Police waived a me!
Discussion
Pulled onto the A2 this morning, made my way over to the fast lane, and pulled out a gap on the car behind. Probably 80mph tops, and then settled down to a steady fast lane 75-80 mph in the flow of traffic.
Noticed a bike two cars back, sitting in the flow of traffic rather than undertaking (abnormal for bikes in morning rush hour). Didn't think any more until a few minutes later when it flashed its lights and the car moved over, followed by the car behind me. It was then apparent that it was a police bike. I therefore moved over and he came up alongside sounded his horn, I looked across and he gave me the slow down sign, to which I replied with a thumbs up. He then hit the throttle and dissapeared off at about 80-90mph.
Now assuming I didn't travel any faster than the cars behind or in front of me, do you think this guys on a one man crusade to slow every car in the fast lane down in rush hour thats doing over 70mph. Obviously not by example. Would he really have stopped me for doing less than 80 on a motorway?
Noticed a bike two cars back, sitting in the flow of traffic rather than undertaking (abnormal for bikes in morning rush hour). Didn't think any more until a few minutes later when it flashed its lights and the car moved over, followed by the car behind me. It was then apparent that it was a police bike. I therefore moved over and he came up alongside sounded his horn, I looked across and he gave me the slow down sign, to which I replied with a thumbs up. He then hit the throttle and dissapeared off at about 80-90mph.
Now assuming I didn't travel any faster than the cars behind or in front of me, do you think this guys on a one man crusade to slow every car in the fast lane down in rush hour thats doing over 70mph. Obviously not by example. Would he really have stopped me for doing less than 80 on a motorway?
Julian64 said:
He then hit the throttle and dissapeared off at about 80-90mph.
Is that 'allowed' - I thought the police could not break the spped limit unless they are chasing someone (or on route to an incident with the lights flashing)? Clearly, not a great idea to chase him to tell him so!
Could someone here clarify those rules?
>> Edited by Joe911 on Monday 10th January 10:02
He'll claim he was on the way to a call, usual excuse.
They do as they please and we have to pay tax if we want to do that. Simple as that. I pay my tax once a year and I drive as I please, pretty cheap actually if you look at it as number of mph over the limit x occasions to speed / cost of tax
They do as they please and we have to pay tax if we want to do that. Simple as that. I pay my tax once a year and I drive as I please, pretty cheap actually if you look at it as number of mph over the limit x occasions to speed / cost of tax
well he obviously decided NOT to pull you for over 70mph....I would imagine he was out providing some visible motorway policing - bloody good thing if you ask me; especially considering some of the astonishing retards i saw this morning on my drive in (nearly hit by a woman on her phone, shouting at her kid in the back and diving for her motorway exit at the last second)
I doubt he gave a stuff about you, but he can hardly just ignore the fact you're breaking the law - it is his job after all!
I doubt he gave a stuff about you, but he can hardly just ignore the fact you're breaking the law - it is his job after all!
Wouldn't complain if I were you. Refreshing to hear there are a few coppers out there giving a little 'friendly' warning.
A few years ago I was 'making progress' on the A14 between Cambridge and Bury to the tune of about 90ish. It was around 11.30 on a Sunday night, nothing else on the road for the last 10 miles or more. I went past a slip road exit, looked in mirror as per usual and suddenly saw headlights being turned on and start moving. Bugger.
Realising I was almost certinly in trouble, but not wanting to advertise I got off the gas, slipped down to 4th and prayed.
Sure enough 30 seconds later all behind me turned blue. When I pulled over the conversation went a little like this:-
Me: Good evening Officer.
Plod: Good evening Sir. Do you know why we have asked you to pull over.
Me: I have a fairly good idea but would rather you told me...
Plod: Well Sir my colleague saw you go by and thought we should remind you that although it's a fine dry night the speed limit on this road is still 70mph, not 90ish. I'd slow down a little if I were you. Mind how you go and be careful when you rejoin the road.
Know what? It slowed me down and reminded me that most police officers are human.
Wonder if a double flash would have had the same reaction?
A few years ago I was 'making progress' on the A14 between Cambridge and Bury to the tune of about 90ish. It was around 11.30 on a Sunday night, nothing else on the road for the last 10 miles or more. I went past a slip road exit, looked in mirror as per usual and suddenly saw headlights being turned on and start moving. Bugger.
Realising I was almost certinly in trouble, but not wanting to advertise I got off the gas, slipped down to 4th and prayed.
Sure enough 30 seconds later all behind me turned blue. When I pulled over the conversation went a little like this:-
Me: Good evening Officer.
Plod: Good evening Sir. Do you know why we have asked you to pull over.
Me: I have a fairly good idea but would rather you told me...
Plod: Well Sir my colleague saw you go by and thought we should remind you that although it's a fine dry night the speed limit on this road is still 70mph, not 90ish. I'd slow down a little if I were you. Mind how you go and be careful when you rejoin the road.
Know what? It slowed me down and reminded me that most police officers are human.
