Breaking the Law

[berman]

Used to drive my Baja 5b in a public park, soccer fields and cricket pitches,  playground in the far corner, people walking dogs, and since it was on the edge of the harbour, there were people windsurfing. Most times the police would come down and drive by as the old fart up on the hill apparently complained that somebody was riding a motorbike. They stopped and watched for a minute and waved and drove off. Would have offered them a go had they come over.

I don't drive it when anybody is near, it's just common sense.

I find it hilarious that RC cars are considered unpredictable, but dogs with teeth are allowed to walk in parks.

[speedy_w_beans]

A similar story was posted recently on Big Squid RC; the author had a run-in with local park enforcement:  http://www.bigsquidrc.com/everybodys-scalin-all-the-wrong-places/

Follow-up story:  http://www.bigsquidrc.com/everybodys-scalin-more-of-the-wrong-places/

I'm lucky in that my city has a dedicated "Hobby Park" with RC airplane flying field, soap box derby ramp, BMX track, and even control-line airplane areas.  There are wide open spaces to run RC cars, and if no one is on the BMX track then there's no problem using it.  We also have a few outdoor and indoor RC tracks within 30-40 miles.

In my neighborhood the homeowner association bylaws and the city laws don't prohibit running RC cars in the street, but I am mindful of my neighbors and wouldn't run a nitro car.  We have enough weed wackers and leaf blowers; who wants to hear a nitro car buzzing up and down the street?  A little electric noise from a touring car or drift car is not a big deal; no one hears it in their houses.

My general rule of thumb is RC has lowest priority.  Other people around?  Other people wanting to use the tennis court or BMX track for the intended purpose?  Traffic?  Risk of hitting someone?  Making noise?  Shut it down and find a dedicated space or a different place/time.

[howaboutme]

In my county here in the states, we are not allowed to run anything RC at any county park. I have no trouble complying with that. I do it by running at my local school yard. There is a distinguish between park and school here.

[TurnipJF]

Completely the opposite situation here. School properties are generally not open to the public, and I would probably get told off for running a RC there. However the local park welcomes RCs - the park rangers smile and wave when I drive my cars there, and they even play host to one of the county's oldest RC powerboat clubs, going as far as giving members special dispensation to park near the lake. 

[super gripper]

 

[TurnipJF]

Now that is rather offensive. Not good. Not good at all. You have stated your opinions based on a news story, which is fine, but suggesting that others are pig headed for not blindly accepting your views as fact is hardly polite, constructive or in keeping with what I have come to regard as the Tamiyaclub spirit.

[super gripper]

 

 

[InsaneJim69]

I was going to post my opinion on the subject, but after a few responses above its obvious no one is entitled to an opinion. What a disturbing and pointless thread.

James.

 

[Jason1145]

53 minutes ago, TurnipJF said:

Completely the opposite situation here. School properties are generally not open to the public, and I would probably get told off for running a RC there. However the local park welcomes RCs - they even play host to one of the county's oldest RC  powerboat clubs. 

[Jason1145]

Darned Iphone! 

Well I won’t be getting BRCA membership so I can drive my Midnight Pumpkin down the park that’s for sure.

This very first news story is irresponsible journalism anyway, making a story to be bigger than it really is, total waste of time.

[markbt73]

"You don't know, what it's like, you don't have a clue / If you did you'd find yourself, drivin' RC cars too...."

[Wooders28]

7 minutes ago, Jason1145 said:

Well I won’t be getting BRCA membership so I can drive my Midnight Pumpkin down the park that’s for sure.

You know i'm not whiter than white,🙄 but, Its £20 a year, so wont break the bank, goes into supporting the RC scene and IF something was to happen, you have 3rd party insurance (i think,as long as youre not acting an idiot) and if nothing else, being a member of a governing body shows youre a serious RC enthusiast.

The original story, with it being down in that there london, i'm imagining is a busy park (isn't everywhere busy down there??) and maybe had issues with things like mini bikes / quads etc,so a blanket ban on motorized, i know theres a kid on a 50cc quad, who bombs around a park we walk though bringing my 3rd old back from toddlers, so i can see it being a worry. 

[Kingfisher]

2 hours ago, super gripper said:

 

Are you the guy from the news article?

[Grave Digger1]

8 hours ago, super gripper said:

To use your RC car in a public place you must have the owners permission. That goes for any public place !

 

To use it in a public place, be respectful, use caution, if asked to leave, leave. In other words, run it until your told not to other wise, nothing more, nothing less.

Lynn

[Grave Digger1]

6 hours ago, super gripper said:

Or just join a club and race your car in a insured place -  BRCA

 

That could be a couple hour drive for some people or wrong day, or time, not an option for some.

Lynn

[speedy_w_beans]

Maybe it's time for some thread merging...  This came up 5 years ago.  It might be beneficial to keep the content in one location.

 

 

[Juggular]

9 hours ago, super gripper said:

this is such a fun thread, so many people are really not understanding the implications of a sue for anything culture that we live in.

Even with BRCA Insurance (UK only of course) you still need the permission of the land owner to use your RC car.

Playing football, bag pipes etc does not even come under the same thing

Most public parks that are Council owned specifically ban RC anything !

Just phone your local council - do not be blind to the fact you can get a police caution for using your RC car in the street if someone complains 

 

 

8 hours ago, super gripper said:

It is so much fun this,

play on words all you like people

note that even if you think you are being safe, it doesn't matter - only what the other person might say

and if there are two people say the same thing, your screwed.

and if they take a picture your doubly screwed 

hope you have public liability insurance ..........

