Spotted - M4 grey Saab (95?) reg DF53 xxx - unmark

[Bee_Jay]

Has anyone else noticed this car before on the M4/A329M?

It followed me (very closely) down the A329M yesterday lunch (about 1pm) and 'drifted' lanes without indicating to go onto the M4 behind me. I indicated and made the correct manoeuvre in front of him and accellerated away down the slip road (to about 75mph).

I then pulled into lane 2 with intentions to directly pull into lane 3 at which point he flashed me (alternate flashing headlights with blue ones in grill) and went into lane 3 and sped off.

Not the driving style of a police driver at all.

Has anyone else seen this car?

[Fat Audi 80]

No I have not seen it but will [shaw taylor]keep 'em peeled[/shaw taylor] as I work in Bracknell and commute from Dicot on the M4 everyday....

[Scott W]

They must be based at the Three Mile Cross traffic dept, as I recently had to give a statement (witnessed an accident) to the trafpol from Taplow and he said that all of their cars (even unmarked) are Vauxhall, as that is the agreement they have in place. He did say that they were looking at other manufacturers for a change in the future, but Saab was not one of them.

Oh well, yet another car to keep an eye out for in this neck of the woods!! There is a dark blue Omega doing the rounds around Bracknell/surrounding areas, and the standard of driving shown by the occupants is not what you would associate with a trained traffic police officer.

[puggit]

Isn't Saab part of the General Motors family?

Thanks for the tip off!

Winnersh Triangle employees unite

[PetrolTed]

Or some nob with alternating headlamps?

[Bee_Jay]

I did have a friend years ago that fitted an 'alternating headlamp' modification to his Rover SD1 (it was MANY years ago!) that proved very handy for cutting through traffic !!! ;-)

[Scott W]

puggit said:

Isn't Saab part of the General Motors family?

Yes, but he said that it was purely Omega's and Astra's they were limited to.

>> Edited by Scott W on Friday 20th February 16:56

[Bee_Jay]

Well, the 95 is just a vectra with a different body on isn't it?

[xxplod]

Everyone seems to be making the assumption it was a Police vehilce. It could have been one of a number of other "agencies" who may have blue lights etc... on their vehicles.

[TripleS]

Bee_Jay said:

I did have a friend years ago that fitted an 'alternating headlamp' modification to his Rover SD1 (it was MANY years ago!) that proved very handy for cutting through traffic !!! ;-)

I find that very interesting, and I wonder if it would be legal these days. It would make overtaking easier and safer if it helped to waken up some of the switched off turkeys in front!

Best wishes all.
Dave.

[markda]

I saw him on tuesday morning, on the A34 pushing his way down a queue of traffic with his blue lights on. Appeared to be in a rush to join the M4!

[xxplod]

Alternating headlamps are still very much illegal to be used by Joe Public. If it is a Police car, it may be one on test from the manufacturer. It is very common for manufacturers to give a Police force a car to evaluate. We had a Merc C320 estate recently.

[stooz]

saw a saab estate TH53 at droitwich train station this morning, with a coat and fine leather briefcase on the rear seat.
ANoying thought I, easy pickings, and more crime stats to effect weighting on insurance in the eare..

then I noticed two blue lights buried under the front bonnet grill....


setup?

[TripleS]

xxplod said:

Alternating headlamps are still very much illegal to be used by Joe Public.

Many thanks xxplod. I feared that would be the answer. Pity really!

Never mind, I'll manage somehow.

Best wishes all.
Dave.