Hello all,

I'm aware of the if you arn't doing anything wrong ect ect.... It's just today I had a really odd thing happen.

I was driving home from Bournemouth to Swindon and had 1 x Honda Civic Saloon in Silver in front. The driving was really odd slowing down to 30mph or 40mph and powering it off up to some random speed. It was getting dark and the car had no lights on and was being in my eyes unsafe.

I was in two minds 1) Overtake the car? 2) Pull over and let them get on with it.

I went for the first choice to then only 'upset' the car and have it sit on my bumper. The problem was when I went to overtake they also increased the speed so I ended up at around 80mph? Looked in the mirrors to see undercover police.

I didn't get pulled over but they followed me all the way from Tidworth to Marlborough. I know I should have picked number 2 and I'm an idiot.

- Question: Do you think I will get a ticket in the post and points or they let me off? I was sticking to the limits all the way home - I had been before I did the stupid move above and so did the same with them on my bumper all the way to Marlborough.

Many thanks,

Rob.

I'd say you're ok.

If something happens, go funking ape-poopie. I know I would!

Sadly this is becoming an increasingly common tactic of unmarked trafpol.

Try and bait someone into racing then pull them over. I'd say it's worth a letter of complaint to the force concerned as this is not how they should be driving.

Your gonna be banned , jailed and deported to the colonies , think your ok tho generally , they would have pulled you if they were bothered.

Thanks guys.

The odd thing is most undercover cars around here start with "WX" on the plate - WX** RMY is a police bmw. (I like working in a petrol station!)

This was AE54 YML - I was shocked to see them in a 54 plate car.

Are you sure it was really the police and not someone looking like they are. AE registrations are typically ex rental cars from hire companies. Mine for example is AE and is an ex. Alamo car.

Sadly this is becoming an increasingly common tactic of unmarked trafpol.

Try and bait someone into racing then pull them over. I'd say it's worth a letter of complaint to the force concerned as this is not how they should be driving.

sadly i beleive this is true........ the undercover mark I octy vRS round here has been known to do this, cause you to overtake by slowing down randomly at unusual times (I've seen it slow from 50 to 35 on a straight clear 60 road for no reason), then drive RIGHT on your bumper, most people would try to get away if it was dark and you didn't know what was happening!

And yes, he would have pulled you if he was interested, no pull, you're safe, no ticket.

Edited 18 December, 200916 yr by sharkrider

Wonder how the po-po's would take to a "brake-test" while they're tailgating?

Wonder how the po-po's would take to a "brake-test" while they're tailgating?

I was very tempted.

yep you will be fine they would have pulled you if they wanted to give you a ticket..

they are only human so the guy was probaly a complete tool and should never be serving as a copper there are lots of bent bobbies about. worst crooks of them all i say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

had it happen to me in slough lol he pulled me over and told me that he wasnt trying to race me lol in which i replied yes you was and you lost only caught up by cheating ( blue lights lol)

More like they could not be 4rsed to do the paperwork

My Civic Type R owning colleague at work was baited on a local bypass a few weeks back by an undercover Insignia VXR that I believe the local force have on test. He's not a lunatic driver so didn't rise to it, but I think the assumption may have been that many Type R owners would have done. The 'overtaking, pulling in, slowing down, tearing past again' behaviour went on for a good few miles.

I was tricked into pulling out in front of a police car recently at a roundabout. It was a marked car with uniformed officers. They indicated to pull of on the adjacent carriage way. It just took an age to turn, they were slowing and slowing, I waited and waited and then it began to tun in so I pulled on to the runabout. I frequently check my mirrors and their it was, bearing down on me, eventually stuffing its self to with in a few feet of my bumper. He must have done some awkward maneuver to get back onto the roundabout is all I can say. He was tailgating me, I made it obvious that I had seen that he was there and indicated to pull over out of his way. I then got the flashing lights, I slowed as I pulled into the inside lane of the carriage way of the bypass. Sirens were on now, he was even closer, if that was possible. I pulled onto a lay-by, wondering what it was all about, I definitely had not been speeding for the whole of my journey, nor violated any other traffic offense. An exceptionally young officer gets out and walks over to my open window, note book already in hand, immediately demanding my details. Then asked for my license which at first I though that I did not have but thinking oh, what a pain I will have to produce it and all local stations being shut most of the time. I found one of those EU photo type license and gave it him. He walked away, back to the police car and was muttering something to the driver and then sauntered back. More intense questioning. I thinking I am being fitted up, stated that I have done nothing wrong, why have I been stopped. slang" it a l r i t", from him but I could hardy understand his words as he quickly went back to his questioning. I can not understand it I say. "Is al rit." more questions. He asks where am I going, I tell him I am going shopping, which shop. For gods sake I think in irritation so I just say Tescoe. he was a little quiet I ask again abut what I have done he says is "a l r i t". Tells me to take care pulling into the traffic. I say I do not want to drive, you have stressed me out and i am staying until I am more composed. They just stay there watching me, so in a disturbed and confused mind I just buzz off. As the day wore on I realize it was nothing that I had done, it was nothing persona, though it felt very much that way, he was just trying to keep his number target up and I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time I was very angry and very anti as the day wore on. I would hardly call their actions safe, professional or reassuring.

My sister has been pulled over on repeated occasions in North wales for absolutely nothing at all. Followed closely for miles on occasions. I realize that unfortunately that they have the legal right to do this, stop and search powers but it is being miss used and alienating the public. I see it as intimidation and bullying because they have the power and certain officers abuse that power. I would mind less, if the rest of them worked more professionally in this area but some of them are beyond the pale in the cynical way they treat their job and the public and I am not talking about traffic police. I am only speaking for what it is like in this area, perhaps things are better in the rest of GB. I am from a middle class professional background brought up to respect the police and authority but I am shocked to say I no longer feel that I can trust them and I have become very cynical about the police force. To me that is a terrible inditement.

