Motorway Policing
Discussion
OK, first off this is not a dig. Im fully aware of the state our public sector finances are in at the moment and its probably an obvious explanation for my query
Over the last few days Ive driven 500 miles on the motorway network and didnt see a single police car
On the other hand I saw plenty of shocking driving from the usual incompetents with no lane discipline on 4 lane stretches up to and including the talented individual performing a 100+mph undertake on the hard shoulder in heavy traffic
The thing is that not that long ago I would regularly see both marked cars and also not infrequently a plain car with blue lights on at the side of the road having pulled someone over
Its possible that the rapidly deteriorating standard of driving is linked to me seeing less and less Police cars but Im interested to know if its really a thing
Cheers
I don’t think there’s a lot of unmarked cars but I do regularly see them. I suppose Highways Agency have replaced a lot of marked cars.
I regularly go NW to SE and back and pretty well never see marked cars - until I get into Cheshire, then it’s rare that I don’t see at least a couple.
I regularly go NW to SE and back and pretty well never see marked cars - until I get into Cheshire, then it’s rare that I don’t see at least a couple.
I used to drive 400 miles a week (mainly on the motorway) commuting and very rarely saw police patrolling the motorway (or my route).
I was even doing the same commute during lockdown (as a key worker) and rarely saw the police on patrol.
I guess motorways that are "SMART" are covered in speed cameras so speeding is largely covered. Also the advent of dash cam technology and schemes like operation Snap mean that if you record an offence or dangerous driving you can submit that to the police for analysis.
I was even doing the same commute during lockdown (as a key worker) and rarely saw the police on patrol.
I guess motorways that are "SMART" are covered in speed cameras so speeding is largely covered. Also the advent of dash cam technology and schemes like operation Snap mean that if you record an offence or dangerous driving you can submit that to the police for analysis.
I'd say that because the National Highways Traffic Officers primary role is to deal with the majority of incidents on the Motorways, you don't get the old fashioned police patrols like you used to.
Yes they may still be about, but not in the numbers that they were. Hand in hand with this is that some forces have shut their Motorway Police Outpost Stations.
Yes they may still be about, but not in the numbers that they were. Hand in hand with this is that some forces have shut their Motorway Police Outpost Stations.
With the advent of "Smart" motorways, the Police and HA aren't being smart about it.
For instance 2 problems that if tackled would make people think twice about their driving especially when they receive punitive fines of say £500 or £1000::
(1) Late swoopers/exiters on slip roads who cut people up and cross into the solid hatched areas
(2) MLM driving in L3 on a 4 lane motorway at 60 mph
Both could be solved by placing cameras covering slip roads and long stretches, have an admin review watch the footage and if someone cuts in or drives more than 1/4 mile without pulling into L1 or 2, then issue a humongous fine.
For instance 2 problems that if tackled would make people think twice about their driving especially when they receive punitive fines of say £500 or £1000::
(1) Late swoopers/exiters on slip roads who cut people up and cross into the solid hatched areas
(2) MLM driving in L3 on a 4 lane motorway at 60 mph
Both could be solved by placing cameras covering slip roads and long stretches, have an admin review watch the footage and if someone cuts in or drives more than 1/4 mile without pulling into L1 or 2, then issue a humongous fine.
donkmeister said:
Can't remember the last time I saw a police car on one of those little hillocks that were built next to a lot of motorways (the ones where they could get a good view of you approaching with the laser gun and whizz after you).
There was one on Sunday evening on the M4 near Castle Coombe. Must have been a walt with a hairdryer...
vikingaero said:
With the advent of "Smart" motorways, the Police and HA aren't being smart about it.
For instance 2 problems that if tackled would make people think twice about their driving especially when they receive punitive fines of say £500 or £1000::
(1) Late swoopers/exiters on slip roads who cut people up and cross into the solid hatched areas
(2) MLM driving in L3 on a 4 lane motorway at 60 mph
Both could be solved by placing cameras covering slip roads and long stretches, have an admin review watch the footage and if someone cuts in or drives more than 1/4 mile without pulling into L1 or 2, then issue a humongous fine.
Speed is the relevant factor not driving standards For instance 2 problems that if tackled would make people think twice about their driving especially when they receive punitive fines of say £500 or £1000::
(1) Late swoopers/exiters on slip roads who cut people up and cross into the solid hatched areas
(2) MLM driving in L3 on a 4 lane motorway at 60 mph
Both could be solved by placing cameras covering slip roads and long stretches, have an admin review watch the footage and if someone cuts in or drives more than 1/4 mile without pulling into L1 or 2, then issue a humongous fine.
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