Police with blue lights on, but going at speed limit. ?
Discussion
So, driving past Blackbushe Airport earlier, and this Police Mondeo had his blues on front and back. But he was travelling at just under the speed limit 48mph.
I was with him for just over a mile before i turned off.
Why would a police car have his emergency lights on, but be driving normal mannor. Seemed wierd.
I was with him for just over a mile before i turned off.
Why would a police car have his emergency lights on, but be driving normal mannor. Seemed wierd.
No obvious answer but a range of possibilities with more unusual scenarios. A police air unit using it as a reference point. What was the visibility on the road? Using it to contain a vehicle / person on foot into an area by being visible?
I'd be surprised if they didn't realise they had those ones on by mistake. The only ones that tend to get left on by mistake are the 'rear reds', as you can't really see them.
I'd be surprised if they didn't realise they had those ones on by mistake. The only ones that tend to get left on by mistake are the 'rear reds', as you can't really see them.
La Liga said:
No obvious answer but a range of possibilities with more unusual scenarios. A police air unit using it as a reference point. What was the visibility on the road? Using it to contain a vehicle / person on foot into an area by being visible?
I'd be surprised if they didn't realise they had those ones on by mistake. The only ones that tend to get left on by mistake are the 'rear reds', as you can't really see them.
Would these be the rear red 'wig wags' that UK police use on their vehicles?I'd be surprised if they didn't realise they had those ones on by mistake. The only ones that tend to get left on by mistake are the 'rear reds', as you can't really see them.
The world over, flashing red lights mean 'STOP' whereas UK police just use them as pretty hazard warning lights.
And then wonder why their meaning has been diluted so much that similar alternating reds, at railway crossings and on the infamous 'X' signs on motorway gantries, are so often ignored, with potentially disastrous consequences . . .
V8 Fettler said:
Is there not a "tell-tale" on the dashboard indicating lights on?
Yup. Usually the relevant panel will be illuminated, and most cars will have an audible beep too. But it's surprising how accustomed you get to hearing and seeing it, that it doesn't really stand out half the time. V8 Fettler said:
Is there not a "tell-tale" on the dashboard indicating lights on?
On our older cars no but now there is a 'beep' about every 30 seconds telling you something is on. Its annoying when you know something is on though!....beeeeeeep.Not sure if other forces have similar though.
As an aside it's comical to read that banal "SLOW DOWN SPEED KILLS" nonsense on the rear of that police car. Especially when it comes tooling past at 150mph lol.
Is should have an asterisk and further down "*unless you have special police superpowers whereby a different set of physics apply"
Is should have an asterisk and further down "*unless you have special police superpowers whereby a different set of physics apply"
supermono said:
As an aside it's comical to read that banal "SLOW DOWN SPEED KILLS" nonsense on the rear of that police car. Especially when it comes tooling past at 150mph lol.
Is should have an asterisk and further down "*unless you have special police superpowers whereby a different set of physics apply"
YawnIs should have an asterisk and further down "*unless you have special police superpowers whereby a different set of physics apply"
Cliftonite said:
Would these be the rear red 'wig wags' that UK police use on their vehicles?
The world over, flashing red lights mean 'STOP' whereas UK police just use them as pretty hazard warning lights.
And then wonder why their meaning has been diluted so much that similar alternating reds, at railway crossings and on the infamous 'X' signs on motorway gantries, are so often ignored, with potentially disastrous consequences . . .
Bang on Cliftonite, it's definitely the fault of the police using rear reds when conscientious, law abiding, responsible drivers decide to ignore railway crossing lights and lane closures. Definitely not their own fault whatsoever as they have no responsibility themselves. Some people might find it a ridiculous link but not me, I'm right with you.The world over, flashing red lights mean 'STOP' whereas UK police just use them as pretty hazard warning lights.
And then wonder why their meaning has been diluted so much that similar alternating reds, at railway crossings and on the infamous 'X' signs on motorway gantries, are so often ignored, with potentially disastrous consequences . . .
No wonder they are unsure when they approach these crossings, it's so unclear what it means when a few weeks back they might have passed a police vehicle with rear reds on. How would you know that when red lights flash at a railway crossing that it means a train is approaching and you are not to pass through? How would you know that? Unbelievable disgusting behaviour from our police. I might write to my MP.
TheBear said:
Cliftonite said:
Would these be the rear red 'wig wags' that UK police use on their vehicles?
The world over, flashing red lights mean 'STOP' whereas UK police just use them as pretty hazard warning lights.
And then wonder why their meaning has been diluted so much that similar alternating reds, at railway crossings and on the infamous 'X' signs on motorway gantries, are so often ignored, with potentially disastrous consequences . . .
Bang on Cliftonite, it's definitely the fault of the police using rear reds when conscientious, law abiding, responsible drivers decide to ignore railway crossing lights and lane closures. Definitely not their own fault whatsoever as they have no responsibility themselves. Some people might find it a ridiculous link but not me, I'm right with you.The world over, flashing red lights mean 'STOP' whereas UK police just use them as pretty hazard warning lights.
