Police driving standard incident
Discussion
I have, on several occasions, been amazed at the standard of panda car drivers in my area. However, the latest incident was quite sobering.
I was driving home in the dark at about 6 in the evening along a main single lane road through my village - 30mph limit. I head sirens from behind and checked my mirrors. I couldn't see the approaching car/ambulance/fire engine as it was busy and the traffic behind me was obscuring my view. A Panda car shot past probably doing a bit over 40mph on the hatched part of the road that seperates the two lanes. The first thing i noticed was that I didn't see any headlights in my mirror when he went past. He wasn't showing any tail lights either, just the spinning blues on the top of the car. I was so amazed, that I steered to the right, enabling me to view the car as it sped down the hill towards the heart of the village and a major junction - approx 3/4 mile. No lights all the way down! I really couldn't believe what I was seeing.
I know that traffic drivers are trained and know how to drive well, and I would be happy for my driving to be judged by them if i was breaking a law. But an officer who doesn't switch on his headlights on a busy, murky winter evening is a different story. As with all incidents i'm sure this was a very rare occurance, but it damages the reputation of the plod imo.
Any comments on this chaps?
I was driving home in the dark at about 6 in the evening along a main single lane road through my village - 30mph limit. I head sirens from behind and checked my mirrors. I couldn't see the approaching car/ambulance/fire engine as it was busy and the traffic behind me was obscuring my view. A Panda car shot past probably doing a bit over 40mph on the hatched part of the road that seperates the two lanes. The first thing i noticed was that I didn't see any headlights in my mirror when he went past. He wasn't showing any tail lights either, just the spinning blues on the top of the car. I was so amazed, that I steered to the right, enabling me to view the car as it sped down the hill towards the heart of the village and a major junction - approx 3/4 mile. No lights all the way down! I really couldn't believe what I was seeing.
I know that traffic drivers are trained and know how to drive well, and I would be happy for my driving to be judged by them if i was breaking a law. But an officer who doesn't switch on his headlights on a busy, murky winter evening is a different story. As with all incidents i'm sure this was a very rare occurance, but it damages the reputation of the plod imo.
Any comments on this chaps?
Not all Police drivers are trained, before training starts there is always a requirment to drive, so after a quick test new officers are allowed to drive PANDA (small) cars with out blue lights or sirens. its just a way of getting the enquiries done without walking, (bit like mum going to the shops) I suppose in the excitement of a real job they must occasionaly put them on to get there a lot quicker. If you thought it was dangerous make a complaint. Only the trained officers can use blues n twos.
Well in my experience the Panda drivers in Didcot can barely manage the standard of the basic driving test. A couple of weeks ago I was nearly hit by two panda drivers pulling into me without any warning or signal.
...I woudn't have minded but the near-misses were within about twenty seconds of each other ):-(
...I woudn't have minded but the near-misses were within about twenty seconds of each other ):-(
There are (generally) three "classes" of Police driver, usually referred to as basic, standard, and advanced.
Basic drivers can drive Police vehicles, liveried or otherwise, but have to obey the rules of the road the same as any member of the public. They are not allowed to use the lights/sirens, or to stop or attempt to stop vehicles with their vehicle (although they can of course pull over, hop out, and give a Number 1 stop signal...).
Standard drivers can use the lights/sirens to aid progress and stop vehicles, but are (generally) restricted to a maximum +20mph of any red ring/national speed limit. They are not allowed to pursue vehicles whose drivers fail to stop.
Advanced drivers can use the lights/sirens, and again, are usually restricted to +20mph, but can exceed this if it necessary, proportionate and they can justify it. Advanced drivers are generally permitted to pursue vehicles whose drivers fail to stop.
On top of this, there are motorway authorisations, pursuit trained drivers. security escort drivers... the list goes on.
Just because someone is in a Police vehicle doesn't make them a better driver.
Edited to add that there is at present no "national" standarrd, each force does their own thing, but generally as above.
>> Edited by Dibble on Tuesday 28th February 19:32
Basic drivers can drive Police vehicles, liveried or otherwise, but have to obey the rules of the road the same as any member of the public. They are not allowed to use the lights/sirens, or to stop or attempt to stop vehicles with their vehicle (although they can of course pull over, hop out, and give a Number 1 stop signal...).
Standard drivers can use the lights/sirens to aid progress and stop vehicles, but are (generally) restricted to a maximum +20mph of any red ring/national speed limit. They are not allowed to pursue vehicles whose drivers fail to stop.
Advanced drivers can use the lights/sirens, and again, are usually restricted to +20mph, but can exceed this if it necessary, proportionate and they can justify it. Advanced drivers are generally permitted to pursue vehicles whose drivers fail to stop.
On top of this, there are motorway authorisations, pursuit trained drivers. security escort drivers... the list goes on.
Just because someone is in a Police vehicle doesn't make them a better driver.
Edited to add that there is at present no "national" standarrd, each force does their own thing, but generally as above.
>> Edited by Dibble on Tuesday 28th February 19:32
Dibble said:
There are (generally) three "classes" of Police driver, usually referred to as basic, standard, and advanced.
Basic drivers can drive Police vehicles, liveried or otherwise, but have to obey the rules of the road the same as any member of the public. They are not allowed to use the lights/sirens, or to stop or attempt to stop vehicles with their vehicle (although they can of course pull over, hop out, and give a Number 1 stop signal...).
Standard drivers can use the lights/sirens to aid progress and stop vehicles, but are (generally) restricted to a maximum +20mph of any red ring/national speed limit. They are not allowed to pursue vehicles whose drivers fail to stop.
Advanced drivers can use the lights/sirens, and again, are usually restricted to +20mph, but can exceed this if it necessary, proportionate and they can justify it. Advanced drivers are generally permitted to pursue vehicles whose drivers fail to stop.
On top of this, there are motorway authorisations, pursuit trained drivers. security escort drivers... the list goes on.
Just because someone is in a Police vehicle doesn't make them a better driver.
Edited to add that there is at present no "national" standarrd, each force does their own thing, but generally as above.
>> Edited by Dibble on Tuesday 28th February 19:32
Liebchen ... ist why you rival Mad Doc und IG in my heart. Ist your down to earthiness ...
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff