Good Observation = Some Leeway To Speed?
Good Observation = Some Leeway To Speed?
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Discussion

GPSHead

Original Poster:

657 posts

272 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
Say one was exceeding the speed limit by some margin (e.g. 70 in a 40), but in reasonable safety (e.g. stupid speed limit, night time etc), and quite a few people attained those sorts of speeds at that time on that road. Say one went past a police car that was watching the traffic and in a position to follow whenever necessary. The police car is in a position where fairly good observation is required to notice it (e.g. up an urban on-slip which only becomes visible in the mirrors once past it). If one was to see the police car in this way when going past, and immediately scrub off the excess speed (subject of course to the usual mirror checks etc), would this in practice make the BiBs think "Well at least he's observing, so we'll stop someone who doesn't see us instead"? I realise that every BiB is different, but I just wanted to get a feel of the likelihood of such a decision.

Sheriff JWPepper

3,851 posts

235 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
Had to read that three times to make any sense of it, I hope it's not just me.

I would rather someone see me & slow down rather than continue to speed which suggests the driver is either taking the mick or isn't as aware as they think they are.

As for whether to stop or not it really does depend on speed & conditions.

VictorMeldrew

8,293 posts

308 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
It's a rhetorical question.

If you have good observation then you can drive at any speed you like, surely?

Just_a_guide

251 posts

235 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
That works as long as every one has good observation

7db

6,060 posts

261 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
Or at least as long as they see plod before plod sees them...

VictorMeldrew

8,293 posts

308 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
7db said:
Or at least as long as they see plod before plod sees them...
'xactly

Sheriff JWPepper

3,851 posts

235 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
7db said:
Or at least as long as they see plod before plod sees them...
bandit You have to do this every time - we only have to see you once.


minimac

8,015 posts

234 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
Quick question, Plod sitting in car (alone) and you scream past at Mach 3. He is just looking out the windscreen, no VASCAR or gubbins.

Could he nick you? What happens if there were 2 BiB in the car?

alphadog

2,049 posts

264 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
Sounds like a situation on the A610 near Nottingham - former NSL dual carriageway - stupid 40 limit imposed due to peak time queues and accidents not caused by speed.

Always sensible to play safe near merging slip roads - you don't know what may be lurking up them wink

scissorhands83

4,129 posts

266 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
alphadog said:
Sounds like a situation on the A610 near Nottingham - former NSL dual carriageway - stupid 40 limit imposed due to peak time queues and accidents not caused by speed.
yes

vonhosen

40,597 posts

248 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
minimac said:
Quick question, Plod sitting in car (alone) and you scream past at Mach 3. He is just looking out the windscreen, no VASCAR or gubbins.

Could he nick you? What happens if there were 2 BiB in the car?
Yes, without any measurement if two in the car.
If only one in it, they would require some measurement.

vonhosen

40,597 posts

248 months

Saturday 18th August 2007
quotequote all
GPSHead said:
Say one was exceeding the speed limit by some margin (e.g. 70 in a 40), but in reasonable safety (e.g. stupid speed limit, night time etc), and quite a few people attained those sorts of speeds at that time on that road. Say one went past a police car that was watching the traffic and in a position to follow whenever necessary. The police car is in a position where fairly good observation is required to notice it (e.g. up an urban on-slip which only becomes visible in the mirrors once past it). If one was to see the police car in this way when going past, and immediately scrub off the excess speed (subject of course to the usual mirror checks etc), would this in practice make the BiBs think "Well at least he's observing, so we'll stop someone who doesn't see us instead"? I realise that every BiB is different, but I just wanted to get a feel of the likelihood of such a decision.
Personally if I think you are taking the michael, you seeing me won't make any difference where I have sufficient evidence.

