Roadside Surveys

[badlad.biz]

Twice in the last month I have been stopped early in the morning by people conducting roadside surveys. Its made me late for work and I have lost pay because of this. Are people leagally allowed to do this?

[bednobs]

police people?
If not police persons, why stop? Or why not drive off after establishing they are conducting a survey?.
Surely they are only inviting you to stop, and if you do, that's your look out?

[gouldc]

They did this up by me - missed them on the way to work, went a different route home, only to be stopped - some sort of government survery about local travelling habits - police flagged random cars over (including me).

Obviously I stop for the police, but had I known what they wanted me for I'd have told them to get stuffed.

Needless to say, being an awkward ******, and using my full knowledge of the Data protection Act, I ensured that it wasn't just my time that was wasted.

Under the Data Protection Act, you don't have to provide personal information. The conversation went like this:

Q. I'm conducting a survey into the travel habits of commuters in the South Wales Valley. Can I ask you a few questions?
A. Well since the police pulled me over for this, I suppose so.
Q. What's your name?
A. Not prepared to provide you with this information as it is personal information, and releasing it would be a breach of my rights under the Data Protection Act. (blank stare from idiot on side of the road).
Q. Where do you live:
A. refer to above
Q. Where are you going.
A. refer to above

And so on for about 5 minutes. I have to ask, they're on a valley road at 7am - where the hell do you think everyone is going? Tesco's? Same thing at 5.30pm. Morons - shame is I've probably paid for that in a roundabout way - got my money's worth though!

[Quoi]

I always ask them if I have to answer - which is usually no - and then don't participate if I have a choice .

I object to giving personal information.

When you buy a TV you have to give iyour name & address - I asked the guy in the shop how he would know if I gave false information.
He said he wouldnt so I told him my name was Mickey Mouse & I still got the tele.

[badlad.biz]

Thanks everyone!
The surveys were conducted by our busy body local council who used a road block to conduct the survey, so I couldn't go anyhow until the two cars in front had gone, and just my luck theres allways one driver with no better time on their hands to be thoroughly helpful. I guess I'm just unlucky, but next time I'm going to be ready.
badlad

[WaldoMcFroog]

How on earth would releasing your own name and address to anyone possibly violate the Data Protection Act? It doesn't do - and cannot possibly do - any such thing. It's your information and you're perfectly at liberty to provide it to whomsoever you please.

What you mean is that the requester has no legal authority to demand these details. Not the same thing at all.

Feel free to not give your personal details, but don't quote the DPA.

[north star]

These surveys work by the police in the first instance requiring you to stop. You must do this. The police then hand you over to the person conducting the survey. You are not required to answer their questions. You should ask the police if you are free to go before driving off.