Has anybody else noticed all the unmarked cars with blue lights in lane 3? Usually just after the office has shut. Who are these people? Can I have some as well?
I remember when there used to be marked police cars on motorways. And all this were fields. When did you last see one? Never seen these days. Rant over.
Have they tarmac'ed over the cobbles on the M69 yet?.
Dean
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20th Nov 2022 8:50 am
Trailered Movements
Member Since: 16 Jan 2020
Location: East/West Sussex Coast Borders
Posts: 1200
Down here in Sussex, there used to be a lot of that going on, and I was told it was 'training' and evaluating different cars.
Not sure if it was baloney or not, still see several at high speed on the M23/A23, looks more like rushing to get home than anything else, as using unmarked cars has more risks involved than using marked, as sometimes the general public are a bit slow to react to fast moving cars, blues or not.
What gets my goat is the Police motorcycles who act just like their civilian brothers who totally disregard speed limits and white lines, more gestapo than police.
Unsurprising they have little respect left really, you're more likely to see police vehicles in petrol stations so they can get their lunch than out and about being 'visual'.
Dave2011 Discovery 4 Commercial SDV6 (Gone)
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20th Nov 2022 8:57 am
Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 06 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4197
Have you ever thought that they may be doing important work keeping you safe in your lives?
A number of agencies use covert cars.. HM Government, Military, Regional crime squads, anti terrorist branches, surveillance teams, covert firearms teams etc etc..
The use of blue lights is severely restricted, every vehicle has tracking and telemetry data and if in the event of an incident will be downloaded.. thus people don’t just drive around late for tea…
20th Nov 2022 9:30 am
Puff
Member Since: 08 May 2016
Location: Near Llanybydder (nr HWN!)
Posts: 454
Trailered Movements wrote:
Down here in Sussex, there used to be a lot of that going on, and I was told it was 'training' and evaluating different cars.
Not sure if it was baloney or not, still see several at high speed on the M23/A23, looks more like rushing to get home than anything else, as using unmarked cars has more risks involved than using marked, as sometimes the general public are a bit slow to react to fast moving cars, blues or not.
What gets my goat is the Police motorcycles who act just like their civilian brothers who totally disregard speed limits and white lines, more gestapo than police.
Unsurprising they have little respect left really, you're more likely to see police vehicles in petrol stations so they can get their lunch than out and about being 'visual'.
Dave
My best man changed job and became an ambulance driver in London. As part of their training for blue light work, they were put in un-marked cars (with instructors) and sent to Sussex where the traffic was less!
20th Nov 2022 9:47 am
Oxford-boy
Member Since: 07 Sep 2015
Location: Oxford
Posts: 1122
Farmer Chalk wrote:
Have you ever thought that they may be doing important work keeping you safe in your lives?
A number of agencies use covert cars.. HM Government, Military, Regional crime squads, anti terrorist branches, surveillance teams, covert firearms teams etc etc..
The use of blue lights is severely restricted, every vehicle has tracking and telemetry data and if in the event of an incident will be downloaded.. thus people don’t just drive around late for tea…
As he says....Jim
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20th Nov 2022 1:29 pm
defector
Member Since: 23 Feb 2009
Location: Greater Manchester
Posts: 1476
In GMP all 'standard' drivers i.e. All those that are response drivers allowed to use blue lights, are also trained in marked and unmarked cars on local roads as well as motorways.
So there are lots of training vehicles running around, and GMP are also training drivers from other forces.
That's why you may notice all these unmarked cars on blues.
20th Nov 2022 2:11 pm
mse
Member Since: 27 Jun 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 2707
Other agency "commanders" have unmarked blue light cars
ironically police often heave a little crappy orange police illuminated sign in the backMike
20th Nov 2022 4:11 pm
MHP
Member Since: 31 Dec 2011
Location: lydd
Posts: 2776
Unmarked cars are becoming more and more common typically with higher up officers in our front line services. As mentioned above there is huge amounts of training that goes into being a response driver, I did mine just over 4 years back now and then it was a 4 week course (2 of us on the course so split each days driving), at all times of day, we started each morning in Essex then across the 4 weeks visited most areas of london, a large part of kent, Sussex and Surrey driving with all different vehicle types (unmarked, marked, 2/4 wheel drive, vans & 7.5 ton vehicles) on different road types and weathers. In addition to this we had 2 days on a skid pan & plenty of class room time!
The loop holes to jump through when justifying blue light use in a real situation is unreal now. So much so some services have started to issue staff with speeding fines or whatever punishment suits the speed/law break & have to explain the exemption and the justification for the use of said exemption. So really isn’t worth doing anything silly 2009 Discovery 3 HSE - Gone
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20th Nov 2022 8:09 pm
mse
Member Since: 27 Jun 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 2707
Some are only allowed a % over a speed unless there is a justification that is significantMike
21st Nov 2022 11:22 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
Quote:
If a car flashing for you to pull over or stop is unmarked, unless you are certain it is the police, do not stop. Drive steadily to the nearest public place e.g. a petrol station where they are open till late, a police station or somewhere there are a lot of people, and then stop. If you are in a relatively deserted area, as a last resort, consider looking for a house that is obviously occupied and pull into the driveway. You can always apologise to the householder afterwards.
Try and signal that you have acknowledged the request to stop and indicate the action you are taking (put your flashers on or signal by pointing from the driver's window etc.). Don't drive off at great speed making the police think you are trying to get away.
Keep the doors locked until you are happy it is the police and have your mobile phone to hand just in case. You can ask to see the police officer's warrant card, which should carry their name and photograph, through the closed window.
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2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
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21st Nov 2022 2:26 pm
MHP
Member Since: 31 Dec 2011
Location: lydd
Posts: 2776
mse wrote:
Some are only allowed a % over a speed unless there is a justification that is significant
General rule of thumb is 20mph over speed limit 2009 Discovery 3 HSE - Gone
2019 Anniversary Edition D5 - Going
2019 HSE D5 - coming!
21st Nov 2022 6:58 pm
Realist
Member Since: 21 Mar 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 357
Quite a few use their own cars so it’s a works vehicle and family run around, hence covert.
Loads Police, paramedics, fire, NaCTSO, MI5, 6 list goes on and on.
They have relaxed the covert vehicular rules and other agencies now run in plain vehicals.
South Wales Police use a few Seats, Gwent VW and I can list others but I’m not going to because they are covert for a reason.
Regards.
Why wait, just go for it and enjoy life.
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21st Nov 2022 8:35 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73132
You could tell us but then you’d have to kill us.
21st Nov 2022 9:33 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
I use the M5 a lot and predominantly see unmarked Police cars. Marked cars are a rare sight. Quite a variety of marques as well, mainly in estate form.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
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