Speeding advice - M5 - pls

[cab]

A bit of advice please

Whilst driving down the M5 (southbound) last week, I saw the nose of a police car that was situated partly behind a large - well placed - bush. As I started to slow and check my speed (as you do), I saw the driver of the police car emerge from behind the bush (I'm surprised he wasn't wearing camo gear) with a radar gun and rush towards his car. Now I thought two things would happen;

1. he would either come after me

2. he would radio ahead and get someone to pull me over

Neither happened. I was def speeding, and have resigned myself to the fact that some points will be coming my way very soon. Having said that im confused as to why they didnt pull me over and im now questioning the Police Officers approach of hiding behind the bush (wishful thinking).

Anybody got any experience in this area can advise of what to expect/how I stand.

Thanks CAB

[Parrot of Doom]

You're very likely ok, and nothing will happen.

[cab]

Having driven past two slip roads and then all the way to cornwall i was begining to tell myself the same thing. However;
1. I was going quite fast - its a great road when clear
2. He was literally hiding in the bush, which makes me think he must be quite determined (he could have just sat in the car)
3. he did rush for the car

needless to say the drive back today was a little more sedate

Edited by cab on Monday 26th June 20:40

[agent006]

Maybe he was having a piss and got a call on the radio.

[cab]

unless he was enjoying himself with something that looked like a hair dryer i doubt it ;-)

[nicecupoftea]

Did I miss something?

Since when have trafpol been able to sit on the hard shoulder with a hairdryer on the motorway??? FFS that will cause more accidents than it stops

[cab]

Have to admit it was the first time I have seen mobile speed traps in the UK - on motorways. There were quite a few in France on the way back from le mans though - with their mates waiting at the next lay by.

Anybody know whether this is an acceptable practice in the UK or whether plod was simply playing with his new toy???

Edited by cab on Monday 26th June 22:20

[agent006]

Police have been doing it for years on the M5.

[Humpy]

They have had occasional purges on the M4 too. White Discovery between Junc 1-2 on the police ramps and also under the M25 bridge Junc 4a. Havn't seen any for a good 9 months though.

[fid]

Sorry for the slight hijack...but I was on the M5 on Saturday, southbound between Wellington and Tiverton, and there were three camera-type-things on a bridge, each on a tripod over a lane. Any ideas what they are? 2x Plod further along on the Tiverton junction keeping watch.

[Ubertractor]

Between Wellington and Tiverton that'll most likely be ANPR cameras. Was it the bridge at the top of a hill?

[splatspeed]

see anything luminous green

or camera like slam on anchors

save lisence

you can allways replace a car not a lisence

Edited by splatspeed on Tuesday 27th June 07:45

[winnebago nut]

cab said:

unless he was enjoying himself with something that looked like a hair dryer i doubt it ;-)

Why do they vibrate as well on a positive reading . No wonder they are always smiling. Atb Derek

[puggit]

BiB on M40 in Warwicks also sit on the hard shoulder with a laser...

[Scrotie]

Saw this happen on M5 Northbound last week. Police car concealed on bridge at Junc with A419. Passenger either just looking out of the window or using a speed gun. They spotted their victim and zoomed off to join the m way and ctach him a mile or two later. Sounds like you may well have escaped...

[fid]

Ubertractor said:

Between Wellington and Tiverton that'll most likely be ANPR cameras. Was it the bridge at the top of a hill?

Yep, that's the one...big downhill bit followed by big uphill bit with the bridge at the top.

[Ubertractor]

Yep I think you're okay they're ANPR.

Mind you I did see a guy giving it large amounts in an SL55AMG get a tug last year shortly after passing that stretch - traffic unit came out of the services in a Merc E Class. He must have thought he'd got a good clear stretch and hoofed it away without checking the slip road as he passed by.

Whoops

[hanse cronje]

Scrotie said:

Saw this happen on M5 Northbound last week. Police car concealed on bridge at Junc with A419. Passenger either just looking out of the window or using a speed gun. They spotted their victim and zoomed off to join the m way and ctach him a mile or two later. Sounds like you may well have escaped...

A tactic used on the toll road as well

[cab]

Scrotie said:

Saw this happen on M5 Northbound last week. Police car concealed on bridge at Junc with A419. Passenger either just looking out of the window or using a speed gun. They spotted their victim and zoomed off to join the m way and ctach him a mile or two later. Sounds like you may well have escaped...

Thanks for the feedback guys - feeling slightly more positive abt the whole thing.

Wondering now whether he was getting readings from the gun and the car (possible??). He appeared to be working alone and i could see no other police cars at any of the subsequent junctions. All in all im quite confused.

Had a mate a few years ago that was caught near cornwall, the train from lodnon to get to the hearing cost a fortune as did the fine (they asked to see all his income details). Hoping this turns out well.

Thanks again CAB