Handheld speed gun
Discussion
Got 'gunned' by the police last night. They were using a handheld gun (not seen one of them for years!).
I was speeding. It was a main road but a 30mph limit. I think I was probably doing 38mph, so nothing crazy, but over the limit.
As I approached the officer they gesticulated to slow down (but wasn't saying pull over). My mate who took the same route said they'd pulled someone over when he went by.
What's the likelihood of a ticket in the post? Do modern handhelds take photos? In the old days, they'd pull you over up the road but is it common to get a letter these days?
I was speeding. It was a main road but a 30mph limit. I think I was probably doing 38mph, so nothing crazy, but over the limit.
As I approached the officer they gesticulated to slow down (but wasn't saying pull over). My mate who took the same route said they'd pulled someone over when he went by.
What's the likelihood of a ticket in the post? Do modern handhelds take photos? In the old days, they'd pull you over up the road but is it common to get a letter these days?
ro250 said:
Got 'gunned' by the police last night. They were using a handheld gun (not seen one of them for years!).
I was speeding. It was a main road but a 30mph limit. I think I was probably doing 38mph, so nothing crazy, but over the limit.
As I approached the officer they gesticulated to slow down (but wasn't saying pull over). My mate who took the same route said they'd pulled someone over when he went by.
What's the likelihood of a ticket in the post? Do modern handhelds take photos? In the old days, they'd pull you over up the road but is it common to get a letter these days?
Some do, some don't.I was speeding. It was a main road but a 30mph limit. I think I was probably doing 38mph, so nothing crazy, but over the limit.
As I approached the officer they gesticulated to slow down (but wasn't saying pull over). My mate who took the same route said they'd pulled someone over when he went by.
What's the likelihood of a ticket in the post? Do modern handhelds take photos? In the old days, they'd pull you over up the road but is it common to get a letter these days?
LosingGrip said:
You'll be fine. Most likely you hadn't reached that officers threshold for stopping cars (I dont stop cars until 40 in a 30). Often do a friendly slow down sign for those above the limit but below that.
Reassuring, thanks! Interesting the 'friendly slow down' sign is a thing!great policing if thats the case and what we need more of.
similar happened to me on the motorway over 10 years ago. cruise on just over 80, 3k revs - looks good for my ocd - police car pulls up next to me and gives slow down motion with his hand.
I slow down, tell everyone even to this day how good policing it was.
policing is done by consent and stories like these help :-)
similar happened to me on the motorway over 10 years ago. cruise on just over 80, 3k revs - looks good for my ocd - police car pulls up next to me and gives slow down motion with his hand.
I slow down, tell everyone even to this day how good policing it was.
policing is done by consent and stories like these help :-)
Sounds like you haven't hit that officers threshold for issuing a speeding ticket or similar and he gave you some advice, likely he thinks there will be a bigger offender coming sooner rather than later or he simply has a number in his head at which point he will take action and you didn't hit it
kingswood said:
great policing if thats the case and what we need more of.
I agree (I would). It's a route I drive once a week, same time, same day, and have done for years. So you get complacent and speed drifts. My heart sank when I saw the officer so it's definitely worked to remind me to watch my speed.It's one of those open main roads which 30 feels very slow. There will definitely be people coming by at 50 on there.
Think I got caught by a camera van last week.
Long straight, one car, one van bumbling along close together at 40 in 60, completely clear of oncoming traffic good visibility. I decided to overtake, van accelerated as I started to go past, car behind him matched so no gap to drop into. End result I was doing about 70 at the end of the overtake. As I pulled back in a camera van was visible about half a mile up the road, it must have been masked by the van. Annoying.
Long straight, one car, one van bumbling along close together at 40 in 60, completely clear of oncoming traffic good visibility. I decided to overtake, van accelerated as I started to go past, car behind him matched so no gap to drop into. End result I was doing about 70 at the end of the overtake. As I pulled back in a camera van was visible about half a mile up the road, it must have been masked by the van. Annoying.
blueg33 said:
Think I got caught by a camera van last week.
