Travelling south down the M1 on Thurs night, 9.30 or so, I'm in lane 2 doing 80. Rav-4 passes me followed, fairly closely, by a blue Mondeo estate (51-plate, looked to be Zetec-S spec, TDCi, IIRC). Wouldn't have considered it tailgating, but probably less than 2 second rule, at that speed. They were doing around about 100 or so, I reckon. The Mondeo's brake lights were shown a few times.

As they both progressed down lane 3, the Mondeo then put half of their car in lane 2, as if to attempt an undertake. I thought about flashing main beam at this point, as I could see from where I was that they were gaining, quickly, on traffic in lane 2 that the driver perhaps couldn't see. Anyway, it tucked back in behind the Toyota, and disappeared (expected, considering the speed).

Five minutes later or so, I pass two cars on the hard shoulder! Mondeo is parked up behind the Rav-4; two blue lights flashing in the top corners of rear window

As I carried on down the motorway I was mulling it over and concluded that this wasn't exactly a 'textbook' operation; anyone else care to comment? The unmarked Mondeo was following quite closely, for some distance, to the extent that it looked as if they were trying to force their way past. Surely it would have been better, and safer, to follow from a distance? I would have thought video recording equipment might have been on-board? And is the 'half car in other lane' maneouvre a standard one? I just can't think what they might achieve from doing this? If anything, in my mind this might be seen as a show of agression to the lead vehicle, and they might actually speed up, to get past an slower vehicles and free up lane 3 for the following car?

I also thought that the vehicle was older than I would expected for a police vehicle. Something to remember in future! And also, be aware of Mondeo estates on the M1

Bit of a ramble this one, but thought I'd share anyway

Steve

Travelling south down the M1 on Thurs night, 9.30 or so, I'm in lane 2 doing 80. Rav-4 passes me followed, fairly closely, by a blue Mondeo estate (51-plate, looked to be Zetec-S spec, TDCi, IIRC). Wouldn't have considered it tailgating, but probably less than 2 second rule, at that speed. They were doing around about 100 or so, I reckon. The Mondeo's brake lights were shown a few times.

As they both progressed down lane 3, the Mondeo then put half of their car in lane 2, as if to attempt an undertake. I thought about flashing main beam at this point, as I could see from where I was that they were gaining, quickly, on traffic in lane 2 that the driver perhaps couldn't see. Anyway, it tucked back in behind the Toyota, and disappeared (expected, considering the speed).

Five minutes later or so, I pass two cars on the hard shoulder! Mondeo is parked up behind the Rav-4; two blue lights flashing in the top corners of rear window

As I carried on down the motorway I was mulling it over and concluded that this wasn't exactly a 'textbook' operation; anyone else care to comment? The unmarked Mondeo was following quite closely, for some distance, to the extent that it looked as if they were trying to force their way past. Surely it would have been better, and safer, to follow from a distance? I would have thought video recording equipment might have been on-board? And is the 'half car in other lane' maneouvre a standard one? I just can't think what they might achieve from doing this? If anything, in my mind this might be seen as a show of agression to the lead vehicle, and they might actually speed up, to get past an slower vehicles and free up lane 3 for the following car?

I also thought that the vehicle was older than I would expected for a police vehicle. Something to remember in future! And also, be aware of Mondeo estates on the M1

Bit of a ramble this one, but thought I'd share anyway

Steve

That does seem very wierd, if I had been pulled up by that method, I would have had his bag number, and his head on a platter by the end of the day, lol.

But to the bit about the age of the un-marked car. I was once pulled up by a un-marked astra in glossop, about 3 years ago now, and that was a G Reg. I questioned this with Glossop police as to see if it was just someone messing about, and they were coppers.

What they said was that they could be in any vehicle at time.

Chris

Yep, did strike me as odd! Maybe there was more to it; we'll never know...

Steve

maybe they had been trying for quiet some time to stop the car, as maybe it was stolen or something and they were not stopping. Maybe the undertake was required to get in front of the car to force it to stop. As you say though you will never know.

maybe they had been trying for quiet some time to stop the car, as maybe it was stolen or something and they were not stopping. Maybe the undertake was required to get in front of the car to force it to stop. As you say though you will never know.

Thats what I was thinking...

But I've watched far too many episodes of road wars (etc) to have an unbiased view on the likelihood of this occuring...!

