Police Patrol Vehicles Only

[Burger]

The highways agency people have simply replaced police traffic officers so there's no greater expense to the tax payer in theory certainly. Without getting into the actual spending and government grants to the HA and police forces I doubt anyone could prove or disprove this, but it makes sense as there are far fewer traffic police than there used to be.

I have no problem with the HA people or the job they perform. I have also sped past them at illegal speeds because I recognise them for what they are. However, I would not deliberately goad or entice one into anything, just as I wouldn't any other driver on the roads.

The only problem I have is with my fellow motorists who don't recognise them for what they are and, as the OP stated, start jamming their brakes on and causing huge tailbacks. It's not the HA car or people causing the tailback, it's motorists ignorance that does that!

Regards,

 

[reflexboy]

Maybe my preceeding comment is somewhat 'hazed' by the fact that I have have consumed several beers this evening, but I am finding this a very boring topic!! Hic

 

[mika]

The highways agency people have simply replaced police traffic officers so there's no greater expense to the tax payer in theory certainly. Without getting into the actual spending and government grants to the HA and police forces I doubt anyone could prove or disprove this, but it makes sense as there are far fewer traffic police than there used to be.

I have no problem with the HA people or the job they perform. I have also sped past them at illegal speeds because I recognise them for what they are. However, I would not deliberately goad or entice one into anything, just as I wouldn't any other driver on the roads.

The only problem I have is with my fellow motorists who don't recognise them for what they are and, as the OP stated, start jamming their brakes on and causing huge tailbacks. It's not the HA car or people causing the tailback, it's motorists ignorance that does that!

Regards,

I get the impression they are very happy to mislead people into thinking they have some powers , pitching their speed at exactly the speed limit etc etc
I will now await the queue of "do gooders" who will undoubtably chastise me

 

[MOCAŠ]

I get the impression they are very happy to mislead people into thinking they have some powers , pitching their speed at exactly the speed limit etc etc
I will now await the queue of "do gooders" who will undoubtably chastise me

OK - I'll chastise you: that's the worst spelling of "undoubtedly" I've seen all week.

Seriously, though, of course HATOs aren't going to exceed the speed limit - they'd be putting their licences (and jobs) on the line. And if they dropped down to 68mph, you'd criticise them for holding others up.

 

[mika]

OK - I'll chastise you: that's the worst spelling of "undoubtedly" I've seen all week.

Seriously, though, of course HATOs aren't going to exceed the speed limit - they'd be putting their licences (and jobs) on the line. And if they dropped down to 68mph, you'd criticise them for holding others up.

sorry about the spelling your undoubtedly correct

but i am critising them for several things

top waiters!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Undoubtably has a nice ring to it.....

 

[crockers]

OK - I'll chastise you: that's the worst spelling of "undoubtedly" I've seen all week.

Seriously, though, of course HATOs aren't going to exceed the speed limit - they'd be putting their licences (and jobs) on the line. And if they dropped down to 68mph, you'd criticise them for holding others up.

I thought the "real police" cruise at around 65 mph as this has been found to be the best balance of speed with economy.....or is that another urban myth?

 

[PXW]

sorry about the spelling your undoubtedly correct

but i am critising them for several things

Top waiters!

 

[Mr E]

This link may be useful to those wanting to know what the Traffic Officers are about - especially the FAQs and "Why the HA has Traffic Officers" links.

 

[BTB 500]

And the person who resurrected this 5 month old thread has still not made any other posts ...

 

[MOCAŠ]

Undoubtably has a nice ring to it.....

Yes, it's one of those made-up words that seems to be gaining acceptance through common usage. Still sounds like gibberish to me, though...

 

[MOCAŠ]

I thought the "real police" cruise at around 65 mph as this has been found to be the best balance of speed with economy.....or is that another urban myth?

Don't know if it's official advice, but I've certainly seen evidence of it, and it's quite amusing to see drivers hang back while they weigh up whether or not it's OK to overtake a police car, before they eventually see sense and make their move.

 

[Burger]

I just spoke to a friend of mine who would know and asked this question. There's no official instructions for the speed they should drive on motorways - at least in the met. However, he also said it could vary from force to force as each one sets it's own policies. So, it's feasible, but he doubted it. Like he said, 65 or 70mph makes no difference.

Now, what he also said was that very often they will drive below the speed limit on motorways to allow everyone else to go past them legally without having to worry about speeding. If someone is still afraid to go past them then there's not much they can do about it. As he said, they'll cause traffic to back up whatever legal speed they do simply because a lot of motorists are too timid.

Seems like it's a can't win situation eh?

 

[prprandall51]

I do wonder how many people who have had a pop at the HATO staff on this thread have actually been harrassed - or even inconvenienced - by them (except for the inconvenience of having to slow down to the NSL).

You would think that we could all just let people get on with their jobs - especially HATOs, who don't seem to actually do anything "nasty" (such as handing out fines, like Parking Attendents do) at all and in fact help out when there is an accident, at which time they are simply following guidelines laid down by the HA itself and the Police (and why do we blame the HATOs instead of blaming the pillock who was up the chuff of the car in front, who is the real cause of all the delays and hold-ups?).

But it seems we live in a society where everybody who does something that we might not like has to be called names and slagged off generally (witness all the insulting descriptions of Police and even dealerships on this forum). But HATOs? What have they ever really done to offend anyone?

 

[BTB 500]

I think the issue for most people is that their cars appear to be intentionally done up to resemble Police vehicles as closely as possible, which causes the 'rolling roadblock' effect already mentioned. The fact is that stupid people ARE reluctant to overtake a Police vehicle ... even when it's cruising at well below the NSL (just as they abruptly brake to 10 mph below the current speed limit for any Gatso they spot).

If the HATO vehicles had a distinctive high-vis colour scheme of their own then I think they would be far more appreciated for doing a worthwhile job.

 

[mika]

If the HATO vehicles had a distinctive high-vis colour scheme of their own then I think they would be far more appreciated for doing a worthwhile job.

 

[tippandy]

On a recent motorway patrol documaentary type programme there was a chap who ran out of petrol on one of the motorways in the midlands.One of the hato patrols happened along , took this chap to the nearest junction to get petrol and dropped him back to his car.Unfortunately while in their vehicle they noticed a smell of alcohol on him and within minutes of him restarting his journey he was stopped, breathalysed and arrested.(quite rightly).Luckily for him he passed the evidential test at the station.

 

[Satch]

If the HATO vehicles had a distinctive high-vis colour scheme of their own then I think they would be far more appreciated for doing a worthwhile job.

They do:

Battenburg markings - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Police: Yellow / Blue
Ambulance and doctors: Yellow / Green
Fire and Rescue: Yellow / Red
National Blood Service: Yellow / Orange
Highways Agency: Yellow / Black
and VOSA
Rail response: Blue / Orange
Mountain rescue: White / Orange
HM Coastguard Yellow / Navy Blue

 

[Burger]

Only problem with that is that not one of those colour schemes is a legal requirement and they can change them any time they feel like it. Round here for example most of the police traffic cars have no markings

The Highways Agency have also played around with other colour schemes... I kid you not...

Oooo, Betty

 

[The mallard]

Police vehicles generally cruise below the speed limit on motorways so that vehicles will overtake and they can observe the drivers behaviour and condition of he vehicles, or possibly operate a mobile ANPR check.

If they drive at the limit then they just travel in a box of the same vehicles. They will travel at the speed limit when travelling to non urgent calls and at higher speeds if the circumstabces merit.

I can't understand what every one is complaining about, drive legally and you have nothing to worry about, if you choose to exceed the speed limit be man enough to accept the consequences if caught. Lets not forget, a lot of forces use unmarked cars, do you slow down to pass them?