Is road policing all unmarked cars now??

[keith_d]

Just one of those questions that comes up over a beer.

When I started driving seeing someone stopped by an unmarked police car was a real novelty. But, with the arrival of Highways Agency vehicles it appears that traffic policing has been handed over to the secret police with hidden cameras. Almost all motorway stops seem to be carried out by unmarked vehicles these days, and seeing a marked traffic police vehicle is becoming a rarity.

I'm not sure this is a healthy precedent for a democracy. What do other people think? Does the benefit of getting some of the real numpties off our roads outweigh the value of visible policing??

Any thoughts??

Keith.

[Dicky Ticker]

I would assume the convivtion rate would go up but as the primary aspect of policing is supposed to be preventing crime I fail to see any benefit of this apart from feeding the coffers
Most people slow down or at the least be more attentive when there is a police presence.
My view-----Prevention is better than cure-----but not in their eyes

[Neeja]

Do a run down the M62 from St. Helens to Warrington. It seems that every time I ride down there that there's someone pulled over by a Cheshire police traffic enforcement landrover. Only ever seen 1 unmarked car on the same stretch.

[Kate Moss]

What can traffic enforcement people actually do? There seems to be mixed views on what they are legally allowed to do etc.

[eviltwin]

What can traffic enforcement people actually do? There seems to be mixed views on what they are legally allowed to do etc.

The Highways Agency patrols can't charge drivers but if they report you, you may get points. I've read of cases of drivers refusing to obey instructions and being charged after the event, on the basis of the HA evidence.

Here's an example (http://www.highways.gov.uk/news/pressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=146779)

So stop if they tell you to!

[Caddy2000]

Essex still operates a healthy amount of marked cars and bikes, yes they also operate unmarked cars and bikes as well.
I don't have any problems with this, I just wish there were more of them just to nick those who think it's their right to undertake everyone else and barge into a lane. (this happens every day on the M11, and DT, no it isn't me doing it).
I'd rather have police cars than SPECS cameras

[Sosha]

I'd rather have police cars than SPECS cameras


pfff just cos you've got a registered insured vehicle.

Don't be so selfish.

[Caddy2000]

It's not that - SPEC's round my way are all forward facing....

[Bluepete]

There are no unliveried enforcement or traffic cars in GMP that I am aware of.

TVCU run different kinds of unliveried cars, but they are crime orientated, not motoring offence orientated.

Dicky T has it right, just the presence of a liveried traffic car tends to improve driving standards. It's still very easy to find hundreds of drivers doing things they shouldn't, even when the car is covered in yellow and blue reflective and a blue light on the roof!

Pete ;)

[Stig]

There are two unmarked BMW's working the stretch of M4 between Junctions 13 and 17. These are the only two vehicles that work this stretch of the road. I know this from having the rather unfortunate opportunity to have a lengthy chat with one of the drivers of said unmarked BMW cars. One is Grey the other is Black.

[Spiderman]

Interesting thread Keith.

I too noticed this recently, round my way on the A1M its all unmarked cars, even on the side roads of Hatfiled and surrounding towns i only ever see unmarked cars doing what look like fairly routine stops.

Personally i'd like to see a LOT more liveried traffic cars about and save the unmarked cars to catch the hard crims and not just joe public.

[Nick_69]

I work right next to esher police station which is the place were all car our stored and there all calls go to in the area and i try and take a look at what unmarked cars they have in so if i see one on the road i slow down

[Milky Bar Kid]

See all those idiots driving on mobile phones, or driving whilst using the phone as opposed to driving on them....because that would be interesting to watch...I diverse...anyway, my point is, they see marked cars from a MILES away and drop the phones, and never get caught. Take an unmarked car and bobs yer uncle, you got him.

Whilst I don't think they should be used all the time, I do think there is a need for them.

A marked car will deter sensible people from doing silly speeds or undertaking etc etc but they don't catch out the silly people who drive like eejits.

[LK-SV]

I work right next to esher police station which is the place were all car our stored and there all calls go to in the area and i try and take a look at what unmarked cars they have in so if i see one on the road i slow down

AH ... interesting .... I have to go around Esher (Silly Isles) most days .... slippery little place !!!

Pleanty of marked and unmarket here .......

Marked Astras and BMW's mostly ....
Unmarket everything but mostly Mondeo's and Primera's

[keith_d]

Hi MBK,

I can see how traffic enforcement could benefit from focussing on unmarked vehicles because that allows them to see how people really drive. And from a strictly road safety perspective it's more effective in dealing with bad drivers.

