Pulled over by Police but what could he actually do?
Discussion
I got pulled the other day. No issue with it as I was pushing my luck but wonder what, if anything could the officer actually do?
Dual carriageway national speed limit. I was travelling in the outside lane as there were slower vehicles in the inside lane. I was following another car (safe distance) and he pulled in and braked when he saw the Police vehicle in the inside lane. I didn't but I did slow.
The Police vehicle was an L200 Pickup (fully marked) labelled up as a rural animal unit or something to that effect.
I went past at just a little over his speed and then accelerated again once past as he'd been boxed in by a car following me. I saw him come out and speed up so I dropped into the inside lane and sat at the speed limit. He eventually caught up and pulled me over.
He asked if I knew why he'd pulled me and I said no. He asked questions about the car and checked via his radio my details.
He said he'd pulled me because he was doing 70 and I must have been doing three figures when I caught him (he'd seen me in his mirror). He said I was disrespectful for passing him when he was doing 70 in a fully marked police vehicle and said he'd had to do 85 to catch me which was flat-out in his L200. He said had he been in the Discovery he usually Police in he'd have caught me a lot quicker - I wasn't sure of the relevance but drew my own conclusions!
After confirming who I was he asked me what he should do about it. I said I was sorry if he thought I was disrespectful but I didn't know what he should do. In my mind I was thinking there's f'all you can do. At no point did he follow me to measure my speed as I'd dropped below the limit when he was behind me. His vehicle had no camera or other speed device and I assume the speedo wasn't calibrated as it wasn't a traffic car.
He let me go with a lecture but out of curiosity could he have done any more?
I've no issue with him pulling me, it perhaps was taking the Pee just interested really.
Dual carriageway national speed limit. I was travelling in the outside lane as there were slower vehicles in the inside lane. I was following another car (safe distance) and he pulled in and braked when he saw the Police vehicle in the inside lane. I didn't but I did slow.
The Police vehicle was an L200 Pickup (fully marked) labelled up as a rural animal unit or something to that effect.
I went past at just a little over his speed and then accelerated again once past as he'd been boxed in by a car following me. I saw him come out and speed up so I dropped into the inside lane and sat at the speed limit. He eventually caught up and pulled me over.
He asked if I knew why he'd pulled me and I said no. He asked questions about the car and checked via his radio my details.
He said he'd pulled me because he was doing 70 and I must have been doing three figures when I caught him (he'd seen me in his mirror). He said I was disrespectful for passing him when he was doing 70 in a fully marked police vehicle and said he'd had to do 85 to catch me which was flat-out in his L200. He said had he been in the Discovery he usually Police in he'd have caught me a lot quicker - I wasn't sure of the relevance but drew my own conclusions!
After confirming who I was he asked me what he should do about it. I said I was sorry if he thought I was disrespectful but I didn't know what he should do. In my mind I was thinking there's f'all you can do. At no point did he follow me to measure my speed as I'd dropped below the limit when he was behind me. His vehicle had no camera or other speed device and I assume the speedo wasn't calibrated as it wasn't a traffic car.
He let me go with a lecture but out of curiosity could he have done any more?
I've no issue with him pulling me, it perhaps was taking the Pee just interested really.
I dont know the ins and outs of what the police need to do you for something but you were speeding and got a telling off instead of any kind of enforcement. Whether or not he could give you a ticket isnt really an issue, I'd just be chuffed I didnt get a NIP and drive off happy, maybe thats just me. I pass police cars often, sometimes maybe pushing my luck a little but if I were to be pulled I'd have no issue with it, accept my actions and apologise.
Aren't police taught not to sit at 70 mph on a national speed limit road?
See it quite a lot.. Police doing 70 on a motorway and then every lane slows down to about 68. It really doesn't help with the flow of traffic.
Also I think they would need more proof than just the eye to secure a conviction. Don't speeding offences get thrown out of court even if the camera is correctly calibrated?
See it quite a lot.. Police doing 70 on a motorway and then every lane slows down to about 68. It really doesn't help with the flow of traffic.
Also I think they would need more proof than just the eye to secure a conviction. Don't speeding offences get thrown out of court even if the camera is correctly calibrated?