That does seem very wierd, if I had been pulled up by that method, I would have had his bag number, and his head on a platter by the end of the day, lol.

But to the bit about the age of the un-marked car. I was once pulled up by a un-marked astra in glossop, about 3 years ago now, and that was a G Reg. I questioned this with Glossop police as to see if it was just someone messing about, and they were coppers.

What they said was that they could be in any vehicle at time.

Chris

If you were travelling at 100mph not only would the officer have your head on a platter, but your driving license as well.

If the vehicle was ignoring signals to pull over then a partial undertake to gain attention may have been necessary. Also, at night, it can be difficult to read indexes, and if a vehicle is failing to stop this is the first thing you need.

As for being pulled over by an unmarked astra; did it have any lights or identifying marks on it at all? Unless an unmarked car has blue flashing grill strobes, a rear 'STOP POLICE' in red or other easily distinguishable light equipment, it shouldnt pull you over at all. The theory being that no one should stop for an unidentified police vehicle - health and safety and all that.

I wonder if the Mondeo was having a look down the inside of the Rav-4 to see if there was any traffic in lane 3 they would be approaching? If there was, that may have been the point where he dropped backed a bit to try and take the pressure out of the pursuit a bit to stop the Toyota doing anything really daft....

Could you tell whether he had his front-facing blues on behind the Toyota at the time?

Chris

ps if it was a 2001 car, it would probably only have been the 115bhp TDDI as I think the TDCI came in on '02. Could be wrong though

maybe it was a "personal plate" on a newer car, just to make it look older, and less likely to be the polis

As for the erratic behaviour of the police car. The police are not supposed to get so close to the car as to possibly make the driver speed up. The only time they will get close is when conducting a T-Pack (boxing the car in) also iirc all un marked police cars have a main beam that alternates one bulb at a time when they put on the blue lights

One thing you should never do is stop for an unmarked police vehicle if you are in any doubt as to its authenticity. The police will not charge you for failing to stop for an unmarked car. All you have to do is stick to the speed limit and not break any road traffic laws. If you are ever in any doubt then use your mobile to ring the police (make sure you use handsfree if you are on your own) and ask them to verify that the car behind you is indeed a police car which they can do in seconds if it is a genuine car. or you can just keep going until they get a jam butty to the scene to stop you. This was brought about in 2001 (iirc) when car thieves were using Omegas and BMW's with Xenon lights to stop flash cars. Then either giving the driver a shoeing and nicking the car or using some other method of getting the vehicle. The shoeing was the preffered method though and it mainly happened on motorways.

I wonder if the Mondeo was having a look down the inside of the Rav-4 to see if there was any traffic in lane 3 they would be approaching? If there was, that may have been the point where he dropped backed a bit to try and take the pressure out of the pursuit a bit to stop the Toyota doing anything really daft....

Could you tell whether he had his front-facing blues on behind the Toyota at the time?

Chris

ps if it was a 2001 car, it would probably only have been the 115bhp TDDI as I think the TDCI came in on '02. Could be wrong though

Fair point that Chris - lane 3 was actually clear in front of the Rav at the time. Nothing to indicate that the Mondeo was an unmarked as they passed me, or from what I saw when they passed me. No blues on at all.

Fairly sure I saw the TDCi type badge on the bootlid, but I'm not really sure of the Mondy engine revision times. You'd know more than me! I thought all those shape used a TDCi unit TBH.....

Steve

If they're conducting a "safe follow" in lane 3, then they do sometimes straddle the lanes into lane two to get a better view of the road ahead and assess the safety of the situation. If the driver was on his own then this is more likely as you can't get a very good view of lanes 2 and 1 in a right hand drive car.

Those of us that do a lot of miles no doubt regularly see coppers driving abysmally. I see it almost daily.

One rule for one...

I am a copper, and agree with SteVRs, I occasionaly see examples of bad driving from Police, but almost always from "panda" cars, and usually younger officers.

A few months ago I saw one P.C. actually texting whilst I was alongside him during a rush hour crawl !

I gave a very brief pip of my horn, looked directly at him and shook my head in disgust, and he went a smashing shade of crimson and threw his phone on the passenger seat.

That incident really P*ssed me off, as we then all get tarred with the same brush, because everyone that saw him doing that will have told at least two other people.

