Sly Police Car

[RANDY]

Hello

Last week i was driving home from portobello at night via seafield and ferry road. I saw a car a fair distance away with its lights on and proceeded to watch my speed as you can never know when there is a police patrol.

After turning onto ferry road i lost sight of the car but all of a sudden i saw what appeared to be a car in my mirror a fair distance away with its lights off. I thought of this as being very suspicious and reduced my speed to exactly 30mph. As the car came nearer they turned their lights on at which point i realised it was a police car. They then overtook me and proceded to skip a red light!!

Now is this standard procedure for police cars to drive with no lights on at night? Is this an attempt to catch unsafe road users? If this is the case then i feel this is very sly!

Also, it appears to be one rule for the police and another for other motorists. I have seen police on several occasions skip red lights or drive through no entry signs without flashing blue lights. Could you comment on this also please?

Thanks

[Police Cruise Liaison]

and proceeded to watch my speed as you can never know when there is a police patrol.

Firstly, it's always advisable to "watch your speed" incase you knock over a pedestrian or a child, and not "incase you get caught."


Now is this standard procedure for police cars to drive with no lights on at night?

I find this very strange and not the standard of driving i would expect from a Police driver. Strange as it may be, the officers may have information that we dont which maybe required this course of action, but i personally cant think of one.


Also, it appears to be one rule for the police and another for other motorists.

Correct- we are given excemptions to the Road Traffic Act 1988 in certain circumstances where life or property may be in danger so as we can arrive as quickly and as safely as possible. What would be the point in us responding to 999 calls at the speed limit and stopping for red lights? For this reason, all Police drivers are well trained.


I have seen police on several occasions skip red lights or drive through no entry signs without flashing blue lights. Could you comment on this also please?

See above answer.

In certain circumstances, Police drivers are required to adopt a "silent approach" to detect offenders. But believe me, just because the blue lights/two tones are not on, this does not mean the driver will not be checking the junctions and eliminating the danger prior to moving through. If it was not safe- they stop. Simple.

Whilst i appreciate your points Randy, please remember that what could appear as "careless or needless" driving to you, could be required to respond to an urgent assistance call or a crime in progress. Not everyone is in possession of all the facts all of the time....

I trust this answers your question.

CR.