Long straight, one car, one van bumbling along close together at 40 in 60, completely clear of oncoming traffic good visibility. I decided to overtake, van accelerated as I started to go past, car behind him matched so no gap to drop into. End result I was doing about 70 at the end of the overtake. As I pulled back in a camera van was visible about half a mile up the road, it must have been masked by the van. Annoying.
You can take comfort that it is always someone else's fault. Long straight, one car, one van bumbling along close together at 40 in 60, completely clear of oncoming traffic good visibility. I decided to overtake, van accelerated as I started to go past, car behind him matched so no gap to drop into. End result I was doing about 70 at the end of the overtake. As I pulled back in a camera van was visible about half a mile up the road, it must have been masked by the van. Annoying.
2020vision said:
blueg33 said:
Think I got caught by a camera van last week.
Long straight, one car, one van bumbling along close together at 40 in 60, completely clear of oncoming traffic good visibility. I decided to overtake, van accelerated as I started to go past, car behind him matched so no gap to drop into. End result I was doing about 70 at the end of the overtake. As I pulled back in a camera van was visible about half a mile up the road, it must have been masked by the van. Annoying.
You can take comfort that it is always someone else's fault. Long straight, one car, one van bumbling along close together at 40 in 60, completely clear of oncoming traffic good visibility. I decided to overtake, van accelerated as I started to go past, car behind him matched so no gap to drop into. End result I was doing about 70 at the end of the overtake. As I pulled back in a camera van was visible about half a mile up the road, it must have been masked by the van. Annoying.
As per normal driving in the UK on that 6 hour trip the road users keeping 20mph below the speed limit were far more dangerous and less aware than than those going faster.
A number of us in our little valley have beeged and pleaded with TVP to bring a speed gun and see the hoonigan speeds of some drivers in our built-up valley. They have declined over and over saying they need 1,000 ft for an accurate reading, but in many cases they nail folks for 100-200ft with a car waiting to Make Your Day.
Even if TVP just attended a couple days at 2 key times, it would slow down folks if for no other reason than paranoia!
Even if TVP just attended a couple days at 2 key times, it would slow down folks if for no other reason than paranoia!
blueg33 said:
2020vision said:
blueg33 said:
Think I got caught by a camera van last week.
Long straight, one car, one van bumbling along close together at 40 in 60, completely clear of oncoming traffic good visibility. I decided to overtake, van accelerated as I started to go past, car behind him matched so no gap to drop into. End result I was doing about 70 at the end of the overtake. As I pulled back in a camera van was visible about half a mile up the road, it must have been masked by the van. Annoying.
You can take comfort that it is always someone else's fault. Long straight, one car, one van bumbling along close together at 40 in 60, completely clear of oncoming traffic good visibility. I decided to overtake, van accelerated as I started to go past, car behind him matched so no gap to drop into. End result I was doing about 70 at the end of the overtake. As I pulled back in a camera van was visible about half a mile up the road, it must have been masked by the van. Annoying.
As per normal driving in the UK on that 6 hour trip the road users keeping 20mph below the speed limit were far more dangerous and less aware than than those going faster.
Steve-B said:
A number of us in our little valley have beeged and pleaded with TVP to bring a speed gun and see the hoonigan speeds of some drivers in our built-up valley. They have declined over and over saying they need 1,000 ft for an accurate reading, but in many cases they nail folks for 100-200ft with a car waiting to Make Your Day.
Even if TVP just attended a couple days at 2 key times, it would slow down folks if for no other reason than paranoia!
At 150 mph a typical laser speedmeter will need 20 m (66 ft) to acquire and display the speed of the vehicle. Not sure where 1000 ft comes from. Perhaps they are including the distance to stop and deal with offenders.Even if TVP just attended a couple days at 2 key times, it would slow down folks if for no other reason than paranoia!
Adjust the distances required as appropriate to the expected speeds.
Piginapoke said:
38 in a 30 is very poor driving skills, regardless of the outcome
Well, number skills not driving skills.Anyway, there's a new 20 limit in a village I go through every week or so now, so to be sure I'm a safe driver I keep it at 16-18mph. Drivers queue up behind me to admire my driving skill!
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