M4 Wiltshire - be Warned

[CatherineJ]

I ended up today with 3 points on my licence for the very first time. I usually go up and down the stretch between Chippenham and Swindon daily and don't often see police cars (marked or unmarked).

I rather stupidly was exceeding the speed limit somewhat and got the shock of my life as I passed one of unmarked grey 3 series saloons on the hard shoulder with the drivers door open and the driver stood by it.

To cut a long story short I have landed myself with 3 points and a £60, when I should have been going to court.

So please be very careful if travelling on that stretch because I have never seen them doing that before.

[Byker28i]

They've two unmarked 3 series and a creamy beige volvo I saw had pulled someone last week.

[CatherineJ]

Byker28i said:

They've two unmarked 3 series and a creamy beige volvo I saw had pulled someone last week.

There are grey, silver and navy blue 3's I know that. Haven't seen the volvo though.

They do appear to have increased their presence since the camera vans have been pulled.

Never sat in the back of a police car before.

[rs1952]

CatherineJ said:

I ended up today with 3 points on my licence for the very first time. I usually go up and down the stretch between Chippenham and Swindon daily and don't often see police cars (marked or unmarked).

I rather stupidly was exceeding the speed limit somewhat and got the shock of my life as I passed one of unmarked grey 3 series saloons on the hard shoulder with the drivers door open and the driver stood by it.

To cut a long story short I have landed myself with 3 points and a £60, when I should have been going to court.

So please be very careful if travelling on that stretch because I have never seen them doing that before.

I am aware of them along that stretch but I have yet to see them pull anybody.

On a light traffic day many vehicles are maintaining 85+ on that stretch

Just how fast were you going?

[CatherineJ]

rs1952 said:

CatherineJ said:

I ended up today with 3 points on my licence for the very first time. I usually go up and down the stretch between Chippenham and Swindon daily and don't often see police cars (marked or unmarked).

I rather stupidly was exceeding the speed limit somewhat and got the shock of my life as I passed one of unmarked grey 3 series saloons on the hard shoulder with the drivers door open and the driver stood by it.

To cut a long story short I have landed myself with 3 points and a £60, when I should have been going to court.

So please be very careful if travelling on that stretch because I have never seen them doing that before.

I am aware of them along that stretch but I have yet to see them pull anybody.

On a light traffic day many vehicles are maintaining 85+ on that stretch

Just how fast were you going?

I saw them last week pull a Maserati, but other than that, nothing for some time. I certainly had never expected to see a police officer stood on the hard shoulder thats for sure. As for what speed I was doing, his gun said 98 and explained the cut off for court of 96 mph. He asked me a few questions and obviously decided I had just been a prat.

Edited by CatherineJ on Thursday 20th January 20:15

[rs1952]

So ....

An indicated 8mph slower makes all the difference then

[CatherineJ]

Yes apparently so, anyway his advice to me was to stick at 80 and no one would bother me. He also did admit 2 cars had gone past him before at 90 (he didn't go after them) and I was a lot faster than them.

[xkrGiles]

I dont think you did anything wrong if the conditions were adequate.

The police in this country collecting taxes again. And they say we should trust the police, I wouldnt p on them if they were on fire. I know a few coppers and they are the worst speeders I have come accross.

If it were an Autobahn then it would be legal (in some areas) but in the UK its illegal..... says who ? oh yes the same people that benefit from us being caught over the limit

[Mon Ami Mate]

The grey 3 Series seems to be pretty much a permanent fixture in daylight hours between J17 and J15 at the moment. Very hard to keep it at a marked 80mph on this stretch at times when traffic is light. You have my sympathy.

[AngryApples]

xkrGiles said:

I dont think you did anything wrong if the conditions were adequate.

The police in this country collecting taxes again. And they say we should trust the police, I wouldnt p on them if they were on fire. I know a few coppers and they are the worst speeders I have come accross.

If it were an Autobahn then it would be legal (in some areas) but in the UK its illegal..... says who ? oh yes the same people that benefit from us being caught over the limit

OOooooooh........

touched a nerve there then mate?


(catherine - cheers for the tip!)

[rs1952]

Mon Ami Mate said:

The grey 3 Series seems to be pretty much a permanent fixture in daylight hours between J17 and J15 at the moment. Very hard to keep it at a marked 80mph on this stretch at times when traffic is light. You have my sympathy.

