Police drivers aside those highways agency "flat tyre nannies" display shocking driving skills at times, I had one of them just wander out from lane 1 to lane 2 in front of me with NO indicators! Warranted a hoot and a "what are you playing at?" arm in the air gesture to the muppet at the wheel

You can be on a blues and twos run and then get 'stood down' - often because another unit has got there first and doesnt need you or due to various other circumstances that i wont bore you with. Further, using blues and twos to get back to the nick is not unheard of; they could have a prisoner kicking off in the back, they might be needed in the cells for some chump kicking off.

Without knowing the full circumstances of each 'Grade A' it is impossible to comment whether or not an abuse of posistion has occured. People expect impartiality and objectivness from the police, yet it is so very rarely reciprocated.

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

Rob.

Only going off a couple of friends i have who trained me.

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

Rob.

Ditto.

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

Steve

Hi,

I would say that there was probably a legitimate reason for the driving you saw.

It is quite common for drivers doing high speeds to be completely absorbed in the traffic/road ahead, and not see a fully marked car with a roof bar for several miles, let alone an unmarked which probably had grille strobes and headlight flash at most.

Closing to a smaller distance than normal is sometimes used as it tends to make the driver in front take some notice of the car behind (its about doing something slightly out of the ordinary to get attention). Closing at speed is also used for this reason - might explain the brake lights. Both of these are only done in a manner that does not compromise safety of course...

The same can be said of the lane 2 and 3 straddle. This was almost certainly to make to Police vehicle more visible t the 4x4 - I have used this on several occasions when the idiot in front is off in their own world (very frustrating if you have to get somewhere urgently)

As for the age of the cars, I agree with those saying that they are replaced on mileage rather than age, and 120,000 is quite normal as a cut off point. Police driving school cars

and those used as workshop spares always do less miles and therefore stay in the fleet longer.

Hope this info is of use.

Steve

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!!!!!!

I fully accept that there are some appauling Police drivers out there, and that some should drive to set an example rather than a land speed record...

...however, while I have no doubt that you have seen Police cars doing in excess of the speed limit without any obvoius cause, there are many reasons why this might be the case - monitoring other traffic, driver training, moving toward an incident which requires a silent approach.

For example - a jumper on a bridge will always get a silent approach. Its no good if you "bring the noise" to get there quick, and the only result is the jumper landing on your bonnet 'cos you scared him into it...

I am not saying this was the case in all the examples you have seen, however, don't think that a police vehicle will alwys have everything flashing every time it responds to an incident.

There are now many systems in place in force control rooms that monitor the speed of vehicles, what lights are on etc, and some in car systems even log lateral G-forces and throttle/brake position which can enable total plotting of the actions of the driver.

A driver using his lawful exemption has to be able to justify this if the wheel comes off (not literally...).

It is impossible to speed and not be seen to be speeding in my force - and the bosses WILL challenge you about your actions.

and by the way...I dont watch the football

lol,

i still think they should put the "TACKO" system like in lorrys at least then it would be fully traced all of there actions and the time they have been driving!!!

Phisical evedance would hold up better in court if something did happen, rather than digital evedance

It does seem that a few people on here have a bit of a chip on their shoulder about the police. On the whole though, they do a great job, have a difficult time and get enough grief from the scum they are trying to deal with day in - day out.

Also, if we were all being honest, wouldn't some of you do the same thing if you were in their position? How many of you have some perk associated with your profession which could be called into question? It just so happens that the police's perk in this case is driving fairly fast cars. I know you'll disagree on this one, but come on, give them a break.

p.s. I don't know any police officers, never have. Also, I've have been pulled a couple of times for no reason and had my time wasted. However, I still think that on the whole the good cops outweigh the bad ones.

It does seem that a few people on here have a bit of a chip on their shoulder about the police...

...I still think that on the whole the good cops outweigh the bad ones.

Thanks for the support skinnyman.

You are quite right....the badies give us enough stick and stab wounds without the decent people ganging up on us too.

