what does highways agency ,traffic officer mean?
Discussion
Nope, they're civvies that work for the Highways Agency. Mainly working to aid the flow of traffic on major A roads and motorways.
They deal with minor incidents and back up the police with traffic control on major incidents, lane or full closures etc.
They have no police powers (as yet anyway!!)
They deal with minor incidents and back up the police with traffic control on major incidents, lane or full closures etc.
They have no police powers (as yet anyway!!)
In as much as you could do the same (using your phone of course) if you saw someone doing something illegal on the road.
Probably more likely get a reaction from the police if contacted by the highways car rather than some random chap phoning in.
I'd just not take the p1ss when passing them if you want to be sure. The police would soon get annoyed with them if they radio'd in anyone doing 80mph for example.....
Probably more likely get a reaction from the police if contacted by the highways car rather than some random chap phoning in.
I'd just not take the p1ss when passing them if you want to be sure. The police would soon get annoyed with them if they radio'd in anyone doing 80mph for example.....
astonman said:
Can they stop you for speeding?
No, but: http://www.highways.gov.uk/news/pressrelease.aspx?...minky monkey said:
Nope, they're civvies that work for the Highways Agency. Mainly working to aid the flow of traffic on major A roads and motorways.
They deal with minor incidents and back up the police with traffic control on major incidents, lane or full closures etc.
They have no police powers (as yet anyway!!)
except constabulary powers to direct traffic and stop unsafe vehicles ...They deal with minor incidents and back up the police with traffic control on major incidents, lane or full closures etc.
They have no police powers (as yet anyway!!)
as seen with the link posted above
goffahsez said:
Flintstone said:
goffahsez said:
vainby
Alright, I give up. What does that mean?apologies
mph1977 said:
minky monkey said:
Nope, they're civvies that work for the Highways Agency. Mainly working to aid the flow of traffic on major A roads and motorways.
They deal with minor incidents and back up the police with traffic control on major incidents, lane or full closures etc.
They have no police powers (as yet anyway!!)
except constabulary powers to direct traffic and stop unsafe vehicles ...They deal with minor incidents and back up the police with traffic control on major incidents, lane or full closures etc.
They have no police powers (as yet anyway!!)
as seen with the link posted above
"Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, we have the power to stop and direct traffic, close lanes and carriageways and manage traffic and it is an offence not to comply with our directions. This means if you fail to follow directions given by a traffic officer or as indicated by our signs"
Now, VOSA on the other hand, can pull over vehicles and do checks.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Hig...
Rule 107, look at the PDF. We can stop if it is deemed likely to cause an issue for anyone else such as something that looks like it may fall off, a flat tyre, no rear lights etc.
We cant stop for speeding as we can only do 70 and we have no way of checking your speed anyway. TBH, you can go past at 100 for all I care but just remember that people roll when they have a blow out at 60, you drive fast and have a blow out and your loved ones will see you in a box, is that how you want their last memory of you??
Rule 107, look at the PDF. We can stop if it is deemed likely to cause an issue for anyone else such as something that looks like it may fall off, a flat tyre, no rear lights etc.
We cant stop for speeding as we can only do 70 and we have no way of checking your speed anyway. TBH, you can go past at 100 for all I care but just remember that people roll when they have a blow out at 60, you drive fast and have a blow out and your loved ones will see you in a box, is that how you want their last memory of you??
Right guys (& gals) the HATO's out there are actually the drivers friend, they can't book you for anything, will not call in about vehicles speeding as they see that every 5 minutes (or less!) They do have the powers under the act stated above to direct traffic or stop traffic etc. and failure to comply with these powers will get you reported to the police, the police then investigate and prosecute.
HATO's can stop vehicles that have a problem related to safety, were if it continued, could lead to harm to the driver or other road users, they always call it in to the control room first so as to cover what they're doing as it's somewhat unusual for use to stop vehicles for other than traffic management. They would then inform the driver of the problem and in 99% of the times the driver is grateful and sorts out the issue, the odd time when drivers get awkward, we call the police who are always happy to attend, and you can bet the driver gets to donate to the cause then.
HATO's will only stop traffic for traffic management if there is confirmation of a problem that needs a sterile area for safety, often in conjunction with a police patrol, other HATO or ISU further ahead.
HATO's man the road closures when required at serious incidents, but the police are in charge of the incident, this free's up numbers of police to do proper policing rather than directing traffic.
HATO's will stop if they see you broken down, make sure that you've got recovery on route, either by confirming that you've already called them, or we'll sort it out for you. If your recovery provider calls in to us with the details or your breakdown and there are no known safety issues, we inform the HATO in that area, who not even stop if it looks like everything is in order.
The Highways Agency Traffic Officer service taking over the mundane tasks on the motorways has also brought consistency in the way that broken down vehicles are dealt with, the 2 hour rule is applied all over the network (you have 2 hours to get your vehicle removed if you break down) as the various police forces used to apply various differing times, depending where you broke down.