Wonder if a double flash would have had the same reaction?
Yeh I had that once, I was making progress down a deserted motorway late at night about 90ish and plod was on the hard shoulder on the opposite carriageway.
He simply waved at me and gave a slow down sign, wonder if I would have got the same treatment had he been on my side of the motorway!
He simply waved at me and gave a slow down sign, wonder if I would have got the same treatment had he been on my side of the motorway!
Probably lucky I got away with it then, but it gets back to the enforce the law or root out bad driving.
He could have given that sign to the car behind or the car in front. I had slotted into a long stream of cars, as anyone who uses the A2 in the morning will realise. I certainly couldn't have been going faster than them.
The only thing he could have objected to was the fact I accelerated into the fast lane, into the gap, or that my BMW has an 'M' on the back. Or he had decided to give that signal to every other car in the fast lane that day.
So faced with a long line of cars doing 70-80, so that as a policeman you see a long line of cars all technically breaking the law what do you do as a policeofficer?
He could have given that sign to the car behind or the car in front. I had slotted into a long stream of cars, as anyone who uses the A2 in the morning will realise. I certainly couldn't have been going faster than them.
The only thing he could have objected to was the fact I accelerated into the fast lane, into the gap, or that my BMW has an 'M' on the back. Or he had decided to give that signal to every other car in the fast lane that day.
So faced with a long line of cars doing 70-80, so that as a policeman you see a long line of cars all technically breaking the law what do you do as a policeofficer?
Tonyrec said:
He'll claim he was on the way to a call, usual excuse.
You will find that we dont claim anything whilst on duty.
I have no problem with him disappearing off at 80-90. I think the trafpolice should be given a good degree of latitude with the law. After all they are the people best placed to assess appropriate speed. I just wish they'd break the limit a bit more when I call them to my next burglary.
Besides it would be rather hypocritical of me to use that speed range regularly and then get upset about someone else doing it.
rude-boy said:
Wouldn't complain if I were you. Refreshing to hear there are a few coppers out there giving a little 'friendly' warning.
A few years ago I was 'making progress' on the A14 between Cambridge and Bury to the tune of about 90ish. It was around 11.30 on a Sunday night, nothing else on the road for the last 10 miles or more. I went past a slip road exit, looked in mirror as per usual and suddenly saw headlights being turned on and start moving. Bugger.
Realising I was almost certinly in trouble, but not wanting to advertise I got off the gas, slipped down to 4th and prayed.
Sure enough 30 seconds later all behind me turned blue. When I pulled over the conversation went a little like this:-
Me: Good evening Officer.
Plod: Good evening Sir. Do you know why we have asked you to pull over.
Me: I have a fairly good idea but would rather you told me...
Plod: Well Sir my colleague saw you go by and thought we should remind you that although it's a fine dry night the speed limit on this road is still 70mph, not 90ish. I'd slow down a little if I were you. Mind how you go and be careful when you rejoin the road.
Know what? It slowed me down and reminded me that most police officers are human.
Wonder if a double flash would have had the same reaction?
Similar thing happened to me very early one summer morning, I was on my way to heathrow and it was about 5 am, i was vigorously enjoying the A roads between Balsall Common and the M40 when, three police cars ambushed me at the A46 island. I new the sort of speeds I'd been doing and was ready for a 12 month period of taxis and public transport. They asked if the car was mine (yep) and if i had been enjoying the 'open road'. (gulp yes). Any way after several radio conversations everyone started to relax and discuss my car with me (911 turbo4 with GT2 spec engine, speed yellow with T2 kit)
The radio traffic finally ceased and all was explained to me. In my exuberance and partly due to a noisy sports exhaust I had passed an off duty policemans house at stupid speed and noise. He recognised the car and assumed that it was being nicked so rang his mates who duly stopped me several minutes later.
All was well and I was very politely reminded to watch my speed.
On my return from heathrow a few days later i passed a police range rover (at legal speed) and looked up to see a grinning driver waving at me as I went past. I know that the police get quite a bad rap from us PHers, but there are a some out there with common sense. Following this incident I pegged my speed back for much longer than when I received a 3point penalty via a Gatso (also at 5 in the morning exiting a village. hence F U Gatso)
It must say it was quite cool to have the police guarding my car as well as trackers etc..
FUGatso said:
Wouldn't complain if I were you. Refreshing to hear there are a few coppers out there giving a little 'friendly' warning.
A few years ago I was 'making progress' on the A14 between Cambridge and Bury to the tune of about 90ish. It was around 11.30 on a Sunday night, nothing else on the road for the last 10 miles or more. I went past a slip road exit, looked in mirror as per usual and suddenly saw headlights being turned on and start moving. Bugger.
Realising I was almost certinly in trouble, but not wanting to advertise I got off the gas, slipped down to 4th and prayed.
Sure enough 30 seconds later all behind me turned blue. When I pulled over the conversation went a little like this:-
Me: Good evening Officer.
Plod: Good evening Sir. Do you know why we have asked you to pull over.