My understanding is that in order to issue your with a NIP he must be in a vehicle with a calibrated speedometer. I think it is costly to do and maintain that L200 probably did not have one. So he wouldn't have had the required evidence that would stand up if you challenged it. ( Maybe it has changed please correct me if it has )
When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
nickofh said:
My understanding is that in order to issue your with a NIP he must be in a vehicle with a calibrated speedometer. I think it is costly to do and maintain that L200 probably did not have one. So he wouldn't have had the required evidence that would stand up if you challenged it. ( Maybe it has changed please correct me if it has )
When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
From my experience, an uncalibrated speedometer can be checked by an appropriately trained officer with a standard laser 'speed gun' - the vehicle is driven down a road at a set indicated speed, the officer at the roadside takes a reading, both officers produce statements to that effect.When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
JulianHJ said:
nickofh said:
My understanding is that in order to issue your with a NIP he must be in a vehicle with a calibrated speedometer. I think it is costly to do and maintain that L200 probably did not have one. So he wouldn't have had the required evidence that would stand up if you challenged it. ( Maybe it has changed please correct me if it has )
When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
From my experience, an uncalibrated speedometer can be checked by an appropriately trained officer with a standard laser 'speed gun' - the vehicle is driven down a road at a set indicated speed, the officer at the roadside takes a reading, both officers produce statements to that effect.When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
They say
"Means of Check
A road policing vehicle must be fitted with a certified calibrated speedometer regularly tested in accordance with Force instructions"
Still a lucky break .....
sounds like this d1ck had the hump because you didn't "obey" him. You didn't rise to it and let him believe he was master. In reality, sweet FA he could do but why go through the hassle of testing it. Good approach. Another reason why the NSL needs raising.
I appreciate the police and what they do, but not d1cks like this chap. Had a similar problem with a moron when I parked on a completely empty road, albeit double yellow at midnight. Because he was sitting in his car and I didn't "respect him" it was an issue.
I say, bully victim at school getting his own back.
I appreciate the police and what they do, but not d1cks like this chap. Had a similar problem with a moron when I parked on a completely empty road, albeit double yellow at midnight. Because he was sitting in his car and I didn't "respect him" it was an issue.
I say, bully victim at school getting his own back.
nickofh said:
JulianHJ said:
nickofh said:
My understanding is that in order to issue your with a NIP he must be in a vehicle with a calibrated speedometer. I think it is costly to do and maintain that L200 probably did not have one. So he wouldn't have had the required evidence that would stand up if you challenged it. ( Maybe it has changed please correct me if it has )
When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
From my experience, an uncalibrated speedometer can be checked by an appropriately trained officer with a standard laser 'speed gun' - the vehicle is driven down a road at a set indicated speed, the officer at the roadside takes a reading, both officers produce statements to that effect.When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
They say
"Means of Check
A road policing vehicle must be fitted with a certified calibrated speedometer regularly tested in accordance with Force instructions"
Still a lucky break .....
Edited by vonhosen on Monday 21st July 17:46
VonSenger said:
sounds like this d1ck had the hump because you didn't "obey" him. You didn't rise to it and let him believe he was master. In reality, sweet FA he could do but why go through the hassle of testing it. Good approach. Another reason why the NSL needs raising.
I appreciate the police and what they do, but not d1cks like this chap. Had a similar problem with a moron when I parked on a completely empty road, albeit double yellow at midnight. Because he was sitting in his car and I didn't "respect him" it was an issue.
I say, bully victim at school getting his own back.
Do you go around saying 'bruv' as well. What a pathetic post.I appreciate the police and what they do, but not d1cks like this chap. Had a similar problem with a moron when I parked on a completely empty road, albeit double yellow at midnight. Because he was sitting in his car and I didn't "respect him" it was an issue.
I say, bully victim at school getting his own back.
Person exceeds speed limit, passes marked car when doing so and then is surprised that they're pulled. There is a wealth of things that could be done if he wanted to put the effort it.
And no, there are no 'guidelines' about what speed an Officer has to drive on the m/way.
vonhosen said:
nickofh said:
JulianHJ said:
nickofh said:
My understanding is that in order to issue your with a NIP he must be in a vehicle with a calibrated speedometer. I think it is costly to do and maintain that L200 probably did not have one. So he wouldn't have had the required evidence that would stand up if you challenged it. ( Maybe it has changed please correct me if it has )
When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
From my experience, an uncalibrated speedometer can be checked by an appropriately trained officer with a standard laser 'speed gun' - the vehicle is driven down a road at a set indicated speed, the officer at the roadside takes a reading, both officers produce statements to that effect.When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
They say
"Means of Check
A road policing vehicle must be fitted with a certified calibrated speedometer regularly tested in accordance with Force instructions"
Still a lucky break .....
