Speed Recording Devices in Unmarked Cars?

[philkeen]

Hello,

Does anyone know if there are unmarked police cars currently that can just simply follow you for a short time, record your speed and then pursue a prosecution without actually stopping you to deal with it? (IE, send you a NIP instead).

I was driving in the stretch just past J29 M4 West bound, when a car sped up behind me from nowhere within loads of heavey traffic. As I may have been over the speed limit, I pulled into the middle lane and he did too. After about a quarter of a mile, the car just overtook me and sped up the road fast. Around 10mins later, I noticed it had pulled over on the hard shoulder alone but his blue/red lights flashing from some strange places on the car... ie: not on roof or in grille. They seemed to be around the wing mirrors and sides of the car when I briefly looked at it...

Sorry if this sounds obvious to you guys but I am not sure if they have the devices to do this now without actually stopping us???

Edited by philkeen on Friday 12th March 00:32

Edited by philkeen on Friday 12th March 00:34

[mattb84]

think only marked vans can serve you with an NIP direct to your home. if any cars caught you speeding they would stop you instantly. think your ok on this . be aware, the speed camera vans now work in the dark aswell. been on a470 a lot

[philkeen]

mattb84 - thanks for your thoughts. Didn't know about the night vision...

I thought I needed to be stopped too so fingers crossed.

If anyone else has any exeperience of the opposite please let me know.
Thanks.

[kwk]

Yes, unmarked cars are fitted with cameras and could be used in the way you describe. I would however think it highly unlikely that the driver would not have stopped you if you were doing something wrong. I really wouldn't worry about it.

[Cardiff]

agree with KWK

[philkeen]

Hi Guys,

Well its been 14 days now and I haven't received a NIP!

Thanks for your advice at the time and I just wanted to update everyone and anyone else that was curious.

Cheers,
Phil

[teen_cerbera]

The blasting up your ass and then leaving you alone is just a scare tactic, I have heard this from a traffic officer, if you acknowledge the cop and deal with it appropriatley i.e. reduce your speed & pull over, the officer knows your aware of your surroundings, speed limits etc and have acknowledged your mistake.

I had one do it to me, I was 20mph over the speed limit, carefully reduced my speed & safely pulled into the middle lane, the unmarked cop came along side, I acknowledged him with a sheepish raise of the hand, he gestured back and blasted past me.

Believe it or not, there are some decent ones out there

IMO this tactic is better as I slowed down after this, when I had a FNP on the M5 I was peed right off and continued to Hoon it home.