I was involved in a traffic incident a few years ago whilst driving a lorry. A distracted driver during the 'school run' collided with the nearside of my truck while attempting to access a gap that was never there. Nobody hurt, hardly a scratch on my well battered lorry, his car was badly dented. As we were discussing the incident a police vehicle stopped and took some details and viewed the scenario and it was clear who was at fault. I was asked to call in to the station later that day and make a statement. Upon arriving, I met the officer concerned who presented me with a prepared statement and asked me to 'just sign that sir and you'll be on your way'. Well, nobody would sign any legal document without scanning it, and he reluctantly allowed me to read it through. After reading the statement I was relieved that capital punishment had been well abolished as he'd been accused of so many offences that that would have been the only sentence available to a hanging judge. Obviously I refused to sign as it was a straight forward 'crunch' a momentary lack of concentration. The officers attitude then changed and suggested that if I didn't sign the statement I would be held equally to blame suggesting I could have prevented the accident by driving less quickly. (I was stationary at the time), and that I would be charged with dangerous driving, Principles were then throw out the window and I signed and left the station feeling pretty rotten but more so for the way justice was served that day (or not)
Gilly