Its not all about ruining someones day!

lol,

i still think they should put the "TACKO" system like in lorrys at least then it would be fully traced all of there actions and the time they have been driving!!!

Phisical evedance would hold up better in court if something did happen, rather than digital evedance

Its called a black box and many police cars have been fitted with them.

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

Care to expand on that? I'm always on the lookout for driver training courses to sign up for and do and would love some recommendations

Chris

It's interesting how this thread has progressed. I've observed it with interest.

Just to clarify on my original post, I wasn't calling the police officer's driving into question, merely interested in the tactics and techniques used, some of which I'd not seen before. And I also know there's a few police officer members on here, as well as some qualified advanced drivers, that could hopefully offer some insight.

Cheers,

Steve

I hope my reply did just that...

If anyone wants any more info on Police driving - or just someone to have a little "rant" at, just ask!

Steve

- I should also have said that quite a few of the replies have been helpful and informative

Steve

Care to expand on that? I'm always on the lookout for driver training courses to sign up for and do and would love some recommendations

Chris

Full National A Race licence, Advanced Driving course, Pass Plus, B+E trailer test, Passed Full Bike licence (restricted for another year )

all while im still 18

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

Very enlightened !

Do you hate other sections of society based on your experiences with one or two of them ?

If I did that I would have quite rightly lost my job and my ability to do a good job ten or fifteen years ago.

I was stabbed on duty on New Years Eve in 1998, maybe I should avoid cafes and restaurants in future eh ?, after all they are full of people with knives ?

By virtue of the above quote, you hate me, and yet we have never met.

You don't know me, and if we met we could either find we had lots in common ( I can think of at least one thing ! ) or maybe we would bore each other rigid.

So if you are going to hate me then hate me for myself, not what I do to pay my mortgage, car insurance and taxes.

Sorry, off topic, but hate is a strong word. :(

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!!!!!

I had missed the "HATE" quote earlier...

Nice - I hope you never need to call your local cops to sort or save your life! You might explode in a blaze of paradox.....

No matter how many courses you how many courses you have done, there is NOTHING more important than the attitude you have on the road - thats what kills you. Maybe your bike restriction is a good thing - might save your life!

Your list of "qualifications" is very impressive, and I applaud anyone who makes the effort to improve their skills.

HOWEVER, to be honest all you are clutching is a handfull of GCSE's when a pursuit trained advanced Police driver has taken a degree.

Those are not my words, but those of an IAM instructor/examiner who has recently become a civilian instructor at our driving school - If you think so highly of your IAM course, then maybe you will pay some heed to the words of their examiners.

I hope you are never judged as quickly or as harshly as you judge others...

Following a reported post in this thread, no need to name anyone, could you please refrain from making personal insults and consider your replies and comments before posting them.

I don't want to close what appears to be an interesting an informative conversation.

I don't want to close what appears to be an interesting an informative conversation.

VRStu,

Thanks for the warning post.

I think it is particularly unpleasant for someone who is directly associated to one of your sponsors (Jabbasport) to be posting such messages.

There are many police officers who have in the past spent their hard earned cash at this company, and many (including me) who are probably considering doing so in the future. It would be very unfortunate if the attitude of some individuals had a negative effect on the image of the company through their association with it.

Keep up the good work

Steve

Your list of "qualifications" is very impressive, and I applaud anyone who makes the effort to improve their skills.

HOWEVER, to be honest all you are clutching is a handfull of GCSE's when a pursuit trained advanced Police driver has taken a degree.

Agree with this whole-heartedly! I've done a lot of "advanced driving courses" and hold a couple of qualifications, but would never suggest I was of the same standard as a PC1!!!! Something to aspire to maybe....

Chris

It does seem that a few people on here have a bit of a chip on their shoulder about the police. On the whole though, they do a great job, have a difficult time and get enough grief from the scum they are trying to deal with day in - day out.

[snip]

However, I still think that on the whole the good cops outweigh the bad ones.

I worked for two different police forces (not as a copper), and most coppers are fine. Like anywhere else, there's idiots.

