Is road policing all unmarked cars now??

[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

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.

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by LK-SV

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

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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!

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

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.