Police Patrol Vehicles Only

[A-AvantGarde]

What should this mean?

My rant? Lately I've noticed the Highways Agency 'Traffic Officer' vehicles using these 'Police Patrol Vehicle Only' spots / perches on the motorways, in particular along the M40 and M6.

I assume that they must have permission from the Police to do so?

It's starting to frustrate me, as I've seen it causes people to brake hard when they seen them parked up in that way as they assume that they've seen a Police vehicle.

If you know what you're looking for, you can fairly easily distinguish the Highways Agency vehicles from Police cars but not everyone can spot the subtle difference in livery / colour of the light beacons.

So can the Highways Agency (or anyone other than the Police) legally use these spots? Perhaps the signs are now a little misleading? Although having said that I know that the Highways Agency Traffic Officers didn't exist when those signs and spots were created!

 

[moonloops]

They are a bunch of spanners - everyone slowing to 70mph to crawl passed a bunch of plastic police..

 

[christopherwk]

Also I think they had to change the law regarding lighting regulations, so HATO can also use flashing red lights, which as far as I know only the police can have them.

If you know what you're looking for, you can fairly easily distinguish the Highways Agency vehicles from Police cars but not everyone can spot the subtle difference in livery / colour of the light beacons.

As I'm aware, HATO (and VOSA) vehicles have black and yellow battenburg markings, while police have blue and yellow.

 

[219]

Anyone can have flashing red lights : rear indicators can be red on pre '64 vehicles , and white at the front .

 

[DuFFmAn]

Let me get this straight... Those 4x4s with the words "Traffic Officers" on the back have absolutely no power whatsoever?

This may be shockingly good news as theres always one on the M69 on my way to work. I've always poddled at the usual 69.9mph anyway...

 

[timk]

Let me get this straight... Those 4x4s with the words "Traffic Officers" on the back have absolutely no power whatsoever?

This may be shockingly good news as theres always one on the M69 on my way to work. I've always poddled at the usual 69.9mph anyway...

The only power these guys have is to close two lanes of motorway when some pillock in a Punto runs out of petrol, whereupon they spring into action and provide silver blankets and counselling until the RAC arrive to attend to the carnage. You should power past them disdainfully and accelerate irresponsibly whenever you happen upon these impotent charlatans.

 

[moonloops]

Let me get this straight... Those 4x4s with the words "Traffic Officers" on the back have absolutely no power whatsoever?

This may be shockingly good news as theres always one on the M69 on my way to work. I've always poddled at the usual 69.9mph anyway...

Absolutely no enforcement powers - hence I like to pass them at warp 10 if safe to do so

 

[BTB 500]

Let me get this straight... Those 4x4s with the words "Traffic Officers" on the back have absolutely no power whatsoever?

This may be shockingly good news as theres always one on the M69 on my way to work. I've always poddled at the usual 69.9mph anyway...

Yup unfortunately 90% of the population are under the same misapprehension ... hence the rolling roadblocks they create (people simply won't overtake them).

I've recently seen them parked very visibly on motorway bridges too

 

[MOCAŠ]

Absolutely no enforcement powers - hence I like to pass them at warp 10 if safe to do so

A word of caution for anyone thinking of taking full advantage of a HATO's impotence:

"A Traffic Officer cannot arrest you for speeding or dangerous driving (although they may report this to the police)."

Not saying they would, just that they could, especially if you were really going for it.

Highways Agency Traffic Officers : Directgov - Travel and transport

 

[Noodle-Pulp]

A word of caution for anyone thinking of taking full advantage of a HATO's impotence:

"A Traffic Officer cannot arrest you for speeding or dangerous driving (although they may report this to the police)."

Not saying they would, just that they could, especially if you were really going for it.

Highways Agency Traffic Officers : Directgov - Travel and transport

If they don't have recording methods it would be your word against theirs?

 

[MOCAŠ]

If they don't have recording methods it would be your word against theirs?

If they can alert a patrol that's in the vicinity, they'd have a fair chance of catching you.

Also, it's not quite true that they have absolutely no enforcement powers:

"Because Traffic Officers are responsible for keeping traffic moving, they sometimes have to close roads and redirect traffic. It is an offence not to follow a Traffic Officer's instructions and could lead to a) a fine of up to £1,000; b) a driving licence endorsement or disqualification."

Food for thought.

 

[moonloops]

they are still motoring fags regardless...

I shan't lose any sleep over them - the great unwashed can panic all they like

 

[Gridlock]

The only power these guys have is to close two lanes of motorway when some pillock in a Punto runs out of petrol, whereupon they spring into action and provide silver blankets and counselling until the RAC arrive to attend to the carnage. You should power past them disdainfully and accelerate irresponsibly whenever you happen upon these impotent charlatans.

But guess who they have on Speed Dial #1...

And two qualified witnesses are all you need to pursue a Dangerous Driving charge.

 

[moonloops]

But guess who they have on Speed Dial #1...

And two qualified witnesses are all you need to pursue a Dangerous Driving charge.

fair comment, I've goaded them a few times without any comeback..

 

[Brian WH]

The only power these guys have is to close two lanes of motorway when some pillock in a Punto runs out of petrol, whereupon they spring into action and provide silver blankets and counselling until the RAC arrive to attend to the carnage.

Yes and ruin peoples cars.

It was these "nice" officers who flooded my CLS on the M5 in 2007.

 

[corned]

A cynical job-creation scheme and congestion-causing scheme all rolled into one. Result!

What really gets to me is how the public can't seem to tell the difference between one of these and the real Police. Panic braking, tailbacks - all because the numpties can't see properly.

Powerless? Pretty much. Clarkson mockingly calls them "Wombles', and for good reason. All they are good for is collecting crash debris from the carriageway after closing it for a couple of hours; where common sense and five minutes of someone's time would have sorted it.

Surely this lot should be a prime candidate for the public spending cuts we are about to face? And no - I'm not trying to be funny.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Panic braking, tailbacks - all because the numpties can't stick to the speed limit.

Sorry, just playing devil's advocate...

 

[coupe deville]

These "Traffic Officers" were created to take over the mundane jobs that real traffic cops had to deal with. As posted earlier, sweeping up debris, coning off lanes etc. Part of that job is driving up and down the motorways at a lawful speed and yes I do think that some of them are on a power trip when a tailback of naive motorists are reluctant to overtake them. I just blow by them at a respectful 80 in the Combo van and maybe a teeny weeny bit faster in the merc.
They're only doing a job to earn a living, don't hate em for that

 

[219]

We have Amey to perform the same role in Scotland ; no need for 'pretend' policemen .

Sounds like these lot are sort of glorified Traffic Wardens ; thankfully they don't exist North of the border .

 

[Druk]

thankfully they don't exist North of the border .

I did wonder on my occasional trips south what they were and if they had enforcement powers. And who's Amy Derek? Any relation to Bear (Scotland) who patrol the M90 in their Sprinter?