MCN reclaim Wales ride-out: What to do if you’re stopped

A serving police officer has given these tips on what you can do if you’re pulled over in North Wales this Sunday.   

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The officer, with long experience of road policing, outlined simple steps to save you hassle and stop your rights being trampled over.

1. Deny them ammunition by staying within the law. Check every part of your bike is legal, including number plate, exhaust and tyres. Don’t wear an illegal tinted visor. Stay within the speed limit at all times and comply with all other rules of the road. “Police have the powers to stop any vehicle and check its roadworthiness but if they’re going to go over it with a fine tooth comb they should have reasonable grounds to suspect there’s something wrong with it,” said the officer. “If the tyres, number plate and exhaust are legal, they’ll be struggling.”
2. Openly record the conversation with a mobile phone or voice recorder. “There’s nothing stopping you recording them,” said the officer. “It may get their backs up but you can politely explain it’s for their benefit as well as yours as it protects both of you from false allegations.” 
3. Take notes. “Ask why you have been stopped and under what powers and write down the answer.” said the officer. “Take the police officer’s collar number. When allowed to go, ask him to sign the record as a true outline of what has taken place. Don’t be surprised if he refuses.”
4. Carry your licence, insurance certificate and MoT if applicable. “They may require you to produce your documents,” said the officer. “If you can produce them at the roadside, that should be that. Don’t be fobbed off by them saying we want you to take them to a station so they can be recorded. They should be able to record them.”
5. Be polite. “Avoid saying things like ‘Haven’t you got anything better to do?’ or you’ll be there for ages,” said the officer. “They can take as long as they want.”