HATO powers - do they have any?
Discussion
They don't have any powers to enforce speed limits, but apparently in exceptional circumstances, they may record your number plate and pass it on to the police. How they have any accurate idea of your speed at the time though, I do not know, so I wouldn't have thought the police would even follow it up.
They're certain to have a hot line to John Law and I don't need the attention so I slow down a little bit as I pass them before speeding up again.
Seems a bit distracting if they're flashing you. It's a bit like they're saying "I think you're being dangerous, therefore I'll increase the danger by distracting you with my lights."
Certainly reinforces the suspicion that they're not properly trained to be participating in traffic "policing".
SM
Seems a bit distracting if they're flashing you. It's a bit like they're saying "I think you're being dangerous, therefore I'll increase the danger by distracting you with my lights."
Certainly reinforces the suspicion that they're not properly trained to be participating in traffic "policing".
SM
Both the Highways Agency cleanup teams, and the VOSA Traffic Officers have the same radio equipment as Mr Plod, the latter are controlled by the police control rooms, therefore, a spot of "there happens to be some d*ck head driving like Jim Kerr's brother (Wayne) between junction x and y on the Mxx" will usually bring about some sort of response.
The Highways Agency have their own "Talkgroups" on the Airwave system, and don't have access to any police traffic groups, however, VOSA have access to traffic "Talkgroups", as they effectively police the main routes, looking after HGV/PCV stuff, accidents (to a point), and breakdowns.
The Highways Agency "Hit Squads" troll around looking for debris to sweep up, or cones to deploy faster than the SAS at a beseiged embassy, well that's the idea.
One final point, if your vehicle looks like a wreck, bald boots, etc... VOSA have the powers to stop you and enforce that part of the law.
If you're flying a van, then you're a prime target!
Rob.
The Highways Agency have their own "Talkgroups" on the Airwave system, and don't have access to any police traffic groups, however, VOSA have access to traffic "Talkgroups", as they effectively police the main routes, looking after HGV/PCV stuff, accidents (to a point), and breakdowns.
The Highways Agency "Hit Squads" troll around looking for debris to sweep up, or cones to deploy faster than the SAS at a beseiged embassy, well that's the idea.
One final point, if your vehicle looks like a wreck, bald boots, etc... VOSA have the powers to stop you and enforce that part of the law.
If you're flying a van, then you're a prime target!
Rob.
They appear like a fairly seriously equipped crew then.
What about the bad driving reports we've read on here? For example, which part of their training tells them if they deem somebody to be travelling above a certain speed, they should flash their headlights at them?
Here we have a possible asset to road safety (debris clearance, rolling road blocks, flashing lights behind disabled vehicles etc) but without proper screening and training they run the risk of being manned by imbecilic "rent-a-cop" hot heads on a power trip.
SM
What about the bad driving reports we've read on here? For example, which part of their training tells them if they deem somebody to be travelling above a certain speed, they should flash their headlights at them?
Here we have a possible asset to road safety (debris clearance, rolling road blocks, flashing lights behind disabled vehicles etc) but without proper screening and training they run the risk of being manned by imbecilic "rent-a-cop" hot heads on a power trip.
SM
You've got to remember that the Highways Agency mob's job is to do nothing more than sweep up the mess, and they ride around in those flourescent striped transits. They have no enforcement powers, but like any citizen, they can make a report of someone driving with excessive speed.
VOSA on the other hand have enforcement powers, and many have come up from the regional MOT centres as vehicle examiners. They are well trained too. A friend of mine went for the job, he's ex-military, has many years in the road transport industry, and has been a qualified vehicle examiner. VOSA's rules meant that he wasn't employable because he had 3 points on his licence for speeding in a truck (doing 46 on a single carriageway road where the HGV limit is 40)
Rob.
VOSA on the other hand have enforcement powers, and many have come up from the regional MOT centres as vehicle examiners. They are well trained too. A friend of mine went for the job, he's ex-military, has many years in the road transport industry, and has been a qualified vehicle examiner. VOSA's rules meant that he wasn't employable because he had 3 points on his licence for speeding in a truck (doing 46 on a single carriageway road where the HGV limit is 40)
Rob.
supermono said:
What about the bad driving reports we've read on here? For example, which part of their training tells them if they deem somebody to be travelling above a certain speed, they should flash their headlights at them?
No part. Highway Code 90 applies.
If you see some driving you don't think is adequate, take a note of the time and the motorway (vehicle reg. if you can) and call the Highways Agency on 08457 50 40 30 to complain. If enough reports come in, something should happen.
