Motorway Patrols/Traffic Officers

[J1mmyD]

I know this has been on before, but one aspect of the Highways Agency Patrols is particularly starting to bother me. We have a lot of these in the east midlands (I believe we were the trial area) so they have been around for over a year now.

On the whole, I'm quite reassured by their presence. Over the last week, though, I've seen at least 5 patrol vehicles on the hard shoulder behind a breakdown/accident. In most cases, the two officers have simply been standing beside their own vehicle, hands in pockets, chatting away. The stranded motorist has been in their own (immobile?) vehicle. The gap between the two at most has been 20 yards and usually around 10 yards.

Now, I have no problem with the officers being out of their vehicle seemingly killing time. They're probably waiting for breakdown (or in the case of the accidents, emergency/recovery) vehicles, and being out of their vehicle is the safest place.

What I do have a problem with is the proximity of their vehicle to that of the stranded vehicle; the fact that the stranded motorist is in their own vehicle; and; the fact that the HA Landrover is pointing DIRECTLY AT the stranded motorist.

Without exception, this is the case.

Now, I've done roadwork before - both breakdowns and working within contraflows. It was always drummed into us to have the front wheels pointing away from us and the vehicle positioned as a barrier against oncoming vehicles.

I've seen cars drive through flashing lights, signs and cones. I've seen too many accidents where drivers are concentrating on what we're doing at the side of the road rather than the traffic they're moving in and hitting other cars on the road.

I was under the impression that most Traffic Officers are former TrafPol, so what is it with the positioning of their vehicles? Are they being instructed to park in this manner?

Anyone out there know about their instructions and SOP?

[Lois]

J1mmyD said:

I was under the impression that most Traffic Officers are former TrafPol

Not the case, just ordinary folk who have been trained up, some of which done with the trafpol.

There's a large thread on speed/plod/law forum which discusses parking positioning etc.

[sparkythecat]

There's at least one of them posting on here. I think he's a musician

Check out this thread where you'll find him blowing his own trumpet.

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=10&t=256191&h=0

>> Edited by sparkythecat on Sunday 16th April 12:31

[CombeMarshal]

I was going to be one, got to the interview stage, but decided the pay way crap!

Any way, a great big landrover type thing with great big flashing lights on is a bit more visable than a saloon car sat on the side of the road.
I agree that the person in the car should have not been in it, BUT how many people actually know the Traffic officers exist??
And what If they refused to get out, they can't man handle them out.
I think they are doing a great job, And now I wish I had taken the huge pay drop and gone for the job
Plus, the turning the wheel thing, if something goes into the back of a car at 80mph the wheels are going to go where they want!

[Vaux]

J1mmyD said:

What I do have a problem with is the proximity of their vehicle to that of the stranded vehicle; the fact that the stranded motorist is in their own vehicle; and; the fact that the HA Landrover is pointing DIRECTLY AT the stranded motorist..... I was under the impression that most Traffic Officers are former TrafPol, ......

HATO should be 25M back from the other vehicle on the hard shoulder(depending on risk assessment).
Safety advice is always given (get out of the vehicle etc.) but sometimes not taken - "it's cold/wet/I've got my good shoes on......." HATOs can't make people get out.
Vehicle should be parked for best use of the rear facing warning lights - if you look closely at the front wheels they can be turned in or out, depending on risk assessment. As mentioned, an LGV hits the HATO vehicle, the front wheels have little effect.

No - HATOs are mostly civilians - less than 1% ex-Police and even less ex-TrafPol. (Where I work).