Just a thought I had last night but didn't post it:

If plod says something on the lines of "keep to 80 and you'll not be noticed," and bearing in mind speedo over-read, this probably means that you can be doing an indicated 90 before the blues actually go on.

[CatherineJ]

rs1952 said:

Mon Ami Mate said:

The grey 3 Series seems to be pretty much a permanent fixture in daylight hours between J17 and J15 at the moment. Very hard to keep it at a marked 80mph on this stretch at times when traffic is light. You have my sympathy.

Just a thought I had last night but didn't post it:

If plod says something on the lines of "keep to 80 and you'll not be noticed," and bearing in mind speedo over-read, this probably means that you can be doing an indicated 90 before the blues actually go on.

Well he said they allow 10% plus 2 mph. So I suspect he is saying 80 on the speedo, which will probably a real 78 mph.

[joe_90]

Did you go past at 90+ and keep going at 90+? He must have been going some to hop in the car and get up to speed to catch you..

Was he up a bank? or just stood on the hard shoulder.

I have been past them a few times doing 80+ and they alway seem fine, unlike the tools bunching up and tailgating around him at 69.


Where you in a grey car? possible a focus?


/edit just seen the other thread.

Edited by joe_90 on Friday 21st January 14:14

[CatherineJ]

joe_90 said:

Did you go past at 90+ and keep going at 90+? He must have been going some to hop in the car and get up to speed to catch you..

Was he up a bank? or just stood on the hard shoulder.

I have been past them a few times doing 80+ and they alway seem fine, unlike the tools bunching up and tailgating around him at 69.


Where you in a grey car? possible a focus?


/edit just seen the other thread.

Edited by joe_90 on Friday 21st January 14:14

No I hit the brakes as soon as I saw him and then hung around in the middle lane at 70 until he caught me up.

I was in a red Civic Type S.

[itsnotarace]

Have often seen them by the side of the road between Swindon and Wootton Basset junct, usually just over a crest and holding a hair drier.

[joe_90]

CatherineJ said:

joe_90 said:

Did you go past at 90+ and keep going at 90+? He must have been going some to hop in the car and get up to speed to catch you..

Was he up a bank? or just stood on the hard shoulder.

I have been past them a few times doing 80+ and they alway seem fine, unlike the tools bunching up and tailgating around him at 69.


Where you in a grey car? possible a focus?


/edit just seen the other thread.

Edited by joe_90 on Friday 21st January 14:14

No I hit the brakes as soon as I saw him and then hung around in the middle lane at 70 until he caught me up.

I was in a red Civic Type S.

Should have kept the foot down and got off at swindon

[LordBretSinclair]

joe_90 said:

CatherineJ said:

joe_90 said:

Did you go past at 90+ and keep going at 90+? He must have been going some to hop in the car and get up to speed to catch you..

Was he up a bank? or just stood on the hard shoulder.

I have been past them a few times doing 80+ and they alway seem fine, unlike the tools bunching up and tailgating around him at 69.


Where you in a grey car? possible a focus?


/edit just seen the other thread.

Edited by joe_90 on Friday 21st January 14:14

No I hit the brakes as soon as I saw him and then hung around in the middle lane at 70 until he caught me up.

I was in a red Civic Type S.

Should have kept the foot down and got off at swindon

What ????????? The BiB had formed the opinion that the OP was speeding, the camera confirmed that view so he had his 2 bits of evidence plus a registration number. Keeping your foot in would have just made matters worse.

[thenortherner]

V-Tec must have kick in, yo.

Re. the camera vans - which area(s) have they been pulled in?

[CatherineJ]

thenortherner said:

V-Tec must have kick in, yo.

Re. the camera vans - which area(s) have they been pulled in?

All Wiltshire Camera Partnership vans have been removed from the county.

[Chris_VRS]

CatherineJ said:

I ended up today with 3 points on my licence for the very first time. I usually go up and down the stretch between Chippenham and Swindon daily and don't often see police cars (marked or unmarked).

I rather stupidly was exceeding the speed limit somewhat and got the shock of my life as I passed one of unmarked grey 3 series saloons on the hard shoulder with the drivers door open and the driver stood by it.

To cut a long story short I have landed myself with 3 points and a £60, when I should have been going to court.

So please be very careful if travelling on that stretch because I have never seen them doing that before.

Sounds like today was your lucky day!
To add to the above mentioned unmarked cars there is also a dark blue 530d 4dr with the basic 5spoke wheels patrolling the M4 around Swindon.