Do you automatically check out "suspicious" cars?

[rottie102]

...while overtaking them during "spirited" driving?
Suspicious meaning any recent biggish saloons or estates. I've noticed today I always glance quickly looking for two gentlemen in the car and maybe some unusual electrical equipment...

[The Nur]

Of course I do, although most of the time I judge a car by the other signs that may be present (extra aerials, lights in bumber, etc, etc). If your checking when your half way past your leaving it too late

[hardcorehobbit]

It's usually Volvos, BMWs and the odd Skoda which looks vaguely suspicious. I tend to do as the previous poster suggested and look from as far behind as possible.

[twazzock]

Have a good look as I pass. Slow down and let cars pass if they suspiciously speed up and match my pace.

[rottie102]

twazzock said:

Have a good look as I pass. Slow down and let cars pass if they suspiciously speed up and match my pace.

That's what I do.
Also I never get involved in any "driving fun" with another car with two gents in it.

Are there ever any patrols with just a driver in it?

[soad]

So the answer is yes, and no mistake. You have to look

[Six Fiend]

rottie102 said:

Are there ever any patrols with just a driver in it?

Often seen on M4 Wiltshire. Sungle crew 3 series and 5 series (WN10CNF).

[richcorsavxr]

Six Fiend said:

rottie102 said:

Are there ever any patrols with just a driver in it?

Often seen on M4 Wiltshire. Sungle crew 3 series and 5 series (WN10CNF).

i was always told, umarked cars had to have 2 people in them

[The Nur]

richcorsavxr said:

Six Fiend said:

rottie102 said:

Are there ever any patrols with just a driver in it?

Often seen on M4 Wiltshire. Sungle crew 3 series and 5 series (WN10CNF).

i was always told, umarked cars had to have 2 people in them

It makes sense that they would, if they actually want to search somebody that they stop, that is.

[rottie102]

richcorsavxr said:

Six Fiend said:

rottie102 said:

Are there ever any patrols with just a driver in it?

Often seen on M4 Wiltshire. Sungle crew 3 series and 5 series (WN10CNF).

i was always told, umarked cars had to have 2 people in them

That's what I thought...
ukspeedtraps says:
Police Cars

-No hubcaps. To reduce the risk of third-party damage during high speed pursuits. Mainly CID cars, most of the pursuit cars now have alloy wheels.

-Odd lumps. The video camera if used is usually suspended under the inside rear-view mirror, and sometime also in the rear of the car by the side pillar.

-Two people. Most unmarked cars seem to be staffed by pairs of policemen and women. In today's environment of single-occupant cars, this can be quite noticeable. They also have to be in uniform, and quite often wear fluorescent clothing.

-Extra lights on the tailgate, behind the radiator or on the parcel shelf.

-Two rear-view mirrors. They often have a second inside rear-view mirror for the second officer.

-A large illuminated sign in the rear window, sometimes with lights at each end. This is the not quite the width of the parcel shelf and its about 200mm tall (i.e. a long, flat box). This is used to pass on messages to drivers like "POLICE STOP", "SLOW DOWN", "DO NOT PASS" etc...

-Other things that stand out. Very clean and well kept, quite often seen sitting at 60mph in the inside lane looking for it's next target, No dealer stickers, in fact a total lack of stickers in most cases. Single whip Aerial on the roof or rear wing.

-Tricks they try. Some have been known to use hanging objects to hide the video camera, using the "Boy Racer style of car". Placing stickers on the cars to try to blend in.

-Typical vehicles they use. Ford Mondeo 24v, Volvo estates T5, Vectra V6, Citroen AX (Laser Car, Kent police), Ford Galaxy, Saab 95, Vauxhall Omega V6, Motorbikes are also being used and these are very hard to spot, but one give-away is that they stand out as being better bikers on new clean machines with add ons such as heavy side panniers to protect the video and radio equipment.

Edited by rottie102 on Sunday 2nd January 18:37

[WeirdNeville]

Yes I do.
It's my job after all.

[madala]

rottie102 said:

...while overtaking them during "spirited" driving?
Suspicious meaning any recent biggish saloons or estates. I've noticed today I always glance quickly looking for two gentlemen in the car and maybe some unusual electrical equipment...

....jasus I am doing that well before I overtake them.....

[David87]

Always have a good look - missing towing eye covers and BMW 5-Series on the smallest alloys available seem quite popular.

[rottie102]

madala said:

rottie102 said:

...while overtaking them during "spirited" driving?
Suspicious meaning any recent biggish saloons or estates. I've noticed today I always glance quickly looking for two gentlemen in the car and maybe some unusual electrical equipment...

....jasus I am doing that well before I overtake them.....

Well done hawk-eye! And I'm not jasus
And of course I didn't mean I don't scan the road ahead while getting close. What I meant is that I ALSO glance IN the cars while overtaking them.