And then wonder why their meaning has been diluted so much that similar alternating reds, at railway crossings and on the infamous 'X' signs on motorway gantries, are so often ignored, with potentially disastrous consequences . . .
No wonder they are unsure when they approach these crossings, it's so unclear what it means when a few weeks back they might have passed a police vehicle with rear reds on. How would you know that when red lights flash at a railway crossing that it means a train is approaching and you are not to pass through? How would you know that? Unbelievable disgusting behaviour from our police. I might write to my MP.
The police use of red wig wags, that everywhere else means STOP , as mere hazard warning lights undoubtedly waters down the message.
This must therefore have a knock on effect elsewhere, e.g. in the widespread ignorance of the meaning of the motorway lane closure red X signs.
Cliftonite said:
This must therefore have a knock on effect elsewhere, e.g. in the widespread ignorance of the meaning of the motorway lane closure red X signs.
What nonsense. Extending your reasoning, I assume you feel that all those stupid yellow flashing lights on the sides of every car dilute the meaning of a yellow flashing light on a pedestrian crossing?Come to that, my monitor has a flashing blue light on it when in standby. Why on earth do ambulances have the same thing but on the roof, they must be in standby too?
Some areas have started to implement preparation for the ratification of Sec. 19 Road Safety Act which is due around October, that will mean there is a specific qualification for High Speed Driver Training needed to claim exemptions, if the driver has only done the most basic of driver training he may be authorised to use emergency equipment to "make progress" but not to claim exemptions. In the same way that currently: Bomb Disposal, Blood & Organs, Coastguard, Mountain Rescue and a whole raft of other authorised users have to stick to speed limits and stop at red traffic lights even when under blues. Hopefully come the autumn everything will become a bit clearer.
Cliftonite said:
TheBear said:
Cliftonite said:
Would these be the rear red 'wig wags' that UK police use on their vehicles?
The world over, flashing red lights mean 'STOP' whereas UK police just use them as pretty hazard warning lights.
And then wonder why their meaning has been diluted so much that similar alternating reds, at railway crossings and on the infamous 'X' signs on motorway gantries, are so often ignored, with potentially disastrous consequences . . .
Bang on Cliftonite, it's definitely the fault of the police using rear reds when conscientious, law abiding, responsible drivers decide to ignore railway crossing lights and lane closures. Definitely not their own fault whatsoever as they have no responsibility themselves. Some people might find it a ridiculous link but not me, I'm right with you.The world over, flashing red lights mean 'STOP' whereas UK police just use them as pretty hazard warning lights.
And then wonder why their meaning has been diluted so much that similar alternating reds, at railway crossings and on the infamous 'X' signs on motorway gantries, are so often ignored, with potentially disastrous consequences . . .
No wonder they are unsure when they approach these crossings, it's so unclear what it means when a few weeks back they might have passed a police vehicle with rear reds on. How would you know that when red lights flash at a railway crossing that it means a train is approaching and you are not to pass through? How would you know that? Unbelievable disgusting behaviour from our police. I might write to my MP.
The police use of red wig wags, that everywhere else means STOP , as mere hazard warning lights undoubtedly waters down the message.
This must therefore have a knock on effect elsewhere, e.g. in the widespread ignorance of the meaning of the motorway lane closure red X signs.
The real test will be the day a police officer uses said red lights to really mean stop and someone ignores them....after all, "they're just hazard lights, aren't they?"
I guess that'll be Joe Civvy's fault for not reading plod's mind and realising it's the one occasion when the lights are being used to convey their true meaning.
stemll said:
Cliftonite said:
This must therefore have a knock on effect elsewhere, e.g. in the widespread ignorance of the meaning of the motorway lane closure red X signs.
What nonsense. Extending your reasoning, I assume you feel that all those stupid yellow flashing lights on the sides of every car dilute the meaning of a yellow flashing light on a pedestrian crossing?Come to that, my monitor has a flashing blue light on it when in standby. Why on earth do ambulances have the same thing but on the roof, they must be in standby too?
V8 Fettler said:
Is there not a "tell-tale" on the dashboard indicating lights on?
The handsets or car sets with the controls on usually light up to show what is active. There is also a '999' button on some sets that will activate H/L flashers, blue lights and sirens in one touch, which is usually cancelled by pressing the 'at scene' button. However, I've never found this one as reliable, so pressing in order what I want is usually a better bet. Then you know you've pressed it on, and off again once you're done. However, I had known faulty car sets that wouldn't disengage the lights reliably after use, so much so you'd have to check a shop window or a reflection on a car in front to make sure they were off. As for police using rear reds leading to motorways users ignoring the lane closed signs? Get real. The two aren't connected, but the issue of motorists ignoring the gantry signs at hand speaks volumes about how selfish and stupid some drivers can be.
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