Police following you reeaaaaaaally close.......
Discussion
OK. I need to know why police cars do this and it's happened several times including tonight.
I was driving out of town and I had this Vauxhall behind me. Realising it was a police car I made myself more aware of my speed and drove sensibly yet they still decided to sit as close as possible to my tail as they could.
Don't get me wrong. They have to check your speed and plate but why get so close?!!?! I have to say I really hate it when people get that close as it's very uncomfortable. What is their tactic, to scare you into a mistake?
By all means follow, but not so close! Please!
I was driving out of town and I had this Vauxhall behind me. Realising it was a police car I made myself more aware of my speed and drove sensibly yet they still decided to sit as close as possible to my tail as they could.
Don't get me wrong. They have to check your speed and plate but why get so close?!!?! I have to say I really hate it when people get that close as it's very uncomfortable. What is their tactic, to scare you into a mistake?
By all means follow, but not so close! Please!
Happened to me once and they tailed me too close for about 3 miles. I knew it was an unmarked police car as I'd 'picked the tail up' in a village en-route after passing them. They were definitely trying to get me to make a mistake/race off. Gits. They eventually tugged me and found nothing wrong. Apparently I was driving strangely, no slowing on bends and stuff. Yeah, because I was trying to create a gap behind me to I wasn't being blinded by your headlights you dipstenches. They went over my car trying to find fault, in the end I got bored and said "can I go now, my chips are getting cold" and they let me go.
Not all Police are as upright and honest as the BiB on PH unfortunately. Mind you, if they really want to stick one on you they can get away with it. It's something we all have to live with. Be a rude abusive GBH stylee scrote in the town centre at 1am and they'll let off off and give you a ride home, do 31mph and you're going down for a stretch
Not all Police are as upright and honest as the BiB on PH unfortunately. Mind you, if they really want to stick one on you they can get away with it. It's something we all have to live with. Be a rude abusive GBH stylee scrote in the town centre at 1am and they'll let off off and give you a ride home, do 31mph and you're going down for a stretch
We follow close sometimes to get a good look at the driver using the subject cars rear view and side mirrors. Also to see how the driver reacts when they notice the presence of a police vehicle as believe you me there are quite a few people that dont see us and dont use their mirrors untill we are close and they suddenly notice that the lights are bright in their side and rear view mirrors.
If an accident occurs and we colide then standard procedure is following vehicle to blame. As per crashes between civilian vehicles.
Brake testing is not advised. As could land you in more trouble than its worth, and at the end of the day just carry on as you were.
We will either pass you or back off when we know that you have seen us, its usually for driver identification as 9 times out of 10 if your known we will recocnise you by using your mirrors or seeing your reaction to us, nothing sinister.
If an accident occurs and we colide then standard procedure is following vehicle to blame. As per crashes between civilian vehicles.
Brake testing is not advised. As could land you in more trouble than its worth, and at the end of the day just carry on as you were.
We will either pass you or back off when we know that you have seen us, its usually for driver identification as 9 times out of 10 if your known we will recocnise you by using your mirrors or seeing your reaction to us, nothing sinister.
I fully understand Beanbags problem with it though ^slider^, It's not very pleasant having someone hanging on your bumper, no matter who it is. And it is, as he says: very intimidating. If you think something is wrong with a vehicle, "just stop it" and check, don't endanger the situation.
I can understand the problem too, was just putting the point why we do it sometimes.
Case in point.. I was in a marked car and we did the follow close routine as we felt the vehicle was suspect but PNC didnt show anything dodgey, driver on spotting us tries to escape, he eventually decamps and i end up running after him, he is nicked. Following morning car is reported nicked.
Sometimes it is a time issue. Alot of the time i would elect to have a look at the driver and make our presence known to see the driver / reaction. Its quicker, and stops legal normal drivers being inconvinienced with a stop.
People complain if we stop em and they are fully legal.
The close follow in all honesty should not last more than 20 - 30 seconds. And we take the responsibility for an accident.
Case in point.. I was in a marked car and we did the follow close routine as we felt the vehicle was suspect but PNC didnt show anything dodgey, driver on spotting us tries to escape, he eventually decamps and i end up running after him, he is nicked. Following morning car is reported nicked.
Sometimes it is a time issue. Alot of the time i would elect to have a look at the driver and make our presence known to see the driver / reaction. Its quicker, and stops legal normal drivers being inconvinienced with a stop.
People complain if we stop em and they are fully legal.
The close follow in all honesty should not last more than 20 - 30 seconds. And we take the responsibility for an accident.
Nothing against you identifying scrotes and the such like.
