Legality of slip road speed traps
Discussion
vonhosen said:
pinchmeimdreamin said:
So the OP is now saying they park up just around a blind bend blocking an entire lane 
Well that would be daft, I'd find it hard to believe they'd place themselves in such peril.On a slip road, in a traffic lane, not on the shoulder, blocking the lane. If that's so then I for one hope that the officers in question were dealing with an emergency like debris in the road and not sitting there for the sake of a few speeding offences.
A lot of pain might have been avoided if the OP had figured out how to link to Streetview images from the beginning...
IroningMan said:
vonhosen said:
pinchmeimdreamin said:
So the OP is now saying they park up just around a blind bend blocking an entire lane
Well that would be daft, I'd find it hard to believe they'd place themselves in such peril.On a slip road, in a traffic lane, not on the shoulder, blocking the lane. If that's so then I for one hope that the officers in question were dealing with an emergency like debris in the road and not sitting there for the sake of a few speeding offences.
A lot of pain might have been avoided if the OP had figured out how to link to Streetview images from the beginning...
vonhosen said:
'Where' they are on the slip matters, as do all the 'other conditions'. They all affect the level of risk.
Leave this alone old fella, go back to getting on with all the important things in your life.It's only an internet forum. Come on, get back to the real things in your life.
I've joined a motorway slip road a few times recently, and rounded the corner to find one of the lanes blocked by a police car. The officers appeared to be on speeding duty. Absolutely incredibly stupid, particularly since the first time I saw them was only a few weeks after one of their colleagues was killed on a hard shoulder.
Why any police officer would choose to park in a live lane of a motorway is utterly beyond me. Especially after a blind corner.
Can't find the street view on the iPad, but it's been here:
It's caused me to lose some respect for our police tbh. There could be utter carnage if, for example, a motorbike overtakes a n HGV.
Why any police officer would choose to park in a live lane of a motorway is utterly beyond me. Especially after a blind corner.
Can't find the street view on the iPad, but it's been here:
It's caused me to lose some respect for our police tbh. There could be utter carnage if, for example, a motorbike overtakes a n HGV.
simoid said:
I've joined a motorway slip road a few times recently, and rounded the corner to find one of the lanes blocked by a police car. The officers appeared to be on speeding duty. Absolutely incredibly stupid, particularly since the first time I saw them was only a few weeks after one of their colleagues was killed on a hard shoulder.
Why any police officer would choose to park in a live lane of a motorway is utterly beyond me. Especially after a blind corner.
Can't find the street view on the iPad, but it's been here:
It's caused me to lose some respect for our police tbh. There could be utter carnage if, for example, a motorbike overtakes a n HGV.
Is this the one? If so, it seems nothing short of madness.Why any police officer would choose to park in a live lane of a motorway is utterly beyond me. Especially after a blind corner.
Can't find the street view on the iPad, but it's been here:
It's caused me to lose some respect for our police tbh. There could be utter carnage if, for example, a motorbike overtakes a n HGV.
They must really believe all the distorted hype about speed, just as most of us still harbour a lingering suspicion that we do actually catch colds from not dressing warmly.
simoid said:
I've joined a motorway slip road a few times recently, and rounded the corner to find one of the lanes blocked by a police car. The officers appeared to be on speeding duty. Absolutely incredibly stupid, particularly since the first time I saw them was only a few weeks after one of their colleagues was killed on a hard shoulder.
Why any police officer would choose to park in a live lane of a motorway is utterly beyond me. Especially after a blind corner.
Can't find the street view on the iPad, but it's been here:
It's caused me to lose some respect for our police tbh. There could be utter carnage if, for example, a motorbike overtakes a n HGV.
Always drive at such a speed that you can stop within the distance that you can see to be clear.Why any police officer would choose to park in a live lane of a motorway is utterly beyond me. Especially after a blind corner.
Can't find the street view on the iPad, but it's been here:
It's caused me to lose some respect for our police tbh. There could be utter carnage if, for example, a motorbike overtakes a n HGV.
Phatboy317 said:
Is this the one? If so, it seems nothing short of madness.
