It really annoys me when police cars are in front of me, we get to a 30 MPH limit and then they drive through at around 40MPH. Do you follow them or do you drive at 30? Are they allowed to do that? and if not they should fxxxxxg stop it coz it gives me the hump.
Is it one rule for one and one for another?

Call your local plad and report them for speeding :D

Police vehicles are subject to the same speed limits as everyone else, except where compliance with the speed limit would be to the detriment of the public or prevent them from carrying out their duty.

In other words, if they are simply on patrol or attending a routine matter, then the speed limit must be adhered to.

If they are speeding do they have to use blue lights?

No, they don't have to use the blue lights or siren but they DO have to be on a call.

Being on call is not strictly true, for example if they are doing a following speed check, they are not on call, but would still be exempt.

Are you a serving Officer or a trained member of the legal system Mice?

Neither of the above. :)

Whatever it is annoying....... Just never sure what they would say if you followed them at their speed.
One day they drive along a stretch of road at 40MPH and the next day they have a radar on the same piece of road and nick you for doing 38MPH .,,,,bloody hypocrits

Flash them with your headlights...

Thank you for that, but I would personally like to see someone who does know through position and experience what they are talking about to answer the question.

See T.C then as I believe that he is a serving officer or hop on over to 5ive-o which is a motoring site run by police officers. :)

It is worth remembering that if you match the speed of a police car when you are behind it, they are entitled to book you for speeding if they are above the limit.

Les

I am well aware of the site. :)

Sorry, I am retired Traffic plod but still working within the legal profession.

[Edited by T.C - 5/27/2003 1:25:40 PM]

Going along the M1 this morning in the 'bmw lane' and i see a police car come speeding up behind me with no lights flashing or sirens going. Once he was on my bumper he then chirps his siren to tell me to get out of the way. I move and he carries on - he gets to the next car and does exactly the same thing.

Really really really pisses me off - he clearly was either late for his bacon sandwich or late for work.

W4nker

Marc :(

I think Mice has read enough of the threads on 5ive-o to quantify her above statement.

Cheers AJ :)

marcmann - what were you doing in the bmw lane? maybe that's why he chirped you ;) :D bmw drivers don't like the riff raff in their lane and may have the services of the police to help them :D

anyway, the copper could've been on a call and they don't have to have the blues & twos going and may wish to be more inconspicuous as to not make the car they are after aware of their presence. Who knows. IF he was just late for work or for his bacon sarnie then he would be a w****r. Not something I'd be bothered about TBH, there's far worse driving going on (99% by the general public).
:)

[Edited by Dracoro - 5/27/2003 1:37:49 PM]

Thanks Burr. :D See, I do pay attention sometimes. ;) :D

I was in the BMW lane in my 1.4 Lupo Tdi - i would've raced him but for the consequences........ ;)


Marc :)

I agree with T.C. the only lawful time a Police vehicle may exceed a speed limit is when the use to which it is being put would be hindered i.e. an emergency call or carrying out enforcement duties (catching speeding motorists)
Not for getting back to the nick before the fish and chips get cold !!!!!!!!!!!!

They only speed when they get a call to say there is only one donut left back at the nick ;)

Quite interesting to watch them around here as there are two marked scoobies, one saloon and one wagon, who both appear to drive slower than the standard Focus pandas... :D

Always see a red focus with a single blue light and a white sticker with POLICE down the sides. Always want to get stopped by that one as it's always being driven by rather lovely young WPCs ;) :D