Police Patrol Vehicles Only

[Mr E]

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

I'd second that - there was a bunch of then a few weeks back on the M23 clearing up plasterboard that had come off the roof of a van. I'd much rather these guys do that than police officers.

WRT driving at the speed limit and queues of traffic - who's at fault here? You can bet your last pound that they would be reported for driving at 71 mph by all and sundry. Can they be blamed if drivers don't know what these vehicles and personnel are for?

I hope that no one so critical of these guys has any cause in the future to require their services...

 

[macscrooge]

As has been said - they do free up the (more expensive) police for other tasks.

I did hear talk of some Highways Agency patrol vehicles being fitted with cameras - can anyone confirm this?

 

[corned]

I'd second that - there was a bunch of then a few weeks back on the M23 clearing up plasterboard that had come off the roof of a van. I'd much rather these guys do that than police officers.

I hope that no one so critical of these guys has any cause in the future to require their services...

That's all very well, but I think you, and Banditdave, miss my point. Sorry if I was not clearer.

I don't have anything against any person employed to do this job. Correct - they are merely doing their job, and good luck to them. And clearing plasterboard off a busy carriageway is a necessary duty, I quite agree.

So - why can't they do that in a Motorway Maintenance Transit van and hi-vis attire? Why do they have to dress up as Police, and drive faintly look-a-likey Police vehicles?

It's the Authority and manner in which this duty is performed which I am against. The scheme was poorly conceived (as all recent legislative measures seem to have been). And why does a carriageway have to be closed for so long? Clear up debris. Mop up any spills. Take photographs if required. But then get the road open as soon as it is possible to do so.

I'm not a big fan of Clarkson, but he is spot on here. I too suspect people on power trips - and this is not necessarily the poor bod at the scene either. I think that comes from higher up, which again is where my spleen venting is directed.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

As has been said - they do free up the (more expensive) police for other tasks.

Anyone know how much more expensive?

The car, much of the equipment, fuel, employee benefits costs must all be very similar.

Maybe a police officer gets paid a touch more, and maybe they carry a little more expensive equipment?

I can't help but think the extra cost is in single digit percentages. If so I'd rather pay a little more and have more Police on the motorway personally.

 

[BTB 500]

So - why can't they do that in a Motorway Maintenance Transit van and hi-vis attire? Why do they have to dress up as Police, and drive faintly look-a-likey Police vehicles?

Faintly? IMO they are carefully designed to fool the majority of the driving public into thinking they are Police vehicles.

 

[kwakdonut]

Faintly? IMO they are carefully designed to fool the majority of the driving public into thinking they are Police vehicles.

Like PCSO's perhaps??

Typical Britain in the 21st Century - everything done on the cheap....

 

[Tyler Durden]

Just to clear this up. Yes HATO's have the right to sit where the police vehicles go, and the only powers as far as I am aware is that they can now direct traffic, and if you fail to comply you commit an offence.

Be aware though that they are on a local traffic link with the police etc and can/will regularly call through regarding vehicles speeds/behaviour etc.

And seriously they look very different than police vehicles lol dufferent colour chequers, and a biggie being the amber lights instead of blue which you can spot a mile off

 

[Gridlock]

As has been said - they do free up the (more expensive) police for other tasks.

I like your optimism, but I think you'll find it's replacement, not supplementation.

 

[st4]

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 .

Give it time.

To be fair though we have a smaller motorway network and much less of it is 3 lanes (which is a blessing if you are familiar with the 3lane m8 in Glasgow East as noone knows how to drive on one).

They are very easy to spot, they always drive 4x4s (traffic cops tend to have fast saloons or maybe an X5/RR). Highway officers lurk in Shoguns, Land Cruisers and discoveries. I have hoofed it past them in the past and been ok. People that cannot tell the difference deserve to have their legs cut off.

They tend to assist with broken down cars etc, maybe handy for a woman waiting alone for the RAC to come. They apparently clear up after accidents etc. Never seen them do this as not a massive user of motorways south of the border.

Unfortunately I also hoofed it past an unmarked cop joining the M5 but thats another story

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Just to clear this up. Yes HATO's have the right to sit where the police vehicles go, and the only powers as far as I am aware is that they can now direct traffic, and if you fail to comply you commit an offence.

Thanks - I guess they need permission from the area's Chief Constable - or is that official somewhere that you've read? I know about having to comply with their instructions - I started the thread on the basis of where they park.

Be aware though that they are on a local traffic link with the police etc and can/will regularly call through regarding vehicles speeds/behaviour etc.

And seriously they look very different than police vehicles lol dufferent colour chequers, and a biggie being the amber lights instead of blue which you can spot a mile off

Agree - they look very different, I can always spot them - I guess on here we're the minority, it just seems like every other car around me panics and thinks it's a Police patrol vehicle and suddenly try do to 69mph as they go past!

 

[corned]

Have you ever seen idiots panic braking for Motorway Maintenance Astra and Transit vans? Happens all the time. Anything with a hi-viz stripy back end.

People must be blind. Or the other thing...

 

[MOCAŠ]

Given that the OP's orginal question has been addressed, the main theme of this thread now seems to be how people tend to respond to HATO cars as though they were police cars. Michael McIntyre does a routine about this in his inimitable style (actually, scrub that last bit – John Culshaw does a fine impression of him).

However, I think ***'s post above holds a salutory lesson for us all: HATO cars are easy to spot if you dare to barrel past them; unmarked police cars less so.

 

[tim.100]

Like PCSO's perhaps??

Typical Britain in the 21st Century - everything done on the cheap....

In many cases mass government employment schemes, is just welfare/vote-buying; anything but cheap for the average tax-payer.

I needn't cite examples. Government spending is 50% of GDP.

 

[jetskimatty]

jokers

god only knows why these idiots patrol the road. They are given BIG 4x4 vehicles to tank up the motorways causing more problems than they fix. They have Eg Shogun new vehicles, with big beefed up engines in them, which they cant possibly pull a transit van on to the hard shoulder with!! Why not give them a bl00dy smart car to carry a few cones in? These are hard times. THEY DON'T NEED SUCH BIG GAS GUZZLERS! SORT IT! We're paying for these muppets!

 

[st4]

god only knows why these idiots patrol the road. They are given BIG 4x4 vehicles to tank up the motorways causing more problems than they fix. They have Eg Shogun new vehicles, with big beefed up engines in them, which they cant possibly pull a transit van on to the hard shoulder with!! Why not give them a bl00dy smart car to carry a few cones in? These are hard times. THEY DON'T NEED SUCH BIG GAS GUZZLERS! SORT IT! We're paying for these muppets!

We don't really need them full stop. The motorway network was fine for 40 years without them.

The money would be better spent on maintaining the motorway surface....

The M8 is a disgrace and thats the main road between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and its only 2 lane motorway.

 

[BTB 500]

Bizarre first (and only ...) post?

 

[mika]

You should power past them disdainfully and accelerate irresponsibly whenever you happen upon these impotent charlatans.

Haha! excellent

I will

 

[MrML]

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

It takes all sorts...not my idea of fun !

 

[mika]

It takes all sorts...not my idea of fun !

Are you a traffic officer ?

 

[MrML]

Are you a traffic officer ?

No - but it would be interesting to hear from a HATO who may balance the discussion.

If they are completely worthless then the current economic climate will provide sufficient reason to scrap them.

I doubt they would be replaced by expensive traffic cops though.