Another Bib Motorway driving Question
Discussion
Following on from Mon Ami Mate's post, Is it possible for any Bib's to comment on what their motorway driving style may indicate to us, or is it not that simple?
Obviously if they are flying down the outside lane with blues and two's on then they are on a shout somewhere, but if they were doing 60 in the inside lane, or 75 in the middle are they likely to be "looking for a customer", or off to the cafe, or something else, are there any guidlines on how you should drive on the motorway depending on what activities you are on ?
I've seen a few police cars nail it past me, only for me to catch up with them 10 minutes later sitting infront of a big artic - wonder what they could be upto ?
Obviously if they are flying down the outside lane with blues and two's on then they are on a shout somewhere, but if they were doing 60 in the inside lane, or 75 in the middle are they likely to be "looking for a customer", or off to the cafe, or something else, are there any guidlines on how you should drive on the motorway depending on what activities you are on ?
I've seen a few police cars nail it past me, only for me to catch up with them 10 minutes later sitting infront of a big artic - wonder what they could be upto ?
andy_vtec said:
sitting in front of a big artic - wonder what they could be upto ?
Happens quite a lot. Some of them seem to want you fairly close behind in order to hide them from approaching traffic.
I understand the reasons for doing it, but it is still a little nerve wracking.
Worse still when you get an elephant racer who doesnt see the BiB and then wont drop back!
Steve
I tend to cruise at 55mph on the motorway just letting the ANPR read passing traffic. This also allows us to have a decent gander at any one worth a pull as they float past.
Sometimes we accelerate to dish out a Traff Pol stare to a minor lawbreaker and then revert back to lane one observations again.
You will often see motorway patrol cars hammering down lane three with no blue lights on etc, on these occasions we catching up with a speed merchant, usually after we have been sat on a bridge or observation point using either Laser of Pilot.
We are often called up to implement a rolling road in order that debris can be reomoved from the carriageway, in order to do this we take up a position in lane 2, illuminate rear blues/reds etc and slow the traffic down gradually to a stop.
In any event all Motorway Patrol have to adhere to the guidelines set out in the National Motorway Procedures Manual...
Sometimes we accelerate to dish out a Traff Pol stare to a minor lawbreaker and then revert back to lane one observations again.
You will often see motorway patrol cars hammering down lane three with no blue lights on etc, on these occasions we catching up with a speed merchant, usually after we have been sat on a bridge or observation point using either Laser of Pilot.
We are often called up to implement a rolling road in order that debris can be reomoved from the carriageway, in order to do this we take up a position in lane 2, illuminate rear blues/reds etc and slow the traffic down gradually to a stop.
In any event all Motorway Patrol have to adhere to the guidelines set out in the National Motorway Procedures Manual...
Your more likely to kill the numpty changing his tyre in lane 3, especially on the M1 near London Gateway Services or in the dip going towards Watford.
I couldn`t believe the call but sure enough there he was, stopped in lane 3 changing his tyre with not a care in the world.....thats only the second numpty in seven years traffic Policing changing tyres in lane 3 but it still amazes me......and they look at you in amazement as you throw everything into the boot and try to get them moving.
On a different subject I was out with a new chap in traffic, using the Pro Laser 3 from an observation point on the M1. He was out of the car using the Laser, he turns got back in the car and says get ready for the Mini, what Mini I say, he pauses and says that one.....as a red mini flys past. He got a reading at 2070 feet away at 103mph. He used to be a Police sniper.....
I couldn`t believe the call but sure enough there he was, stopped in lane 3 changing his tyre with not a care in the world.....thats only the second numpty in seven years traffic Policing changing tyres in lane 3 but it still amazes me......and they look at you in amazement as you throw everything into the boot and try to get them moving.
On a different subject I was out with a new chap in traffic, using the Pro Laser 3 from an observation point on the M1. He was out of the car using the Laser, he turns got back in the car and says get ready for the Mini, what Mini I say, he pauses and says that one.....as a red mini flys past. He got a reading at 2070 feet away at 103mph. He used to be a Police sniper.....
Will Crash said:
Your more likely to kill the numpty changing his tyre in lane 3, especially on the M1 near London Gateway Services or in the dip going towards Watford.
