I've been a pleb. Speeding Query.

[Blanchimont]

I've been a knob. No excuses for it, but yeah.

Driving down a 60mph A road, gave it a squeeze through 3rd up to over the limit. Just as I drove past an unmarked police car on the other side of the road. Both looking unimpressed at their dash. As I passed them they lit up heading the opposite way.

It was a mile from work, and I parked up in the carpark before they could catch me up. Due to the setup of the road, I couldn't just pull over. Not without causing an accident.

Was it sheer coincidence? (I doubt it highly)
Or, being more likely they were going to pull me. Do they have to pull me over to issue me a ticket, or can they issue a NIP/ticket without pulling me over?

[JamesRF]

So they were driving the opposite way to you? Not parked up pointing a radar gun in your direction? Not sure how they would have been able to get any reading on your speed. If they were to have pulled you over they would have likely just run a few checks and given you a warning.

If it was an exceptionally dangerous piece of driving and they got your reg on video then I guess they could always pay a visit to your house, but it doesn’t sound like that’s the case.

[Blanchimont]

JamesRF said:

So they were driving the opposite way to you? Not parked up pointing a radar gun in your direction? Not sure how they would have been able to get any reading on your speed. If they were to have pulled you over they would have likely just run a few checks and given you a warning.

If it was an exceptionally dangerous piece of driving and they got your reg on video then I guess they could always pay a visit to your house, but it doesn’t sound like that’s the case.

Driving the opposite way, they weren't parked up. I was going quickly, but not in a dangerous manner (imo). It was a straight, clear road with no pavements either side.

[grudas]

I don't see how they'd measure your speed then...

[paintman]

Two of them then AFAIAA 'evidence of opinion' is still in use as one corroborates the opinion of the other.

In my service I only ever reported one for excess speed that way.
Absolute flyer in a 30 limit & both of us experienced with speed estimation.
Stopped & reported so verbal NIP. Early 80s & pre FPN.
Don't recall the outcome as it was a guilty plea.

I stand to be corrected but I presume it will be the 14 day wait - assuming your details as the RK are correct & current.
May well be that you're in luck & the sudden take-off was entirely coincidental.

Edited by paintman on Monday 26th April 11:36

[Blanchimont]

paintman said:

Two of them then AFAIAA 'evidence of opinion' is still in use as one corroborates the opinion of the other.

In my service I only ever reported one for excess speed that way.
Absolute flyer in a 30 limit & both of us experienced with speed estimation.
Stopped & reported so verbal NIP. Early 80s & pre FPN.
Don't recall the outcome as it was a guilty plea.

I stand to be corrected but I presume it will be the 14 day wait - assuming your details as the RK are correct & current.
May well be that you're in luck & the sudden take-off was entirely coincidental.

Edited by paintman on Monday 26th April 11:36

That was my thought tbh. As there was 2 they may be able to estimate.
I was over enough to be well into points/big fine territory, but under triple digits.

[mat205125]

No way you'll get a speeding conviction from this, as its impossible for them to prove how fast you were driving

Not sure whether a due care and attention, or reckless driving could be on the way though

[vonhosen]

mat205125 said:

No way you'll get a speeding conviction from this, as its impossible for them to prove how fast you were driving

Has happened before (which doesn't mean it will in this particular case).
They only have to satisfy the court that the vehicle was travelling in excess of the limit, they don't have to be able to prove the exact speed.

[Drawweight]

If they lit up as you passed them they were probably processing information that was coming in to them over the radio which was of far more concern to them than a random motorist going a few mph over the limit.

Neither of them would be paying you more than a cursory glance.

Forget it.

[SS2.]

mat205125 said:

No way you'll get a speeding conviction from this, as its impossible for them to prove how fast you were driving

Two officers don't need to 'prove' absolute speed, merely that both of them were of the opinion the vehicle in question was travelling [well] in excess of the limit.

Could be dealt with by a stop, caution and FPN (or report) issued at the roadside, or a NIP / s.172 request served at a later date.

[Jonmx]

They most likely stuck the blues on to give you a scare and slow you down. I used to do it with rear reds in unmarked vehicles if I had someone driving up my arse who hadn't worked out it was a plod car. A visual warning to address your driving behaviour without having to stop you.

[Toltec]

Did they turn around and follow you to work?

[Blanchimont]

Jonmx said:

They most likely stuck the blues on to give you a scare and slow you down. I used to do it with rear reds in unmarked vehicles if I had someone driving up my arse who hadn't worked out it was a plod car. A visual warning to address your driving behaviour without having to stop you.

I'm not so sure on this though, as they did pull out to overtake traffic.

[Blanchimont]

Toltec said:

Did they turn around and follow you to work?

The road layout meant that they needed to go the roundabout about a mile up the road, go around it, then come back. By that time I was likely the other end of the road, and could've gone multiple ways.

[Mr Pointy]

Blanchimont said:

Toltec said:

Did they turn around and follow you to work?

The road layout meant that they needed to go the roundabout about a mile up the road, go around it, then come back. By that time I was likely the other end of the road, and could've gone multiple ways.

I wonder if they'll be there waiting for you tomorrow. Can you take a different route for a few days?

[Blanchimont]

Mr Pointy said:

Blanchimont said:

Toltec said:

Did they turn around and follow you to work?

The road layout meant that they needed to go the roundabout about a mile up the road, go around it, then come back. By that time I was likely the other end of the road, and could've gone multiple ways.

I wonder if they'll be there waiting for you tomorrow. Can you take a different route for a few days?

That's the one bit of my commute I can't, annoyingly.

[LightningBlue]

What sort of car was it? Not all traffic cars have radar on their dash believe it or not, many require the officer to get out and use a speed gun. May be possible they got a call and weren’t responding to you speeding. How fast were you going?

[martinbiz]

LightningBlue said:

What sort of car was it? Not all traffic cars have radar on their dash believe it or not, many require the officer to get out and use a speed gun. May be possible they got a call and weren’t responding to you speeding. How fast were you going?

Read the earlier posts, 2 officers in the car, they don't need any speed measuring equipment other than the expert opinion of both officers that the vehicle is travelling at excess speed, but I would agree it is more likely that it is a coincidence

[LightningBlue]

They could do that if they were behind and used their speedo to gauge speed, but realistically they’d probably give words of advice

[paintman]

LightningBlue said:

They could do that if they were behind and used their speedo to gauge speed, but realistically they’d probably give words of advice

There were 2 in the car and martinbiz has already given you the correct answer.
Both would form the opinion that he was speeding & they corroborate each other.
No need for any other evidence such as a follow or use of any other approved device.
Also see SS2's post above.

martinbiz said:

LightningBlue said:

What sort of car was it? Not all traffic cars have radar on their dash believe it or not, many require the officer to get out and use a speed gun. May be possible they got a call and weren’t responding to you speeding. How fast were you going?

Read the earlier posts, 2 officers in the car, they don't need any speed measuring equipment other than the expert opinion of both officers that the vehicle is travelling at excess speed, but I would agree it is more likely that it is a coincidence

Edited by paintman on Thursday 29th April 14:44