Whilst i do get the gist of your comment...
... I don't believe i've ever actually gone out-of-my-way to stop someone using their phone, or whose children aren't wearing seatbelts - unfortunately, so many people commit these offences, i don't need to.

As i don't set the punishments for such acts (i.e. fines/court appearances), the fact that i don't like people doing it is quite irrelevant.

In reply to the second bit - certain offences are very hard to prove without additional evidence - such as using the mobile. If i stopped someone on the phone, i could caution them and carry out a simple interview at the side of the road to add to my weight of evidence, and ascertain their potential defence - such as 'I wasn't on the phone, you idiot', to which i would then sieze the phone and have it examined to identify whether they were or not.

Other wise it becomes their word against mine, and contrary to what many people think, the word of a police officer on oath, in a court of law, is not taken as any form of proof, or held in any higher regard as that of the defendant.

Saying that, when i do stop people, i would always prefer to give them some 'friendly advice', rather than do the hours of paperwork required for the fine/summons.

Unless they're uncivil, disrespectful (of the law, not me (i've been called every name under the sun, so one more doesn't make a difference)), or are using the phone WHILST children are in the car... That changes things...
( Another_tragic_case wished he hadn't eaten all the cake, Wed 11 May 2011, 10:02, 1 reply)

Fair enough
Then I reckon you're doing a good job.
(username failed moderation, Thu 12 May 2011, 8:23, closed)