I don't know about everyone else, but I always feel guilty when I see a cop car nearby ... whatever I'm doing. Even though I always wear my seatbelt and rarely exceed the speed limit by much anywhere I might meet a cop car and know my bulbs were all working last time I pass a shop window/backed into the driveway. How do you recognise the guilty scrote vs. someone like me looking away wondering why the rozzers are eyeballing him?
I don't know about everyone else, but I always feel guilty when I see a cop car nearby ... whatever I'm doing. Even though I always wear my seatbelt and rarely exceed the speed limit by much anywhere I might meet a cop car and know my bulbs were all working last time I pass a shop window/backed into the driveway. How do you recognise the guilty scrote vs. someone like me looking away wondering why the rozzers are eyeballing him?
I feel guilty when a cop car is behind me, and im one of them.
Well telling good from bad can be quite a job, but by seeing the driver reaction is often enough to give you a clue. Some will shuffle around indicating maybe something being hidden, some will panic and keep looking an all the mirrors.
You can generally tell if they should be driving that kind of motor (trying not to steriotype!)
Its quite easy to see a normal reaction to a guilty one though. Enough to give you grounds to stop (not that we need any) just saves time for both you and me.
Well telling good from bad can be quite a job, but by seeing the driver reaction is often enough to give you a clue. Some will shuffle around indicating maybe something being hidden, some will panic and keep looking an all the mirrors.
You can generally tell if they should be driving that kind of motor (trying not to steriotype!)
Its quite easy to see a normal reaction to a guilty one though. Enough to give you grounds to stop (not that we need any) just saves time for both you and me.
Hi again ^slider^, I had this about a month or so ago.
It was around 5pm on a weekday, me on my way home from work (no rush) in a marked company vehicle.
He had no reason to: "be interested", and HE caught up with ME, i.e. my speed was not excessive.
He followed me, as Beanbag described for about 2 miles far too close. I hadn't been speeding or anything before this, so what was his reason?
I was just getting really irritated when, the "blues" went on and he took the advantage of the extra width of a road junc to do a complete 360 and shoot off in the other direction. This WAS a marked car BTW.
If your vehicle is an "unmarked" one, how is Joe public to know what is going on and "who" is in the vehicle following so close if you do not make yourself known? It could be a boy racer taunting you! If you respond............your nicked! is this the ploy?
That's a real problem at night these days as many people are using "blues" as way to get a "clear run" AND/OR worse.
>> Edited by 8Pack on Wednesday 12th January 01:55
It was around 5pm on a weekday, me on my way home from work (no rush) in a marked company vehicle.
He had no reason to: "be interested", and HE caught up with ME, i.e. my speed was not excessive.
He followed me, as Beanbag described for about 2 miles far too close. I hadn't been speeding or anything before this, so what was his reason?
I was just getting really irritated when, the "blues" went on and he took the advantage of the extra width of a road junc to do a complete 360 and shoot off in the other direction. This WAS a marked car BTW.
If your vehicle is an "unmarked" one, how is Joe public to know what is going on and "who" is in the vehicle following so close if you do not make yourself known? It could be a boy racer taunting you! If you respond............your nicked! is this the ploy?
That's a real problem at night these days as many people are using "blues" as way to get a "clear run" AND/OR worse.
>> Edited by 8Pack on Wednesday 12th January 01:55
Hiya,
If it was unmarked then i cant comment as i do not travel in unmarked car with concealed lights fitted. Its not something i would agree with as like you say, how is joe public going to know that it is police following.
If he followed you for 2 miles too close then that may well be unacceptable. I can only comment on what my crew does and that is a quick look, enought to look at the driver and observe any reaction.
It is hard to say his reasons. I know sometimes if you are travelling too slow then some officers will try to speed you up.
But without being there its hard to say mate to be honest.
All i can say is personally, i would want to clock the driver and any reactions then back off. If i felt you were too slow below the limit i would close in and try to pass, i wouldent make a nucense of myslelf by tailgaiting if the reason for that had passed.
If i wanted to over take then its a simple case of hang back, find space, accelerate and overtake and if necessary a quick flash of the blues to let them know i am overtaking them.
Am only one copper, cant account for all coppers! can only really speak for te police i know and the shift i work with.!
Edited to add:
Blue lights are permitted to be used to progress the driver to an urgent attendance or immediate response job.
Edited again to add:
Why taunt a boy racer, as to be honest if they are going to pratt about they are going to do it with you following close or not! If they dont why push them into it??
>> Edited by ^Slider^ on Wednesday 12th January 01:58
If it was unmarked then i cant comment as i do not travel in unmarked car with concealed lights fitted. Its not something i would agree with as like you say, how is joe public going to know that it is police following.
