Unsafe usage of laser speed trap by BIB??

[tvrslag]

Just thought I would post this little occurance as it covers several aspects, the safety of the BiB when carrying out their duty and the possible sideffects of motorists thinking they have been caught for speeding. Apologies therefore for the long post.

Myself and a friend were returning from holiday and driving up the M40 north bound in his MPV.
He was driving and we were following a brand new GM Astra. The day was a clear Sunday afternoon with light traffic. We were approximately 5-6 car lengths behind the Astra when up ahead there was a marked police car on the hard shoulder. As we got closer it became apparant that one of the officers (on the passenger side was leaning on the top of the unit and watching/ catching speeders using a laser gun (type unkown). This is my first concern, Surely the BiB should use a far safer area than just the hard shoulder? Are we all not advised that upon breaking down we should vacat the vehicle and sit of the main carriageway!! Yet here were two trained oficers who had been on the hard shoulder for x amount of time ignoring their own advice. Wouldn't using a police only laybye have been more prudent, also what type of example does this set to other road users?

Both my friend and the car in front were speeding so both drivers slowed upon the approach to the trap (by this time they had probably both caught). However, after we had passed, the police officer got back into the unit, my assumption being that they would then set out after either us or the car in front (there was a que of about 5 cars all going the same speed).
The Guy driving the Astra in front had seen this in his rear view mirrior and then obviously continued to watch his mirrior in concern for the following police unit, as he then almost stacked his car into the central reservation!!
In my this was a blatent example of how concern over being caught speeding almost caused a severe crash on the M40. Had the police officer not been there the guy would have continued on his merry speeding way without incident (this of course cannot be proven as another incident may have occured). This if anything proves that its driver attention that is paramount in ensuring crashes are reduced and not speed.
Comments?

[volvod5_dude]

Perhaps they have been instructed to cause accidents related to speed by their political masters for some sinister anti-motorist reason!!! Surely not

[Dwight VanDriver]

Conversely Darren if the vehicle had been steady at 70 then no need to worry?????

www.lro.com

Discovery Forum to sell that Disco????

DVD

[WildCat]

Thought they had designated spots - those "police patrol cars" only areas and - of course - m/way bridges for this kind of activity.

Ach! Money generation yet again!

Sure he was not broken down?

[supraman2954]

Dwight VanDriver said:

Conversely Darren if the vehicle had been steady at 70 then no need to worry????? DVD

If I and everyone else drove at a constant 70 on an M-way, I would soon fall asleep. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that is not so safe.

[Nightmare]

WildCat said:

Thought they had designated spots - those "police patrol cars" only areas and - of course - m/way bridges for this kind of activity.

me too?? Surely it is completely illegal to be trapping in this way? what if the policwe car guy had been so busy trying to get cars he'd missed the large artic slightly over the lines which had then wiped his patrol car out? (I believe this is a VERY commen cause of motorway injury)

[cptsideways]

In the past I know most Trafpol deaths were hardshoulder incidents, nearly all rear end shunts by lorries. I jad a friend in Surry bib who mentioned something about a few years ago.

I for one would not like to be stopped on hard shoulder unless I really had to.

[deeps]

What is the law regarding parking on the hard shoulder?
Apart from being foolish I would think it carries a penalty?
I suppose even if you had photographic evidence it would still be dismissed, as the law are above the law when it comes to scamming.

[tvrslag]

Dwight VanDriver said:

Conversely Darren if the vehicle had been steady at 70 then no need to worry????? www.lro.com Discovery Forum to sell that Disco???? DVD

DVD cheers for the info.

I agree absolutely, if he hadn't been speeding then he wouldn't have needed to slow and check his mirrors.

But the concern was two fold, you hear about people getting hit up the arse by trucks and vans all the time when parked on the hard shoulder, surely the BiB should be provided much better protection to carry out their duties (or don't do them at all )I would hate to think of the results if even a small car ploughed into them.

[Tafia]

tvrslag said:

Just thought I would post this little occurance as it covers several aspects, the safety of the BiB when carrying out their duty and the possible sideffects of motorists thinking they have been caught for speeding. Comments?

Not hard shoulder; just an example of stupidity by a policeman.

Last year in Prestatyn I was driving towards a T junction with a through road. On approaching the junction, I saw a liveried police car parked on the left, about 3 car lengths short of the stop line.

To pass the police car meant that I and other drivers were having to go onto the wrong side of the road at a busy junction and if a vehicle turned left from the through route into the road, they would be head-on with those trying to exit.

I then saw this genius standing further along the main road, lurking behind a traffic sign with a speed gun.

Which was the more dangerous? His obstruction of the carriageway or someone doing a little over the limit on a straight road?