Bloomin' eck people, what type of coppers have you got down there! I've seen that behavior back in the 70's and 80's but not recently.

I would be taking names and shoulder numbers, and going to see the chief inspector. Police are there to serve the general public.

Some facts. If an unmarked police car zooms past you above the speed limit, without blues and twos on, he is breaking the law, unless he is approaching a job at a locus and wants to be stealthy. If he then slows down or pulls in behind you and tailgates, it's dangerous driving. Doesn't matter if he is a copper, they do not have the right to try an force you into committing an offense.

Sounds like some of then are on a power trip. I used to see this when I lived close to the traffic training centre at Tullialan near Stirling. I had this Cortina Mk4 right up my back bumper down a dual carriageway. He then cuts me up on a roundabout, then stops me and tries to claim I cut him up. His problem was I had a passenger and he was single crewed. Also unknown to him, one of my best mates was the chief driving instructor at the police college Two day later this plonker was putting out traffic cones for a living for a long time.

If I was in an area where this practice seems to be common, I would install in car CCTV. It's cheap enough these days, and also handy in the event of an accident.

And if i were put in any of the above scenario's, The unmarked car could be lit up like a Christmas tree, But I certainly wouldn't stop for them!

Proceed in a safe manner to the nearest police station, Or when a mark unit appears then stop.

Citing the behaviour of the unmarked cars driver as a reason not to stop!

See, this is what bothers me. If this sort of **** happens to me, my mouth will escalate it further lol

One has to be slightly careful in the wilds of Wales, its very old fashioned here. I would never dream of swearing anyway but loosing ones temper enough to start swearing or flicking the V sighn is a very fast way to getting a criminal record. In Cardigan, not that very long ago, perhaps just last year, someone just flicked a V at a passing patrol car, that was all, nothing else. The result of which was arrest, being charged, a visit to the court, a fine and criminal record. It is best just to try and remain calm. That can be difficult for some because of the shock and injustice but keeping ones own council is the best way. Then if one feels like it , take it up later. Most people will not get any where but one of my friends secretly filmed the police actions and put it on U Tube, then wrote to the Chief Constable who initially did nothing but protecting his wrong doing officers until he discovered that it was in the public domain. The officers were disciplined and he received an apology both in writing and a PR visit from some sort of liaison officer.

Edited 19 December, 200916 yr by Anthony 1

What I mean is I'll start asking them about all the murders they've solved while detaining me at the roadside, or something similar...

tailgating me is a sure way of getting to wherever you are going slower,i continue to slow in 5mph increments untill the offender either gets off my a$$ or goes past,and if its busy and an overtake is impossible no i don't mind driving down a national speed limit road at 30mph!!!!

tailgating me is a sure way of getting to wherever you are going slower,i continue to slow in 5mph increments untill the offender either gets off my a$ or goes past,and if its busy and an overtake is impossible no i don't mind driving down a national speed limit road at 30mph!!!!

With you on that one!

But effectively (by reducing your speed) reversing up to someone and accusing them of tail-gating is rather daft. As any driver that 'makes progress' within the law and conditions will tell you, you often come up behind someone with every intention of leaving a safe gap, only for them to repeatedly back off in increments everytime you back off, whilst glaring at you in the rear view mirror and ignoring the road ahead. It's the self-appointed policeman/I alone will dictate what is a safe speed mentality. Just ignore them or pull over at the earliest chance, don't play games.

But effectively (by reducing your speed) reversing up to someone and accusing them of tail-gating is rather daft. As any driver that 'makes progress' within the law and conditions will tell you, you often come up behind someone with every intention of leaving a safe gap, only for them to repeatedly back off in increments everytime you back off, whilst glaring at you in the rear view mirror and ignoring the road ahead. It's the self-appointed policeman/I alone will dictate what is a safe speed mentality. Just ignore them or pull over at the earliest chance, don't play games.

i do over 100000 miles a year i can tell someone who is trying to intimidate me from someone you describe,when some one gets close to me by making progress i keep my speed up,if after a mile or so they are still right on my a$$ then i consider it aggresive tailgating and take my very affective action its not games,these people are morons and need to back off.

See, this is what bothers me. If this sort of **** happens to me, my mouth will escalate it further lol

You and me both mate. If you can avoid swearing and getting a section 5 public order ticket, stick to the facts, stay cool, you are entitled to ask questions and state facts. Just make damn sure you know the law. I admire what the majority of Police Officers do, but wont take any cac from those who seem to think they are judge and jury as well. :moon:

tailgating me is a sure way of getting to wherever you are going slower,i continue to slow in 5mph increments untill the offender either gets off my a$$ or goes past,and if its busy and an overtake is impossible no i don't mind driving down a national speed limit road at 30mph!!!!

My attitude exactly - and at times ,I become a VERY COURTEUOS driver ,letting cars out of sidestreets /turn right in front of me etc - and I'll get to less than 30 ,if I feel the need to .And don't forget ,if you have a pessenger ,a 999 is always on the cards -with passenger fearing for safety .Taxis - note the reg ( and council plate no if possible ) ,phone the firm and ask if they'd like the council to investigate .

i do over 100000 miles a year i can tell someone who is trying to intimidate me from someone you describe,when some one gets close to me by making progress i keep my speed up,if after a mile or so they are still right on my a$$ then i consider it aggresive tailgating and take my very affective action its not games,these people are morons and need to back off.

Some people just don't see it do they!