Chip Sengravy

What are they?

They look like the fuzz, but do they have the same powers?

I notice different people act differently toward them, some howl past, others pull in and crawl past.

160mph flat out

They generally patrol the motorways ,helping people who breakdown,also assist in RTA'S.Cleaning debris from the carrageway.Basically freeing up the plod, to man there speed guns more often.was doing more than the limit the other day, and spotted one in front,slowed down thinking it was the plod as they look the same.But these do not have the same powers of arrest as the plod and they cannot do anything if you went past them at 90mph +

Hope that helps a bit

Chip Sengravy

Cool, so next time I go past them I can give them the 'rabbits head' ?

160mph flat out

yea basically there only plod wannabe's

teajunkie

depends which you mean?
VOSA.


OR

Highways agency 4x4's with traffic officer written on them below the doors and in rear side windows normaly.
http://www.highways.gov.uk/aboutus/1287.aspx

As for vosa they have the power to stop check and inspect your car/van or whatever you drive even impound it if need be.
They are mainly there as wheeltappers for the trucks busses etc but have every right to pull you over, BUT they can't do you for speeding.

Highways agency have no powers whatsoever they are the equivelent of a council street sweeper!

They are there to ensure the safety of drivers on the motorway network M5 M25 and others.

You will often see them on the motorway putting out cones behind broken down vehicles to warn others of problems.

Carry on past them at 150mph if you like they cant do squat (apart from phone old bill)

Daryl

Fortunately, it sounds as though they don't pull private vehicles, except as part of 'organised checks':

Will VOSA's Powers to Stop involve stopping private motorists? VOSA’s traditional focus remains on Heavy Goods Vehicles and Passenger Vehicles but also include Light Goods Vehicles and a number of private cars. However, VOSA agreed with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) before the Powers to Stop pilot got underway that we would not, for the time being at least, stop private cars on a "mobile" or one-to-one basis but would only do so at organised checks. This is still the case although in exceptional circumstances we will use these methods to stop private motorists.

miltski

I've been told at work recently that the MET might be taking over the highways around the M25, so things might change as to what they can do, or if the MET do take over, then expect to see lots more police vans with cones in the back!