I couldn`t believe the call but sure enough there he was, stopped in lane 3 changing his tyre with not a care in the world.....thats only the second numpty in seven years traffic Policing changing tyres in lane 3 but it still amazes me......and they look at you in amazement as you throw everything into the boot and try to get them moving.
On a different subject I was out with a new chap in traffic, using the Pro Laser 3 from an observation point on the M1. He was out of the car using the Laser, he turns got back in the car and says get ready for the Mini, what Mini I say, he pauses and says that one.....as a red mini flys past. He got a reading at 2070 feet away at 103mph. He used to be a Police sniper.....
That's a pretty impressive "forming of a prior opinion".
Will Crash said:
Sometimes we accelerate to dish out a Traff Pol stare to a minor lawbreaker and then revert back to lane one observations again.
- I have been on the receiving end of that stare on many an occaision! I always try and look suitably apologetic! Will Crash said:
He got a reading at 2070 feet away at 103mph. He used to be a Police sniper.....
blimey!! but hardly playing fair is it? You should only employ the sort of coppers whose hands shake badly for the first 4 hours of every day!
well after recently 'playing' with a Bentley Continental and leaving it behind at fairly rapid speeds i was slightly concerned to see the flashing lights of a marked car weaving through traffic about half a mile behind me, after slowing to 75/80 in the middle lane & getting that sick feeling i was relieved to say the least when he shot by doing about 140. Supposing we may have been touching 130ish (just for example but could not confirm of course) how the hell did we get away with that? 
a lucky day indeed!
a lucky day indeed!
Just to expand a bit further guys, do you do most of your speed detection parked up, or do you go fishing driving slowly (ish) and seeing if anyone is stupid enough to blast past you (and do you try to "hide" in front of lorries) 
Also - when you are doing 56 (and a bit) in the inside lane are you content to sit there whilst a nice queue builds up behind (and have a bit of a) at the 
that bang on the anchors and then crawl past at 71mph, or could you consider your actions to be causing a possible danger and press on to release the pressure?
Also - when you are doing 56 (and a bit) in the inside lane are you content to sit there whilst a nice queue builds up behind (and have a bit of a
) at the that bang on the anchors and then crawl past at 71mph, or could you consider your actions to be causing a possible danger and press on to release the pressure? andy_vtec said:
Also - when you are doing 56 (and a bit) in the inside lane are you content to sit there whilst a nice queue builds up behind
Motorway policing manual says the majority of patrol speeds should be dictated by the speed of vehicles in lane 1. Consequently, HGV's etc will be doing that speed and so will BiB
Street
Streetcop said:
Motorway policing manual says the majority of patrol speeds should be dictated by the speed of vehicles in lane 1. Consequently, HGV's etc will be doing that speed and so will BiB
Street
Sadly, its normally the other way round. If trafpol is less than 56, a queue of heavies builds up behind. hence the request!
Streetcop said:
Motorway policing manual says the majority of patrol speeds should be dictated by the speed of vehicles in lane 1. Consequently, HGV's etc will be doing that speed and so will BiB
Street
Hi Street, OK, so the manual says travel at the same speeds as Lane 1, but would you ever consider any queue build up behind and act accordingly, or is it just unfortunate ?
PS - is the Motorway policing manual available to anyone to read to just BiB?
Streetcop said:
Motorway policing manual says the majority of patrol speeds should be dictated by the speed of vehicles in lane 1. Consequently, HGV's etc will be doing that speed and so will BiB
Street
Careful - there is an implication here that L1 is just for heavies! Cars are able to use it too (providing they can see out of the tramlines)
Will Crash said:
I tend to cruise at 55mph on the motorway just letting the ANPR read passing traffic. This also allows us to have a decent gander at any one worth a pull as they float past.
I passed a West Yorkshire Trafpol car a few weeks ago on the M1 northbound. It was travelling at quite low speed in lane 1 and the driver had his elbow on the window cill with his head resting against his right hand. It didn't look very 'Roadcraft' orientated at all. He looked very bored with the whole procedure, or was he just having a quiet chat on his mobile phone I wonder?
Best wishes all,
Dave.
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