HATO's will help drivers all they can, but they're not a garage service, recovery agent, or nursemaid.
They are not allowed to carry fuel in their vehicles, nor are they allowed to do repairs ie wheels etc on broken down vehicles, they are also not allowed to carry passengers unless there is a greater risk to those persons than waiting for recovery in the normal way.(often they will take mum & young children off the network to wait at the services etc)
With reference to reporting things to the police, I have reported more instances to the police that general members of the public have called in on the SOS box then those passed by our patrols, and had good results as well!
We don't want any enforcement powers, but with this new government, we don't know what is to happen next!
HATO's can stop vehicles that have a problem related to safety, were if it continued, could lead to harm to the driver or other road users, they always call it in to the control room first so as to cover what they're doing as it's somewhat unusual for use to stop vehicles for other than traffic management. They would then inform the driver of the problem and in 99% of the times the driver is grateful and sorts out the issue, the odd time when drivers get awkward, we call the police who are always happy to attend, and you can bet the driver gets to donate to the cause then.
HATO's will only stop traffic for traffic management if there is confirmation of a problem that needs a sterile area for safety, often in conjunction with a police patrol, other HATO or ISU further ahead.
HATO's man the road closures when required at serious incidents, but the police are in charge of the incident, this free's up numbers of police to do proper policing rather than directing traffic.
HATO's will stop if they see you broken down, make sure that you've got recovery on route, either by confirming that you've already called them, or we'll sort it out for you. If your recovery provider calls in to us with the details or your breakdown and there are no known safety issues, we inform the HATO in that area, who not even stop if it looks like everything is in order.
The Highways Agency Traffic Officer service taking over the mundane tasks on the motorways has also brought consistency in the way that broken down vehicles are dealt with, the 2 hour rule is applied all over the network (you have 2 hours to get your vehicle removed if you break down) as the various police forces used to apply various differing times, depending where you broke down.
HATO's will help drivers all they can, but they're not a garage service, recovery agent, or nursemaid.
They are not allowed to carry fuel in their vehicles, nor are they allowed to do repairs ie wheels etc on broken down vehicles, they are also not allowed to carry passengers unless there is a greater risk to those persons than waiting for recovery in the normal way.(often they will take mum & young children off the network to wait at the services etc)
With reference to reporting things to the police, I have reported more instances to the police that general members of the public have called in on the SOS box then those passed by our patrols, and had good results as well!
We don't want any enforcement powers, but with this new government, we don't know what is to happen next!
Edited by Gafferjim on Tuesday 3rd August 18:29
Very good sideways, very good. Did it take you long to come up with that??
Do you know why we are called Wombles?? Its because we pick up litter that others leave behind except the litter we pick up isnt really litter is it!! it causes serious and sometimes fatal collisions.
I was trawling through youtube and found this vid that demonstrates the effect of "Litter" we pick up. In this instance, the road would more than likely be shut for 6 hours by the Police and us so an investigation can be carried out.
Although this vid is in Asia, it happens here too. Please people, if you see debris, call 999 or us on 0300 123 5000 or if you stop, use an ERT. The new large marker posts are there so if you see something and ring then you can tell them exactly where you are thus negating the need for the RCC to set blanket signs from one junction to the next.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRyN2MeHcjo
Do you know why we are called Wombles?? Its because we pick up litter that others leave behind except the litter we pick up isnt really litter is it!! it causes serious and sometimes fatal collisions.
I was trawling through youtube and found this vid that demonstrates the effect of "Litter" we pick up. In this instance, the road would more than likely be shut for 6 hours by the Police and us so an investigation can be carried out.
Although this vid is in Asia, it happens here too. Please people, if you see debris, call 999 or us on 0300 123 5000 or if you stop, use an ERT. The new large marker posts are there so if you see something and ring then you can tell them exactly where you are thus negating the need for the RCC to set blanket signs from one junction to the next.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRyN2MeHcjo
Flintstone said:
goffahsez said:
Flintstone said:
goffahsez said:
vainby
Alright, I give up. What does that mean?apologies
in all serious they need looking at closely.
Friday afternoon was chaos in the SE with M-ways closed all over the place by HATOS. 22miles into the Dartford crossing, the bridge closed for at least an hour after the truck fire for a 1 lane clean up. M11 closed both ways WTF?
Whatever anyone says, this didn't happen before they were there and, yes, we did have truck fires then.
Friday afternoon was chaos in the SE with M-ways closed all over the place by HATOS. 22miles into the Dartford crossing, the bridge closed for at least an hour after the truck fire for a 1 lane clean up. M11 closed both ways WTF?
Whatever anyone says, this didn't happen before they were there and, yes, we did have truck fires then.
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