They must really believe all the distorted hype about speed, just as most of us still harbour a lingering suspicion that we do actually catch colds from not dressing warmly.
Yes, that's the one. Using a proper bit of hardware now, on which I can work streetview and paint, so they park somewhere around where my red square is (sometimes with 2 wheels on the verge, others fully in the carriageway).They must really believe all the distorted hype about speed, just as most of us still harbour a lingering suspicion that we do actually catch colds from not dressing warmly.
It's not a one-off thing, either. I've seen them a few times, and there's actually a lot of tyre marks on the verge. I've contacted the police about it previously
The Mad Monk said:
Always drive at such a speed that you can stop within the distance that you can see to be clear.
I try to do that, yes. I also don't drink and drive. In reality, this is a busy slip road used for acceleration from a tight (20mph) bend up to motorway speeds. The last thing drivers need is an unexpected merge from 2 lanes to 1 on the exit of an unsighted corner.simoid said:
Phatboy317 said:
Is this the one? If so, it seems nothing short of madness.
They must really believe all the distorted hype about speed, just as most of us still harbour a lingering suspicion that we do actually catch colds from not dressing warmly.
Yes, that's the one. Using a proper bit of hardware now, on which I can work streetview and paint, so they park somewhere around where my red square is (sometimes with 2 wheels on the verge, others fully in the carriageway).They must really believe all the distorted hype about speed, just as most of us still harbour a lingering suspicion that we do actually catch colds from not dressing warmly.
It's not a one-off thing, either. I've seen them a few times, and there's actually a lot of tyre marks on the verge. I've contacted the police about it previously
The Mad Monk said:
Always drive at such a speed that you can stop within the distance that you can see to be clear.
I try to do that, yes. I also don't drink and drive. In reality, this is a busy slip road used for acceleration from a tight (20mph) bend up to motorway speeds. The last thing drivers need is an unexpected merge from 2 lanes to 1 on the exit of an unsighted corner.The individual in charge of all this is Stephen House. He was brought in to launch the new Scottish Police Force. He does not behave like a policeman; he is a politician. He is seriously alienating the police in Scotland from the public, and this is particularly true of motorists. He is also proving to be deeply unpopular with some members of his own force and this is most definitely not a good thing.
His philosophy is clearly about numbers, not road safety. His thirst for this is what drives officers to commit insane acts like this one. If you parked up there deliberately, i.e. not broken down, you would be instantly moved and charged, and quite rightly so.
The only way to change this is to kick up bloody murder and have him removed and a proper policeman put in his place who is interested in real crime and proper road safety policies. We need to address the escalating issue of bad and dangerous driving, but the Scottish Roads Policing unit is totally failing to do this at present.
J
Edited by jith on Thursday 5th March 13:08
simoid said:
Phatboy317 said:
Is this the one? If so, it seems nothing short of madness.
They must really believe all the distorted hype about speed, just as most of us still harbour a lingering suspicion that we do actually catch colds from not dressing warmly.
Yes, that's the one. Using a proper bit of hardware now, on which I can work streetview and paint, so they park somewhere around where my red square is (sometimes with 2 wheels on the verge, others fully in the carriageway).They must really believe all the distorted hype about speed, just as most of us still harbour a lingering suspicion that we do actually catch colds from not dressing warmly.
It's not a one-off thing, either. I've seen them a few times, and there's actually a lot of tyre marks on the verge. I've contacted the police about it previously
The Mad Monk said:
Always drive at such a speed that you can stop within the distance that you can see to be clear.
I try to do that, yes. I also don't drink and drive. In reality, this is a busy slip road used for acceleration from a tight (20mph) bend up to motorway speeds. The last thing drivers need is an unexpected merge from 2 lanes to 1 on the exit of an unsighted corner.Jon1967x said:
2 lanes that 100 yards further on both merge with another lane. Cars side by side on slip roads are damn dangerous in my mind and you'd be mad to try an overtake on a slip road unless what you were overtaking was particularly slow otherwise you're all heading for a pile up at the end so I'm doubtful both lanes are regularly used at the same time. I personally don't really see the issue.
