Passing a Police Van Convoy

[Daemul]

Hi, new poster here. I came across a situation yesterday when driving to work where I came across a envoy of three police vans.

They weren't escorting anything nor did they have the emergency blue lights on so I assume it was just a routine drive. The issue was that I found myself in a situation where I needed to pass and overtake one of the vans in order to make it to the off ramp that led to my place of work, but I was too afraid to since I thought I would be stopped and get into trouble, so instead I passed off ramp and ended up late for work.

Was I being overcautious in this situation even though there looked like there was no reason to be? Or did I do the right thing?

Any advice welcome

[Pica-Pica]

It doesn’t sound like a case of being over cautious, more a case of lack of forward planning. You know the route, I presume, so just wait behind. It does not matter if they were a group of police vans or other motorists, if there was no space to pass and then pull in to exit, then just wait.

[Daemul]

Pica-Pica said:

It doesn’t sound like a case of being over cautious, more a case of lack of forward planning. You know the route, I presume, so just wait behind. It does not matter if they were a group of police vans or other motorists, if there was no space to pass and then pull in to exit, then just wait.

Thanks for the response. Yeah I think forward planning was also an issue, but there also was actually space between the 2nd and 3rd van available for me to use in order to pass, which is something I should have put in my OP. But I was too afraid to use it and exit since I thought I might be breaking some taboo by getting inbetween Police Vans.

Edited by Daemul on Saturday 18th September 16:08

[vonhosen]

No taboo about getting between Police vehicles as described by you. That is provided (just like any gap you take) the gap is a suitable sociable gap, which isn't the same thing as a gap you can physically manage to fit your vehicle into.

[LochTay]

I'm confused as to why you couldn't take the off-ramp from behind them?

[StalledClio]

LochTay said:

I'm confused as to why you couldn't take the off-ramp from behind them?

Maybe the opportunity to pass the last car disappeared. Whether through poor planning or not, it’s a good question about a situation they found themselves in.

I asked myself a similar question the other day when cutting in behind a slow moving hearse.

[Pica-Pica]

StalledClio said:

LochTay said:

I'm confused as to why you couldn't take the off-ramp from behind them?

Maybe the opportunity to pass the last car disappeared. Whether through poor planning or not, it’s a good question about a situation they found themselves in.

I asked myself a similar question the other day when cutting in behind a slow moving hearse.

… ‘driving without due consideration for other road users’ ? Can a cadaver be considered another road user?

[Bigends]

LochTay said:

I'm confused as to why you couldn't take the off-ramp from behind them?

Exactly, if i'm within half a mile or so of my exit and theres a line of traffic in lane one , i'll usually tuck myself in behind the last vehicle in the line and have anice easy stress and hassle free exit from the motorway.