Posted: 8/15/2010 11:34:40 PM EDT
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Saw 2 police officers over the weekend with speed guns. One on the A40 between Cheltenham and Gloucester on sat and the other yesterday on the M4 west of Swindon. In both cases they were parked up on the hard shoulder in unmarked cars. Someone told me that they can't legally do this as there has to be a visible deterrent. Anyone know the real position? |
It's not a law, but part of ACPO guidelines requiring visibility. The individual officer might get an earful for being in breach of policy, but somehow I don't think that would happen. You can complain to ACPO if you like 
My understanding is that speed measuring devices are actually used to confirm an observation of the officer - so what should happen is that the officer forms the opinion that someone is speeding and then uses the device to confirm the actual speed. |
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Quoted: It's not a law, but part of ACPO guidelines requiring visibility. The individual officer might get an earful for being in breach of policy, but somehow I don't think that would happen. You can complain to ACPO if you like My understanding is that speed measuring devices are actually used to confirm an observation of the officer - so what should happen is that the officer forms the opinion that someone is speeding and then uses the device to confirm the actual speed. How can an officer pick out one car he considers to be speeding on a motorway? To me it looked like the one on the motorway was "clocking" cars in the hope that he might strike licky, and that is why he was parked up behind the crash barrier (in fact he had to reverse to get behind it) in a black Vectra type car with no markings and was not wearing any hi-viz clothing! The one on the A40 was behaving in the same manner |
Call it in to the police as "a bloke parked up on the motorway with a sniper rifle so bit it was almost touching the floor" and make the location+details of the car vague enough so they can't be sure it's the cop with a speed gun... Then sit back and watch the guy get stopped by armed plod 
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Quoted:
Call it in to the police as "a bloke parked up on the motorway with a sniper rifle so bit it was almost touching the floor" and make the location+details of the car vague enough so they can't be sure it's the cop with a speed gun... Then sit back and watch the guy get stopped by armed plod He might be pointing a gun......... 
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Well much as it pains me to agree with "The Man" , there are speed limits and if you're over it you're fair game.
You 'll just have to improve your roadreading skills and look farther ahead....... You could always take the advanced test and cite making due progress for the conditions in the hope of mitigation.
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First - yes there has to be a sign warning of the speed camera. Not sure if this also applies to handheld thingies. However, some constabularies are now posting signs on all major roard into the county / region to the effect "Traffic enforcement cameras in use county wide" and this is claimed to give fair warning. Not heard it challenged yet in court. Thames Valley have a Land Rover defender with horse box in tow. They park it on hard shoulder as if broken down. The top part of the horse box door, the bit the horsey would stick his head out of, is hinged up and a camera is hidden inside !! BUT, dont know if it is an ANPR being used to ping motors of interest or a speed camera ? I have a fair bit of experience of the former but was unable to identify the kit I passed. Second - speed is not bad. Speed in the appropriate conditions with a high degree of concentration is perfectly safe in this modern world of traction control and abs etc. If you are speeding and observant enough to spot the trap you are most likely driving with the requisite level of forward vision. If speeding and you dont spot the trap, you were probably also missing loads of oother potential hazards and therefore not driving safely. 
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