If he followed you for 2 miles too close then that may well be unacceptable. I can only comment on what my crew does and that is a quick look, enought to look at the driver and observe any reaction.
It is hard to say his reasons. I know sometimes if you are travelling too slow then some officers will try to speed you up.
But without being there its hard to say mate to be honest.
All i can say is personally, i would want to clock the driver and any reactions then back off. If i felt you were too slow below the limit i would close in and try to pass, i wouldent make a nucense of myslelf by tailgaiting if the reason for that had passed.
If i wanted to over take then its a simple case of hang back, find space, accelerate and overtake and if necessary a quick flash of the blues to let them know i am overtaking them.
Am only one copper, cant account for all coppers! can only really speak for te police i know and the shift i work with.!
Edited to add:
Blue lights are permitted to be used to progress the driver to an urgent attendance or immediate response job.
Edited again to add:
Why taunt a boy racer, as to be honest if they are going to pratt about they are going to do it with you following close or not! If they dont why push them into it??
>> Edited by ^Slider^ on Wednesday 12th January 01:58
Hi ^slider^, Oh yes, I accept that you are only one of many and do not bear ALL responsibilty for everyone. Your view may be very different than others.
I'm not a slow driver slider, or a nervous one, I've driven in every European country and America and still do. If anything I would say I don't speed excessively on the straight, but don't slow excessively on the corners either. This way I make the same progress as the boy racer, I'm faster than those who are nervous about cornering, and I don't upset Capt Gatso.
I am: 8Pack (Dave) Still "no points" Cheers!
Edited to your edit slider,
You're right of course, and I'm to old to respond to "boy racers" these days, I've nothing to prove, been there done that, if you know what I mean. It's NOT that I CAN'T still do it, probably I'd leave them for dead but "what the hell?" I care about my expensive car too much.
On a brighter note, keep Policing OM, you're better than those "Robots on sticks"
>> Edited by 8Pack on Wednesday 12th January 02:23
I'm not a slow driver slider, or a nervous one, I've driven in every European country and America and still do. If anything I would say I don't speed excessively on the straight, but don't slow excessively on the corners either. This way I make the same progress as the boy racer, I'm faster than those who are nervous about cornering, and I don't upset Capt Gatso.
I am: 8Pack (Dave) Still "no points"
Cheers! Edited to your edit slider,
You're right of course, and I'm to old to respond to "boy racers" these days, I've nothing to prove, been there done that, if you know what I mean. It's NOT that I CAN'T still do it, probably I'd leave them for dead but "what the hell?" I care about my expensive car too much.
On a brighter note, keep Policing OM, you're better than those "Robots on sticks"
>> Edited by 8Pack on Wednesday 12th January 02:23
This has happened to me, but not by BiB as far as I know. I just tend to tap the brake gently with my left foot three or four times to bring on the lights and let the following car know I have noticed they are there AND too darn close.
I'd never brake test, as I don't want my car wrecked.
I'd never brake test, as I don't want my car wrecked.
Exactly, im on rest days after nights so been on the beer and bored hence why im here!
What goes around comes around, a big circle gove it time and most of the cameras will be gone, and a big push for proper policing again. Happens every 30 years or so.
The govenment realise crime is out of control... Target the wrong offences, recruit more police invest in cheap option.
More police about, cameras become more unpopular, investment in more police training and equipment.
30 years, less police as they have retired and didnt recruit between year 1 and 30, more cameras or enforcement needed.
Keep on going!
What goes around comes around, a big circle gove it time and most of the cameras will be gone, and a big push for proper policing again. Happens every 30 years or so.
The govenment realise crime is out of control... Target the wrong offences, recruit more police invest in cheap option.
More police about, cameras become more unpopular, investment in more police training and equipment.
30 years, less police as they have retired and didnt recruit between year 1 and 30, more cameras or enforcement needed.
Keep on going!
Friend of mine, Slider, used to be on the radio desk (just retired) He'd had enough!
I realise what is happening, and I think if the public knew, a very different view would emerge. Those CC's who are brave enough to say so, earn my respect.
The issue needs more publicity!
No-one likes to to be caught: "bang to rights", But at least it has a very human face with you guys. More power to your elbow! But please, Slider! Speed, is the LEAST of our worries. Dave
>> Edited by 8Pack on Wednesday 12th January 03:11
I realise what is happening, and I think if the public knew, a very different view would emerge. Those CC's who are brave enough to say so, earn my respect.
The issue needs more publicity!
No-one likes to to be caught: "bang to rights", But at least it has a very human face with you guys. More power to your elbow! But please, Slider! Speed, is the LEAST of our worries. Dave
>> Edited by 8Pack on Wednesday 12th January 03:11
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