I'll say thanks....
Discussion
... to the boys in blue on the M6 last night.
I was tootling along just past the M42 junction (about 85) and I saw a Volvo estate come down the on-ramp in front of me, picking up speed to join the (very light) traffic. Unmarked plod possibly thought I, fleetingly, as I pulled over into the outside lane to let him join and get past the slower car in the inside lane and he came into the middle lane and sat alongside me, but a little bit back (his bonnet level with my side window) as we both increased our speed gently.
He went passed me on the inside, hitting about 95, so I neatly tucked back in behind him and then, as he slowed down back to about 85, I went passed him on the outside and a quick glance from me saw a single driver and what looked like a sat nav screen on the dash, so I took it up to about 95 and carried on my merry way, with him on the inside, keeping pace.
Imagine what I felt as I saw a flashing blue light in my mirror from the volvo when he pulled out behind me a minute later........ I let of the gas, brought it back to under 80 and immediately pulled over into the middle lane (I was passing other cars at the time, but had just gotten past them so it was now clear) and he cruised past me on the outside. I looked across and there was a second gent looking at me in the car and I saw that the console was covered in electronics! oops!
He pulled over just in front of me, slowed to about 75 and sat there for 30 secs or so, before taking it back up to 80+. I breathed a sigh of relief and and let him go, before bringing my speed back up to 80-85ish.
There were no extra ariels on the car, and I couldn't see through the boot space (blacked out windows or a blind), but its strange that I had immediately thought of unmarked plod when I saw the car on the on-ramp. Anyway, thanks to them for giving me a "friendly" warning - having just gotten a clean license it'd be nice to have a clean one for a while
I was tootling along just past the M42 junction (about 85) and I saw a Volvo estate come down the on-ramp in front of me, picking up speed to join the (very light) traffic. Unmarked plod possibly thought I, fleetingly, as I pulled over into the outside lane to let him join and get past the slower car in the inside lane and he came into the middle lane and sat alongside me, but a little bit back (his bonnet level with my side window) as we both increased our speed gently.
He went passed me on the inside, hitting about 95, so I neatly tucked back in behind him and then, as he slowed down back to about 85, I went passed him on the outside and a quick glance from me saw a single driver and what looked like a sat nav screen on the dash, so I took it up to about 95 and carried on my merry way, with him on the inside, keeping pace.
Imagine what I felt as I saw a flashing blue light in my mirror from the volvo when he pulled out behind me a minute later........ I let of the gas, brought it back to under 80 and immediately pulled over into the middle lane (I was passing other cars at the time, but had just gotten past them so it was now clear) and he cruised past me on the outside. I looked across and there was a second gent looking at me in the car and I saw that the console was covered in electronics! oops!
He pulled over just in front of me, slowed to about 75 and sat there for 30 secs or so, before taking it back up to 80+. I breathed a sigh of relief and and let him go, before bringing my speed back up to 80-85ish.
There were no extra ariels on the car, and I couldn't see through the boot space (blacked out windows or a blind), but its strange that I had immediately thought of unmarked plod when I saw the car on the on-ramp. Anyway, thanks to them for giving me a "friendly" warning - having just gotten a clean license it'd be nice to have a clean one for a while
Had a very similar experience myself, M5 Northbound at B'ham - the bit with the bends and the 'maximum speed 50mph' signs. I was probably at about 80-85, when all of a sudden (from whence he came I know not) there was a Police Range Rover on my tail. Didn't pull me, just stayed right behind me for a while, obviously making a point, before passing me and heading off to find other wrong doers.
That's the sort of traffic policing we like (when going a little bit over the limit, but not taking the p**s too much). Fine fellows!
That's the sort of traffic policing we like (when going a little bit over the limit, but not taking the p**s too much). Fine fellows!
at least you noticed them...
I posted recently about a car at up to 89mph, IIRC, on a motorway for 6-7 miles...at night..with me and my colleague behind him/her in our marked S60 Volvo..
The driver didn't see us, (or perhaps did, but didn't realise it was a police car)...unlit m/way and all that....
However, the driver returned to lane 1 following every overtake and only indicated when it would benefit another driver..(ie: me when I got a bit close.
)...
After following him/her for that distance and along an exit ramp, the car went into a built up area and obeyed the limit rigidly...
