What happens when...
Discussion
Picture the scene...
The familiar queue of cars in the overtaking lane on the motorway, with someone up front apparently not moving over to the left when he'd finished passing the cars to his left. After a few miles the cars in front of me clear to the left, in retrospect, as if by magic. I then found myself closing the lead car somewhat rapidly (yes he was still there, in the right-hand lane).
He still didn't move, and being a bit impatient, I flashed my headlights...twice!
The rear window of this unmarked car flashed back in red letters, "POLICE". Then, "KEEP BACK", twice.
Oh, fiddlesticks, thinks I, and I very nonchalantly slowed down, moved to the left and accepted the fact that I wasn't going to get home as soon as I might have liked.
My questions are these:
1. There was only one person in the police car, and he didn't stop me, or communicate in any way further. Am I likely to hear any more of this incident?
2. What are the penalties for a) travelling at "around 100mph", and b) flashing your lights at coppers when you're doing it (even unwittingly).
I must put my hands up and say that I know I was speeding, and I would be the first to agree that it is anti-social and often dangerous. I had my reasons for wanting to get home quickly...no, I wasn't on a promise. Overall, I don't think the manoeuvre was dangerous, or no more so than driving on, for instance, the M25 during the rush hour.
My interest is in whether I'm likely to get nicked, what the likely penalties might be, and being more circumspect, what is the process when caught speeding.
>>> Edited by snodgrass on Tuesday 20th May 18:17
The familiar queue of cars in the overtaking lane on the motorway, with someone up front apparently not moving over to the left when he'd finished passing the cars to his left. After a few miles the cars in front of me clear to the left, in retrospect, as if by magic. I then found myself closing the lead car somewhat rapidly (yes he was still there, in the right-hand lane).
He still didn't move, and being a bit impatient, I flashed my headlights...twice!
The rear window of this unmarked car flashed back in red letters, "POLICE". Then, "KEEP BACK", twice.
Oh, fiddlesticks, thinks I, and I very nonchalantly slowed down, moved to the left and accepted the fact that I wasn't going to get home as soon as I might have liked.
My questions are these:
1. There was only one person in the police car, and he didn't stop me, or communicate in any way further. Am I likely to hear any more of this incident?
2. What are the penalties for a) travelling at "around 100mph", and b) flashing your lights at coppers when you're doing it (even unwittingly).
I must put my hands up and say that I know I was speeding, and I would be the first to agree that it is anti-social and often dangerous. I had my reasons for wanting to get home quickly...no, I wasn't on a promise. Overall, I don't think the manoeuvre was dangerous, or no more so than driving on, for instance, the M25 during the rush hour.
My interest is in whether I'm likely to get nicked, what the likely penalties might be, and being more circumspect, what is the process when caught speeding.
>>> Edited by snodgrass on Tuesday 20th May 18:17
I'm in some doubt that this guy was a policeman.
Firstly, they generally follow the highway code i.e. Move over to the left if not overtaking.
Secondly, what sort of car was it? They usually have a nearly new saloon or estate.
Thirdly, you can buy those electronic signs from Maplin etc, so this is not proof he was a copper.
If you weren't stopped then I wouldn't worry about being prosecuted.
Firstly, they generally follow the highway code i.e. Move over to the left if not overtaking.
Secondly, what sort of car was it? They usually have a nearly new saloon or estate.
Thirdly, you can buy those electronic signs from Maplin etc, so this is not proof he was a copper.
If you weren't stopped then I wouldn't worry about being prosecuted.
You got warned obeyed instruction and didn't take the pi55There's nothing wrong with flashing another motorist, whoever they are. (I won't talk about the speed in your case, but I should think you'll be OK.)
All flashing your lights means is that you are letting them know you are there. It doesn't mean anything else.
If someone's blocking your way, fine, give them a flash or two.
(Incidentally, it can also be used to warn someone that you are there if, for example, it looks like the other car hasn't seen you and may pull out in front of you from a side turning - NOT to say "OK, you can come out"!.)
All flashing your lights means is that you are letting them know you are there. It doesn't mean anything else.
If someone's blocking your way, fine, give them a flash or two.
(Incidentally, it can also be used to warn someone that you are there if, for example, it looks like the other car hasn't seen you and may pull out in front of you from a side turning - NOT to say "OK, you can come out"!.)
snodgrass, don't be fooled into saying your driving was antisocial & unacceptable - that's what the T2K mob would like you to beleive. Your speed was of no danger to anyone, and not an issue. Nor was flashing lights at someone a big deal. You were just unlucky to find a road hog in front.
The fact there was only one copper, if this was England or Wales, is neither here nor there. If his speedo was calibrated then he corroborates the speedo and the speedo corrorobrates him so you can be done by a lone copper.
105mph+ almost 100% of the time results in a ban, 100-105mph is more arguable.
No offence for flashing your lights...
Matt.
105mph+ almost 100% of the time results in a ban, 100-105mph is more arguable.
No offence for flashing your lights...
Matt.
danhay said: I'm in some doubt that this guy was a policeman.
Firstly, they generally follow the highway code i.e. Move over to the left if not overtaking.
Secondly, what sort of car was it? They usually have a nearly new saloon or estate.
Thirdly, you can buy those electronic signs from Maplin etc, so this is not proof he was a copper.
If you weren't stopped then I wouldn't worry about being prosecuted.
Must admit I'd share your doubts about them being a policeman as well. leaving aside the fact that programming a sign matrix as you drive must be asbad as talking on the phone. Police cars, marked or otherwise seem to adhere to the highway code. At speedsof 100 or so I'd expect an unmarked car to pull you over for a talking to if nothing else.
As regards the cars I did think they had newer cars but recently am changing my mind, having seen an old unmarked Mondeo on the M25, and noted the age of some of Sussex Polices volvos recently!
I must put my hands up and say that I know I was speeding, and I would be the first to agree that it is anti-social and often dangerous.
Anti-social? How? On an empty motorway, with two lanes to the left clear and a road hog in front? Guess who was being anti-social...
Often dangerous? Maybe - but very often, not dangerous. Motorway, two clear lanes? Not dangerous.
(OTOH, getting nicked - dangerous to your wallet.)
Don't let the red flag brigade set your expectation levels.
IMHO...
>> Edited by Size Nine Elm on Wednesday 21st May 13:02
You will not get done as he didn't stop you.
It may well have been a Maplins sign as I don't think the Police signs say anything other than Police and STOP on them (any BiB confirm this?) Usually in multiple colours and flashing. Also the Maplins signs can bet setup to say what you want when you press the button so it doesn't have to be done on the fly.
If it happens again. Take the make/model, colour and reg number of the car and phone the Police when you can to ask them if it was one of there cars. You don't have to say you were speeding, jst that this car was sat in the outside lane refusing to let anyone overtake.
If it is not a Police car then they will take a very dim view of someone "passing off" as a policeman and they might even go and talk to them.
It may well have been a Maplins sign as I don't think the Police signs say anything other than Police and STOP on them (any BiB confirm this?) Usually in multiple colours and flashing. Also the Maplins signs can bet setup to say what you want when you press the button so it doesn't have to be done on the fly.
If it happens again. Take the make/model, colour and reg number of the car and phone the Police when you can to ask them if it was one of there cars. You don't have to say you were speeding, jst that this car was sat in the outside lane refusing to let anyone overtake.
If it is not a Police car then they will take a very dim view of someone "passing off" as a policeman and they might even go and talk to them.
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