Erratic driving from unmarked police car
Discussion
I was on the M20 this morning minding my own business, in lane 2 doing 70 overtaking traffic in lane 1, decent stopping distance in front of me to the next car. A Toyota Corolla on a 23 plate is approaching from behind in lane 3 doing probably 10 mph more. It passes me, then indicates and cuts in 1-2 car lengths in front of me and comes straight off the throttle leaving me with no space so I had to come right off the throttle to increase my safe distance. Gave them a dose of lights/horn to indicate that they had incurred my displeasure - no way they can't have known I was there as they had just overtaken me. No previous interactions.
Next thing to happen was they flashed some blue lights in the rear window!!
Always the chance it was somebody impersonating a police car but I strongly suspect a police car - whether the flash of blues was an apology or otherwise I have no idea.
I continued to travel near it for several miles and would say it continued to drive erratically - varying speed and I would say excessive lane changes. Late lane change and brake for the motorway exit - as they left it did look as if the driver was wearing some sort of uniform.
I have dash cam footage of the whole incident, but whilst curious I have no desire to report anything and make trouble for myself.
Any thoughts? The reg began KE23 which google seems to think is a common prefix for Met cars.
Next thing to happen was they flashed some blue lights in the rear window!!
Always the chance it was somebody impersonating a police car but I strongly suspect a police car - whether the flash of blues was an apology or otherwise I have no idea.
I continued to travel near it for several miles and would say it continued to drive erratically - varying speed and I would say excessive lane changes. Late lane change and brake for the motorway exit - as they left it did look as if the driver was wearing some sort of uniform.
I have dash cam footage of the whole incident, but whilst curious I have no desire to report anything and make trouble for myself.
Any thoughts? The reg began KE23 which google seems to think is a common prefix for Met cars.
NiceCupOfTea said:
I was on the M20 this morning minding my own business, in lane 2 doing 70 overtaking traffic in lane 1, decent stopping distance in front of me to the next car. A Toyota Corolla on a 23 plate is approaching from behind in lane 3 doing probably 10 mph more. It passes me, then indicates and cuts in 1-2 car lengths in front of me and comes straight off the throttle leaving me with no space so I had to come right off the throttle to increase my safe distance. Gave them a dose of lights/horn to indicate that they had incurred my displeasure - no way they can't have known I was there as they had just overtaken me. No previous interactions.
Next thing to happen was they flashed some blue lights in the rear window!!
Always the chance it was somebody impersonating a police car but I strongly suspect a police car - whether the flash of blues was an apology or otherwise I have no idea.
I continued to travel near it for several miles and would say it continued to drive erratically - varying speed and I would say excessive lane changes. Late lane change and brake for the motorway exit - as they left it did look as if the driver was wearing some sort of uniform.
I have dash cam footage of the whole incident, but whilst curious I have no desire to report anything and make trouble for myself.
Any thoughts? The reg began KE23 which google seems to think is a common prefix for Met cars.
"Gave them a dose of lights/horn to indicate that they had incurred my displeasure". This could well be why you got a warning flash of blue lights. Next thing to happen was they flashed some blue lights in the rear window!!
Always the chance it was somebody impersonating a police car but I strongly suspect a police car - whether the flash of blues was an apology or otherwise I have no idea.
I continued to travel near it for several miles and would say it continued to drive erratically - varying speed and I would say excessive lane changes. Late lane change and brake for the motorway exit - as they left it did look as if the driver was wearing some sort of uniform.
I have dash cam footage of the whole incident, but whilst curious I have no desire to report anything and make trouble for myself.
Any thoughts? The reg began KE23 which google seems to think is a common prefix for Met cars.
What you're saying OP is what seemed to be an unmarked Police car overtook you, pulled in closer than is comfortable and immediately eased off the throttle. If so, I'd say it's more annoying that erratic but a very common occurrence. Even the Police are not perfect drivers so entirely possible.
Trouble is, even if they did do something frustrating, they have their trump card which is to turn on the blues and twos.
On the flip side, maybe you did overreact and it was a non-event. Either way, I wouldn't stress too much.
Trouble is, even if they did do something frustrating, they have their trump card which is to turn on the blues and twos.
On the flip side, maybe you did overreact and it was a non-event. Either way, I wouldn't stress too much.
I cant remember the last time I used my horn. Pretty sure the MOT guy is the only one that uses it. I find people that think the correct order to avoid an accident is horn-brake-steer are a bit wierd.
I can only imagine the coppers pleasure seeing an angry man in his rear view mirror, flicking on the lights and watching him get back in his box.
I can only imagine the coppers pleasure seeing an angry man in his rear view mirror, flicking on the lights and watching him get back in his box.
Ah yes, I've just remembered why I don't use PH much any more.