 

 

lol... I am sorry, Super Gripper.   I understand what you are trying to say.  If running in public places, consult the organization in charge of the public area, to make sure you are allowed to run.  As you say, in many parks, RC anything is banned.  I suspect because of drones falling on people's faces.  

 

In all seriousness, that's a very sound advice.  

 

I've got a bad habit of letting my mind go off the tangent.  But I understand.  Thank you for bringing this to the attention of TC members.  Because you brought this to attention, TC members are discussing the matter, even if it's not dead on point.  It doesn't seem like anybody is disputing your point either...  (It's likely that many of us know it or have experienced talking to the police.  So we ended up talking about other things that might be only vaguely related to your topic)

 

And you are right, you could get sued.  I could be wrong about UK, but I doubt that park councils would sue though.  It's expensive to sue, so little to gain.  Issuing a ticket for a small fine would be much simpler.  You could get sued by individuals-- If you cause an injury to a person or a property.  Liability insurance would be very handy indeed.  Those are civil matters.  It's also possible that you could be criminally charged, if your 1/5th buggy runs at 50km/h in a park and break some poor old lady's ankle.  Many countries have "reckless endangerment" law.  Local parks allowing you drive an RC car does not shield you from civil liability, nor criminal charges.  Most liability insurance would not cover criminal defenses either.  

 

Without causing an injury (which would be hard to do with a stock grasshopper), lawsuits would be unlikely.  For a civil case of "Joe Victim vs. RCer," "injury" is a vital component.  No injury, no case.  A city can sue you for unpaid fines. If fines add up, it's worth it to sue.  For criminal matters of "State vs. RCer," "criminal intent" is vital.  That's hard to prove unless you put nails pointing forward and poke at people's ankles... that would be very evil.  

 

But yes, even with a vintage Frog... we must be cautious.  Let's call parks, or get permission from a landowner if we were to run on a private land.  And don't take out dangerously fast RC cars if people are around.  

 

Without causing injuries, we would simply be told to leave.  Parks have their own rules about what's best for everybody's enjoyment of the park.  Just like personal property, public properties are viewed as having the right of "quiet enjoyment."  Bylaws reflect that by banning loud motorbikes, drones or nitro RC.  Not knowing the difference between nitro and electric RC, many councils could ban all RC.  Loud concerts are allowed with specially issued permits.  Without causing an injury, the worst you could face in most cases is a fine.  But even when RC is permitted, and the police is wrong --as in Speedy's link--, be respectful and choose to lose the argument.  The law enforcement gets the law wrong all the time.  Losing an argument with police is better than getting arrested for a disorderly conduct after a heated argument.  By the same token, let us all be respectful with each other too.  

 

 

[InsaneJim69]

1 hour ago, speedy_w_beans said:

Maybe it's time for some thread merging...  This came up 5 years ago.  It might be beneficial to keep the content in one location.

 

 

So basically in 5 years time we might see another thread? :lol:. 

James.

 

[gizard]

haha I remember back in the 80's on the IOW my brother got stopped using his Suburu Brat by the park care taker because it was considered a guided missile! There was no one else around and the 'park' itself used to be an old golf course many years previously...

posting links to BBC content is probably breaking some form of copyright law 😉 

sadly we live in an increasingly nanny state....

[Carts]

Think they need to be more worried about the people using drones in the sky. I live in Devon in the U.K. and never had any problem running Rc cars in the parks etc. Admittedly the nitro one was a tad loud though. Obviously the copper was a jobs worth up London. I love seeing my 2 year using his little £15 quid supermarket special Rc car. Playing football in the park will be frowned apon as this rate 

[Kingfisher]

" you don't know what it's like, you don't have a clue. If you did you'd find yourselves doing the same thing too. Breaking the law breaking the law...."

 

[Jason1145]

9 hours ago, Wooders28 said:

You know i'm not whiter than white,🙄 but, Its £20 a year, so wont break the bank, goes into supporting the RC scene and IF something was to happen, you have 3rd party insurance (i think,as long as youre not acting an idiot) and if nothing else, being a member of a governing body shows youre a serious RC enthusiast.

The original story, with it being down in that there london, i'm imagining is a busy park (isn't everywhere busy down there??) and maybe had issues with things like mini bikes / quads etc,so a blanket ban on motorized, i know theres a kid on a 50cc quad, who bombs around a park we walk though bringing my 3rd old back from toddlers, so i can see it being a worry. 

You’re a bit of a snowflake for sure 

From what I can tell being a paid up member of BRCA wouldn’t benefit me much with my particular RC habit and so I can’t see how spending the £20 is worth it to someone who drives RC well away from people and who always sets his failsafes on the radio so there is no chance of an errent car taking off without my control.

I think everyone who has commented on this thread is a common sense person who does not drive RC’s in a dangerous manner and avoids using them near people. ( however if you race or use a track you have to get insurance) This said it’s a moot point for these users to have insurance as no claim will ever be raised (never hit anyone) and if the authorities ever ask you to stop in a public place then we will pack up and move on,  job done without needing insurance.

[Nobbi1977]

I run my cars where I want and is safe to do so. No one can “sue”me for doing so because they have suffered no loss. 

I tend to ignore signs much like we all ignored the “no ball games” ones as kids.

If I am asked to leave, and I have never been then I will go quietly without fuss.

I think common sense is needed in life rather then fear and false restrictions. 

[Re-Bugged]

That 'Cop' was just jealous & bitter in the fact mummy never bought him an RC car. 

[Ronnyhotdog]