As far as the age of Police cars goes then I would not assume anything older than a few years is not a legitimate Police car, Bradford have only just got rid of their original MkI Vrs Octavia, which was bought when the model was first launched.

There is also at least one "X" reg motorway car that I know of running around near me, and a fair few "V" reg plain Astras.

The vehicles are replaced mainly on mileage rather than age, and so if a car is not used frequently for whatever reason, then it may linger until it either makes the required mileage, or the person in charge of the Divisional fleet will dispose of it for financial reasons.

There are also some very unusual cars knocking about, don't assume they are all Mondeos or Vectras.

As a general rule any Police driver will try and stop you in a place that is safe for the surrounding traffic, and also for himself and the member of the public to alight from his car.

There is no national standard for what kind of layout blue lights or headlight flashers plain cars use, so what is normal in Yorkshire may be completely different in Kent.

All Officers carry Identity and will be happy to produce it if required.

We are not all monsters, and I always treat people how I would like to be treated myself.

I regularly got stopped driving home in the early hours in my old Octavia ( Mk1 VRS in red ), although my new MkII one in Blue dosen't seem to attract any attention.

I was always spoken to politely, and was courteous in return, I was usually happy to be stopped as there are a fair number of thefts of vehicles like mine around here, and it showed the traffic lads were doing there job.

And no I never told them I was a copper, contrary to belief this is not something that many of us do, as it usually leads to "Police Tourettes" i.e. "What time you on till lads?" or "Have you been busy?", and the inevitable conversation about any mutual friends in the "job" you may have.

I just want to get checked out and then bugger off - I have a life !

One plea though, if you have a police car, ambulance or fire engine behind you and it has it's blue lights on trying to get somewhere PLEASE pull over and stop if possible, don't just pop your indicator on to let us now you have seen us as that isn't much help, and whatever you do please don't stop parralel to those bloody bollards in the middle of the road.

Although to be honest I am sure everyone on here is pretty switched on anyway, it is usually "L" reg Nissan Micras that stop alongside bollards ( not funny but true for some reason ).

one other is if it aint safe to stop i.e. a corner, keep going as its gonna be quicker and easier to pass you once around the (blindbend) corner than through or on the corner.

One plea though, if you have a police car, ambulance or fire engine behind you and it has it's blue lights on trying to get somewhere PLEASE pull over and stop if possible, don't just pop your indicator on to let us now you have seen us as that isn't much help, and whatever you do please don't stop parralel to those bloody bollards in the middle of the road.

Loosely translated, common sense!

And remember if you're passed by a fire engine, expect a second soon after

Sadly enough as much "training" that these police officers have had they are still human, there for they have one rule for on and another for everyone ealse

I have had marked police cars come past me (over the speed limit) with no blue lights on or anything, but then again he was probably late to get back to the station to watch the football but that makes it ok because he has got a piece of paper to say he can drive!!!!

i bet if i would of tryed to pull him over he wouldnt of liked it, haha "can i see your licence and registration officer!!! if you would like to come and sit in the back of my car and i will explain why you have been pulled over"

Anyway rant off, but they should stop using there authority to break the law when it suits them!!!!!!

Loosely translated, common sense!

And remember if you're passed by a fire engine, expect a second soon after

Very true! Any time I'm driving up the A84 from Callander to Lochearnhead if I see the local cops with blues n' twos headed up the road I know to expect:

A couple of minutes later the ambulance from Callander:

A few minutes after that the fire engine from Callander:

Maybe 10 minutes or so later a marked traffic car going like the hobs of hell:

And maybe another 10 minutes later a fire engine from Stirling.

It usually means some stupid sod has had an accident up in Glenogle.

Almost any summer Saturday in Callander you'll hear sirens headed up that road.

I have had marked police cars come past me (over the speed limit) with no blue lights on or anything, but then again he was probably late to get back to the station to watch the football but that makes it ok because he has got a piece of paper to say he can drive!!!!

Though two minor points:

1. Police officers don't have to use sirens or blue lights when attending a call.

2. Police officers are exempt from speed limits, etc. if obeying them would impact their ability to attend a call.

Rob.

Though two minor points:

1. Police officers don't have to use sirens or blue lights when attending a call.

Rob.

Not true they dont have to use Sirens depending on the call i.e armed robbery, hold up.