I've also seen lousy driving by police- but never a traffic car, and as someone else said, often the younger ones.

The last time I got pulled was scary though- the WPC looked about 14. I am old.

I've been pulled 3 times, ticketed once. Each time I was pulled the coppers were courteous, and the time I didn't get nicked, they simply checked the car was mine, and legal, and sent me on my way. I personally would like to see *more* trafpol on the roads so that driving standards, not just speed, gets controlled.

I've been pulled 3 times, ticketed once. Each time I was pulled the coppers were courteous, and the time I didn't get nicked, they simply checked the car was mine, and legal, and sent me on my way. I personally would like to see *more* trafpol on the roads so that driving standards, not just speed, gets controlled.

I, like most, enjoy putting my foot down on a motorway, and I know I am the best driver in the world, as do most drivers!

But in all seriousness, I fully agree with the statement about having more traffic police around. I may call them all the names under the sun if I am runnign late, and they are slowing all the traffic by doing say 60, and no one over taking, but they make people think about there driving when they are about, and I can only see that as a good thing.

I can say I have only ever been pulled once by the police, and that was for the company I had in the car, not for my driving. I have been very lucky not to be pulled since, but if my driving warrented it, I deserve to be pulled.

I cant say understand why people can say that they dislike police, or ambulance drivers, or anyone of the sort. They are here to protect us, and MOST OF THE TIME, do a good job. But going back to what has been stated already, you always get idiots in any walk of life, be it a police officer, shop worker or train driver.

Right, RANT OVER!!!

Chris

I have had a bad expereience with police in the past, but like with any area in life you will have bad apples. However people are always quick to remember the bad ones and not the good.

Agree with this whole-heartedly! I've done a lot of "advanced driving courses" and hold a couple of qualifications, but would never suggest I was of the same standard as a PC1!!!!

So going back on topic, why is it that we see so many police vehicles being driven dangerously - I personally was tailgated by a marked Mondeo on the M69 the other day - standard TDCi following at less that 1 second gap.

I know for a fact he can't out-brake me & that's assuming he starts braking at the exact same time - allowing for reaction time at 70mph if the need had arisen he'd have hit me. Regardless of how qualified a driver he is that's dangerous.

May not have been a "traffic" car, many forces use bigger saloons as normal beat cars if they get them cheaply, only the high performance ones are driven by traffic officers.

I know that there are a few Vectras knocking about in my force that are 1.8petrols, but look at first glance like a Road Policing Unit car.

In reality you could join the force and be driving the small engined Vectra within eighteen months or less.

The vehicles are also sometimes driven on roads by Police mechanics, who all seem to wear the the same corporate polo shirts with the force crest on them, can look like Officers, even to those "in the know".

There are also a fair number of police liveried demonstrator cars knocking about, i.e. ones that companies "stripe up" to lend as demonstrators to forces, just like they lend vehicles to any other large fleet operator.

These are driven to and from the locations they are lent to by normal self employed delivery drivers.

Of course they are supposed to cover the decals and the blue light.....but it must be very tempting to whip them off once you get round the corner from the station.

The design for the fluorescent stripes etc. varies from force to force, and one clue is to look for the force county crest on the door...i.e. West Yorkshire Police, or Greater Manchester Police etc.

Loan cars will just say "Police" or something similar, but that said, they are still likely to be driven by a real bobby.

There are also vehicles which are liveried and look exactly like Police cars, but are owned by companies that supply props for TV and film.

These ( not all by any means, but some ) occasionaly take liberties by driving too quickly down the motorway and "intimidating" people out of the way.

I know this because I used to work in an area where a certain tv series was made, and the Landy Discovery they used was always doing this, until some of the traffic lads "dealt" with it.

All that said, it is however more than likely that the bad driving you witnessed was just that - bad driving, because we are human, and because of that we make mistakes, but being human also makes us use discretion, do things beyond the call of duty, run towards things that logic tells you to run away from, and gives us the willpower to stand with our backs to the pitch when we are working a big match !