However, I feel that there are public confidence issues with focussing on unmarked vehicles, hence my question for the forum. I'm also a little concerned about the recent spate of self righteous cop programs on TV. In the end, public support for policing is important, and I'm not entirely convinced that this is the best way to maintain that support.

Maybe I'm just out of touch,

Keith.

[Nick_69]

AH ... interesting .... I have to go around Esher (Silly Isles) most days .... slippery little place !!!

Pleanty of marked and unmarket here .......

Marked Astras and BMW's mostly ....
Unmarket everything but mostly Mondeo's and Primera's

I also found out the other day that they have a unmarked mazda salon in silver

[Milky Bar Kid]

Keiffy,

Yep, I agree with your comments. Our force has a larger number of marked traffic cars than unmarked. Roads Policing is about finding a balance. You want the public to feel reassured and you also want to catch the idiots.

As for the telly programs, I don't watch them so I really can't comment on that!

Nic

[Bri w]

I don't have a problem with unmarked Police cars at all. If I'm stopped by one I've probably deserved it.

Don't forget, for every numpty, self included occasionally, that is stopped - all their mates get told, and drive a bit more sensibly on that stretch of road.

And if they're nicking all the loons, and mobile phone users... Brilliant! Safer for everyone.

[yorkie_chris]

See all those idiots driving on mobile phones, or driving whilst using the phone as opposed to driving on them....because that would be interesting to watch...I diverse...anyway, my point is, they see marked cars from a MILES away and drop the phones, and never get caught. Take an unmarked car and bobs yer uncle, you got him.

Whilst I don't think they should be used all the time, I do think there is a need for them.

A marked car will deter sensible people from doing silly speeds or undertaking etc etc but they don't catch out the silly people who drive like eejits.

Some of the planks I see about on M62 wouldn't notice if you rammed a fully marked traffic car into their door, so engrossed they are in their conversations.

I would argue that if someone is on their mobile phone, and attentive enough to spot a traffic car before the copper spots them on their phone, then they aren't a danger to the public anyway!

[Milky Bar Kid]

Some of the planks I see about on M62 wouldn't notice if you rammed a fully marked traffic car into their door, so engrossed they are in their conversations.

I would argue that if someone is on their mobile phone, and attentive enough to spot a traffic car before the copper spots them on their phone, then they aren't a danger to the public anyway!

Would you seriously argue that? when marked traffic cars are bright flourescent yellow and blue?

Anyway, just because at that moment in time they "were attentive enough to spot a traffic car" doesn't mean that they won't start arguing/laughing/joking/conversing down the phone with their man, missus, brother, sister, dog or whatever, and slam into the back of a slowing vehicle, change lanes into the path of a motorcyclist, whatever.

[yorkie_chris]

when marked traffic cars are bright flourescent yellow and blue?

From one "of your own":

It's still very easy to find hundreds of drivers doing things they shouldn't, even when the car is covered in yellow and blue reflective and a blue light on the roof!

These tossers who really aren't paying attention aren't likely to notice anything, the sort who is looking around for a copper in a paranoid style is more likely to be watching where he's going.

Would you seriously argue that?

My dear, I will argue almost anything.

[Milky Bar Kid]

Lol, yeah YC, I had picked up on that...!

Like I said previously, I think there needs to be a balance between unmarked and marked patrols, I don't think one or the other works to its full potential without some of the other! If that makes sense?

I also think that at peak times, there should almost always be a marked car out. But I am but a bobby, I have no say in these things!

[speedplay]

I can honestly say that I cant remember the last time I saw a marked traffic vehicle on the motorways since they introduced the Highways Officers patrolling (unless theres been an accident).

[Milky Bar Kid]

I saw several on way down to Bristol on M6...

[speedplay]

I saw several on way down to Bristol on M6...



I must be one of those people who dont see anything while driving then as I have used the m6/m40/m42 almost daily for the last 6 months:rolleyes:

[Milky Bar Kid]

I do sincerely hope you are not implying that I am lying?

I saw 4 traffic cars on the way to GG.

[speedplay]

I do sincerely hope you are not implying that I am lying?

I saw 4 traffic cars on the way to GG.


Is that what I said?

no.

dont read too much into it and chuck your toys out of the pram.

It was just a comment that had been made earlier in the thread about people not seeing what was around them.