Buttyman:
Thanks for that guys. It seems the majority vote on the phone number to ring is 999.
Like I said earlier, have seen some real dodgy stuff over the years, and because I didnt want to get in trouble for ringing emergency services, I left the problem to sort itself out.
One time I did ring 999 was when I saw a Metro clout the armco and barrel roll at Jnc 21 M62. It was 6.30 on a winter Saturday morning, hardly any traffic around, so I legged it over the motorway to where this almost invisible gun metal grey car was side on straddled across lanes 1&2. When I got to the car there was nobody in it, so as I was routing around in the grass and trees on the banking , a cockney lad parked his truck in front of the car with his 4 ways flashing.
So what does plod do when he eventually arrives on the scene…no “Thanks for diverting an accident driver”, but “Move that [zb]truck before I do you”. So the driver drove away , and I refused to give a statement to the arrogant sod, and drove away also leaving him to sort out the problem on his own.
Seems that us truckers are generally in the wrong even when we do the right thing.
Stuart
Ask for his number and phone his boss up to complain about his attitude! Police still get dragged in the office and given a bollocking like anyone else.
Terry, never told anyone this before but I had an almost identical situation when on a night trunk about 15 years ago. A wagon was veering all over the M1 South and like you i didnt dare pass him, reluctantly I rang plod for his sake and others on the road, again it was only a matter of time before he would have wiped someone out.
I did suffer agonies of conscience though, glad Ive got it off my chest now.
Phil
Ive had to phone the police a few times and instead of 999 i just phone up one of those 118 numbers and ask for the police of whichever region or county you are in it may cost you anything from a quid and up but whats that in comparison to saving a life.
However, I have sent a text message to our home-phone on a few occaisions, usually along the lines of “I’m leaving work now - get my tea on!”, but about 50% of the time I get home before the message arrives (takes me 15-20 mins to drive home)!!
I’m not convinced that the ‘text-message-technology’ is refined (fast) enough yet to be realistic option.
Maybe the text should read some thing like:
"At the time of sending this mesage…
URGENT MESSAGE TO AUTHORITIES
I AM A LORRY DRIVER PARKED AT …
MY REGISTRATION NUMBER IS …
MY VEHICLE IS … IN COLOUR AND MY
TRAILER IS …IN COLOUR WITH
… WRITTEN ON THE SIDE
MY VEHICLE IS UNDER ATTACK NOW!!!
PLEASE SEND IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
URGENT MESSAGE TO AUTHORITIES
I AM A LORRY DRIVER PARKED AT …
MY REGISTRATION NUMBER IS …
MY VEHICLE IS … IN COLOUR AND MY
TRAILER IS …IN COLOUR WITH
… WRITTEN ON THE SIDE
MY VEHICLE IS UNDER ATTACK NOW!!!
PLEASE SEND IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
…however by the time you recieve ths message everything will have been robbed and I might be dead!"
Think i’ll take me chances with hitting the ‘9’ button three times!!
marcustandy:
However, I have sent a text message to our home-phone on a few occaisions, usually along the lines of “I’m leaving work now - get my tea on!”, but about 50% of the time I get home before the message arrives (takes me 15-20 mins to drive home)!!
Last year I sent a text message to a friend to say I was about to leave home (Bristol). The text message arrived about 10 minutes after I did. They live in Water Orton (near the M42/M6 toll junction).
2 kids hiking on M4 Eastbound near Swindon…blues n twos there in mins…
M25 gorse bush fire obscuring motorway
M74 Southbound Jct 13 i think…a whole lorry wheel n tyre assembly in middle lane…(imaging a biker hitting that at 70mph, let alone a car, im a biker too)
And only yesterday, i witnessed a hit n run, no injuries but 2 other cars damaged…
999 is for emergencies, but the above scenarios were real, and genuine and not me phoning to ask what time my pizza will be delivered or how do i set up my alarm clock on my mobile fone amongst other stupid requests on 999…
As someone pointed out…999 used before an accident can save a whole world of grief for some innocent party…
north surrey haulage:
I think you did the right thing Terry as well.
Going slightly off track for a second but I know you can text a landline but can you text 999?
The reason I ask is I’ve often thought it a good idea to pre-write a text (when overnighting in a layby or ind est) along the lines of :-
URGENT MESSAGE TO AUTHORITIES
I AM A LORRY DRIVER PARKED AT …
MY REGISTRATION NUMBER IS …
MY VEHICLE IS … IN COLOUR AND MY
TRAILER IS …IN COLOUR WITH
… WRITTEN ON THE SIDE
MY VEHICLE IS UNDER ATTACK NOW!!!
PLEASE SEND IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
URGENT MESSAGE TO AUTHORITIES
I AM A LORRY DRIVER PARKED AT …
MY REGISTRATION NUMBER IS …
MY VEHICLE IS … IN COLOUR AND MY
TRAILER IS …IN COLOUR WITH
… WRITTEN ON THE SIDE
MY VEHICLE IS UNDER ATTACK NOW!!!
PLEASE SEND IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
Maybe if we could get a code word to use from somwhere like Operation Indicate/Coppergold etc etc to prove the text is genuine.
If sombody is trying to break into the cab you may not have time to dial the police then wait for an answere but with a text you only have to push “send”
Derailing this thread a little further! (maybe NSH can split it)
This week my Comic (CM) had an article about Truckpol and gave a number to text a message to in case of a truck being stolen, it then links up with the ANPR systems and can alert police to a stolen truck and its whereabouts within minutes.
I didnt bring the magazine home with me, so maybe someone can post the text number
Wheel Nut:
I didnt bring the magazine home with me, so maybe someone can post the text number
I know we ain’t supposed to quote from RBI…so I won’t!!
However, in one of the weekly’s, dated 19 Jan 06, p13 (if my memory serves me right! ) it said something along the lines of
The number for sending promptext messages is 07786 200 218. Details can also be sent by phone to 0121 626 9121 or 07967 704 203; and by fax to 0121 626 9100.
