collease Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Last night i was passed by 2 wite vectras that were going exceedingly fast down the back roads around the norfolk countryside. Now these 2 cars had 01 and 02 on the roof as well as a little sign that said pursuit driver traing on the back. I assumed by the way they were taking the bends and blasting past everyone that they were not that new to the training. Now i assume they were police officers but i have never seen tham around norfolk befor and just wondered if anyone else had ever seen this anywhere in the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Durham Constabulary used to do that as part of their pursuit driver traning a long time ago when I was a special. Basically two cars, the trainee in the second car following the 'local' instructor (who knows the roads) with a second instructor in with the trainee and trainee having to give running commentary on road conditions, speeds, general observations as if in pursuit conditions. Don't know if this still applies, Mr Smitten would be the best person to explain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collease Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Although i was not going to try and stay with them they were pinging about some. Very impressive. ONly problem i saw was the fact that the second car got held up for some time behind another vehicle so was probably getting a bit impatient as he kept darting out then back in to get a good look past the car for a clear place to pass. The manouver he eventually did was safe but it was not the smoothest of overtakes. BUt saying that they have to get past as safe as they can without loosing much ground on the person they are chasing. great thing to watch would love to have been in the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkzz Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 cool.. a VERY funny story was... my MUM was driving down a main road with lots of traffic and these 2 dark blue cars came screaming past in a very similar fashion, in and out etc etc.. well my mum being my mum went after them and turned into a road and saw them trying to do a 3 point turn, so my mum blocked them in and got out shouting at them, when one of the drivers pulled an ID badge out saying they are doing pursuit training.. my mum was embaressed but still reported them, and she got an apology letter from their boss bloke!!..lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 I spotted 3 cars with a magnetic blue light stuck out of the drivers window. They were on the M1 near Leicester going very fast, there was a vectra, C Class merc and Audi A4, what would that have been flying squad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Police driver training is carried out on the roads rather than a proving ground so that the added obstacles of other vehicles etc are taken into consideration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encee Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Durham Constabulary used to do that as part of their pursuit driver traning a long time ago when I was a special. Basically two cars, the trainee in the second car following the 'local' instructor (who knows the roads) with a second instructor in with the trainee and trainee having to give running commentary on road conditions, speeds, general observations as if in pursuit conditions. Don't know if this still applies, Mr Smitten would be the best person to explain. [/ QUOTE ] It hasn`t changed, mate; still the same format all over the country. If it aint broke........etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisg Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I spotted 3 cars with a magnetic blue light stuck out of the drivers window. They were on the M1 near Leicester going very fast, there was a vectra, C Class merc and Audi A4, what would that have been flying squad? [/ QUOTE ] Local Fire Chief around here used to do that - plain clothes car blue light on roof when needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Generally the police use unmarked vehicles for driver training, generally white cars which are fairly roomy as they tend to have 4 persons onboard. However, they very rarely have "pursuit driving" in the rear window as people tend to complain.... A friend of mine is a copper and would drive the "suspect" vehicle, when "caught" he would actually be arrested, otherwise the general public would complain. Durham currently have a 5 series in white and they may still have their white 406 floating about. They generally don't enforce the law either, as they have more important things to be doing. I've been in a car with an advanced police instructor and to say the least it was breathtakingly impressive! If you can get someone to do a full running commentary then go for it, it's amazing what they spot! Simple things like "we are travelling next to a railway line, I can see ahead the telephone poles that are adjacent to the road take a sharp left then sharp right, the road may cross the railway line". You can guess what happened about a mile ahead Collease> you've fallen into the common trap mate. The driver of the second vehicle would not have been impatient, they would have sat there for all eternity if it wasn't safe to overtake. Changing you road position (when safe to do so) is a common police tactic and is simply used to maximise the amount of road you can see. I bet they didn't use their indicators either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I bet they didn't use their indicators either [/ QUOTE ] They should all drive BMW's then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I bet they didn't use their indicators either [/ QUOTE ] They should all drive BMW's then! [/ QUOTE ] Actually my copper mate is Seriously, if you watch the training cars then I'll very much doubt you'll see them indicate when going for an overtake. I'm not sure on the reasoning behind this rule, but on the motorway they don't indicate unless it will affect another vehicle, this means that the officer has not glanced in his/her rearview mirror, but has actually analysed the vehicles behind and in front and decided if any of them require notice of the lane change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collease Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I was not complaining and i had figuered that they would probably been trying to see when it was safe to overtake as behind a car on a tight country road you cant see anything unless you bob out every now and then. As for indicators i was not paying attention enough to worry just liked the view as they went on their way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Sorry mate, didn't say you were complaing, it's my usual cack handed typing at work It is an awesome sight tho! I wish I was that good at driving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collease Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 No it me mate getting the wrong end of the wrong stick again. i better be carfull or i could have my own eye out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 When I did the Drivetrain course with John (who's an ex advanced police driving instructor) he did a session where he drove doing the whole comentary, it's very impressive. And yes, I was taught to use my indicators far less (i.e don't bother when your action is not going to affect others) and road postioning is different too. A lot more time on the opposite side of the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pomme Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Got to agree with Daz. Try and get along to see John, as he is simply amazing and really shows you what your car can do, and also really helps you to be able to use the car like it can be, be this on the left side of the road orthe other side. That reminds me i think i should really go and have another day blasting around with John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encee Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I bet they didn't use their indicators either [/ QUOTE ] They should all drive BMW's then! [/ QUOTE ] Actually my copper mate is Seriously, if you watch the training cars then I'll very much doubt you'll see them indicate when going for an overtake. I'm not sure on the reasoning behind this rule, but on the motorway they don't indicate unless it will affect another vehicle, this means that the officer has not glanced in his/her rearview mirror, but has actually analysed the vehicles behind and in front and decided if any of them require notice of the lane change. [/ QUOTE ] Stevie, you`re absolutely spot-on with this. Basically, we are taught that there is no need to indicate unless it would be of benefit to anyone else, which is rarely the case out in the sticks. If, for instance, you are going for an overtake, there is rarely the need to let anyone behind know that, UNLESS, of course, you believe that they may be looking for the overtake themselves, but, believe me, if someone is looking to overtake you when you`re doing your advanced, then you really aren`t going quick enough, and this NEVER happens, because you are "encouraged" to make progress from day 1 of the course. Conversely, you shouldn`t need to indicate to warn oncoming traffic of your intention to overtake, as, if you needed to warn them, then you simply shouldn`t be overtaking in the first place, as there`s insufficient room ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I was taught when I was learnt to drive to only signal if it will benefit another road user. Still do it to this day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encee Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I was taught when I was learnt to drive to only signal if it will benefit another road user. Still do it to this day. [/ QUOTE ] Exactly mate. THB, it`s just common sense (not something that all Cops have in abundance, so we have to be "taught" this particular concept ) It just needs some people to give it a bit more thought, for instance when joining lane 1 of the M/way, from the slip-road. Nobody actually thinks that you aren`t going to join the main carriageway as soon as you can, do they, so why indicate ? The answer being that it becomes automatic from when you were originally taught to drive (certainly if you learnt to drive way-back-when, like I did......... ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I tend to use the "lane indicator" feature in my car - one quick flick of the indicator stalk and you get three blinks of the appropriate indicator; given that my hand is usually there anyway for a left-hand paddle downshift, it's no distraction to me and extra information for other road users. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Coming from effectively the same coaching book, the IAM teaches only to indicate if it will benefit another road user. Interpretations of that tend to vary - some would say if another road user can see you, the information may be useful. I always doubted the use of religiously indicating for an overtake. Chances are my left hand would be better used engaging the correct gear than indicating to no-one in particular... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Garcon, quite true mate. I believe the police use it mainly in training and it carries through after that. It seems absurd at first, but if you have to make the choice over indicating, rather than blindly indicating whenever, then you're more likely to notice that the car in the fast lane is going like a bat out of hell and moving out would cause problems... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Yep - useful aid to awareness. Seeing everything around you rather than just looking at it... Interesting what Daz said on road positioning too. The IAM used to be much more liberal with that (and the NSL speed limit once upon a time), but now err on the side of caution and do not advocate using the 'wrong' side of the road. I do tend to use the road as far as safe/reasonable to increase visibility and smooth out corners, and I get some very odd looks for doing so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 [ QUOTE ] for instance when joining lane 1 of the M/way, from the slip-road. [/ QUOTE ] Interesting you should mention that. As John said on my training day. When joining a motorway which indicator do people use generally? The right one. Which logically is wrong. If the slip road was a T junction instead you'd be using your left indicator. Hence don't bother everyone knows what you are planning to do anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Encee> did your tutor teach you about GLF signs? I love them I completely agree with you re the overtake and no need to indicate. Most people have poor road position and an advanced driver will have located themselves on the road so that they can see an overtake far before most people would. I now find it hilarious to watch people fumble overtakes, I'd just love to hear their thought process "oh, I wonder what beloved will cook for tea tonight? I do hope it...oh, hang on, is there anything coming? Doesn't look like it, OK, lets change gear, indicate, oh no, the oppurtunity has gone" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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