In a quandary

[Deleted member 65149]

Well I was a couple of days ago. (No, a quandary isn't Nissan's new SUV!)

I had shot along a short section of NSL dual carriageway in the outside lane in my usual enthusiastic but still legal manner, overtaking a couple of slower cars. Then I turned right at a roundabout onto a 40mph single carriageway road, observing the reduced speed limit. Within a very short space of time I spotted in my mirror a police traffic car bearing down on me at speed but with no lights or siren. My immediate thought was annoyance with myself for not having spotted it sooner - I can't have been as observant as I'd like!

There was nowhere to pull over to let it past so I decided it was most prudent to stay at 40 and let them decide when it would be safest to overtake. But they didn't overtake, despite opportunities arising. I was confident I'd done nothing wrong, but I couldn't help worrying. Why were they staying behind? Most worrying of all though was that they glued themselves to my rear bumper - so close indeed that if they flashed their lights (blue or headlights) I wouldn't be able to see them!

We've had lots of "suggestions" here about what to do when being tailgated, but are any recommended when it's the boys in blue up your bottom? I've never been afraid to tell off anyone in authority when I feel they're doing something wrong, so I opted for the gradual deceleration method. They stayed in position until I was doing less than 25 and starting to get concerned they'd pull me over for obstruction! Then, at last, I spotted a place to pull over. They just drove by without a second glance.

I don't know if they were trying to wind me up or just mesmerised by the C350 badge. I can only assume it was a quiet day in Peterborough.

 

[markjay]

Should have done brake testing...

 

[Peter T]

I wonder how the police would justify their breaking the 40 speed limit to catch you up for no apparant reason?

 

[developer]

the boys in blue up your bottom

Cannon and Ball - The Gay Pride Sequel...

I think you worry too much KE - chill a bit .

 

[Stratman]

Perhaps one of the forum's experts could tell us the correct procedure to follow when being tailgated by a highly trained police driver?

 

[renault12ts]

Just drive correctly, don't be hassled by them.

 

[Annie19t]

Perhaps one of the forum's experts could tell us the correct procedure to follow when being tailgated by a highly trained police driver?

Think need to ask flango he's a professional police driver trainer

 

[Meldrew2]

Perhaps one of the forum's experts could tell us the correct procedure to follow when being tailgated by a highly trained police driver?

I don't think that they have many "highly trained" drivers these days… at least here in Lancashire. I heard rumours about closing the driving school at Hutton.

 

[Dieselman]

Perhaps one of the forum's experts could tell us the correct procedure to follow when being tailgated by a highly trained police driver?

Drive like Hell and see if they can stay with you.

 

[flango]

Think need to ask flango he's a professional police driver trainer

Not anymore so this info is about 5 year old.

Firstly they don't need to justify breaking the speed limit to get up behind you if they have a reason even if its a gut feel they can break the limit to get up behind you in visual distance, they will normally then carry out a following check. Its also highly unlikely they will follow at what is not a safe stopping distance as laid out in the Highway code the rules for them are the same for you. If they did I would not be a happy bunny and would be making a formal complaint about the standard of driving. Its also possible they were on their way to a job which then got cancelled hence the speed to get up behind you, hard to say really

If you have a traffic car behind you its no different to having any other car behind you, although I do appreciate you question yourself as to what you may have done wrong. Just drive as you normally would obeying the rules of the road and if on a DCW pull into the left lane as soon as you have carried out any overtakes. If they want to get past you or stop you , you will get lit up and the blues and two's will come on at which point they will go past or indicate its you they want to stop.

Theres quite a few traffic officers on here so I'm sure one of them will correct me if I'm wrong and not up to date.

 

[219]

Perhaps one of the forum's experts could tell us the correct procedure to follow when being tailgated by a highly trained police driver?

As with the others , just drive normally until they either signal you to stop or go their own way . If you do find somewhere to stop before then , you are perfectly entitled to do so .

If they really are following so close that you are uncomfortable , providing you have hands free kit , you could quite legally phone 101 and complain about it .

In the OP's case , I wouldn't like to think that they were trying to provoke him into putting his foot down so that they could nab him ; but they might well have been following for a bit just to see if he might do something wrong .

 

[Deleted member 65149]

In the OP's case , I wouldn't like to think that they were trying to provoke him into putting his foot down so that they could nab him ; but they might well have been following for a bit just to see if he might do something wrong .

That's what I suspected.