There were a load of plod on the A120 the other day with signs saying "Slow Down -- Census" and "Please stop if asked to do so". What are they doing (i.e. what info are they 'censusing')? And how do they decide who to pull over, and what do they ask?

I think they were on the M11 on-ramp the day before.

I doubt all of them were Police Officers. This sounds like a DETR/Local Council census point where the police are provided to stop people safely.

The census info is the usual stuff about how often you use particular roads, how often you use public transport etc. With regards to stopping vehicles, as soon as one of the data collectors is free another vehicle is stopped, or simply stop every 6th car for example.

StuartH is right. It was a census & I was lucky enough to be waved in to answer two questions.

1) What address have I started my journey from

2) What address am I ending my journey

Was really bricking myself coz I thought it was a roadside emissions test, and my catless scoob would probably fail.

Had exactly the same on the A417/9 (Swindon - Cheltenham).

Sat in a queue for nearly 40 minutes in rush hour thinking it was an accident ahead.

No, was one of these things. Only took about five seconds,

1) Where you coming from ? And postcode if you have it
2) Where you going to ? And postcode if you have it

I was a bit pee'ed off because of the waiting, but I guess the stats. generated are good for something.

Cheers

Ian

Had two censuses (sp) near me a few months back..

caused about 3 mile tail backs..they did it on one of the main A roads.

The police werent there to calm traffic.. but to stop the drivers killing the census people... drivers were fuming!

They were giving out questionaires...but making everyone stop to do it!

crazy.. http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/frown.gif

J.

Believe it's all done for traffic planning, road planning etc.

BJH

What would happen if you refused to tell them?

or if you said,

I started in Timbuctoo and I am going to the moon.

Carolyn,

What colour Scoob are you? I usually wave at all the others I pass, except for a reddish-blue 5dr that never waves back.

It seems as if this has been a country wide exercise - I've seen them on every slip road onto the M9 over the past 4 weeks.

And only managed to get stopped once when the guy handed me a questionnaire and a reply paid envelope.