Police car question?

[mac456]

Hi,

Just a quick question. Driving to work this morning on a dual carriage way and on the opposite side of the road there was a police car sitting in the slip road (as if they were waiting to join, facing the other way)

Do you think they would be checking speed? and does anyone know if they can check the opposite side of the road?

[CraigW]

They are probably more likely just observing traffic rather than trapping. If you are on the other side of the cariageway you should be fine. If you are slightly over the speed limit they are not going to notice however if you are doing crazy speeds then its going to be obvious, however not much they could do being on the other side.

[mac456]

Yeah no crazy speeds, was more curious than anything. I guess I was thinking maybe he/they had a speed gun in the car but from what I could tell there was only one person in the car sitting in the drivers seat so as you say probably just observing.

[Waspy]

I've sped, like really sped (didn't notice my speed until I saw the copper!) past one of those (on my side of the road) and didn't get pulled. They are either just watching, or waiting for a specific car. If it's the latter they won't go after you even if you are quite over. And pretty much anything on the other side of the road is ignored (the can't watch everything!)

[MrBounce]

Chances are they're looking for something specific (waiting for something that's triggered ANPR probably); however, if you're driving like a d!ck, they do have such a thing as a radio which can alert other units in the area. So be careful...

[Khare]

1.4.1 Driver seen: officer not in a position to stop the offender

This is where an officer sees the offence being committed, but is not in a position to stop the driver e.g. where the offender is on the opposite side of the carriageway and the officer cannot make a U-turn. The TOR should be submitted without the driver details and the CJD will send a section 172 (Road Traffic Act 1988)/NIP notice to the registered keeper to identify the driver at the time of the offence. Once identified, the relevant method of disposal for the offence will be followed.

TOR is Traffic Offence Report.

This is quoted from the learning material I'm currently studying.

[Seanl]

I don't think that would make a blind bit of difference without the speed being recorded though.   A police officers opinion on what speed someone was travelling at doesn't count for much.  Its more likely for dangerous driving etc....... 

[Waspy]

And when did we get super-cops who can read reg plates at 78mph, 50 metres away, with a big metal barrier obstructing their view?

[h10_vwg]

They do check speed with handheld devices that capture speed.  But you will be alrigjt as you were on opposite side off the road! No need to worry.