They have to use the lights to warn other motorists that they are driving to all intents and purposes dangerously (i.e Speeding) so that people either move out the way or stay out of the way.

Though two minor points:

1. Police officers don't have to use sirens or blue lights when attending a call.

2. Police officers are exempt from speed limits, etc. if obeying them would impact their ability to attend a call.

Rob.

It was a dual carrageway with other cars around, surly they have to use them when there are other cars around!!!!

But as i said earlier one rule for them another rule for everyone ealse!!!!

PIGS......... i hate em

I like the idea of no 2 though, i might join the police force then i can speed whenever i want!!!!!

after all i have probably been through more driver training courses than they go through!!!!!

Rav4s can do 100mph? :confused:

Police cars are not always really young either - I saw an X-reg BMW 3 series unmarked car on the M56 recently that had pulled another car over.

ht eonly issue's i have with coppers is when they know better than you simply because they are older or when they(and i have seen this many times round oxford) go blasting down a 30 limit or bypass speeding by lots then turn off the blues and twos when they think no one is looking and drive sedately back to the station(that is about 1 mile from my house), the other day a new blue passat unmarked car cam flying through a set of lights from the back getting very close to cars with the blues on in the grille and sped off down a 50mph dual carriageway at easily 100mph then turned them off and drove normally through the next lights and simply drove very close to the cars infront, he was driving like he was untouchable

I am a copper, and agree with SteVRs, I occasionaly see examples of bad driving from Police, but almost always from "panda" cars, and usually younger officers.

A few months ago I saw one P.C. actually texting whilst I was alongside him during a rush hour crawl !

I gave a very brief pip of my horn, looked directly at him and shook my head in disgust, and he went a smashing shade of crimson and threw his phone on the passenger seat.

That incident really P*ssed me off, as we then all get tarred with the same brush, because everyone that saw him doing that will have told at least two other people.

As far as the age of Police cars goes then I would not assume anything older than a few years is not a legitimate Police car, Bradford have only just got rid of their original MkI Vrs Octavia, which was bought when the model was first launched.

There is also at least one "X" reg motorway car that I know of running around near me, and a fair few "V" reg plain Astras.

The vehicles are replaced mainly on mileage rather than age, and so if a car is not used frequently for whatever reason, then it may linger until it either makes the required mileage, or the person in charge of the Divisional fleet will dispose of it for financial reasons.

There are also some very unusual cars knocking about, don't assume they are all Mondeos or Vectras.

As a general rule any Police driver will try and stop you in a place that is safe for the surrounding traffic, and also for himself and the member of the public to alight from his car.

There is no national standard for what kind of layout blue lights or headlight flashers plain cars use, so what is normal in Yorkshire may be completely different in Kent.

All Officers carry Identity and will be happy to produce it if required.

We are not all monsters, and I always treat people how I would like to be treated myself.

I regularly got stopped driving home in the early hours in my old Octavia ( Mk1 VRS in red ), although my new MkII one in Blue dosen't seem to attract any attention.

I was always spoken to politely, and was courteous in return, I was usually happy to be stopped as there are a fair number of thefts of vehicles like mine around here, and it showed the traffic lads were doing there job.

And no I never told them I was a copper, contrary to belief this is not something that many of us do, as it usually leads to "Police Tourettes" i.e. "What time you on till lads?" or "Have you been busy?", and the inevitable conversation about any mutual friends in the "job" you may have.

I just want to get checked out and then bugger off - I have a life !

One plea though, if you have a police car, ambulance or fire engine behind you and it has it's blue lights on trying to get somewhere PLEASE pull over and stop if possible, don't just pop your indicator on to let us now you have seen us as that isn't much help, and whatever you do please don't stop parralel to those bloody bollards in the middle of the road.

Although to be honest I am sure everyone on here is pretty switched on anyway, it is usually "L" reg Nissan Micras that stop alongside bollards ( not funny but true for some reason ).

I once saw two coppers jump out of a dark brown unmarked Mini (old one). I was sitting in traffic in the west end and watched as these two PCs apprehended a hotdog vender:rofl: A Very unlikely patrol car, doubt you would see one on the m/way though:D

They have to use the lights to warn other motorists that they are driving to all intents and purposes dangerously (i.e Speeding) so that people either move out the way or stay out of the way.

The police drivers I know disagree with this... :rubchin:

Rob.