Edited by vonhosen on Monday 21st July 17:46
nickofh said:
vonhosen said:
nickofh said:
JulianHJ said:
nickofh said:
My understanding is that in order to issue your with a NIP he must be in a vehicle with a calibrated speedometer. I think it is costly to do and maintain that L200 probably did not have one. So he wouldn't have had the required evidence that would stand up if you challenged it. ( Maybe it has changed please correct me if it has )
When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
From my experience, an uncalibrated speedometer can be checked by an appropriately trained officer with a standard laser 'speed gun' - the vehicle is driven down a road at a set indicated speed, the officer at the roadside takes a reading, both officers produce statements to that effect.When I was younger and more foolish ( about 18 ) I may have been going a little over the limit and having slowed down I was pulled by a 307 police car. I was given the lecture and threated with a fine and points but we both knew he could not do anything. But I did see it as a lucky break.
They say
"Means of Check
A road policing vehicle must be fitted with a certified calibrated speedometer regularly tested in accordance with Force instructions"
Still a lucky break .....
Edited by vonhosen on Monday 21st July 17:46
Investment in technology = Public confidence, quality evidence. Much like body borne video cameras aren't a necessity for conviction but they're coming.
The last thing he probably wanted to do was end up spending time on motorway pulling someone over, especially given the specialist role.
The problem is if he's in a marked vehicle and you exceed the speed limit you place him in a position in front of other members of the public where they expect something to be done (or at least done to someone else). There's a reasonable probability that someone who saw you speed in front of a market police vehicle has a / has had points for excess speed so they wouldn't like the perceived double standards. That would be my interpretation of him using the word "respect".
He could have issued an FPN. Even if were eventually evidentially flawed, would the OP have tested it at court?
He could have issued a S.59.
He could have had the OP produce his documents of an inconvenience.
The problem is if he's in a marked vehicle and you exceed the speed limit you place him in a position in front of other members of the public where they expect something to be done (or at least done to someone else). There's a reasonable probability that someone who saw you speed in front of a market police vehicle has a / has had points for excess speed so they wouldn't like the perceived double standards. That would be my interpretation of him using the word "respect".
VonSenger said:
In reality, sweet FA he could do but why go through the hassle of testing it.
That might be the reality in a parallel universe, where talking rubbish is truth. He could have issued an FPN. Even if were eventually evidentially flawed, would the OP have tested it at court?
He could have issued a S.59.
He could have had the OP produce his documents of an inconvenience.
VonSenger said:
I say, bully victim at school getting his own back.
He did none of the above that he could have easily have done if he wanted to 'be a bully', as you conclude. doogz said:
John145 said:
If he believes you were exceeding the speed limit and his speedo was showing that you were pulling away and he was doing at least 70mph that's enough evidence for a conviction.
Is it really?I mean, I don't know, but one cop, on his own, in his car, with no evidence whatsoever, and the only piece of equipment he has to use is the speedo in his car.
That's enough for a conviction?
That's not no evidence, witness testimony under oath is evidence.
As I have now been educated , it seems then he could have been done. However I think if the officer had been in a suitably equipped vehicle with the evidence gathering equipment it would have been a different story.
I would challenge the ticket if I was caught speeding and there was only the officers testimony ( the L200 ). If it were a fully equipped traffic car I would not.
Wonder why he would go to the trouble of stopping and doing all the checks and yet not prosecute if he had the evidence to do so?
I would challenge the ticket if I was caught speeding and there was only the officers testimony ( the L200 ). If it were a fully equipped traffic car I would not.
Wonder why he would go to the trouble of stopping and doing all the checks and yet not prosecute if he had the evidence to do so?
nickofh said:
Wonder why he would go to the trouble of stopping and doing all the checks and yet not prosecute if he had the evidence to do so?
Probably because he was more interested in any offences that the checks may highlight rather than the speeding. The speeding just provided the impetus for him to look for other offences.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff