Unmarked Police Cars

[ANP320]

I realise that this may be a contradiction in terms and therefore a daft question but is there anyway of identifying an unmarked Police car?

One burst into life on the opposite side of the road from me yesterday. I think if it had been behind me I would have had a heart attack.

Most of us, I venture, slow down behind marked police cars on motorways to crawl past at 69 miles an hour before speeding up again to 80 mph, which seems average on the roads today. Presumably then we are all speeding past the unmarked cars, which must of course be travelling at no more than 70?

Are there any tell tale signs?

 

[imadoofus]

If they're on duty, I think the occupants have to wear hi-vis jackets.

On the motorway, I look out for GB stickers, and towbars. If there are none, then be wary.

Extra equipment on dash / rear parcel shelf.

Additional aerials used to be a tell-tale, but a friend of mine designed a matrix-type aerial device to fit on the underside of the bootlid

 

[wemorgan]

They also can have 2 rear view mirrors, one for the driver the other for the passenger.

 

[television]

They also can have 2 rear view mirrors, one for the driver the other for the passenger.

Yes thats an easy way to tell

 

[RichardM]

There are a few, the drivers are normally in uniform, most have a camera mounted below the rear view mirror, some have a second rear view mirror for the passenger or a additional mirror clamped above the left exterior mirror again for the passenger. You can normally see the lights in the grill if one is behind you.

 

[RichardM]

Yes thats an easy way to tell

These days the camera seems more common than the 2 mirrors

 

[robert.saunders]

Unusual colour is also a give-away. A recent journey on a motorway showed one behind me, a white BMW 5 saloon, unusual colour choice no?

Also, the blue lights in the kidney grill were easy to spot, as were the 2 burly looking men up front, a few squat aerials on the roof, extra interior mirror, plus an extra exterior mirror sitting on the nearside door mirror. Less easy to spot are the video cameras, plus if viewed from the rear you can normally see blue/red lights in the rear window up the C-pillar plus a dark box on the rear shelf for the VMS matrix display.

Apart from all that, easy to spot!

 

[jadefox]

They also can have 2 rear view mirrors, one for the driver the other for the passenger.

So do driving instructors......you've made me paranoid now

 

[television]

Unusual colour is also a give-away. A recent journey on a motorway showed one behind me, a white BMW 5 saloon, unusual colour choice no?

Also, the blue lights in the kidney grill were easy to spot, as were the 2 burly looking men up front, a few squat aerials on the roof, extra interior mirror, plus an extra exterior mirror sitting on the nearside door mirror. Less easy to spot are the video cameras, plus if viewed from the rear you can normally see blue/red lights in the rear window up the C-pillar plus a dark box on the rear shelf for the VMS matrix display.

Apart from all that, easy to spot!

Any other sugestions for someone like me who has very bad eyes

 

[robert.saunders]

The blue lights may flash, as well as alternating flash of headlamps!!

 

[ANP320]

Good advice. Thanks all.

So does the presence of a roadside sign warning of cameras apply to mobile cameras in unmarked cars? I suppose it must.

 

[robert.saunders]

So does the presence of a roadside sign warning of cameras apply to mobile cameras in unmarked cars? I suppose it must.

No, in a word

 

[BTB 500]

As Robert mentioned in passing, the fact that there are two occupants is one of the signs. You can usually see the lights & other equipment if you're observant enough.

 

[television]

Good advice. Thanks all.

So does the presence of a roadside sign warning of cameras apply to mobile cameras in unmarked cars? I suppose it must.

Nope it does not apply

 

[ANP320]

Cripes. Well, it does move one to paranoia. As obvious as they might be if one is actually looking out for them, how many of us do? If you were intending to thunder down the road at prison sentence speeds, then perhaps you might but most of us travel along above the national speed just trying to get from a to b.

I was stopped by one a few years ago, thankfully only to tell me that one of my brake lights wasn't working. Only one chap in the car!!!!

 

[Dragon]

All of the above are correct. What I also look for the registration of the car. If it older then 3 years old then I know it not a police car because they don't keep cars over 3 years old.

When I was caught in 1998, they disguised it with double rear very long radio aerials and white hard hats on the parcel shelf.

If there is only one person ie the driver, I know it not a police car.

To be on the safe side drive within the speed limit if you can.

 

[Kompressor_Dude]

I have also seen many with a camera mounted between the two rear headrests....

Saw one with the blues on chasing someone, car was a bright orange ford focus ST! Buggered if i'd give that a second thought when checking for unmarked cars.

You picks your speed and you takes your chances

 

[robert.saunders]

All of the above are correct. What I also look for the registration of the car. If it older then 3 years old then I know it not a police car because they don't keep cars over 3 years old.

When I was caught in 1998, they disguised it with double rear very long radio aerials and white hard hats on the parcel shelf.

If there is only one person ie the driver, I know it not a police car.

To be on the safe side drive within the speed limit if you can.

Cambs traffic police do run an old unmarked Volvo, an S40 I think; keeps 'em guessing.

And traffic guys do operate alone, don't be fooled by that one

 

[fredfloggle]

All of the above are correct. What I also look for the registration of the car. If it older then 3 years old then I know it not a police car because they don't keep cars over 3 years old.

When I was caught in 1998, they disguised it with double rear very long radio aerials and white hard hats on the parcel shelf.

If there is only one person ie the driver, I know it not a police car.

To be on the safe side drive within the speed limit if you can.

Oh yes they do.

Northmet used to run around in ten year old cavaliers, more BMW's now, but a good few over 3 years old.

 

[ANP320]

We'reeee doooooomed!