Accident yesterday - M5 - police response

[gh0st]

Drove to pick up a washing machine from my dads house in Cullompton yesterday. On the way back down the M5 there had been an accident. A caravan and a car lying on its side taking up the inside and middle lane.

This accident was not there when I drove up the M5 so it must have happened within the turnaround time (15 mins). Even assuming it happened seconds after I drove past, 2 police cars and 2 fire engines and a paramedic had all turned up, coned off the road and started getting things out the way!!

Very impressed with the speed and efficiency in reacting to the weekend pikey crash. Its nice to see the BiB being deployed that well to something as opposed to someone being reported doing 77 on the motorway

Gh0st

(Well since I normally whinge at police policy I thought I had better post when something impresses me)

[Streetcop]

Glad you were impressed..

Your post was only let down by the 77mph dig...

Of course in the future, such 'incidents' wont need so many police, as the HATOs (Highways Agency Traffic Officers) will be in attendance, thus freeing the police to deal with driver behaviour and law breakers elsewhere..

Street

[gh0st]

Streetcop said:

Of course in the future, such 'incidents' wont need so many police, as the HATOs (Highways Agency Traffic Officers) will be in attendance, thus freeing the police to deal with driver behaviour and law breakers elsewhere.. Street

Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?

[Streetcop]

morning gh0st...

I think it's a good thing 80% and a bad thing 20%.

The bad being, I just hope the HATO's will be sufficiently trained and motivated to do the job properly and safely.

The good being, it frees up police time to deal with miscreants who make the roads dangerous. There is no point in a police officer sitting with a damaged car on the motorway for a hour, when a HATO can do it. Same with escorting heavy loads up the motorway. What's the point in a Bib sitting at 30mph, with criminals passing or stuff happening elsewhere when a HATO can do it..

There are a number of forces where HATO already operate. My force will start with them in 2006, so I remain optimistic, if a little sceptical.

Street

[gh0st]

So what training and other qualifications do they need? Are they vetted and trainined in the same way as the police or are we going to have a load more "traffic wardens" on the loose?

[Tonyrec]

gh0st said:

Very impressed with the speed and efficiency in reacting to the weekend pikey crash. Its nice to see the BiB being deployed that well to something as opposed to someone being reported doing 77 on the motorway Gh0st

Jacks of all trades eh?

[Streetcop]

Tonyrec said:

Jacks of all trades eh?

and masters, Tony..



Street

[Flat in Fifth]

gh0st said:

Streetcop said: Of course in the future, such 'incidents' wont need so many police, as the HATOs (Highways Agency Traffic Officers) will be in attendance, thus freeing the police to deal with driver behaviour and law breakers elsewhere.. Street Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?

As said before, speaking from an area where HATOs are operating.

The bib these have partly replaced have been deployed elsewhere, and there is reduced "proper" police presence on these roads.

Fully accepted that on face value it is better for such HA people to deal with the hazards associated with a broken down vehicle, say, than a fully crewed traffic unit BUT.....

In practice during a quiet time, ie no accidents ( sorry smacked wrist non PC term there!), no breakdowns, no escort duty etc. then these jokers sit around at various tea-spots and basically do beggar all.

Now I accept that, just as some rural ambulance services do, there is a deployment at strategic locations to get rapid cover across the operational area. If you can arrange such strategic deployment locations to have ready access to toilet and refreshment facilities then that is an added bonus to employee welfare but....

When I regularly see 3 ( yes three!) of these units parked up and the crews engaged in what can only be described as "pissing about" understandably I get a shade cross.

Remember these people have effectively in part replaced traffic units, one of their tasks is "high profile patrols." OK these chocolate bobbies don't have a bite.....yet!

I cannot help but think that in such a quiet time the traffic units replaced would have been engaged in proper traffic policing.

Rant over.

FiF

>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Tuesday 24th August 11:57

[towman]

Streetcop said:

Of course in the future, such 'incidents' wont need so many police, as the HATOs (Highways Agency Traffic Officers) will be in attendance, thus freeing the police to deal with driver behaviour and law breakers elsewhere.. Street

It is my imression that the BiB attend first to deal with the legal aspect, then are leave the HATOs to deal with the clearing up. Have spoken to HA about the job and due to the p*sspoor salary, it is mostly ex cops who apply! (already receiving pension).

Steve

[goodlife]

Streetcop said:

... it frees up police time to deal with miscreants who make the roads dangerous. There is no point in a police officer sitting with a damaged car on the motorway for a hour, when a HATO can do it.

Damm. So bang goes my theory that it's fine to sit at 95 once PAST an accident, as all the BiB in the area would be attending the scene...

[Streetcop]

towman said:

Have spoken to HA about the job and due to the p*sspoor salary, it is mostly ex cops who apply! (already receiving pension). Steve

Steve..

Don't sound bitter mate...it doesn't suit you. Most coppers retire at 50 years old, still too young to be on the scrapheap. Such a job is perfect for them, afterall the experience will be there and it's not then filled by wannabe cops with Hitler like chips on shoulders.

Street