Something to bear in mind. North West region went live last September and there must be over a quarter of a million miles of patrolling done by now. West Mids went live a couple of years ago, so how many miles have they racked up?
I don't read too many complaints on this forum and others about their driving, (not including driving too slow and looking like Police) considering they're out there 24/7/365.
Not to say I condone the few muppets that are obviously spoiling it.
Edited by Vaux on Sunday 23 July 15:56
Hollywood Wheels said:
adamfawsitt said:
I passed a HATO vehicle at high speed on the M40 yesterday and he flashed hi lights as I went past. I ignored and carriedon - do these people have any remit to address speeding?
A bit silly. How do you know he wasn't warning you of a hazard or problems up ahead?By making you look behind at him? That wouldn't make me think of a hazard ahead. So he's not communicating anything informative at all. Surely if there was a hazard he'd have done something more useful. Don't they have lights on the roof, he could even wave to slow you down when seeing you approach from behind.
Boosted.
Would anything he could have done made adam slow down? The Hato can't do over 70mph so he couldn't of got to any hazard quicker. Perhaps adam was driving so fast (though we don't know what 
) that the Hato didn't see him until he passed?
Is good Roadcraft not about giving and recieving information? Another motorist flashing me is always going to make me slow down a bit and keep my eyes extra peeled for at least the next couple of miles.....
) that the Hato didn't see him until he passed? Is good Roadcraft not about giving and recieving information? Another motorist flashing me is always going to make me slow down a bit and keep my eyes extra peeled for at least the next couple of miles.....
Hollywood Wheels said:
Would anything he could have done made adam slow down? The Hato can't do over 70mph so he couldn't of got to any hazard quicker. Perhaps adam was driving so fast (though we don't know what ) that the Hato didn't see him until he passed?
Is good Roadcraft not about giving and recieving information? Another motorist flashing me is always going to make me slow down a bit and keep my eyes extra peeled for at least the next couple of miles.....
) that the Hato didn't see him until he passed? Is good Roadcraft not about giving and recieving information? Another motorist flashing me is always going to make me slow down a bit and keep my eyes extra peeled for at least the next couple of miles.....
Maybe so but I sometimes get flashed by people because they don't like to be overtaken. So I view flashing from behind as an act of frustration or something like that. I don't think I'd treat a HATO much differently but that would depend on the circumstances. Panic repeated flashing would get my attention though as that would indicate something alarmist.
Boosted.
Vaux said:
Not to say I condone the few muppets that are obviously spoiling it.
If it wasn't for the muppets, we'd have a national speed limit of 85, as that what APCO were after until things started going potty.
Now there are far too many brothers of Jim Kerr, all called Wayne, out there ruining our roads.
The media doesn't help by hyping everything out of proportion, especially when 99% of journo's are city based, and probably don't even drive - and in london, if they do, never go much faster than 12mpg on average. So when they see someone going more than 40, they cry speed kills.
Speed does not kill. It is the inappropriate use of speed that does. Just like guns only kill when used inappropriately.
I still like the muppets who follow me, flashing their lights, then speed past. Without realising the reason I was going steady was due to the unmarked police, or even marked police, car just ahead of me. When they get pulled, I laugh my head off.
It's all about impatience.
Rob.
Hollywood Wheels said:
Would anything he could have done made adam slow down? The Hato can't do over 70mph so he couldn't of got to any hazard quicker. Perhaps adam was driving so fast (though we don't know what ) that the Hato didn't see him until he passed?
Is good Roadcraft not about giving and recieving information? Another motorist flashing me is always going to make me slow down a bit and keep my eyes extra peeled for at least the next couple of miles.....
) that the Hato didn't see him until he passed? Is good Roadcraft not about giving and recieving information? Another motorist flashing me is always going to make me slow down a bit and keep my eyes extra peeled for at least the next couple of miles.....
I agree.
Perhaps the Hato was warning the OP about an upcoming mobile camera unit on a motorway bridge!?
Unlikely, but an interesting discussion point if it ever happened!
Hollywood Wheels said:
Would anything he could have done made adam slow down? The Hato can't do over 70mph so he couldn't of got to any hazard quicker. Perhaps adam was driving so fast (though we don't know what ) that the Hato didn't see him until he passed?
Is good Roadcraft not about giving and recieving information? Another motorist flashing me is always going to make me slow down a bit and keep my eyes extra peeled for at least the next couple of miles.....
) that the Hato didn't see him until he passed? Is good Roadcraft not about giving and recieving information? Another motorist flashing me is always going to make me slow down a bit and keep my eyes extra peeled for at least the next couple of miles.....
The Highway code covers this:
"90: Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights in an attempt to intimidate other road users."
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