Traffic police without hands free during pursuits?
Discussion
I'm watching Police Interceptors (sad, I know) and can't help but notice that the cops often drive one-handed in high speed pursuits as they don't seem to be able to speak to the control room or their colleagues without pressing a button on their radio.
Why don't they have hands free communication systems? Surely it's dangerous enough without being one-handed.
Why don't they have hands free communication systems? Surely it's dangerous enough without being one-handed.
PorkInsider said:
vonhosen said:
For years most of the vehicle's I've used/seen they do have have hands free ( i.e. a cradle for radio & PTT stalk on steering column)
Interesting. I thought it was odd that they wouldn't have some kit for it.Even more odd that they weren't using it then.
vonhosen said:
PorkInsider said:
vonhosen said:
For years most of the vehicle's I've used/seen they do have have hands free ( i.e. a cradle for radio & PTT stalk on steering column)
Interesting. I thought it was odd that they wouldn't have some kit for it.Even more odd that they weren't using it then.
We had hands VHF free towards the end of my time with PTT stalk by the wiper stalk prior to the introduction of Airwaves Prior to that we had a phone type VHF handset with a squeeze to talk handle. Used to drop in into your lap during tricky bits then resume the commentary on the straight bits if single crewed. Used to finish up with the lead wrapped round the wheel, handbrake and gear lever, plus we had a UHF radio to look after. Not ideal but manageable
We had hands free kits in the cars for many years before I retired and I left eight years ago. To be honest, I watched this and rarely do, and thought that this was one of the worst examples for police driving I have seen. Also proves that, these days, the Roads policing departments are certainly lacking the proffesional attitudes of the old traffic departments.
If the head of my old driving school had seen this, they would have been booted back to the beat instantly. The second car had a passenger who just sat there while the driver used the radio. The stinger was then deployed by the clown who really couldn't seem to make his mind up and then just let the cord go so the device just flailed about wildly. God help us all if these are supposed to be the best these days.
If the head of my old driving school had seen this, they would have been booted back to the beat instantly. The second car had a passenger who just sat there while the driver used the radio. The stinger was then deployed by the clown who really couldn't seem to make his mind up and then just let the cord go so the device just flailed about wildly. God help us all if these are supposed to be the best these days.
Nickyboy said:
As this happens every day and i've never heard of a pursuit drive crashing due to using one hand to operate the radio i would say it's not really an issue
Thats like saying "I use my phone everyday on a congested motorway driving at 100 mph and have never crashed, so its not really an issue". Except it is!Police doing all the things that they are prosecuting the public for is all wrong in my eyes. I know they have exemptions and extra training but it doesn't stop them having incidents.And surely the best way to reduce these incidents is to be in full control, especially when in pursuit, at high speed , in built up areas , in the dark, and when its wet/raining. (as in last nights episode)
kwk said:
We had hands free kits in the cars for many years before I retired and I left eight years ago. To be honest, I watched this and rarely do, and thought that this was one of the worst examples for police driving I have seen. Also proves that, these days, the Roads policing departments are certainly lacking the proffesional attitudes of the old traffic departments.
If the head of my old driving school had seen this, they would have been booted back to the beat instantly. The second car had a passenger who just sat there while the driver used the radio. The stinger was then deployed by the clown who really couldn't seem to make his mind up and then just let the cord go so the device just flailed about wildly. God help us all if these are supposed to be the best these days.
I'd suggest they aren't... They are just the ones who want to be on the Tele.If the head of my old driving school had seen this, they would have been booted back to the beat instantly. The second car had a passenger who just sat there while the driver used the radio. The stinger was then deployed by the clown who really couldn't seem to make his mind up and then just let the cord go so the device just flailed about wildly. God help us all if these are supposed to be the best these days.
Tom1312 said:
I'd suggest they aren't... They are just the ones who want to be on the Tele.
Possibly, but those are the very ones that the general public think are the very best. I have worked with TV crews and the press on shift and know the type who always wants to take them out. I was also unfortunate to witness the cutbacks from the start and the adverse affect this had on standards due to lack of training, more poorly maintained equipment etc.
scorcher said:
Thats like saying "I use my phone everyday on a congested motorway driving at 100 mph and have never crashed, so its not really an issue". Except it is!
Police doing all the things that they are prosecuting the public for is all wrong in my eyes. I know they have exemptions and extra training but it doesn't stop them having incidents.And surely the best way to reduce these incidents is to be in full control, especially when in pursuit, at high speed , in built up areas , in the dark, and when its wet/raining. (as in last nights episode)
You are free to use a radio whilst driving, it's not against the law.Police doing all the things that they are prosecuting the public for is all wrong in my eyes. I know they have exemptions and extra training but it doesn't stop them having incidents.And surely the best way to reduce these incidents is to be in full control, especially when in pursuit, at high speed , in built up areas , in the dark, and when its wet/raining. (as in last nights episode)
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