alphadog

2,049 posts

264 months

Sunday 19th August 2007
quotequote all
vonhosen said:
GPSHead said:
Say one was exceeding the speed limit by some margin (e.g. 70 in a 40), but in reasonable safety (e.g. stupid speed limit, night time etc), and quite a few people attained those sorts of speeds at that time on that road. Say one went past a police car that was watching the traffic and in a position to follow whenever necessary. The police car is in a position where fairly good observation is required to notice it (e.g. up an urban on-slip which only becomes visible in the mirrors once past it). If one was to see the police car in this way when going past, and immediately scrub off the excess speed (subject of course to the usual mirror checks etc), would this in practice make the BiBs think "Well at least he's observing, so we'll stop someone who doesn't see us instead"? I realise that every BiB is different, but I just wanted to get a feel of the likelihood of such a decision.
Personally if I think you are taking the michael, you seeing me won't make any difference where I have sufficient evidence.
One could argue that there's safety in numbers due to the fact that the majority of drivers exceed the limit as it's so unreasonable - if using my A610 example anyway.

Easier to deploy a scam van - reference Tomtom and scam signs - though these are in the equally unreasonable 50mph 'buffer' bit with the long clear straighter section with good visibility so can spot them lurking.

If they actually put police on that stretch then they might have been there to do something about the aggressive tailgater in a 4WD pickup that loomed up out of the distance whilst I was trying to overtake the nose-to-tail traffic doing 35 on the inside and keep to the daft limit for fear of scams. But I digress...

7db

6,060 posts

261 months

Sunday 19th August 2007
quotequote all
vonhosen said:
minimac said:
Quick question, Plod sitting in car (alone) and you scream past at Mach 3. He is just looking out the windscreen, no VASCAR or gubbins.

Could he nick you? What happens if there were 2 BiB in the car?
Yes, without any measurement if two in the car.
If only one in it, they would require some measurement.
And some form of air-to-air missile fitted to catch you at that speed. Rare - even in Traffic cars - these days.

vonhosen

40,597 posts

248 months

Sunday 19th August 2007
quotequote all
7db said:
vonhosen said:
minimac said:
Quick question, Plod sitting in car (alone) and you scream past at Mach 3. He is just looking out the windscreen, no VASCAR or gubbins.

Could he nick you? What happens if there were 2 BiB in the car?
Yes, without any measurement if two in the car.
If only one in it, they would require some measurement.
And some form of air-to-air missile fitted to catch you at that speed. Rare - even in Traffic cars - these days.
They could alternatively provide evidence of your speed being excess of the limit & radio ahead to others who can make arrangements to deal with you if they can't catch up because of your head start.

ExPat2B

2,159 posts

231 months

Sunday 19th August 2007
quotequote all
Did they remove your sense of humour at the same time they stuck that stick up your ass ?


carrotchomper

18,331 posts

235 months

Sunday 19th August 2007
quotequote all
ExPat2B said:
Did they remove your sense of humour at the same time they stuck that stick up your ass ?
How polite, and such a deserved comment!

time2react

91 posts

231 months

Sunday 19th August 2007
quotequote all
The general rule of thumb is. Show a bit of respect for the law and generally you won't get a ticket.
Had a car pass me on the d/carriageway roadworks the other week. 50mph limit, approx 400 yards to go to the national sign and this muppet who has been travelling in lane 2 next to me suddenly decides to speed up to 70mph.
Best thing is I was in a marked traffic car.
Does he really think that the law doesn't apply to him or that i'll just think "oh cheeky monkey" and not stop him.

On the other hand I'm sat up doing speed enforcement checks on d/carriageway. Speed check a bike approaching, He see's me halfway through the check and reduces his speed considerably but comes in well over the limit. He raises one hand in acknowledgement and pulls striaght up to my car takes helmet off and walks up to my drivers window saying "fair cop mate". I didn't even have to move off.
A bit of respect shown for the law and a verbal warning issued.
At least show that you acknowledge the law and it might just show a bit of discretion.
Doesn't always work but give yourself half a chance.

vonhosen

40,597 posts

248 months

Sunday 19th August 2007
quotequote all
ExPat2B said:
Did they remove your sense of humour at the same time they stuck that stick up your ass ?
No & it was a rocket not a stick.

alphadog

2,049 posts

264 months

Sunday 19th August 2007
quotequote all
vonhosen said:
ExPat2B said:
Did they remove your sense of humour at the same time they stuck that stick up your ass ?
No & it was a rocket not a stick.
Blimey - that brings tears to the eyes!