Would cops with a handheld speed gadget stop me on the spot?

[MikeInWimbledon]

Had held ones have to be stopped at the scene or close.....otherwise they would have no evidence as they cant take pics with handhelds. I was stopped at 34 on 30 just before Xmas.....told me to watch my speed, asked if id been drinking (chance would be a fine thing at 8.30AM!) and I was on my way!

It’s a pre-Christmas tradition on the A3 going out of London to stop commuters speeding vehicles in the hope of finding alcohol still in the system of people driving the morning after.

They do it every year. It may have something to do with the “need” for extra overtime before Christmas.

 

[Jukie]

It’s a pre-Christmas tradition on the A3 going out of London to stop commuters speeding vehicles in the hope of finding alcohol still in the system of people driving the morning after.

They do it every year. It may have something to do with the “need” for extra overtime before Christmas.

It may also have something to do with a number of drivers still being OPL the morning after a night on the ale………

 

[ALFAitalia]

They have have to have a reason to stop you as random stops are no longer allowed. I was stopped as I was slightly over the speed limit....the copper said their main easy reasons were speed, loud exhaust, dodgy 4d number plates. Also they get a few "acting in information received" !

 

[Dippo]

They have have to have a reason to stop you as random stops are no longer allowed. I was stopped as I was slightly over the speed limit....the copper said their main easy reasons were speed, loud exhaust, dodgy 4d number plates. Also they get a few "acting in information received" !

Being stopped by the police while driving

What happens if you're stopped by the police while driving - breath tests, motoring offences, faults with your vehicle, seizing your vehicle

www.gov.uk

 

[ALFAitalia]

Yes...Any reason...not no reason!

 

[Riva811]

OK so I got a letter from the met police, I was doing 39 in a 30. They gave me a warning. Apparently, it wasn't cops, it was members from the community with high-vis who reported me.
There must be a legal loophole there since it wasn't police officers but anyway, who cares about this instance? I am proud I reached 39mph in 300 yards

 

[Riva811]

Being stopped by the police while driving

What happens if you're stopped by the police while driving - breath tests, motoring offences, faults with your vehicle, seizing your vehicle

www.gov.uk

information received as in an undercover notified them you are a potential target

 

[BTB 500]

They have have to have a reason to stop you as random stops are no longer allowed.

I got stopped late one night on Kingston bridge for 'following a suspicious route' ?!

A quick check for any signs of drinking and a quick look at the car and I was on my way home again.

 

[BTB 500]

Civilians in high viz jackets do seem to have some clout , a few years back I was zapped by a bunch of them (all elderly wearing hi viz) passing through a local village . An official letter arrived at my house asking me to go easy through the village next time . I can't find the letter , probably went in the bin.

My guess is that they zap enough people they have a good case for a real cop to turn up or a camera to be installed.

Exactly that. Individuals they 'report' get a warning letter, and the Police may set up a legit speed trap there if there's a persistent problem. The scheme is called "Community Speedwatch" and has been around for a good few years.

 

[ALFAitalia]

The do gooders are usually in the villages either side of where we meet up for SADCASE. You would think they would have better things to do with their time. Self righteous nimby's the lot of them. I bet they speed as much as anyone else....buy oh no....not through my village!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Exactly that. Individuals they 'report' get a warning letter, and the Police may set up a legit speed trap there if there's a persistent problem. The scheme is called "Community Speedwatch" and has been around for a good few years.

When I came across this a few years ago, the volunteers were lent legitimate gear by their local police, which enabled the police to have the data for the warning letters.

So they weren’t just making stuff up, they were recording people who were ignoring speed limits.

 

[alzieboy]

There is a rat run road near to my abode , before a 20 mph restriction was imposed a resident of the said road would stand out on the pavement and point a hairdryer at the oncoming vehicle , it caused more traffic than normal once word got out about his efforts to inforce speed restrictions.

 

[JHS]

OK so I got a letter from the met police, I was doing 39 in a 30. They gave me a warning. Apparently, it wasn't cops, it was members from the community with high-vis who reported me.
There must be a legal loophole there since it wasn't police officers but anyway, who cares about this instance? I am proud I reached 39mph in 300 yards

No doubt the local residents were suitably impressed by your driving skills.

 

[BTB 500]

When I came across this a few years ago, the volunteers were lent legitimate gear by their local police, which enabled the police to have the data for the warning letters.

So they weren’t just making stuff up, they were recording people who were ignoring speed limits.

Yep two of my friends were in the Speedwatch scheme in their Surrey village. They had some basic training on using the 'gun' but I don't think it had the normal schedule of calibration/certification so although the data from it was probably fine it wouldn't have stood up in court. This was 15+ years ago ... IIRC they were only allowed to operate in 30 or 40 mph zones.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Yep two of my friends were in the Speedwatch scheme in their Surrey village. They had some basic training on using the 'gun' but I don't think it had the normal schedule of calibration/certification so although the data from it was probably fine it wouldn't have stood up in court. This was 15+ years ago ... IIRC they were only allowed to operate in 30 or 40 mph zones.

Ditto. My understanding was that “civvies” could only record stuff that could be used for warning letters but not prosecutions.

If I lived in one of these speeding hotspots I’m sure I would be out there on a quiet afternoon with a high viz and a hairdryer just to wind people up. Just like that Nottingham woman a few years back.

 

[markjay]

Yep two of my friends were in the Speedwatch scheme in their Surrey village. They had some basic training on using the 'gun' but I don't think it had the normal schedule of calibration/certification so although the data from it was probably fine it wouldn't have stood up in court. This was 15+ years ago ... IIRC they were only allowed to operate in 30 or 40 mph zones.

Hopefully they also received safety training to ensure that they they are safe themselves, and also that they do not endanger motorists.

I wonder if they are covered by the police Employee Liability Policy or Public Liability Policy, in the event that they get injured while volunteering?

 

[rich1068]

On our street I've stepped out to slow drivers down a few times. 20mph limit but it's a cut through between two larger roads, cars parked on either side, one car width down the middle and a primary school at the end. A child has been knocked down before suffering a broken leg and also we had two cats killed within 12 months.

Hate the damn things but if the council decided to install speed bumps I'd be very happy.

 

[BTB 500]

If I lived in one of these speeding hotspots I’m sure I would be out there on a quiet afternoon with a high viz and a hairdryer just to wind people up. Just like that Nottingham woman a few years back.

It's a difficult one. My friends lived on the main road between the A3 at Guildford and the M3 at Bagshot - a very busy route, but that was why they were able to afford a house there! It was a 40 limit and AFAIK nobody did crazy speeds, nor were there lots of accidents (otherwise Surrey Police would certainly have put a fixed camera up).

 

[Jukie]

They have have to have a reason to stop you as random stops are no longer allowed. I was stopped as I was slightly over the speed limit....the copper said their main easy reasons were speed, loud exhaust, dodgy 4d number plates. Also they get a few "acting in information received" !

For clarity, you may care to look up Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act (1988)………maybe depends on your definition of "a reason".

 

[ALFAitalia]

Hopefully they also received safety training to ensure that they they are safe themselves, and also that they do not endanger motorists.

Or get themselves a bit of self defence teaching!!!.....see post No 12!
If they want to join the Police then great.....if not them leave the job to the professionals!!