Result, I returned to the m/way.
I posted recently about a car at up to 89mph, IIRC, on a motorway for 6-7 miles...at night..with me and my colleague behind him/her in our marked S60 Volvo..
The driver didn't see us, (or perhaps did, but didn't realise it was a police car)...unlit m/way and all that....
However, the driver returned to lane 1 following every overtake and only indicated when it would benefit another driver..(ie: me when I got a bit close.
)... After following him/her for that distance and along an exit ramp, the car went into a built up area and obeyed the limit rigidly...
Result, I returned to the m/way.
ca092003 said:
A guy I used to work with got caught doing 100+. The funny thing was that he was followed by a marked TrafPol for, wait for it, 12 miles in broad daylight in clear conditions.
He was expecting some sympathy from me, when he told me.
It's very common...
I think i've mentioned recently about the tactical containment course I was on recently and moving from one place to the next, meant frequent trips down the motorway.
We were in a Volvo S60 in white, no roofbar, but blue lights in the front grill. (not hidden, but cut into the grill, so very visible)...coupled with the fact we were in white shirts, epaulettes, black ties etc...
The amount of occasions we were sat in lane 3 at well in excess of 70mph behind a car, who's driver was so focused on 'willing' the car in FRONT of him to move out of the way, he/she didn't bother to look in the mirror.
Then the inevitable..after a couple of miles, a glance in the mirror, heavy braking and a swerve into lane 2..
I was pleased, amused and relieved when, on the M6 / M74 one night I was sitting steadily on 80-85 for maybe 4 miles in light conditions (odd cars here and there). I noticed a car behind me but he was keeping his distance and following my every move. Suspicious I eased off to maybe 80 and he seemed to do the same. I didnt dare move off "just incase" as Ive read tales on here of people being followed for miles and miles without realising. Anyway, the marked Volvo pulled past me, levelled with me, pointed towards my back and shot off. I pulled over, noticed my "PistonHeads.com" sticker was hanging off, secured it and continued on my way. Thank you Mr Policeman for that 
That's the way. I was once doing 90-95 on a downhill section (it had to be really in my car!!) of a virtually deserted motorway in the wee small hours.
Police car on hard shoulder attending to broken down vehicle. He just waved at me and made signals for me to reduce my speed and let me carry on my way!
Nice to see sensible traffic policing, the best way to help motorists IMO.
Police car on hard shoulder attending to broken down vehicle. He just waved at me and made signals for me to reduce my speed and let me carry on my way!
Nice to see sensible traffic policing, the best way to help motorists IMO.
v15ben said:
That's the way. I was once doing 90-95 on a downhill section (it had to be really in my car!!) of a virtually deserted motorway in the wee small hours.
Police car on hard shoulder attending to broken down vehicle. He just waved at me and made signals for me to reduce my speed and let me carry on my way!
Nice to see sensible traffic policing, the best way to help motorists IMO.
He didn't really have much choice...
Streetcop said:
That's the way. I was once doing 90-95 on a downhill section (it had to be really in my car!!) of a virtually deserted motorway in the wee small hours.
Police car on hard shoulder attending to broken down vehicle. He just waved at me and made signals for me to reduce my speed and let me carry on my way!
Nice to see sensible traffic policing, the best way to help motorists IMO.
He didn't really have much choice...
LOL - he wasnt waving at you. He was making some other jesture!
M5 southbound, just got on at J26. 6am,Cold,tired,want to be in my bed (just finished nightshift).
Keeping the ZZR just under a ton, VERY fast BiB draws alongside, I nearly jump off the bike when I notice the blue stripe. Passenger grins at me with "yeah ! bet ya didn't think it was us" look on his face. Driver floors it, and leaves me to get on home. Top Blokes
Phil
Keeping the ZZR just under a ton, VERY fast BiB draws alongside, I nearly jump off the bike when I notice the blue stripe. Passenger grins at me with "yeah ! bet ya didn't think it was us" look on his face. Driver floors it, and leaves me to get on home. Top Blokes
Phil
In my experience Street, most of you are top blokes
I've been nicked twice. The first time was with the old rubber strips across the road thing circa 1985 IIRC. Second time with a laser being used against the guidelines (pinged me through his windscreen). trouble was it was in a truck, and the tacho had a nice peak recorded for posterity...DOH !!! that smarted. Didn't hold it against the guy though 64.2 in a forty? could have been a lot worse than a fixed penalty.
