Motorway Traffic Police - New Strategy to curb speeding

Post by **Charles** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:44 pm

On two occasions yesterday (on the M40 near Warwick at midday and the M69 heading to Leicester in the evening rush hour) I experienced what appears to be a very clear new strategy for controlling speed.

Normally, when you come across the rare police car on a motorway, the police roll at about 65mph to allow traffic to ease past.

Yesterday, both police cars were rolling at a real 70mph (checked it against the GPS) and weren't lettiing anything past. Not by flashing lights but by changing lanes and blocking.

Now I appreciate that this sort of rolling road block works well when there is an accident up ahead but there wasn't in either case.

And whilst I fully accept that the speed limit is 70mph and so we shouldn't be complaining, I can guarantee you that the mayhem caused by traffic building up behind the police was more likely to cause an accident than people easing past and resuming "normal" motorway cruising speeds.

Not a good policy in my book - NOT IMPRESSED

hythe · Post by **hythe** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:59 pm

Sounds eeeevil...

Right, I clearly need to install some revolving number plates and take off the Alpina stripes...

Post by **Charles** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:47 pm

I did consider going past at a true 73mph and if they nicked me I would challenge it, go the magistrates and involve the papers for being done for speeding on a motorway at 73mph...

... but then I chickened out

v8 ego · Post by **v8 ego** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:04 am

From talking to a number of Police officers (through another hobby I have - don't ask!!) I don't think most of them would stop a car for anything up to 80 mph.

hythe · Post by **hythe** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 9:27 am

If they really were manouevring from one side to the other to block my car, without any lights on or any indication of a situation ahead, I'm afraid I'd have to have a pretty stiff conversation with the chief constable about dangerous and aggressive driving by his officers...

The sad truth is that out police officers feel no need to obey the same road laws as the rest of us.

Hey, there's an idea - I could enrol as a copper and drive at 170 with impunity - it's all training, don't you know... Mind you, I'd have to drive a Vauxhall, probably... No offence, James!

Post by **Charles** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:27 am

Both good points, but normally they are running at a true speed of about 65mph which, on most cars is showing just about 70 on the speedo. So to pass at 75 on the speedo one is only really doing 70. In this situation, I was travelling at 74/75 on the speedo and the GPS was showing 70/71.

It's a difficult one and would you have put your licence at risk?

As for writing to the Chief Constable, I agree. However, I was spending all my time watching my speed and their antics that I didn't think to get their number. If I had, sadly I believe that it would be a case of my word against theirs and no doubt they clocked my registration plate (for future reference, if you know what I mean).

The ideal situation would have been to get some video on my mobile but then I would get done for dangerous driving or unde care and attention for using a mobile on the move.

Feels like a no win situation in my book which is not good for anyone. Sure they have a job to do but who polices the police?

rcshott · Post by **rcshott** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:20 am

Just noticed this thread...

I think you'll find the police DO NOT HAVE to obey the road rules as we (normal motorists) do. But they may have to justify their actions if challenged.

Then they already have in car camers, back each other in court, speak with the magistrate PRIOR to the hearing, record conversations without our knowledge, etc.

I got pulled up for passing a bike cop. The limit was 100kph, he was doing 90kph & he tried to book me for going "over the limit". I challanged him on the spot & found that his speedo was not callibrated...which must be done before each 'shift'.

BUT REMEMBER...THE LEGISLATED LAW SAYS WHAT THE RULES ARE, NOT THE POLICE...They only make the 'allegation' & you & I have to defend it. Or...shut up & pay up!

There's not one of us who hasn't broken a law at some stage (whether knowingly or not)...but my opinion is the police often allow 'misdemeanours' go to get more money for a larger fine. Here in Queensland 'fog' lights are not allowed & every 10th vehicle has them on. But the fine is only $30.00 (75 pounds), as against a speed fine starts at $130.00 (325 pounds) & increases with the speed. Then on hollidays it's double the fine & demerit points!!!

What irks me is that the lights are WHITE??? The worst type in fog!

Chas · Post by **Chas** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:55 am

rcshott wrote:But the fine is only $30.00 (75 pounds), as against a speed fine starts at $130.00 (325 pounds) & increases with the speed.

I had no idea the Queensland economy was doing so well. In Perth, $30 is only Â£12 and $130 is about Â£50. I guess all the jokes about queenslanders just boil down to jealousy

hythe · Post by **hythe** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:51 am

rcshott wrote:I think you'll find the police DO NOT HAVE to obey the road rules as we (normal motorists) do.

Actually, I think you'll find in this country the police are supposedly subject to exactly the same laws as the rest of us and, unless they have their lights on, either in pursuit or response, are not meant to speed or go through red lights. Of course, we've all seen cop cars quietly driving along a road, only to come to a red light, stick on the blues, drive straight through and then turn them off again.

Sickening behaviour, which frankly brings the police into disrepute. As for the aforementioned "jamming" tactics, what do you think they would do to a normal driver who was weaving from side to side or straddling lanes on the motorway?

nealpina · Post by **nealpina** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:03 pm

hythe wrote:As for the aforementioned "jamming" tactics, what do you think they would do to a normal driver who was weaving from side to side or straddling lanes on the motorway?

Shoot them!

hythe · Post by **hythe** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:21 pm

nealpina wrote:
hythe wrote:As for the aforementioned "jamming" tactics, what do you think they would do to a normal driver who was weaving from side to side or straddling lanes on the motorway?
Shoot them!

Quite possibly, on the grounds that they looked like they might have the dark, shifty eyes of a terrorist...

rcshott · Post by **rcshott** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:56 am

Chas wrote:
rcshott wrote:But the fine is only $30.00 (75 pounds), as against a speed fine starts at $130.00 (325 pounds) & increases with the speed.
I had no idea the Queensland economy was doing so well. In Perth, $30 is only Â£12 and $130 is about Â£50. I guess all the jokes about queenslanders just boil down to jealousy

You're right Carls...held the calculator UPSIDE DOWN