Roadside Police Officer with hand-held camera
Discussion
Just wondering if people knew or had any experience regarding roadside, hand held speed guns. I was on the A4 this morning and unsure what my speed was. Let's say if it were over the limit by a good amount, do these guys generally pull you over on the spot. There were two officers in high vis but no obvious sign of any police cars / bikes. They did not appear to gesture me to pull over. So not sure if this means that if I were speeding no action will be taken, or do they record and obtain details to later send in the post. I am unfortunately thinking may be the latter given the COVID situation and social distancing measures. Usual anxieties and thus any thoughts welcome.
Depends. Sometimes they'll have a car/bike/PO further down the road they'll radio to pull you.
Other times they'll stop you on the spot.
Other times they'll snap a couple of photos with the gun and put your prize in the post to you.
Are you sure they were Police and not local busybodies?
Other times they'll stop you on the spot.
Other times they'll snap a couple of photos with the gun and put your prize in the post to you.
Are you sure they were Police and not local busybodies?
FurtiveFreddy said:
Depends. Sometimes they'll have a car/bike/PO further down the road they'll radio to pull you.
Other times they'll stop you on the spot.
Other times they'll snap a couple of photos with the gun and put your prize in the post to you.
Are you sure they were Police and not local busybodies?
Haha - they looked pretty official to me and have seen them there before. What would local busybodies do with the results?Other times they'll stop you on the spot.
Other times they'll snap a couple of photos with the gun and put your prize in the post to you.
Are you sure they were Police and not local busybodies?
merlin5 said:
Haha - they looked pretty official to me and have seen them there before. What would local busybodies do with the results?
generally complie a list of motorists exceeeding the limit, pass the list to the local police and then if you apear on same list a couple of times within a set period, they send you a letter stating you have been seen driving in exces of the limits.I guess the thinking is it might slow you down in future.
Albeit, they might add a marker to reg your plate and if you get pulled in future for a speeding offence, thet might not be as lenient as they would be if it were not there.(this is massive assumption, and by no means do I actually know this is what happens!)
We have two villages in the middle of fairly fast A roads, so I am aware of camera vans. I have seen the occasional police officer (definitely not a Speed Watch volunteer), they tend to stand full square, facing you, and the arm with speed-gun held sloped up across their chest against the opposite collar bone. a quite clear indication that you are not being targeted.
ETA. it could possibly be an ANPR check for registered keepers postcode check for ‘straying’ away from your locality.
ETA. it could possibly be an ANPR check for registered keepers postcode check for ‘straying’ away from your locality.
Edited by Pica-Pica on Wednesday 29th April 12:09
This always reminds me when I was in Denmark and the locals in small town went after the police for not doing enough to protect them from 'high speed nutters' flying through their town all day.
The police then set up an unannounced speed trap...and 90% of those caught over two days were.....the locals of said town.
Do gooding goes bad
The police then set up an unannounced speed trap...and 90% of those caught over two days were.....the locals of said town.
Do gooding goes bad
Dont worry, all those pissed speeders with no insurance and no MOT and bald tyres get off lightly. Phew!!!
It's just SO only ALL about speed these days. Plus a bit of retrospective policing by crowing on Twitter afterwards maybe.
https://twitter.com/SWP_Roads/status/1255031151095...
I am sick of their lack of focus on a bigger, more comprehensive picture and pro=activity. A reality check is long overdue by now as they are doing us all such a disservice with this one focus. Avoid Twitter as wood/trees springs to mind - ooh they caught someone doing 88 on the deserted M4 - whoop-ee-bl00dy-doo Tweet Tweet!
>needed that - better now<
It's just SO only ALL about speed these days. Plus a bit of retrospective policing by crowing on Twitter afterwards maybe.
https://twitter.com/SWP_Roads/status/1255031151095...
I am sick of their lack of focus on a bigger, more comprehensive picture and pro=activity. A reality check is long overdue by now as they are doing us all such a disservice with this one focus. Avoid Twitter as wood/trees springs to mind - ooh they caught someone doing 88 on the deserted M4 - whoop-ee-bl00dy-doo Tweet Tweet!
>needed that - better now<
FurtiveFreddy said:
Depends. Sometimes they'll have a car/bike/PO further down the road they'll radio to pull you.
Other times they'll stop you on the spot.
Other times they'll snap a couple of photos with the gun and put your prize in the post to you.
Are you sure they were Police and not local busybodies?
Locally recruited fully trained speed control operatives, I think.Other times they'll stop you on the spot.
Other times they'll snap a couple of photos with the gun and put your prize in the post to you.
Are you sure they were Police and not local busybodies?
Ken Figenus said:
It's just SO only ALL about speed these days. .
https://twitter.com/SWP_Roads/status/1255031151095...
Somewhat contraditcory, you say it's all about speed and then post a Police tweet about them quite rightly nicking a complete c**t driving around on slickshttps://twitter.com/SWP_Roads/status/1255031151095...
martinbiz said:
Somewhat contradictory, you say it's all about speed and then post a Police tweet about them quite rightly nicking a complete c**t driving around on slicks
I don't see the contradiction. Where was that crash about speed? They didn't prevent it - they just Tweeted about it AFTER the event. Many moons ago a copper stopping you would have a look at your tyres... A good thing but mostly consigned to history.Ken Figenus said:
martinbiz said:
Somewhat contradictory, you say it's all about speed and then post a Police tweet about them quite rightly nicking a complete c**t driving around on slicks
I don't see the contradiction. Where was that crash about speed? They didn't prevent it - they just Tweeted about it AFTER the event. Many moons ago a copper stopping you would have a look at your tyres... A good thing but mostly consigned to history.Pothole said:
Ken Figenus said:
martinbiz said:
Somewhat contradictory, you say it's all about speed and then post a Police tweet about them quite rightly nicking a complete c**t driving around on slicks
I don't see the contradiction. Where was that crash about speed? They didn't prevent it - they just Tweeted about it AFTER the event. Many moons ago a copper stopping you would have a look at your tyres... A good thing but mostly consigned to history.Pothole said:
Today that copper would be slated and slagged off for stopping anyone in the first place. Checking your tyres would be "evidence" they were a jumped-up power tripper who was pissed off they couldn't nick you for anything.
Not in my head. I'd positively welcome it. Engaging with drivers will lead to far better results in everything from driving education ('try and keep left, sir') to prosecution for truly serious things. I know it happens but on nothing like the scale of a decade ago.Ken Figenus said:
Pothole said:
Today that copper would be slated and slagged off for stopping anyone in the first place. Checking your tyres would be "evidence" they were a jumped-up power tripper who was pissed off they couldn't nick you for anything.
Not in my head. I'd positively welcome it. Engaging with drivers will lead to far better results in everything from driving education ('try and keep left, sir') to prosecution for truly serious things. I know it happens but on nothing like the scale of a decade ago.
t" bandwagon.Pothole said:
jm doc said:
Pothole said:
jm doc said:
Rubbish
OK
For the record, I find most posters on here are supportive of the police, then there are a few who have had a bad experience and understandably find it hard to be positive.
Then there's the dregs
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