I've not been stopped for about 5 years, which is unusual, considering the shifts I work, and the fact my car is a dog !
Did once have a local plod pull me up to warn me about my speed. I wasn't actually speeding, but then I hadn't stood on the brakes to negotiate a roundabout, as most of the local blue rinse 4X4 crowd do. He said "you didn't see me pulling up to the roundabout", I had, but he was at least 50 yards away doing less than twenty. When I pointed out (very respectfully) it was still dawn, with a slight mist, and I'd have seen him much more easily if he'd switch his headlights on, he mumbled something got in his car and drove away. Another top bloke.
Phil
edited to add: I don't know about the 1100, I've only got a 600, and yes it would set a new speeding record if it was pinged at full chat, so I'm told.....
>> Edited by philthy on Tuesday 22 February 17:50
I've been nicked twice. The first time was with the old rubber strips across the road thing circa 1985 IIRC. Second time with a laser being used against the guidelines (pinged me through his windscreen). trouble was it was in a truck, and the tacho had a nice peak recorded for posterity...DOH !!! that smarted. Didn't hold it against the guy though 64.2 in a forty? could have been a lot worse than a fixed penalty.
I've not been stopped for about 5 years, which is unusual, considering the shifts I work, and the fact my car is a dog !
Did once have a local plod pull me up to warn me about my speed. I wasn't actually speeding, but then I hadn't stood on the brakes to negotiate a roundabout, as most of the local blue rinse 4X4 crowd do. He said "you didn't see me pulling up to the roundabout", I had, but he was at least 50 yards away doing less than twenty. When I pointed out (very respectfully) it was still dawn, with a slight mist, and I'd have seen him much more easily if he'd switch his headlights on, he mumbled something got in his car and drove away. Another top bloke.
Phil
edited to add: I don't know about the 1100, I've only got a 600, and yes it would set a new speeding record if it was pinged at full chat, so I'm told.....
>> Edited by philthy on Tuesday 22 February 17:50
philthy said:
edited to add: I don't know about the 1100, I've only got a 600, and yes it would set a new speeding record if it was pinged at full chat, so I'm told.....
I had the ZZR1100 before the CBR1100xx.....both awesome machines...CBR better as lighter and more 'flickable'...
but...like I always say....time/place to 'test oneself'...and never ever stopped...ever...despite 10,000 biking miles per year, at locations where the police have been known to be very pro-active with 2 wheelers...
philthy said:
I'm sensible about it, I have on occasion "blown the cobwebs off" though.
Phil
Like I used to say to the lads out on IAM rides.....I won't be doing you for speeding while we're out...but if you get stopped...don't look for me, as I won't be stopping with you..
A lucky escape story from me too.
6:30am on a dry (though dark) Sunday morning flying down the M6.
Was going very fast and noticed a car catching me up....strange I thought. It came along side and I noticed the familiar front of a Volvo estate, oh no I thought...cue lots of blue lights...cue sick feeling in my stomach.
I was expecting the pull over signal from them, and I even reached for the indicator to egress to the hard shoulder and await judgement, and punishment.
But lo, the police man in the passenger seat of the dark blue unmarked car gave me a very nasty look, wagged his finger, they then sped off keeping about 20 car lengths in front. The both of us now doing 70 of course.
Thinking about this situation, I concluded the following possible reasons why I didn't get stopped:
1) They didn't get a lock on me
2) I didn't get pulled because I was driving properly, keeping left and indicating, etc. Plus the traffic was very light also.
I don't think its prudent to say how fast I think I was going when I I passed the police car, but very severe punishment would have ensued if they had stopped me. The situation if prosecuted would have been made worse by the fact I was with a friend doing similar speeds also.
As said above regards people driving properly at speed and no getting stopped, I have seen this loads myself. A couple of weeks ago driving north on the A1(M), I spied a new SLK behind with his Xenon lights burning brightly (in broad daylight) working his way through traffic. He returned to the middle lane when possible, though not the inside lane even it was clear for long distances in front. He passed me at around 95-ish I think, with me doing just short of an indicated 80 with the cruise control on (great device that)....and again once in front driving up the middle lane maintaining his speed despite the inside lane been clear for literally a mile ahead.