Me: I have a fairly good idea but would rather you told me...
Plod: Well Sir my colleague saw you go by and thought we should remind you that although it's a fine dry night the speed limit on this road is still 70mph, not 90ish. I'd slow down a little if I were you. Mind how you go and be careful when you rejoin the road.
Know what? It slowed me down and reminded me that most police officers are human.
Wonder if a double flash would have had the same reaction?
They asked if the car was mine (yep) and if i had been enjoying the 'open road'. (gulp yes). Any way after several radio conversations everyone started to relax and discuss my car with me (911 turbo4 with GT2 spec engine, speed yellow with T2 kit)
The radio traffic finally ceased and all was explained to me. In my exuberance and partly due to a noisy sports exhaust I had passed an off duty policemans house at stupid speed and noise. He recognised the car and assumed that it was being nicked so rang his mates who duly stopped me several minutes later.
All was well and I was very politely reminded to watch my speed.
On my return from heathrow a few days later i passed a police range rover (at legal speed) and looked up to see a grinning driver waving at me as I went past. I know that the police get quite a bad rap from us PHers, but there are a some out there with common sense. Following this incident I pegged my speed back for much longer than when I received a 3point penalty via a Gatso (also at 5 in the morning exiting a village. hence F U Gatso)
It must say it was quite cool to have the police guarding my car as well as trackers etc..
(Nice Handle btw
) Great story and I agree entirely, a sensible approach to policing seems to have a much greater effect than fines and points from a machine.
I my experiecne I have only EVER been treated proffessionaly and fairly by the BiB on the rare occasions that I have come into contact with them for whatever reason. Some of this I hope would be down to may respectful and open attitude with them.
I do get frustrated by the persistent BiB bashing by a certain minoirty with a strange attitude on here, and not surprisingly they are the ones that are having the bad experiences....
We had a similar experience a few years back on the M25 approaching the Dartford Tunnel at what must have been 110+ (I was a passenger that day) when we saw the police Volvo behind and throttled back and moved towards the middle lane so as to allow him to pass. They then pulled up to each of car in turn, giving a signal to drop windows and over the tannoy came the message "the limit is 70 not 90" and proceeded to the next car in the convoy. We felt duly chastised, especially as we'd been going faster and dropped our speeds for a good while.
Also had a experience last year when first testing out the LCR when on a desserted road I was experimenting with torque-steer late at night, pulled fast out of a corner and saw the lights behind me, so slowed down and was followed then duly flashed after a little while. Got out and had a friendly chat and I honestly explained what I was doing and was told not to do it with the police watching and be careful as they were looking for joy riders.
IMO the BiB on the roads to a sterling job and I'd much rather deal with them than a faceless beaurocrat hiding behind a yellow box. On both these occasions we were dealt with in a fair manner which made us sit back and think.
Also had a experience last year when first testing out the LCR when on a desserted road I was experimenting with torque-steer late at night, pulled fast out of a corner and saw the lights behind me, so slowed down and was followed then duly flashed after a little while. Got out and had a friendly chat and I honestly explained what I was doing and was told not to do it with the police watching and be careful as they were looking for joy riders.
IMO the BiB on the roads to a sterling job and I'd much rather deal with them than a faceless beaurocrat hiding behind a yellow box. On both these occasions we were dealt with in a fair manner which made us sit back and think.
Joe911 said:
Is that 'allowed' - I thought the police could not break the spped limit unless they are chasing someone (or on route to an incident with the lights flashing)? Clearly, not a great idea to chase him to tell him so!
Could someone here clarify those rules?
The police, and especially Trafpol can drive at whatever speed they like. All justified of course.
Ideally, patrol speed should be at the speed limit or under. However, increases in speed can be used to detect speeding motorists further up the road, to cover large amounts of motorway to 'check it'..etc etc...
Obviously, public image has a lot to do with things and no matter what the BiB do..someone will always see negative. ie: I could be en-route to a 4 car RTC 10 mile away and some driver that I overtake will assume that my shift is ending, or that I'm late for my dinner etc etc.
By the same token..if my speed leads to a collision that could have been avoided if my speed had been less..then I risk points on both my police driving permit and my civilian driving licence.
Streetcop said:
ie: I could be en-route to a 4 car RTC 10 mile away and some driver that I overtake will assume that my shift is ending, or that I'm late for my dinner etc etc.
Don't do it then, only use lights and siren when you're really "en route". You set people's perception of you, not us.
busa_rush said:
ie: I could be en-route to a 4 car RTC 10 mile away and some driver that I overtake will assume that my shift is ending, or that I'm late for my dinner etc etc.
Don't do it then, only use lights and siren when you're really "en route". You set people's perception of you, not us.
I didn't make that clear did I? I meant that I would have blues/twos and people sometimes assume that....
As for blues/twos...there are many occasions when it actually hinders progress....for example on a fairly empty motorway...drivers in lane 3 often slam their anchors on, or brake harshly to get under 70mph when they see blue lights behind....
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