopping everyone is just stupid and will damage the relationship between the public and the police. We have seen (albeit very occasional) instances of police overstepping the mark. We don't live in that kind of police state.

  • Posted by GeoffDuke May 06, 2020 at 13:46

    I fully understood the need to restrict travel up til now, however i cannot see why people in a family/household group cannot go out for a drive somewhere for enjoyment or to a destination for exercise. Police should not now be stopping people for travelling in a car unless they suspect criminal intent and should be back to doing what any law abiding citizen expects of them.

  • Posted by Lornab May 06, 2020 at 15:43

    Just say no to the police state. We have lost enough freedom with this lockdown & surely the police have better things to do

  • Posted by GJTorrie May 06, 2020 at 18:52

    I think this is a sensible suggestion people need to remain sensible as we begin to lift the lockdown. As we move into phase 2 and 3 then these restrictions would be lessened. I think the people who believe this to be us heading into a police state are the same people who are sunbathing on the beach while complaining on social media that the government isn’t doing enough to stop the spread of COVID-19.

  • Posted by AMcD May 06, 2020 at 19:40

    Just no.

  • Posted by Sheshe11 May 06, 2020 at 20:08

    Police in our area fining old couples for going 9 miles to get paint at Wilkos etc.
    This isn’t right. Feel like we are living in a police state. Making everyone dislike and not trust the police here.

  • Posted by Debrastorr May 06, 2020 at 21:24

    Please no.

    But, I have no objection to carrying a self completed certificate stating in advance my itinerary and purpose of trip and displaying this when I park and be required to produce it if stopped if travelling in a vehicle. It might make some thing twice before driving 500m to the shop.

  • Posted by RossK May 06, 2020 at 21:28

    What has car journeys got to do with the spread of the virus. The virus spreads due to human contacts ie poor social distancing or poor hygiene/contacting infected surfaces.
    I cant see why there is a concern with car journeys - a complete red herring. Focus on people social distancing correctly and you cant get the virus.

  • Posted by shazzaem May 06, 2020 at 21:59

    People seem to forget that anyone that can’t work from home are allowed to go to work. For the first few weeks most stayed at home. Traffic numbers are now picking up as these people, who are allowed to go to work, are again now going back out to work.

  • Posted by emmasmith May 07, 2020 at 00:46

    This is a bad idea and a waste of police time.

  • Posted by alloha May 07, 2020 at 09:51

    What a terrible idea? why would anyone suggest this?

  • Posted by Ossian May 07, 2020 at 10:46

    No thanks - I dont want a police state! If anything the police should be at home on call for real crimes as they are no able to social distance in the police car. Here the police are always at the beach. There has never been an issue with social distancing there so I can only assume the police just like the beach.

  • Posted by lastlullaby May 07, 2020 at 10:48

    Such an awful idea. We don’t live in a police state! I drive quite a way out to do my grocery shopping as I feel much safer and not overhelmed there. Don’t need anyone telling me where to go.

  • Posted by gavmac May 07, 2020 at 13:27

    I really think that the Police have better things to do!

  • Posted by Ideas81 May 08, 2020 at 07:55

    Don’t tie up police resource with this

  • Posted by MikeJohnston May 08, 2020 at 08:52

    Some counties have a scheme that when you want to go out, you send a text message to Big Brother to register the intent. This makes you think and inhibits random 'turn right on a whim' type behaviour.

    The texts are only checked when violations are suspected but can be used to gauge public opinion/desires.

    Dead cheap to implement.

  • Posted by Alasdrum May 08, 2020 at 13:55

    This is Scotland, not the Soviet Union.

  • Posted by Wulan19 May 08, 2020 at 14:14

    We're at war with a virus this is not the norm. People breaking the rules are as a group inflicting death on those that are forced to care for us, and others who the shop beside them. They are prolonging the lockdown for all of us and the financial consequences that comes with it. There should be higher consequences for rule breaking and policing needs stepped up. Some people should be ashamed of their behaviour.

  • Posted by Graham May 08, 2020 at 16:09

    Living in a police state is favourable to dying in this one. |We are the most liberal country in the world, and are pandering to the whim of the people, rather than showing leadership on what is required to defeat this terrible enemy.

  • Posted by Dave_H May 08, 2020 at 17:35

    We do not need heavy handed policing and police actively looking for trivial technical breaches of the rules. Policing needs to concentrate on serious matters.

    We need the public on side for a long lockdown to work. Hounding them for trivial matters will lose their support.

  • Posted by FM79 May 09, 2020 at 11:01

    Total waste of police resources. Absolutely no need for this extreme level of heavy handed enforcement.

  • Posted by XR May 09, 2020 at 12:31

    Really strange that the strategy followed in most countries did first being implemented in a totalitarian state. People should be more careful with what they wish for.

  • Posted by Lanaiya May 09, 2020 at 16:28

    I agree. Particularly youths of young people in the same car, and campervans.

  • Posted by Nicola0110 May 09, 2020 at 19:07

    I disagree. Firstly it will tie up precious police resources which could have been better used in the prevention and detection of crime. Secondly it is a step towards a nanny state. Controlling our thinking and actions beyond the temporary powers conveyed in the Coronavirus legislation.

  • Posted by Christina May 09, 2020 at 20:21

    Absolutely not. Was there not enough in the news at the start about police making up their own rules and misusing their power? I have mental health issues and I already have nightmares about the police as it is. This is not a police state.

  • Posted by DervalDam May 09, 2020 at 21:57

    I kinda agree... But I don't think the message to stay at home has been properly heard by car drivers yet. I think they need to be explicitly told that this includes them before involving the Police at this time.

  • Posted by waxwing May 10, 2020 at 08:37

    A terrible, authoritarian idea. Totally alien to the values of Scotland.

  • Posted by bodach71 May 10, 2020 at 12:26

    I tend to agree. The "softly, softly" approach taken to date on this issue by the Scot. Gov. is proving ineffective. Whilst there may be reservations as to the "liberty" issue, we are in very exceptional circumstances with a pandemic and therefore very exceptional action needs to be taken. Lives are put at risk not just to the virus but to emergency services as it is inevitable that increased traffic leads to the risk of more accidents.

    Could Traffic Wardens not be including in such "policing" measures? I assume parking is less of a priority now?

  • Posted by Invicta May 10, 2020 at 20:26

    Total waste of police time. Treat the public as grownups and let them decide whether their journey is necessary.

  • Posted by jeankemp May 11, 2020 at 02:44

    If police action helps to stop the spread of the virus, then I am glad they are questioning drivers.

  • Posted by alexandra97 May 11, 2020 at 13:22

    Definitely a waste of police resources where they could be utilised elsewhere. As a key worker I would not enjoy being stopped every day on my way to and from work to ask what i was doing. As I’m not painting key worker on my car, there would be no way to ascertain who is and who isn’t

  • Posted by Woodsider May 11, 2020 at 18:47

    as an Edinburgh city cyclist I agree, traffic has increased hugely...and is moving often very fast....there needs to be some way, without alienating the public and moving to totalitarianism, to curb this increase...it feels like business as usual which is surely the wrong message? And it raises safety issues given many more people than normal have taken to cycling and walking on our main roads.

  • Posted by Bek2020 May 11, 2020 at 21:26

    This is heading in a very authoritarian direction which is not good! This is a waste of police time and this idea of it 'making that pavements less safe' definitely not true.. I have not seen anyone walking on the roads during this time to avoid people, everyone has been walking on the pavements two meters apart without any issues.
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