About 15 mins later I see the Merc pulled over with a Police 5 series BMW estate behind him.
6:30am on a dry (though dark) Sunday morning flying down the M6.
Was going very fast and noticed a car catching me up....strange I thought. It came along side and I noticed the familiar front of a Volvo estate, oh no I thought...cue lots of blue lights...cue sick feeling in my stomach.
I was expecting the pull over signal from them, and I even reached for the indicator to egress to the hard shoulder and await judgement, and punishment.
But lo, the police man in the passenger seat of the dark blue unmarked car gave me a very nasty look, wagged his finger, they then sped off keeping about 20 car lengths in front. The both of us now doing 70 of course.
Thinking about this situation, I concluded the following possible reasons why I didn't get stopped:
1) They didn't get a lock on me
2) I didn't get pulled because I was driving properly, keeping left and indicating, etc. Plus the traffic was very light also.
I don't think its prudent to say how fast I think I was going when I I passed the police car, but very severe punishment would have ensued if they had stopped me. The situation if prosecuted would have been made worse by the fact I was with a friend doing similar speeds also.
As said above regards people driving properly at speed and no getting stopped, I have seen this loads myself. A couple of weeks ago driving north on the A1(M), I spied a new SLK behind with his Xenon lights burning brightly (in broad daylight) working his way through traffic. He returned to the middle lane when possible, though not the inside lane even it was clear for long distances in front. He passed me at around 95-ish I think, with me doing just short of an indicated 80 with the cruise control on (great device that)....and again once in front driving up the middle lane maintaining his speed despite the inside lane been clear for literally a mile ahead.
About 15 mins later I see the Merc pulled over with a Police 5 series BMW estate behind him.
Many moons ago (before the opening of the service areas on the M40) I was pootling (well, mabe a tad faster) up to B'ham one bright and sunny June morning (at about 7am). I observed a blue Rover with two gentlemen in the front and no dangling dice or nodding dogs close up to a few cars lengths behind me. I then became acutely conscious that my speed had crept up to around 90 (or maybe a smidgeon more).
I immediately braked lightly (foot, not hand - I wanted them to see the lights) and slowed to an indicated 74 (which I knew was an actual 70). The blue Rover slowed too and kept station behind me. After about 1/2 mile, the blue lights came on and he accelerated past me and pulled in ahead. I indicated and started to pull onto the hard shoulder when I noticed the matrix in the rear window flashing: "70 THANK YOU". I cancelled the indicator and stayed a respectable (and respectful) distance behind the police car.
He pulled off at the next junction ... but I noted that he pulled back onto the motorway about 1/2 mile behind me. I was still driving at the NSL.
Shortly afterwards, a black Beemer flashed by in the oustide lane (estimated 110-120mph) with the blue Rover in pursuit. I passed them some three miles further on, the Beemer driver was just being assisted into the Rover!
The officer's excercise of his discretion in my case on the basis that I tagged him quickly and reacted appropriately was just what was needed. I still wonder how the Beemer driver fared.
I'm firmly in the "more Trafpol, fewer scameras" camp.
Streaky
I immediately braked lightly (foot, not hand - I wanted them to see the lights) and slowed to an indicated 74 (which I knew was an actual 70). The blue Rover slowed too and kept station behind me. After about 1/2 mile, the blue lights came on and he accelerated past me and pulled in ahead. I indicated and started to pull onto the hard shoulder when I noticed the matrix in the rear window flashing: "70 THANK YOU". I cancelled the indicator and stayed a respectable (and respectful) distance behind the police car.
He pulled off at the next junction ... but I noted that he pulled back onto the motorway about 1/2 mile behind me. I was still driving at the NSL.
Shortly afterwards, a black Beemer flashed by in the oustide lane (estimated 110-120mph) with the blue Rover in pursuit. I passed them some three miles further on, the Beemer driver was just being assisted into the Rover!
The officer's excercise of his discretion in my case on the basis that I tagged him quickly and reacted appropriately was just what was needed. I still wonder how the Beemer driver fared.
I'm firmly in the "more Trafpol, fewer scameras" camp.
Streaky
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