Generally one mistake doesn't constitute a problem. Overtaking on a slip may constitute a mistake, but my earlier example of biker overtaking very HGV happens - there's a lot of timber yards etc nearby so very heavy lorries use this slip and have to accelerate from a standing start from the give way line.When mistakes are compounded, then problems happen.
In my opinion, blocking a motorway sliproad after a blind bend is a mistake - if you don't think it an "issue" then fair enough.
simoid said:
Generally one mistake doesn't constitute a problem. Overtaking on a slip may constitute a mistake, but my earlier example of biker overtaking very HGV happens - there's a lot of timber yards etc nearby so very heavy lorries use this slip and have to accelerate from a standing start from the give way line.
When mistakes are compounded, then problems happen.
In my opinion, blocking a motorway sliproad after a blind bend is a mistake - if you don't think it an "issue" then fair enough.
True. It just needs someone to be distracted etc..When mistakes are compounded, then problems happen.
In my opinion, blocking a motorway sliproad after a blind bend is a mistake - if you don't think it an "issue" then fair enough.
but blind corner? really? Having taken a look at the entry point, as indicated you would either have to be coming from a standing start, if you've come over the motorway or turned left and then on to the slip and as such wouldn't be travelling at that great a speed either.
If there had been lots of incidents or collisions on there then I doubt the Police would be sitting there anymore...
eps said:
True. It just needs someone to be distracted etc..
but blind corner? really? Having taken a look at the entry point, as indicated you would either have to be coming from a standing start, if you've come over the motorway or turned left and then on to the slip and as such wouldn't be travelling at that great a speed either.
If there had been lots of incidents or collisions on there then I doubt the Police would be sitting there anymore...
Indeed - it's not a blind right angled corner by any means so I suppose "blind" may sound hyperbolic, but you can't see the other side so what else can I call it? but blind corner? really? Having taken a look at the entry point, as indicated you would either have to be coming from a standing start, if you've come over the motorway or turned left and then on to the slip and as such wouldn't be travelling at that great a speed either.
If there had been lots of incidents or collisions on there then I doubt the Police would be sitting there anymore...
The streetview does make it seem longer and shallower I find. Honestly, if you saw a police car parked up here "IRL" you'd be in utter digust disbelief as I was the first time - now I just think "f
king suicidal idiots again". I mean, we're always told how dangerous the hard shoulder of a motorway is. What about a live lane?Surely the only reason the police are sitting there trying to catch speeders is because there's been lots of incidents or collisions? That's the only reason for speed traps, isn't it?
simoid said:
Phatboy317 said:
Is this the one? If so, it seems nothing short of madness.
They must really believe all the distorted hype about speed, just as most of us still harbour a lingering suspicion that we do actually catch colds from not dressing warmly.
Yes, that's the one. Using a proper bit of hardware now, on which I can work streetview and paint, so they park somewhere around where my red square is (sometimes with 2 wheels on the verge, others fully in the carriageway).They must really believe all the distorted hype about speed, just as most of us still harbour a lingering suspicion that we do actually catch colds from not dressing warmly.
It's not a one-off thing, either. I've seen them a few times, and there's actually a lot of tyre marks on the verge. I've contacted the police about it previously
The Mad Monk said:
Always drive at such a speed that you can stop within the distance that you can see to be clear.
I try to do that, yes. I also don't drink and drive. In reality, this is a busy slip road used for acceleration from a tight (20mph) bend up to motorway speeds. The last thing drivers need is an unexpected merge from 2 lanes to 1 on the exit of an unsighted corner.simoid said:
So to answer the questions posed:
"Is it legal?" would appear to be yes, as police can apparently do what they like.
"Is it safe?" yes, if everyone else is driving to the letter and spirit of the law and highway code, and therefore, no.
They rest easy in the knowledge that they're performing a vital service in keeping people safe from the devilish motorway 'speeders'."Is it legal?" would appear to be yes, as police can apparently do what they like.
"Is it safe?" yes, if everyone else is driving to the letter and spirit of the law and highway code, and therefore, no.
And they consider themselves to be perfectly safe - after all, you can't get many people exceeding the limit on slip roads.
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