Rest assured, hole-pickers, whilst my use of horn/lights wasn't textbook I imagine most would have reacted in the same way had a car pulled so close in front of them at 70 and immediately come off the gas. Yes it was partly fuelled by annoyance, but also to wake them up to the fact that there was a car right behind them (even though they surely should have noticed, just having overtaken it). There was a good distance in front of me to the next car and had they needed to get into that gap there was plenty of space to do it safely with a greater safety margin. A few seconds later they pulled back out into lane 3.
I'm afraid you will have to take my word for these events, including the no former interaction and their unnecessary lane changing and the last minute dive for lane 1 at their exit, as there is no exaggeration on my part. Perhaps we can assume that I'm not seeking attention or justification for my actions - I'm not the sort of person who saves their dash cam videos and sends them off to YT channels, but I was rather surprised to see such a generally poor standard of driving from what I assume would be somebody with a decent level of training.
I'd be interested in any thoughts as to what they were up to - trying to goad reactions out of people? Training? Or is it possibly as simple as somebody with no extra driver training just not being very good at driving? I guess that's what I'm leaning towards, and assuming the flash of lights was by way of apology...
Rest assured, hole-pickers, whilst my use of horn/lights wasn't textbook I imagine most would have reacted in the same way had a car pulled so close in front of them at 70 and immediately come off the gas. Yes it was partly fuelled by annoyance, but also to wake them up to the fact that there was a car right behind them (even though they surely should have noticed, just having overtaken it). There was a good distance in front of me to the next car and had they needed to get into that gap there was plenty of space to do it safely with a greater safety margin. A few seconds later they pulled back out into lane 3.
I'm afraid you will have to take my word for these events, including the no former interaction and their unnecessary lane changing and the last minute dive for lane 1 at their exit, as there is no exaggeration on my part. Perhaps we can assume that I'm not seeking attention or justification for my actions - I'm not the sort of person who saves their dash cam videos and sends them off to YT channels, but I was rather surprised to see such a generally poor standard of driving from what I assume would be somebody with a decent level of training.
I'd be interested in any thoughts as to what they were up to - trying to goad reactions out of people? Training? Or is it possibly as simple as somebody with no extra driver training just not being very good at driving? I guess that's what I'm leaning towards, and assuming the flash of lights was by way of apology...
Why is everyone having a go at the OP?
On another thread running at the moment, the police are claiming that if your driving is annoying to other motorists then they can seize your car.
Surely pulling in front of someone and making them slow down is very annoying and extremely bad driving.
If it happened as the OP explained then maybe the 'police' car should be getting a S59 and their car be seized.
On a forum full of driving gods, who would never put up with this sort of driving, I can't believe there are so many people berating the OP for commenting about it.
However, I do agree that horns and lights were definitely well out of order and perhaps it is that rather than the actually driving manoeuvre that most people are focusing on.
On another thread running at the moment, the police are claiming that if your driving is annoying to other motorists then they can seize your car.
Surely pulling in front of someone and making them slow down is very annoying and extremely bad driving.
If it happened as the OP explained then maybe the 'police' car should be getting a S59 and their car be seized.
On a forum full of driving gods, who would never put up with this sort of driving, I can't believe there are so many people berating the OP for commenting about it.
However, I do agree that horns and lights were definitely well out of order and perhaps it is that rather than the actually driving manoeuvre that most people are focusing on.
Doesn't surprise me.
I recall joining the M1 at J42 having just left the M62. Coming off at J41 (East Ardsley) to visit someone who lives nearby. Police X5 comes thundering up behind me and glues itself to my back bumper. Remains glued to my back bumper until I'm on L1 of the J41 exit slip whereby it takes to L2 of the exit slip and takes off like they stole it. Just round the corner it's turning into the police base at East Ardsley, so clearly not on a shout and no excuse for the aggressive driving other than being a massive bellend.
Some cops behave like there's one rule for them and another for us miserable plebs and if you react they use their authority shut you down. If they saw a civilian driver behaving the same way they'd be pulling them and giving them a talking to.
I recall joining the M1 at J42 having just left the M62. Coming off at J41 (East Ardsley) to visit someone who lives nearby. Police X5 comes thundering up behind me and glues itself to my back bumper. Remains glued to my back bumper until I'm on L1 of the J41 exit slip whereby it takes to L2 of the exit slip and takes off like they stole it. Just round the corner it's turning into the police base at East Ardsley, so clearly not on a shout and no excuse for the aggressive driving other than being a massive bellend.
Some cops behave like there's one rule for them and another for us miserable plebs and if you react they use their authority shut you down. If they saw a civilian driver behaving the same way they'd be pulling them and giving them a talking to.
Yellow Lizud said:
Crudeoink said:
Maybe they thought you were hogging the middle lane and were trying to suggest you keep left.
Yes, you could well be right, I hadn't thought of that.Maybe the OP would like to comment.
Even if it were the case, probably better ways for a police driver to get that across then pulling into my braking space...Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff