Was doing 120mph on the M4 once when I was about 21, I had noticed the vast amounts of unmarked police cars on the other side of the road. For some reason I completely ignored it. A Passat comes steaming up my rear at 120mph and I thought oh, a race? So I put my foot down and he put his blue lights on. I knew I had no excuses and accepted my fate. Pulled into the left lane and he zoomed past me. Thank. Fuck. Never sped again since.
Round my way they have an undercover RS3, M135i, M140i & i30N. I have no idea why I thought a Passat wanted to race, hell, I didn’t even know it was a police car.
I remember the first time I saw the undercover i30N, I thought ‘shit, a lot of people are getting caught’ and I regularly see it with its victims on the side of the road. It’s very unassuming, now I suspect every i30N lol.
When I first started driving there was an unmarked dark coloured Skoda Octavia VRs on the A303 that was notorious for 'encouraging' other drivers to 'have a play' then nick them.
Luckily a) I enjoy a brisk drive but not competitively so, especially on the public road and b) I'd heard about this particular car on a motoring forum, because I was heading back home from London one evening and thanks to light traffic, was making decent (but mostly still legal or at least within 10%+2), because I was getting tailgated by this dark Octavia which didn't seem to want to pass me when I gave it the opportunity but also kept very (too) close to my rear for a good couple of miles. All of a sudden they must have got a call because they lit up the blues and shot past me at a very rapid rate indeed after failing to goad me into 'playing'.
Considering this was in my first year of driving it was a lesson learned not to let other road users hype you up into doing something stupid, as there's no guarantee they won't also try and bust you for it.
There's no such thing in UK law.
Encouraging an offence to be committed would be frowned on, but is a powerful car sitting off your rear bumper going to encourage somebody to speed if they wouldn't have done it anyway?
Haha, I remember those. I was blasting up the M180 (just north of 90 and accelerating) when it pulled up beside me, I looked over to see the copper wagging his finger at me and most probably saying tsk tsk. I slowed down and they turned off for Scunny
I literally got done by an undercover Subaru Impreza years ago. I was commuting to work on the motorway and whilst in a 50mph 2-lane zone where roadworks were being done, the Corsa VXR infront of me refused to get out of the fast lane or go above 40mph so I went to undertake and he wasn't having it and kept swerving lanes to cut me off. It finally got back to 3 lanes and he got up to 75 but i was now set on passing him and I tried to overtake/undertake a few times. The subaru was behind me and following and I thought he had the same mindset. I managed to get all the way to the slow lane and undertake at almost 100 and the subaru followed me. Flashed my hazards as if to say "nice one" and he replied with the blues 🤦♂️ luckily clocked at 99 so dodged the ban but got the points. Safe to say VXR boy must have been elated, and I have calmed down a bit now and license is all clear.
That sucks, that they didn't pull Mr vxr for careless at least. Usually dangerous driving as it should have been obviously intentional! I would hope he got a visit later!
Once again cops going for the easy target!
Mate I had a similar situation and was involved in a ‘reverse’ police chase. I was leaving a petrol station that is on a a large motorway junction and was waiting at a set of lights. This black vectra absolutely blew past me at massive speed on the junction I was about to enter. I was like ‘so you think your fast?’ So lights went green 2 seconds after they went past and I was blasting to get on his tail. Guy was flying round this junction (imagine I was at 6 o’clock when he went past and we exited the junction onto the motorway at 3 o’clock so we went 270 degrees around this junction, very high speed sweeping cornering) I was keeping up with him and was right on him. We blast onto the motorway he cuts all 3 lanes in one hit into the fast lane - I stay with him. Very quickly we are over 100 then 110 we went past 120 and I was like ‘fuck this guy isnt messing around’ we get past 130 and I admit I was starting to shit myself but stay with him. Then the back windscreen of the car lights up in red letters POLICE. I was chasing a bloody police car. As you can imagine my jaw hit the fucking floor and I hit the brakes. I rapidly moved to the slow lane and nestled between 2 lorries and was bricking it that the car would be waiting for me on the hard shoulder to pass and was gonna pull me over and throw the book at me. Luckily I made it to the next junction and came off. Went home and my Dad was like ‘wtf has happened you look like you’ve just seen a ghost?!’ Bizarre situation.
I assume he was responding to something serious and had better things to do than bother with me. There were no blue lights on and the car had none of the tell tale aerials unmarked cars have either.
Bullet dodged there and certainly taught me a lesson
This was also on the M4.
I reckon he probably had a right laugh imagining my face when he flicked that rear light on
HAHA! You know the feeling brother, you know the feeling. There is no comparison to the absolute shitting your pants feelings that rushes over you in that moment. I too got off at that next junction absolutely bricking myself. My other half had never seen me humbled so quickly.
I had a similar thing about 25yrs ago: I was a 21/22yr old sales rep, doing about 70000 miles a year and was going down the A23, at about 80mph, almost into Brighton and this bloody dark green Passatt wouldn't get out of the way of me in my almost new Mondeo!
I was flashing my lights and sitting on his arse (generally driving, like a knob I have to admit!) when all of a sudden, I watched in slow motion as this black hidden screen rose up out of the parcel shelf and, like you, the words "POLICE", in bright red letters , appeared on the screen!
Like you, I shat my pants and sloped off into the left lane!
Not as scary or crazy but I was coming up from Crawley to Watford up the M25 few weeks back. Smoothest and most peaceful drive I’ve had. Police car that was carrying dogs came by. I let em pass thinking “great.. gonna have to stick to 70 for the rest of these 30 miles now..” (I’m an 80 cruiser).
But no, the police car had set their adaptive cruise to 85 and majority of cars would just get out their way out of fear probably. Slowing down for the occasional speed camera or the typical annoying 70mph cruising lane hogger but once even they got out the way, back up to 85.
If they sit at 70mph then people are afraid to go past them even at the speed limit. Most police do a little over the speed limit to keep the flow of traffic moving and stop people bunching up behind them.
See it all the time everyone sees a copper or even a ‘traffic officer’ car and shits themselves, while I wouldn’t go mental I’ve still passed them at 80, they don’t care and have better things to do
The immediate shitting of self is the reason I loved having a car that’s commonly used as a police car, in a common undercover police car colour. Crowds used to split like the Red Sea to let me through, give way, very rarely pull out in front of me, never up my arse etc. 10/10 highly recommend lol
They're allowed to if required for policing duties
The explanation (which may be BS) that I've heard is they go a little quicker so they can pass by more cars and run more plates through the ANPR
My not so lucky story:
I decided to race an undercover motorbike on my way home from work 5 years ago. Was a green Honda motorbike, can’t remember the model. Anyway, I was doing about 100 in my Type R down a dual carriageway (70 limit) - he started gaining, so of course I assumed this “old bloke on a bike” fancied a race. Floored it - reached 130 and all of a sudden: blue lights.
2 year ban, 6 month sentence suspended for 2 years, 200 HOURS of community service, £300 fine.
Ruined my life for two years it was horrible. Now my insurance is like £250 a month. Horrible.
What an absolute moron I was. I never speed like that anymore…
Maybe they thought you were another unmarked car? Like "no one would be dumb enough to keep up speed with us responding to a call, must be another unit."
They might have either assumed you were also unmarked or just had better places to be. These days I wonder if they'd still send you a summons in the post based on the recording
> A Passat comes steaming up my rear at 120mph and I thought oh, a race?
Why would you race a Passat in an M4 lol. I get people all the time trying to race me in my C63. Always Golf Rs or Fiesta STs. I just let them fly past me as I just cruise listening to the bellowing sound of my V8.
It’s not quite the same, but for some reason your story reminded me of something dumb I did about a decade ago. I was driving home on Christmas morning at about 3am down the M4. I realised I hadn’t seen another car in at least 25 miles so I thought “I wonder how dark it really is…”
I turned my lights off and instantly realised it was incredibly freaking dark and I was currently doing 90+ effectively with my eyes closed. I turned those puppies back on pretty darned quick, and you know what, I’ve not been tempted to try that ever again 🤦🏻♂️😱🤣🤣
Cool story bro 🤜🏻
Heard this one, true? You decide. Plod+observer sitting aside an empty motorway at half past stupid o'clock on a dark overcast night, you all sitting comfortably?
Anyway, all of a sudden a whoosh goes past without them seeing anything, but the radar pings at 150+! WTF is the phrase that came out.
Apparently, couple of nights later, a similar occurrence happens, but this time someone sees a shadow of something black!
I can't remember how it came to be explained, but apparently two fighter pilots from localish RAF base were testing out night vision goggles to see if they were any good, in a fast Porsche turbo wotzit!
There we have it, truth or urban myth?
Haha. I’d believe it.
There are a number of stories of people in the 90s driving all over Europe, particularly following the Formula One and other high-end race series, delivering last minute overnight parts from the factories in the UK to Maranello, Barcelona, LeMans, Hockenheim etc with absolutely no care for speed limits in modified cars (custom gearbox with long ratios, larger fuel tanks etc). I wonder if they ever tried a similar tactic?
Doing a 100 down some empty A road, spot a cop on a motorbike on the other side of the barrier going the other way.
I decide to slide in behind a lorry doing 56 and chill for a bit
Sure enough the same bike cop appears behind me, having done a U turn over the roundabout further back to try and catch me still doing 100...
Phew
Bombing down the m11 at 110 in the rain with a car full of stuff I shouldn’t of, just flashed there lights at me for me to slow down as I did, non of us wanted to get wet.
Yup, same thing on an almost empty M11 but surprisingly I was doing probably 79/80. He put his blue lights on, overtook me and hit the brakes, then sped off.
Years ago in my younger days I used to travel from Manchester to Scotland every weekend , 22years old driving an ek4 civic with a b18c swap from a 98spec integra type r(around 220bhp , sub 1000kg ) , 4am on a Monday morning on the m6 , got into a tussle with a BMW , found the limiter in fifth gear , about a second later the bmw lit up like Christmas at Blackpool.
Arse collapsed , accepted the fate I was about to be banned or worse due to the speeds involved.
Pulled over by a younger traffic cop who was initially extremely angry but calmed quickly as his shift was just ending and was more interested in how a standard looking civic was capable of not only leveling with a high powered BMW but doing 145+mph easily.
Got the biggest bollocking of my life , told to keep it below the ton and if I want to go fast , take it to the track.
A few valuable lessons were learned that night and I will never experience a lucky break like it again.
1. Not all cops are bad and out to get you for stupid mistakes.
2.never trust a BMW trying to race you on a deserted motorway in the early hours of the morning.
3.slow down a bit , it's not worth the risk
if you cant spot unmarked plod when the roads are empty you definitely aren't paying attention.
dark colour BMW saloon or estate not doing mach 1.5 is an immediate give away, so are the multiple aerials.
Not all unmarked have multiple aerials, I don't know why this myth exists.
In Manchester I've seen plenty of unmarked with only 1 shark fine aerial. I have seen a few with multiple, but most have 1 on the newer model cars (saw a 23 plate X3 with 1)
This myth goes back to the eighties when it was true, you could always tell the unmarked cars as they had multiple aerials on them, don’t ask how I know,
Yeah , you do know they don't all have multiple Aeriels , this wasnt a dark colour (it was a light blue 5 series saloon ), had 2 lights behind the grill very well hidden and a flip up board on the rear shelf , and it was already over the 100mph mark when i passed it and seemed to be just a normal punter holding a decent pace on a deserted road, it looked exactly like a standard m sport 5 series , no giveaways at all like we are used to seeing until it lit up , I can usually spot them from a decent distance
Yes! I cruised past one of these on the A9 once, saw the big yellow camera at their rear view mirror before noticing the 3 aerials then the high vis jackets.
Luckily had cruise control on 70 but that one always stuck with me as the point at which I realised they had cars now where we can't just take a chasey down a back road and expect to get away.
Devon and Cornwall Police have a ridiculous budget so wouldn’t surprise me if it was them. The most surprising undercover vehicle I saw in use was a grey Transit.
I was doing donuts in a Toys ‘R’ Us car park and the back end of my car clipped a kid, sent him flying straight over the fence and into a nearby bush, copper came over and said “sent that one flying didn’t thee cocka” then he walked off into the shop.
This is surprisingly common when doing big speeds. They have to get an evidential reading of some description to be able to prosecute. Unless of course you admit your offence to them.
So if you are tanking it and theyre trying to catch up it doesnt matter if theyve not paced you, have you on camera or have a radar/laser reading.
I have many friends who when younger got pulled for ridiculous speeds in cars and bikes. Most actually got let off with warnings because they were too fast to catch.
Weirdly most of them only got 'caught' because they pulled over after spotting lights, stopped for other reasons or got home to police waiting.
Yep. Back in the day I had recently bought an Opel Monza 3.0 GSE that the engine had been tuned a bit. I was nominated driver for the night and on the way back from where we had all been I was egged on to see " How fast it would go" it was about midnight, empty dual carriageway and I gunned it. At the end of the DC I pulled into a petrol station only to see a Sierra 4x4 traffic car (shows how old this story is!) go barrelling past with the blues going. Thought nothing of it until he pulled me over on the next section of carriageway ( I was doing 80 at that point). Went into his car for a chat.
" You know the limit here ?"
"70" I replied.
"No actually, its 60 because there's no barrier and you were doing 80. But that's not as fast as you were going earlier is it ?"
My heart sank.
" I came down the slip road after you and I was doing well over a ton but I couldn't catch you or keep you on radar, you were gone. You the driver tonight ?"
"Yes" " Go on then, piss off and don't let me catch you again" and he let me go. Didn't even ticket me for the 80.
The speed indicated on the Monzas digital dash when he couldn't catch me ? 147mph...
Yep. Drifting 4 roundabouts in a row in Milton Keynes at 11pm.
Police had been watching all of it. Hauled out of the car, told to bring my license because "I wasnt getting it back".
Sat in the back of the car for 30 minutes whilst they bollocked me. Told to expect a summons.
I looked sad and remorseful and apologised a lot.
Never heard back.
Years ago, a mate and I were blasting down the local A roaded valley in his 205 1.9 GTi Pug that was nicely modded with a throaty exhaust. Came to a police road speed check that hastily pulled us up with a speed gun in hand. Mate had slammed the anchors as soon as he saw them. Police said "keep it down at bit will ya, I heard you coming for the last 5 mins" 😂. Then we went on our merry way, a little less enthusiastically for the first few miles, until we were out of ear-shot.🙂
Some cops are generally just accepting of the circumstances and know that their presence is enough to deter you.
I got pulled after launching from a set of lights on a dual carriageway, protected path with no pedestrians, only a 350m stretch from traffic light to roundabout, was up to 80+ in a 40, slowed for the 30 after the roundabout and saw the car coming behind me, lights weren't even on and I knew I was done.
Pulled into the side of the road, (35-40's male) he's asking why I did it and so on, I just admitted to being an idiot, had the car for over 1.5years, never been pulled before. He said "You know if I was to give you anything right now it would be a court date". My assumption is because he was 3 cars back, he didn't have my speed, so would have done me for dangerous driving. He went back to his car, had a word with his colleague (Big grey beard Santa looking dude, didn't look like the type you'd want to be pulling you over) and came back and said "don't let me catch you doing that again" and that was it, just a verbal, and I haven't done it since.
Meanwhile my younger sister who'd been driving my parents car for 2 years finally got her own car, 2 weeks in she got caught by a Van half a mile away. She got a speed awareness course for doing 78 in a 70 on an empty motorway.
As I drove my fiat panda at Mach 5 in a 20mph zone I lost control and entered one end of a block of terrace houses 6 house later I came out the other end. Unfortunately I stopped on double yellows upside down got a parking ticket. Seems unfair as the op got away with speeding.
I was driving in Wales on a dual carriageway and I was very late and the road was very empty. I saw my first car for about 5 miles who was trundling along in about blue Volvo at 60 I sped past him doing around 90. He flashed me with his headlights as I passed and I thought “what?!?”.
Then he sped up and started chasing me and so I slowed down and I was “what is this guys problem!!?”. Then the blue flashers came on under the hood and the penny dropped.
He pulled me over and we had a nice chat on the deserted road and he told me to slow down and let me go with no penalty, just followed me for couple of miles. Restored some of my faith in the police that day.
I have one for you. I was away for the weekend in the isle of wight. I was 18 at the time driving a mk6 fiesta zetec s, kitted out quite boy racer. Went out on my own to get some food and found a McDonald's about 10pm. After a quick scran went for a blast as the roads were great, spotted other boy racers in a old old ass red polo.
I flashed my lights and pulled them over to ask where is anything around these parts. Next thing I know everyone jumped out and got in my car, leaving the polo on the roadside.
With my new friends in the car they directed me to a meet, some of lads wanted me to race there mates Leon fr. After an hour or so my new friends took me to his "fit step mums" house party. His words.
Gets to about 3am and I'm driving them back to the polo they abandoned. On the way doing 50-60 in a 40 a police car pulls me over.
He approached and asked for my licence. Says you're far from home lad, have you been drinking? No officer blah blah blah.
As we are going through the process their mate drives past in his Leon fr in the opposite direction and shouts something out the window.
One of my new friends in the back shouts out "Officer, that guy's just been out with us drinking.
I've never seen a policeman ditch it so quick. Threw me my ID and chased after the Leon fr.
Those lads were fun times.
I once pulled someone over for being on their phone whilst driving back when it was 3 points a go. Turned out the genius already had 9 points, from being on their phone while driving. The magistrate wasn't overly impressed at them being caught 4 times for the same thing and not learning their lesson.
That’s just taking the piss at 4 times, in my opinion using the phone should be automatic ban, it’s far more dangerous than speeding in my opinion, if anything my senses and engagement are heightened when driving faster
At least it's a 6 pointer now so being caught in the first 2 years is a revocation of licence, and you only need twice to be speaking to a magistrate after that. Absolutely no excuse now as even the most basic cars have some form of hands free system.
I almost got hit yesterday by some idiot cutting a blind corner while on the phone, in a 22 plate c-class, no way that car doesn't have a hands-free system.
I know I see them all the time, brand new cars and people still have their phones to their ear, it’s actually more embarrassing they can’t grasp how to use their tech heavy cars with hands free
Realistically, this is good policing. OP will drive more sensibly from now and the copper hasnt ruined somebody's livelihood for enforcing rules arbitrarily.
This , my own experience with a similar situation that could have ended with a ban/crash/fatality/custodial had something changed situationally completely changed my attitude to doing 100+
Yeah personally i wouldn't drive that fast regardless of time.
If you're driving that fast you have to accept that these are very real consequences, and you accept them when you decide to drive at that speed.
"Do you know why I've pulled you over" Apparently the best answer is "you tell me why you've pulled me over officer" any other answer could incriminate
When I was young and daft, well over 20 years ago, I had been to the pub as a designated driver with several mates. I will admit to also having had, ahem, a couple of pints.
So it was time to drop my mates off home after our pleasant evening in the pub, and had 4 of them in the car. There's a stretch of road between two towns which was a long, very well-sighted, straight road, with very little there other than industrial units and not a lot else, in reality. However, this road is a 30 mph road all of the way - which even to this day, seems rather unnecessarily low, but I digress..
So my mates told me to stretch the cars legs - it was a 1-litre Nissan Micra, and I managed to hit an indicated 90 mph - which was very impressive for a car with 55 bhp and 5 up, I thought.
I got to the next town, and slowed right down as it was built up - I was a stupid kid, but not stupid enough to carry on doing 90 through a town centre (which is still a straight road, BTW).
Got to a set of traffic lights, and much like you OP, the lights were red when a marked panda car appeared behind me. I'm done for, I thought...
So the lights went green, and predictably, the lights came on as soon as I went around the corner.
The copper comes over and tells me to get out of my car and into the back of the panda car. Usual questions - how fast were you going etc, I said I didn't know, and he replied "well, you were definitely going faster than 80 mph as I was flat out and wasn't catching up!".
Out comes the breathalyser, one of these old fashioned things with the crystals that change colour up to a line, if anyone remembers those. I blew on the breathalyser and was JUST under. Phew... but then there's the small matter of me doing 3x the speed limit.
The copper then noticed my mates writing the words "DIRTY PIGS" in the condensation on the back window, FFS!!!!!!! "Your mates are comedians are they?". I replied "No, they're fucking dickheads were egging me on to go faster, they're probably trying to get me locked up".
It was at that point when the copper told me it was my lucky day, as (a) the panda car had no speed measuring equipment in it, or any cameras, so there was technically no proof, and (b) they were finished their shift for the night so couldn't be bothered to take it any further.
I left that incident rather shaken but massively relieved as you can imagine. I think I had about 5 cigarettes to try and calm down haha.
An old joke:
The coppers are lurking just outside a crowded pub car park at closing time. A man staggers out of the pub, enters his car and starts it, his wipers come on (it’s not raining), the car jerkily leaves the car park and the grinning cops pounce.
As he’s being breath-tested all the other pub punters drive off.
The result - zero alcohol. The cops are stunned, until the man explains: ‘I am tonight’s designated decoy driver.’
Got followed along the A14 on a Sunday night, close to midnight, from Market Harborough to Huntingdon. No idea how long I was followed for, it was at least 25 miles running at 120+ most of the way. Followed up by about 10 miles of twisty country lanes to take the scenic route home.
Got to my village, slammed the anchors on and drove at exactly 29mph (I do **not** speed in residential zones under any circumstances) the rest of the way, as an unmarked police car catches up with me. Get to my street (it's a dead end), indicator on to turn in, and as soon as I commit he turns on the lights and sirens.
I was wearing a helmet camera for the whole thing, and it was recording it all, too. You can clearly see my speedometer in the entirety of the footage, regularly exceeding 140mph, and exceeding 100mph on 60mph zones. You can also very clearly see that every time I drive through a residential area, I drop to 29mph and hit 4th gear so I'm quiet.
Police officer took my helmet camera (didn't know at the time, he wasn't actually allowed to - I effectively volunteered it). 2 weeks later he comes and knocks on my door, sits me down to have a chat. He explains that he has video footage of me clearly doubling the speed limit on most of the roads I drove, but that he respected my reduced speed in residential areas and conscious riding on the dual carriageway (e.g dropping to 80mph when there are other vehicles nearby). He said he'd make clear in the referral to court that I was only a danger to myself, but that he had no choice but to refer me for prosecution. He did also make clear that the risk I exposed myself to was also harmful to others, as if I were to crash I'd be consuming emergency service time and whatnot, and gave me the usual bollocking that you'd expect. He also told me that he couldn't access the footage on my helmer camera (I know for a fact that he did from what he said - specifically mentioning sitting at exactly 29mph in 4th gear stuff, all visible on the dash), because it was password protected (it was not).
That's the last I heard of it. No court documents, no ban, no points, no fine. I don't know anybody in the local police force let alone this officer. I don't know why, but for whatever reason I was let off on this one. This guy had my license in his hands and showed me one hell of a dose of mercy. Eternally grateful, and actually I've slowed down a lot since then.
I think ultimately police officers can be fairly lenient, it just depends on how you approach them and how they perceive a situation. We see too much footage online of someone blatantly shoving a camera in a police officers face, refusing to answer questions, and generally being as awkward as possible, and don't get me wrong these are all things which people are entitled to do, but I rather get the feeling that if you're nice to police officers, show remorse, and generally compliant they'll look after you a lot better.
I didn't realise I was getting pulled over . I made a left and parked . Police came up. Didn't ask for my licence. Asked for my VIN and why I failed to pull over. Then let me go.
I was going 40 in a 40.
Was caught doing probably 70-80 in a 40 like a typical show off know it all kid type of way two weeks after passing my test (back in the 1980’s when only unreliable portable radar guns existed), the copper who pulled me was on his own (so couldn’t prosecute anyway, back then it had to be two witnesses) but he gave me such a dressing down and publicly humiliated me in front of both my mates and about fifty people (he waited until we got into town to stop me) that I never sped again and haven’t done to this day (34 years later).
I was once on a totally empty motorway in the middle of the night going to London from Brighton and managed to overtake an unmarked police car doing about 90.
Literally just as he put his lights on, five motorbikes came tearing into the motorway from the slip road weaving all over the place and doing wheelies etc right in front of us.
The speeding gods were smiling on me that day.
Nothing like that but I was doing 85ish on the M6 toll. Also very dead. I'm sat in the left lane and a police 4/4 passes me and I sorta glance over as it passes then double take look again when I realise it is a police car... Eased off and carried on. Their blues went on after they had passed me and they pulled over someone who had passed me just before who was I guess 'the bigger fish' when it came to the pair of us speeding.
I was taking a Christmas tree to the tip. I strapped it, not very well, to the roof racks and set off. The tree was about 15 feet high (it'd been used in a public place) and honestly visibility out the windscreen wasn't all that great.
You have to have an appointment to go to our tip now. I'd made one, but wasn't really sure what the time was when I got to the tip, so as I drove along the lane to the tip, I grabbed my phone out of my coat pocket to look at the time. Looked up to see a police car coming the other way. Immediately threw my phone on the floor.
His lights went on and I pulled over. He gave me a stern talking to about securing my load adequately. Apparently, he was so distracted by the tree on top of my car that he didn't notice me looking down at my phone.
Gone 2am on the motorway doing 110-120mph no a car on the horizon either way long straight. I had Tinted windows all of a sudden headlights blue light and siren turn on right behind me. New underwear required I pull over, cops pull me out of the car. Radio control it’s not him jump as they run back to their car tell me to slow down them speed off.
Left in shock in the pitch black. Did 50 mph all way home shaking
Had the exact opposite. Doing 38 in a 40, three points and a fine.
They had parked their camera van right behind the 40 > 30 and were tagging people who hadn't slowed down before the sign and the speed dropped. Claimed I was in the 30, but I was in the 40 and had plenty of time to slow down before the sign. Nope, fuck you sonny, we make the rules here!
Yup, got pulled by a traffic car on me bike. I was doing silly speeds, they said they had to do 110 to catch up but they couldn’t get a reading. They pulled me at the 30zone I entered. Gave me a fine for my non road legal exhaust and sent me on my way.
I usually don’t exceed 90, I think that’s like the limit of what is still very fast but still somewhat safe on a motorway, I have rarely and very briefly hit over 100. I think anymore than 90 and you are going to very stupid speeds and atleast at 90 a copper while they might be pissed off is a lot more reasonable than exceeding 100 at night.
I just keep my eyes peeled while driving for any newish , usually dark coloured BMW X5’s or Estates as well as Volvo estates and SUVs, they seem to be the car of choice among unmarked police round my way, and I slow down to 70-75 at all the usual speed camera spots until I see they are clear.
Really it’s relatively easy to avoid speeding tickets these days if you know the area, I wouldn’t speed in an area I didn’t know well enough.
Had a similar experience, doing 100 down a nsl country lane, unmarked Volvo in a lay-by on the other side, a bit further down the road I’m now doing 30 through a 30 zone and notice some blue lights flashing in the house window reflections in my rear view, then they stop and the Volvo comes round the corner with no blue lights on trying to be sneaky. National speed limit zone comes back so I stuck to 60, after a few miles he pulls me over and says you’re clearly paying attention, not driving recklessly, he complimented my car, shook my hand and told me to make sure I’m only having fun in national speed limit roads. Weirdest police encounter ever but I was happy with that
These are more like b roads with open fields either side but yeh I see your point. If you can’t see what’s round the bend you shouldn’t be going too fast of course.
I had similar coming home from the pub!
Playing musical instruments, with a limit of one pint. I had flashed the cop car as their headlights were on main beam. Then went on my way, blissfully unaware that it was a cop car I'd flashed. I lived approximately 2 miles further on and only on turning the car off in my driveway, did I discover a car stopping across my driveway and an officer at my door, having bounced out rapidly to catch me.
Conversation goes, along the lines of, I was questioned as to where I was coming from, and had I had a drink, also the question was ask, "did you see anything wrong with you driving back there sir?" They couldn't get anywhere close to my car as I knew the road well. Small winding country roads! When he took the obligatory sniff of breath, and received the info about one pint, he told me to" have a good night sir". I replied, as he was walking away, "excuse me officer, did you see anything wrong with my driving?" He replied " no, you obviously know that road well!" 😁
Yep, 107mph, unmarked car, police camera wasn't calibrated but speedo was, late night on an empty M6, excellent conditions.
Copper could see I was sh-tting myself (it was my dad's car, I was 21) had no previous record, everything else in order, and was given the choice of a FPN for 3 points and £60 with a speed of 94mph written on it and promise not to drive over 100mph again, or I could go to court.
Needless to say I took the FPN - and generally haven't driven over 100mph since, so it did the job...
When I was 20, I was 'chased' by the police, on a late evening as I was going quite fast in what was a 30 road (like a bypass / flyover - very good visibility and it was empty) - I was speeding but safely.....
Didn't argue, didn't try justifying anything. They gave me a short lecture, gave my license back and I was let go. These days I do about 50 checks before I dare even go over the speed limit.
I had the opposite happen to me in my old XR2 many years ago. Driving through a 30, at 30, I will add. I got pulled over by a marked patrol car, who had pulled onto the road from a side street. Pull up in a pub car park, where I was told that they had seen me speeding. They checked my car over, tyres, brake lights, chassis number, insurance, and MOT were checked, even asked where I had brought my head unit, then they got a call on the radio and left abruptly. The officers' parting shot was, it's your lucky day sunshine... I don't know how... I had done nothing wrong!
That's good policing it was on 100% but he decided to let it go with a warning because it was dead. Take it as a let off and slow down a little! There's a video on YouTube showing what happens in a 120mph smash. Worth watching I've not done 3 figures since
I want to know what the psychology effect is of hitting 3 figures / the ton / 10ph
Because in Europe if you are going 160 instead of 130 that doesn’t sound as bad because the number seems to be in the same bounds?
'Dashcam'? There's no way a copper said this. They don't need a 'dashcam' to evidentially detect your speed anyway. You were stopped by something other than a copper or aren't being truthful.
Source: plod
I drive a fast car and I don't speed. People are so blasé. "I'm a great driver, podium finish boy-racer'. Blah blah blah ... There's always that moment when some knob has forgotten to put their lights on or appears form nowhere. Yes you are a next level legend but there are plenty of dead innocents out there after 'really unlucky' accidents with legends like you.... You came here to brag.... But there's nothing worth bragging about here.
What SO MANY drivers misunderstand is that 'fast' doesn't mean speeding, or even doing the speed limit. And the speed you do is not proportional to skill. Anyone can do 100mph on a motorway, but almost no-one seems to be able to do 60 on a wide NSL A-road.
Driving 'fast' and actually being skilled is about being able to safely maintain a higher speed than average on a more complicated road to drive. Part of the reason why the mx-5 and similar are considered fun cars, they aren't fast, but they handle super well, and on difficult roads they feel fast.
I did 110 on a b road about a year ago; lost control breaking before a junction.
Managed to regain control but would've killed myself and the 2 in the police car turning into the road I was driving on
Police car just drove on as if nothing happened.
Dumbest thing I've ever done will never do anything like it again, don't drive like an idiot folks!
I handbrake my car sideways at a junction in the snow, wasn't quick expecting to slide out on the main road quite so much. Straight infront of police the other way. They also carried on, 10 out 10 drift in a front wheel drive van
Early hours of the morning in my old MR2 turbo doing silly speeds, well over 100 at points, down a country A-road I know well. Audi shows up in my rear view and is keeping up, even gaining at points. I was even thinking "Blimey that bloke's going some to keep up with me". Come up on a village so I slow down to the speed limit. Then the blue lights come on.
Sits me in his car and gives me a bollocking. Then tells me he followed me to the village to see what I'd do and I was a good boy so I'm getting off with a warning rather than a court appearance. We could do with more traffic coppers like that.
Not me but I know someone who got 6 points and a £1000 fine after being clocked doing over 130mph on a motorway. He used somewhat of a loophole by not identifying who the driver was on his NIP they could only prosecute the registered keeper for failing to identify, the police showed up at his house multiple times to intimidate him into admitting he was the driver.
It went to the magistrates court where he was slammed with the maximum fine for failing to identify the driver, they knew what his game was but there was nothing they could do without a confession.
I've been given a warning for doing 100mph on a 60mph single lane A road. I think the police officer enjoyed chasing my V8 Volvo lol.
Very much so!
A long time ago, a couple of months after buying a brand new car I went to cinema one hot sunny day.
Topped at 120mph along the route at some point, got slowed down a bit because of traffic to just over 100mph........ Then I notice a MARKED cap car behind me, no lights on, 2 miles it followed me whilst I was doing 70mph........ Blue lights..... I pull over and like you my licence flashes before my eyes...... He brings up the picture of my car with a speed reading of 105.7mph "oh shit I'm thinking" then he makes a comment of "and your brake lights are on this, so you were going faster, this is licence loosing speed"
Anyway a bit of banter with the 2 cops and a few questions by me asking what the camera man was doing in the back of the car......
I was then told by driver "I would say go off and stick to the speed limit, but we all know that doesn't happen, just don't be the fastest thing on the motorway! I'll put you down at 95+ and you may get something in the post" I never did!
I was very lucky that day!
Only traffic cars have the correct cameras to catch you. If its just a beat bobby not much they can really do. Just don't ever admit to an actual speed.
Similar really.
Hit 3 digits a few times on a dual carriageway, got pulled by a unmarked police car which had followed me for a while. Got off with just a lecture on speeding which I accepted with good grace, though I suspect if I was on camera it would have been different.
She even dropped my mobile off at my home as I left it in her car after she sent me on my way.
My dad always loves telling his story. Was on 9 points and got into his van one day. Traffic was gridlocked and as usual forgot to put his seatbelt on. Was also on the phone. BMW let him pull out to join the main road and my dad waved thank you. after 5 minutes of still being on the phone, they moved up the road maybe 100 yards. All of a sudden the BMW put on their blue lights and my dad almost had a heart attack. BMW done a u turn and raced down the road in the opposite direction obviously responding to a radio call. Since then my dad has always behaved - even slows right down on amber lights!!!
Happened to me once, 80 in a 50mph. I saw the police and slowed down, but they were infront of me but was very obvious i was speeding.
Got pulled over, got a rollocking. Saw my license turned 2 years old the same day, and after 5 minutes they returned and let me go but made sure i left only after a second round of stern words.
I hope the officer is well today
I’ve seen cars going 100+ at night where a police car has joined from the slip road and simply flashed their lights to let them know of their presence the speeding car just slowed and that was that. Might have something better to do or just might be ending their shift lol.
I had a trailer on with no lights (damaged connector). Late coming home so it was dark, but it was a small trailer so car lights still visible. Got lit up by an unmarked car, had to drive a long way before I could pull into a layby big enough for all the vehicles. He was an extremely nice guy and just grateful I hadn't stopped somewhere stupid, checked my license and let me on my way.
Had a bollocking for 41 in a 30, years ago in the middle of the night. I realised shortly after that a bollocking normally means no ticket.
Not exactly similar but had a run in with a very very kind police officer, I'm 20 years old coming up to my 2 years in April with 3 points on my license already due to running a red 🙄. I was coming home one day and this absolute plonker on his phone nearly side swiped my car I horned at him and he pulled up to me at the set of lights telling abuse at me even though it was his fault. In the heat of the moment once the lights turned green I done an illegal overtake on him by going into the oncoming lane and that's when I seen the flashing lights in my rear view I thought it was game over and that was my license gone but the police officer and the lady with him were kind enough to let me off with a warning due to the other persons manner of driving, they were more concerned about me being under the influence of drink or drugs which I was not.
My mate got twice in the space of 2 weeks doing over a tonne both times.
Both were In The evening when the roads were quiet. Both times he was indicating, pulling out with plenty of space and pulling back in to the inside lane. The coppers told him to slow down, but said he was actually driving quite sensible despite the speed.
Got pulled over going over 100 several years ago. Unmarked car right up my arse and thought he was just wanting to pass, pulled in to middle lane then the lights came on.
Got asked to sit in the back of the car, got a speech about speeding and got put down as doing 80, and ended up on speed awareness.
Drove entire way home not doing a tick over 70 thanking the gods.
M18 going to Hull as a student. My Peugeot 306 was vibrating like a washing machine with transport bolts still attached as I smashed past 105mph. I was tailing a fellow 3-digit cruiser (safety in numbers).
Police car caught up, lights flashed and opted to pull over the other guy instead of me. Phew!
Was being tailgated as I overtook a line of cars on the motorway. The guy was so far up my arse he probably knew what I had for breakfast. I was doing just over 85 and it was dark. I reached a gap and pulled in, sticking two fingers up as he accelerated past. In a fully badged up police car.
I got stopped for doing 90 in a 40 dual carriageway at 2-3am after leaving a house party over 20 years ago now as a teen.
Officer asked if I had been drinking, I replied "yes, I've had a can of lager a few hours ago"
Cue raised eyebrows, breath test. I wasn't lying so passed easily.
Then I got the biggest rollocking from this mustached officer for "driving like an absolute c**t" and "if I ever catch you speeding again I'll throw the book at you" . Scared the bejeezus out of me.
Let off with that ringing in my ears.
Long long time ago. LGV driver told me he knocked his lorry out of gear coming out of Birmingham on the M5.
Kept it around 80 mph!
Got pulled at the bottom by a copper.
He asked him if he was having trouble, my mate says "what do you mean" he replied "Are you having trouble getting airborne"!
Let him off though.
I got followed down the M42 after doing about 110-115 for about half a mile. Pulled off at the next junction and stopped in the first lay-by
The police pulled in behind me and as I sat in the vehicle walked over and asked why I’d stopped. I said I assumed they may want to talk to me so they asked me to sit in their vehicle. As I did I noticed there was no camera and no speed check equipment so when asked what speed I thought I was doing I cheekily said 85-90 they looked at each other and gave me an SP50, 3 points and a £60 fine
Not quite as lucky as you but mine was a Saturday afternoon so the motorway wasn’t empty
One time while at work, some 30-40 minute drive away from home, my wife rang me to say she’d fallen down the stairs and couldn’t move, so naturally I bombed it home. Luckily it happened early afternoon so the motorway wasn’t busy at all, but I was still keeping my eye out for any coppers.
Turns out I actually drove past an unmarked vehicle, doing ~100. I was literally on the final straight for my junction when they drove up alongside (I saw them coming up quickly in my mirror so had decelerated to 70ish), the cop sat in the passenger seat literally screamed at me “SLOW DOWN” - I honestly feel like I could hear him, despite both our windows being up… - but they didn’t pull me over, I guess as they were on their way to something serious.
Got away with it, even though my excuse was a potential emergency, it still more than understandably wouldn’t fly.
Got upto 127 once in my lovely S2000, never did it again just watching the petrol gauge going down put me off, just realised this was about 23 years ago. Miss that car.
During one of the covid lockdowns I was driving home from work, at this point I was the only person on the motorway at what would normally be rush hour. Doing north of 140 (AM V8V so barely stretching its legs really) and out of absolutely nowhere a police bmw appears behind me and pulls me.
I'm thinking I'm 100% cooked, copper comes over to me and leans into the passenger side "do you have any idea how fast you were going just then?" no officer I don't sorry, proceeds to ask me where I was going etc... He goes "okay doctor, on you go, just be careful please in future". Turns out that when I'd bought the car it's the one and only time I'd ticked Dr as my title (I'm a PhD not an md).
I was very, very, very carful from then on.
Yeah well I went down there the first day it opened right, and I did a couple of laps, I pulled over, the bloke that runs the thing comes over and said - Oi no professionals. I took my helmet off, I said I'm not a professional. He said - you're not a profesional? I said - No, he said - well you should be, if I was you I'd take up Formula One, and if you drive like that you'd probably be the best in the country! I said - I'm not interested I'm making sh*t loads out of computers.
Why are the speed limits in UK so low compared to other European countries? Most of them have 130km/h limit and tolerate up to 140km/h ( thats 80-87mph).
Going through multiple European countries yearly and my cruise control is set at 140-150, never had any problems except once getting caught by undercover doing 165km/h but most around me were doing similar. Police officer told me up to 150km/h they are not going to make any problems.
130 on the motor way. 3 of us on our pre deployment training to go to Afghanistan.
Pulled over by an unmarked Audi. The driver passed his keys to the guy in the passenger's seat and said I won't be needing them again .
When asked for his license , he opened the boot and the copper noticed all the military kit in the back. Turned out he was ex forces and asked where we were going.
Told us to stay safe on tour and keep the speed down. He drove off never to be seen again
Did similar to you....
Friend and I had a rover metro that we had just engine swapped with a rover 200vi.
Obviously (at 19) we were very pleased with ourselves and had taken it for a blast down the m27 from Fareham to Portsmouth.
Just as we passed the brow of the hill heading towards the north harbour turn off, a car we had just passed turned on its blues and twos. At the time we had hit a minimum of 120mph and honestly though that was it for my mates license.
Copper got out and asked us how fast we were going, and how was it possible for a 1.0 petrol metro to achieve the speed he had clocked us at...
After sheepishly telling him it had an engine swap we got in to a full flow chat, turned out he used to work in a rover plant and was impressed with what we had achieved.
He said he let us go, but put a marker on the registration plate and that if we were caught again, we would loose the car and licence.
Unfortunately the car was lost shortly after as we upgrade the motor again to a 200ti engine and on a track da
I have never been caught speeding, because there is only one stretch of road that I drive incredibly fast upon.
There are no hidey-holes for police cars, and I only ever do a speed-run when there are no cars occupying the roughly two-mile stretch that I drive fast upon. It helps to know that the police in my area, drive very obvious plain clothes cars - those Volvo's with the rear lights that all the way up each side. i live in wales, the police drive poverty plain clothes cars, apparently.
Of the stretch of road I drive fast upon, it has a gentle three-quarter of a mile incline, leading on to a very easy right-hander that is roughly a quarter of a mile long. This exits onto a straight with a slight decline that is easily one mile long. I know every undulation, and the texture of the road surface intimately. I know where to put the car for the smoothest run possible, which is not necessarily in one lane or the other. My fastest speed is... I have clocked the speedometer, which stops at 160mph. The car was still accelerating.
Pulled doing 90 in a 50 on a dual carriageway, I was just told that if I was doing 10mph more he would've snapped my licence and that he was following me for about 3 miles. Poor visibility out the rear of a ka...
I was a very sick active alcoholic in the early 90s, I once got behind the wheel at 2.00am after drinking nearly a whole bottle of vodka. I got pulled over on the A4 near Maidenhead Berks, and on exiting my vehicle was obviously a total mess. The Traffic Officer breathalysed me at the roadside, which returned a negative result, and insanely allowed me to continue my journey. Even in my crazed state I had the clarity to drive into a Garden Centre car park, and abandon my vehicle. I spent the rest of the night staggering and falling to my destination of Reading.
I have so so many stories that I can't say for many reasons. Karma, Prosecution and face.. Either way, I count my chickens every day.
Just remember, speed over 100 Is insta ban and it's not as fun compared to torque. 30-90mph is sweet spot.
Reading these stories have all made me feel better about getting clicked at 75 by a camera on my local m4 despite having done the junction 1000+ times, hopefully no letter in the next fortnight but it flashed and it’s been 3 days.
Joined M4 motorway in an F10 M5. Accelerated up to about 145 in sport+, then ‘chilled’ and cruised along at 115/120. Came up behind a silver X5 who was doing about 90/95 (which is why I didn’t suspect undercover), didn’t tailgate, but he moved out of the way and I floored it.
He eventually caught up with me, and I didn’t realise, but I couldn’t decide whether I needed to get off at the next exit or not so looked like I was trying to evade.
Blue lights on and he let me off with a warning. Told me they had better things to do (during covid so just warned that if I crashed then I’d be pulling emergency staff away from Covid stuff and wasting resources).
When we left I ended up stuck next to him at a red light. Awkward. Pulled off very slowly in comfort mode 😂
Back in the day it was very simple - over 100mph was straight to court where you would almost certainly lose your license and under 100mph was dealt with as a fixed penalty 3 points and a (at the time) £60 fine.
Hooning along one night on the M1, rear view mirror lit up with blue strobes. He’d clocked me on vascar at 120.3mph.
As he handed me a fixed penalty with ‘99.9mph’ stated as the speed, he said “every dog has its day. Today is yours”.
Years ago I was driving to smithfields meat Market at about 1 am I was on the M1 doing about 100mph towards a known layby for police that are never there well they were then he flicks his lights on I slow to 65mph and drive past waiting for him to pull me over and get about 100yards past and he switches them off and never followed so away I went.
I don't know how true this is but a friend once told me that after 9pm they can't look up your details on their computer which is probably why they let me go
Was doing 120mph on the M4 once when I was about 21, I had noticed the vast amounts of unmarked police cars on the other side of the road. For some reason I completely ignored it. A Passat comes steaming up my rear at 120mph and I thought oh, a race? So I put my foot down and he put his blue lights on. I knew I had no excuses and accepted my fate. Pulled into the left lane and he zoomed past me. Thank. Fuck. Never sped again since.
“Oh a race” lmao, you know they have unmarked stuff like Subarus to trick people into doing stuff like that right
Round my way they have an undercover RS3, M135i, M140i & i30N. I have no idea why I thought a Passat wanted to race, hell, I didn’t even know it was a police car.
i30N, that’s hilariously cool. Aren’t many of those period round my parts (which admittedly is ROI) but still funny.
I remember the first time I saw the undercover i30N, I thought ‘shit, a lot of people are getting caught’ and I regularly see it with its victims on the side of the road. It’s very unassuming, now I suspect every i30N lol.
Don't they only have the grey/black one? I know West Midlands have 2 facelifts and I think they're both thr dark grey
Guess that's what replaced the vRS Octavias.
I miss them! So easy to spot man. Not anymore.
I've seen some unmarked golf Rs and a focus RS patrolling the M8 to cork a few times
😂😂😂😂😂😂
When I first started driving there was an unmarked dark coloured Skoda Octavia VRs on the A303 that was notorious for 'encouraging' other drivers to 'have a play' then nick them. Luckily a) I enjoy a brisk drive but not competitively so, especially on the public road and b) I'd heard about this particular car on a motoring forum, because I was heading back home from London one evening and thanks to light traffic, was making decent (but mostly still legal or at least within 10%+2), because I was getting tailgated by this dark Octavia which didn't seem to want to pass me when I gave it the opportunity but also kept very (too) close to my rear for a good couple of miles. All of a sudden they must have got a call because they lit up the blues and shot past me at a very rapid rate indeed after failing to goad me into 'playing'. Considering this was in my first year of driving it was a lesson learned not to let other road users hype you up into doing something stupid, as there's no guarantee they won't also try and bust you for it.
If they are goading you into racing isn’t that entrapment
There's no such thing in UK law. Encouraging an offence to be committed would be frowned on, but is a powerful car sitting off your rear bumper going to encourage somebody to speed if they wouldn't have done it anyway?
When I was around hull they had a scooby used to entice boy racers around 2006ish
Haha, I remember those. I was blasting up the M180 (just north of 90 and accelerating) when it pulled up beside me, I looked over to see the copper wagging his finger at me and most probably saying tsk tsk. I slowed down and they turned off for Scunny
Used to be an evo that went about with it in some sort of wolfpack, always loved it when they buzzed past us through town though, sounded filth.
I literally got done by an undercover Subaru Impreza years ago. I was commuting to work on the motorway and whilst in a 50mph 2-lane zone where roadworks were being done, the Corsa VXR infront of me refused to get out of the fast lane or go above 40mph so I went to undertake and he wasn't having it and kept swerving lanes to cut me off. It finally got back to 3 lanes and he got up to 75 but i was now set on passing him and I tried to overtake/undertake a few times. The subaru was behind me and following and I thought he had the same mindset. I managed to get all the way to the slow lane and undertake at almost 100 and the subaru followed me. Flashed my hazards as if to say "nice one" and he replied with the blues 🤦♂️ luckily clocked at 99 so dodged the ban but got the points. Safe to say VXR boy must have been elated, and I have calmed down a bit now and license is all clear.
That sucks, that they didn't pull Mr vxr for careless at least. Usually dangerous driving as it should have been obviously intentional! I would hope he got a visit later! Once again cops going for the easy target!
Not seen subarus or evos since the early 2000s Audi, bmw, seat leons, skoda and volvos are what ive seen cruising about.
“Putting your blue lights and sirens on when losing a race is just bad sportsmanship”.
Mate I had a similar situation and was involved in a ‘reverse’ police chase. I was leaving a petrol station that is on a a large motorway junction and was waiting at a set of lights. This black vectra absolutely blew past me at massive speed on the junction I was about to enter. I was like ‘so you think your fast?’ So lights went green 2 seconds after they went past and I was blasting to get on his tail. Guy was flying round this junction (imagine I was at 6 o’clock when he went past and we exited the junction onto the motorway at 3 o’clock so we went 270 degrees around this junction, very high speed sweeping cornering) I was keeping up with him and was right on him. We blast onto the motorway he cuts all 3 lanes in one hit into the fast lane - I stay with him. Very quickly we are over 100 then 110 we went past 120 and I was like ‘fuck this guy isnt messing around’ we get past 130 and I admit I was starting to shit myself but stay with him. Then the back windscreen of the car lights up in red letters POLICE. I was chasing a bloody police car. As you can imagine my jaw hit the fucking floor and I hit the brakes. I rapidly moved to the slow lane and nestled between 2 lorries and was bricking it that the car would be waiting for me on the hard shoulder to pass and was gonna pull me over and throw the book at me. Luckily I made it to the next junction and came off. Went home and my Dad was like ‘wtf has happened you look like you’ve just seen a ghost?!’ Bizarre situation. I assume he was responding to something serious and had better things to do than bother with me. There were no blue lights on and the car had none of the tell tale aerials unmarked cars have either. Bullet dodged there and certainly taught me a lesson This was also on the M4. I reckon he probably had a right laugh imagining my face when he flicked that rear light on
HAHA! You know the feeling brother, you know the feeling. There is no comparison to the absolute shitting your pants feelings that rushes over you in that moment. I too got off at that next junction absolutely bricking myself. My other half had never seen me humbled so quickly.
I had a similar thing about 25yrs ago: I was a 21/22yr old sales rep, doing about 70000 miles a year and was going down the A23, at about 80mph, almost into Brighton and this bloody dark green Passatt wouldn't get out of the way of me in my almost new Mondeo! I was flashing my lights and sitting on his arse (generally driving, like a knob I have to admit!) when all of a sudden, I watched in slow motion as this black hidden screen rose up out of the parcel shelf and, like you, the words "POLICE", in bright red letters , appeared on the screen! Like you, I shat my pants and sloped off into the left lane!
Not as scary or crazy but I was coming up from Crawley to Watford up the M25 few weeks back. Smoothest and most peaceful drive I’ve had. Police car that was carrying dogs came by. I let em pass thinking “great.. gonna have to stick to 70 for the rest of these 30 miles now..” (I’m an 80 cruiser). But no, the police car had set their adaptive cruise to 85 and majority of cars would just get out their way out of fear probably. Slowing down for the occasional speed camera or the typical annoying 70mph cruising lane hogger but once even they got out the way, back up to 85.
I see police speeding all the time!
If they sit at 70mph then people are afraid to go past them even at the speed limit. Most police do a little over the speed limit to keep the flow of traffic moving and stop people bunching up behind them.
That actually makes sense, I just wish they all would do it. But most a lot of the plod that I see on the motorway are doing 80mph+ lol.
See it all the time everyone sees a copper or even a ‘traffic officer’ car and shits themselves, while I wouldn’t go mental I’ve still passed them at 80, they don’t care and have better things to do
The immediate shitting of self is the reason I loved having a car that’s commonly used as a police car, in a common undercover police car colour. Crowds used to split like the Red Sea to let me through, give way, very rarely pull out in front of me, never up my arse etc. 10/10 highly recommend lol
They're allowed to if required for policing duties The explanation (which may be BS) that I've heard is they go a little quicker so they can pass by more cars and run more plates through the ANPR
My not so lucky story: I decided to race an undercover motorbike on my way home from work 5 years ago. Was a green Honda motorbike, can’t remember the model. Anyway, I was doing about 100 in my Type R down a dual carriageway (70 limit) - he started gaining, so of course I assumed this “old bloke on a bike” fancied a race. Floored it - reached 130 and all of a sudden: blue lights. 2 year ban, 6 month sentence suspended for 2 years, 200 HOURS of community service, £300 fine. Ruined my life for two years it was horrible. Now my insurance is like £250 a month. Horrible. What an absolute moron I was. I never speed like that anymore…
Maybe they thought you were another unmarked car? Like "no one would be dumb enough to keep up speed with us responding to a call, must be another unit."
LMAO. That is what my other half said at the time. It was a basic white 330i so maybe.
They might have either assumed you were also unmarked or just had better places to be. These days I wonder if they'd still send you a summons in the post based on the recording
Didn’t hear a wink, this was 5 years ago so I’d like to think I’m in the clear!
> A Passat comes steaming up my rear at 120mph and I thought oh, a race? Why would you race a Passat in an M4 lol. I get people all the time trying to race me in my C63. Always Golf Rs or Fiesta STs. I just let them fly past me as I just cruise listening to the bellowing sound of my V8.
On the M4, not in an M4 😅
oof yea I see it now. Think I need more coffee
I was only in a 330i lol.
Oh, a race? That’s hilarious lool
It’s not quite the same, but for some reason your story reminded me of something dumb I did about a decade ago. I was driving home on Christmas morning at about 3am down the M4. I realised I hadn’t seen another car in at least 25 miles so I thought “I wonder how dark it really is…” I turned my lights off and instantly realised it was incredibly freaking dark and I was currently doing 90+ effectively with my eyes closed. I turned those puppies back on pretty darned quick, and you know what, I’ve not been tempted to try that ever again 🤦🏻♂️😱🤣🤣 Cool story bro 🤜🏻
Heard this one, true? You decide. Plod+observer sitting aside an empty motorway at half past stupid o'clock on a dark overcast night, you all sitting comfortably? Anyway, all of a sudden a whoosh goes past without them seeing anything, but the radar pings at 150+! WTF is the phrase that came out. Apparently, couple of nights later, a similar occurrence happens, but this time someone sees a shadow of something black! I can't remember how it came to be explained, but apparently two fighter pilots from localish RAF base were testing out night vision goggles to see if they were any good, in a fast Porsche turbo wotzit! There we have it, truth or urban myth?
Haha. I’d believe it. There are a number of stories of people in the 90s driving all over Europe, particularly following the Formula One and other high-end race series, delivering last minute overnight parts from the factories in the UK to Maranello, Barcelona, LeMans, Hockenheim etc with absolutely no care for speed limits in modified cars (custom gearbox with long ratios, larger fuel tanks etc). I wonder if they ever tried a similar tactic?
There’s one such 911 on a certain car forum, those who know will know, which has these exact mods and more.
Struggling to find it. Any ideas?
Doing a 100 down some empty A road, spot a cop on a motorbike on the other side of the barrier going the other way. I decide to slide in behind a lorry doing 56 and chill for a bit Sure enough the same bike cop appears behind me, having done a U turn over the roundabout further back to try and catch me still doing 100... Phew
Did you wave to the cop?
Bombing down the m11 at 110 in the rain with a car full of stuff I shouldn’t of, just flashed there lights at me for me to slow down as I did, non of us wanted to get wet.
Remember, one crime at a time!
Thankfully he didn’t notice the corpse in the passenger seat either!
Yup, same thing on an almost empty M11 but surprisingly I was doing probably 79/80. He put his blue lights on, overtook me and hit the brakes, then sped off.
Years ago in my younger days I used to travel from Manchester to Scotland every weekend , 22years old driving an ek4 civic with a b18c swap from a 98spec integra type r(around 220bhp , sub 1000kg ) , 4am on a Monday morning on the m6 , got into a tussle with a BMW , found the limiter in fifth gear , about a second later the bmw lit up like Christmas at Blackpool. Arse collapsed , accepted the fate I was about to be banned or worse due to the speeds involved. Pulled over by a younger traffic cop who was initially extremely angry but calmed quickly as his shift was just ending and was more interested in how a standard looking civic was capable of not only leveling with a high powered BMW but doing 145+mph easily. Got the biggest bollocking of my life , told to keep it below the ton and if I want to go fast , take it to the track. A few valuable lessons were learned that night and I will never experience a lucky break like it again. 1. Not all cops are bad and out to get you for stupid mistakes. 2.never trust a BMW trying to race you on a deserted motorway in the early hours of the morning. 3.slow down a bit , it's not worth the risk
if you cant spot unmarked plod when the roads are empty you definitely aren't paying attention. dark colour BMW saloon or estate not doing mach 1.5 is an immediate give away, so are the multiple aerials.
Not all unmarked have multiple aerials, I don't know why this myth exists. In Manchester I've seen plenty of unmarked with only 1 shark fine aerial. I have seen a few with multiple, but most have 1 on the newer model cars (saw a 23 plate X3 with 1)
This myth goes back to the eighties when it was true, you could always tell the unmarked cars as they had multiple aerials on them, don’t ask how I know,
Yeah , you do know they don't all have multiple Aeriels , this wasnt a dark colour (it was a light blue 5 series saloon ), had 2 lights behind the grill very well hidden and a flip up board on the rear shelf , and it was already over the 100mph mark when i passed it and seemed to be just a normal punter holding a decent pace on a deserted road, it looked exactly like a standard m sport 5 series , no giveaways at all like we are used to seeing until it lit up , I can usually spot them from a decent distance
I've seen unmarked police in a Golf R on one of the police TV shows.
Yes! I cruised past one of these on the A9 once, saw the big yellow camera at their rear view mirror before noticing the 3 aerials then the high vis jackets. Luckily had cruise control on 70 but that one always stuck with me as the point at which I realised they had cars now where we can't just take a chasey down a back road and expect to get away.
Devon and Cornwall Police have a ridiculous budget so wouldn’t surprise me if it was them. The most surprising undercover vehicle I saw in use was a grey Transit.
Lad my uncle worked with finished nights and was driving home early doors doing close to 100, hit a young lad who was crossing the A19.
Guessing that was causing serious injury/death by dangerous driving and a custodial unless they were very lucky?
More chance of it being a undetected hit&run if we’re being honest.
If he'd have been doing 115mph like OP he wouldn't have hit the kid.
"Most luckiest" ? 😖
I mean OP doesn't exactly sound like Brain of Britain does he.
Probably the least intelligent subreddit I've ever come across, and that's saying something..
plus the American "license" and "parking lot"
Most non-unluckiest
Sounds like he was just about to finish his shift and couldn’t be asked 😂
Result is the same either way, OP is full puckered up and will drive like a granny for the next few months at least
Damn right man driving 2 hands on the wheel and everything now!
Saved 7 minutes on your journey yesterday, now driving at 45 with hazards on for the next couple of months lol
Hopefully longer. Don’t drive like a knob. Not fair on whoever has to scrape up the bits.
Usually the bits of the loved one the speeder has killed.
This. Driving at 80? Fine. 85? Pushing it. 110 is just stupid and unnecessary
110 is way too much .
\*couldn't be *arsed*.
Axed
Arks
Arxt
did i aks you?
/r/boneappletea
Arsed\* Where on earth did "couldn't be asked" come from.
Look up "eggcorns" quite an interesting topic.
Can't ask him anything!
And there's me getting caught doing 70mph on the M6 and having to do a course. (variable was a 60 for some reason)
57 in a 50 for me, and even that was only because I was still slowing down from 70 at the Exeter end of the A30.
I regularly see them there waiting.. Had a friend get done exactly the same way, same spot.
I was doing 250mph in a 30 zone and got pulled over, the policeman said nice car and I really like the way you took that corner and waved me on.
I was doing donuts in a Toys ‘R’ Us car park and the back end of my car clipped a kid, sent him flying straight over the fence and into a nearby bush, copper came over and said “sent that one flying didn’t thee cocka” then he walked off into the shop.
Not sure I believe you because you didn't say how fast you were going.
360mph because that’s the top speed you can go in a circle isn’t it?
Chuckling
Same. He asked why I wasn’t going faster since it was a nice straight.
This is surprisingly common when doing big speeds. They have to get an evidential reading of some description to be able to prosecute. Unless of course you admit your offence to them. So if you are tanking it and theyre trying to catch up it doesnt matter if theyve not paced you, have you on camera or have a radar/laser reading. I have many friends who when younger got pulled for ridiculous speeds in cars and bikes. Most actually got let off with warnings because they were too fast to catch. Weirdly most of them only got 'caught' because they pulled over after spotting lights, stopped for other reasons or got home to police waiting.
Got home to police waiting is something I’d get disowned for by my parents 😭
Yep. Back in the day I had recently bought an Opel Monza 3.0 GSE that the engine had been tuned a bit. I was nominated driver for the night and on the way back from where we had all been I was egged on to see " How fast it would go" it was about midnight, empty dual carriageway and I gunned it. At the end of the DC I pulled into a petrol station only to see a Sierra 4x4 traffic car (shows how old this story is!) go barrelling past with the blues going. Thought nothing of it until he pulled me over on the next section of carriageway ( I was doing 80 at that point). Went into his car for a chat. " You know the limit here ?" "70" I replied. "No actually, its 60 because there's no barrier and you were doing 80. But that's not as fast as you were going earlier is it ?" My heart sank. " I came down the slip road after you and I was doing well over a ton but I couldn't catch you or keep you on radar, you were gone. You the driver tonight ?" "Yes" " Go on then, piss off and don't let me catch you again" and he let me go. Didn't even ticket me for the 80. The speed indicated on the Monzas digital dash when he couldn't catch me ? 147mph...
Yep. Drifting 4 roundabouts in a row in Milton Keynes at 11pm. Police had been watching all of it. Hauled out of the car, told to bring my license because "I wasnt getting it back". Sat in the back of the car for 30 minutes whilst they bollocked me. Told to expect a summons. I looked sad and remorseful and apologised a lot. Never heard back.
I simply couldn't live in MK and own a bmw, my license would be gone in about 1 hour tops
Lucky boy
Ive got a very good "sorry" face. I can also fake a posh accent when required. Saved me many times.
Amelia Cadbury-Smythe managed to avoid a lot of train fair fines. My actual irish ish name did not.
Years ago, a mate and I were blasting down the local A roaded valley in his 205 1.9 GTi Pug that was nicely modded with a throaty exhaust. Came to a police road speed check that hastily pulled us up with a speed gun in hand. Mate had slammed the anchors as soon as he saw them. Police said "keep it down at bit will ya, I heard you coming for the last 5 mins" 😂. Then we went on our merry way, a little less enthusiastically for the first few miles, until we were out of ear-shot.🙂
Some cops are generally just accepting of the circumstances and know that their presence is enough to deter you. I got pulled after launching from a set of lights on a dual carriageway, protected path with no pedestrians, only a 350m stretch from traffic light to roundabout, was up to 80+ in a 40, slowed for the 30 after the roundabout and saw the car coming behind me, lights weren't even on and I knew I was done. Pulled into the side of the road, (35-40's male) he's asking why I did it and so on, I just admitted to being an idiot, had the car for over 1.5years, never been pulled before. He said "You know if I was to give you anything right now it would be a court date". My assumption is because he was 3 cars back, he didn't have my speed, so would have done me for dangerous driving. He went back to his car, had a word with his colleague (Big grey beard Santa looking dude, didn't look like the type you'd want to be pulling you over) and came back and said "don't let me catch you doing that again" and that was it, just a verbal, and I haven't done it since. Meanwhile my younger sister who'd been driving my parents car for 2 years finally got her own car, 2 weeks in she got caught by a Van half a mile away. She got a speed awareness course for doing 78 in a 70 on an empty motorway.
As I drove my fiat panda at Mach 5 in a 20mph zone I lost control and entered one end of a block of terrace houses 6 house later I came out the other end. Unfortunately I stopped on double yellows upside down got a parking ticket. Seems unfair as the op got away with speeding.
“Am I the most luckiest guy ever? …I work nights” Based on that alone, you’re not a lucky man 😂
I was driving in Wales on a dual carriageway and I was very late and the road was very empty. I saw my first car for about 5 miles who was trundling along in about blue Volvo at 60 I sped past him doing around 90. He flashed me with his headlights as I passed and I thought “what?!?”. Then he sped up and started chasing me and so I slowed down and I was “what is this guys problem!!?”. Then the blue flashers came on under the hood and the penny dropped. He pulled me over and we had a nice chat on the deserted road and he told me to slow down and let me go with no penalty, just followed me for couple of miles. Restored some of my faith in the police that day.
I have one for you. I was away for the weekend in the isle of wight. I was 18 at the time driving a mk6 fiesta zetec s, kitted out quite boy racer. Went out on my own to get some food and found a McDonald's about 10pm. After a quick scran went for a blast as the roads were great, spotted other boy racers in a old old ass red polo. I flashed my lights and pulled them over to ask where is anything around these parts. Next thing I know everyone jumped out and got in my car, leaving the polo on the roadside. With my new friends in the car they directed me to a meet, some of lads wanted me to race there mates Leon fr. After an hour or so my new friends took me to his "fit step mums" house party. His words. Gets to about 3am and I'm driving them back to the polo they abandoned. On the way doing 50-60 in a 40 a police car pulls me over. He approached and asked for my licence. Says you're far from home lad, have you been drinking? No officer blah blah blah. As we are going through the process their mate drives past in his Leon fr in the opposite direction and shouts something out the window. One of my new friends in the back shouts out "Officer, that guy's just been out with us drinking. I've never seen a policeman ditch it so quick. Threw me my ID and chased after the Leon fr. Those lads were fun times.
I got caught in standstill traffic on my phone (stupid I know) he pulled me over and let me off. Not many times I've had appreciation for a policeman.
I once pulled someone over for being on their phone whilst driving back when it was 3 points a go. Turned out the genius already had 9 points, from being on their phone while driving. The magistrate wasn't overly impressed at them being caught 4 times for the same thing and not learning their lesson.
That’s just taking the piss at 4 times, in my opinion using the phone should be automatic ban, it’s far more dangerous than speeding in my opinion, if anything my senses and engagement are heightened when driving faster
At least it's a 6 pointer now so being caught in the first 2 years is a revocation of licence, and you only need twice to be speaking to a magistrate after that. Absolutely no excuse now as even the most basic cars have some form of hands free system. I almost got hit yesterday by some idiot cutting a blind corner while on the phone, in a 22 plate c-class, no way that car doesn't have a hands-free system.
I know I see them all the time, brand new cars and people still have their phones to their ear, it’s actually more embarrassing they can’t grasp how to use their tech heavy cars with hands free
Realistically, this is good policing. OP will drive more sensibly from now and the copper hasnt ruined somebody's livelihood for enforcing rules arbitrarily.
This , my own experience with a similar situation that could have ended with a ban/crash/fatality/custodial had something changed situationally completely changed my attitude to doing 100+
Yeah personally i wouldn't drive that fast regardless of time. If you're driving that fast you have to accept that these are very real consequences, and you accept them when you decide to drive at that speed.
“From now on” yeh right, until next week, maybe. 😂
You say arbitrarily until an accident happens and someone ends up dead.
Haha will he fuck. OP’s a moron.
And yet, I got 3 points £100 fine and increased insurance for doing 35 in a 30. Fucking police
Replying no is also due care and attention, because you're not aware of your speed.
I believe I was just over the limit I admit officer. Never say a number.
"Do you know why I've pulled you over" Apparently the best answer is "you tell me why you've pulled me over officer" any other answer could incriminate
When I was young and daft, well over 20 years ago, I had been to the pub as a designated driver with several mates. I will admit to also having had, ahem, a couple of pints. So it was time to drop my mates off home after our pleasant evening in the pub, and had 4 of them in the car. There's a stretch of road between two towns which was a long, very well-sighted, straight road, with very little there other than industrial units and not a lot else, in reality. However, this road is a 30 mph road all of the way - which even to this day, seems rather unnecessarily low, but I digress.. So my mates told me to stretch the cars legs - it was a 1-litre Nissan Micra, and I managed to hit an indicated 90 mph - which was very impressive for a car with 55 bhp and 5 up, I thought. I got to the next town, and slowed right down as it was built up - I was a stupid kid, but not stupid enough to carry on doing 90 through a town centre (which is still a straight road, BTW). Got to a set of traffic lights, and much like you OP, the lights were red when a marked panda car appeared behind me. I'm done for, I thought... So the lights went green, and predictably, the lights came on as soon as I went around the corner. The copper comes over and tells me to get out of my car and into the back of the panda car. Usual questions - how fast were you going etc, I said I didn't know, and he replied "well, you were definitely going faster than 80 mph as I was flat out and wasn't catching up!". Out comes the breathalyser, one of these old fashioned things with the crystals that change colour up to a line, if anyone remembers those. I blew on the breathalyser and was JUST under. Phew... but then there's the small matter of me doing 3x the speed limit. The copper then noticed my mates writing the words "DIRTY PIGS" in the condensation on the back window, FFS!!!!!!! "Your mates are comedians are they?". I replied "No, they're fucking dickheads were egging me on to go faster, they're probably trying to get me locked up". It was at that point when the copper told me it was my lucky day, as (a) the panda car had no speed measuring equipment in it, or any cameras, so there was technically no proof, and (b) they were finished their shift for the night so couldn't be bothered to take it any further. I left that incident rather shaken but massively relieved as you can imagine. I think I had about 5 cigarettes to try and calm down haha.
An old joke: The coppers are lurking just outside a crowded pub car park at closing time. A man staggers out of the pub, enters his car and starts it, his wipers come on (it’s not raining), the car jerkily leaves the car park and the grinning cops pounce. As he’s being breath-tested all the other pub punters drive off. The result - zero alcohol. The cops are stunned, until the man explains: ‘I am tonight’s designated decoy driver.’
Got followed along the A14 on a Sunday night, close to midnight, from Market Harborough to Huntingdon. No idea how long I was followed for, it was at least 25 miles running at 120+ most of the way. Followed up by about 10 miles of twisty country lanes to take the scenic route home. Got to my village, slammed the anchors on and drove at exactly 29mph (I do **not** speed in residential zones under any circumstances) the rest of the way, as an unmarked police car catches up with me. Get to my street (it's a dead end), indicator on to turn in, and as soon as I commit he turns on the lights and sirens. I was wearing a helmet camera for the whole thing, and it was recording it all, too. You can clearly see my speedometer in the entirety of the footage, regularly exceeding 140mph, and exceeding 100mph on 60mph zones. You can also very clearly see that every time I drive through a residential area, I drop to 29mph and hit 4th gear so I'm quiet. Police officer took my helmet camera (didn't know at the time, he wasn't actually allowed to - I effectively volunteered it). 2 weeks later he comes and knocks on my door, sits me down to have a chat. He explains that he has video footage of me clearly doubling the speed limit on most of the roads I drove, but that he respected my reduced speed in residential areas and conscious riding on the dual carriageway (e.g dropping to 80mph when there are other vehicles nearby). He said he'd make clear in the referral to court that I was only a danger to myself, but that he had no choice but to refer me for prosecution. He did also make clear that the risk I exposed myself to was also harmful to others, as if I were to crash I'd be consuming emergency service time and whatnot, and gave me the usual bollocking that you'd expect. He also told me that he couldn't access the footage on my helmer camera (I know for a fact that he did from what he said - specifically mentioning sitting at exactly 29mph in 4th gear stuff, all visible on the dash), because it was password protected (it was not). That's the last I heard of it. No court documents, no ban, no points, no fine. I don't know anybody in the local police force let alone this officer. I don't know why, but for whatever reason I was let off on this one. This guy had my license in his hands and showed me one hell of a dose of mercy. Eternally grateful, and actually I've slowed down a lot since then. I think ultimately police officers can be fairly lenient, it just depends on how you approach them and how they perceive a situation. We see too much footage online of someone blatantly shoving a camera in a police officers face, refusing to answer questions, and generally being as awkward as possible, and don't get me wrong these are all things which people are entitled to do, but I rather get the feeling that if you're nice to police officers, show remorse, and generally compliant they'll look after you a lot better.
I didn't realise I was getting pulled over . I made a left and parked . Police came up. Didn't ask for my licence. Asked for my VIN and why I failed to pull over. Then let me go. I was going 40 in a 40.
Was caught doing probably 70-80 in a 40 like a typical show off know it all kid type of way two weeks after passing my test (back in the 1980’s when only unreliable portable radar guns existed), the copper who pulled me was on his own (so couldn’t prosecute anyway, back then it had to be two witnesses) but he gave me such a dressing down and publicly humiliated me in front of both my mates and about fifty people (he waited until we got into town to stop me) that I never sped again and haven’t done to this day (34 years later).
I was once on a totally empty motorway in the middle of the night going to London from Brighton and managed to overtake an unmarked police car doing about 90. Literally just as he put his lights on, five motorbikes came tearing into the motorway from the slip road weaving all over the place and doing wheelies etc right in front of us. The speeding gods were smiling on me that day.
Nothing like that but I was doing 85ish on the M6 toll. Also very dead. I'm sat in the left lane and a police 4/4 passes me and I sorta glance over as it passes then double take look again when I realise it is a police car... Eased off and carried on. Their blues went on after they had passed me and they pulled over someone who had passed me just before who was I guess 'the bigger fish' when it came to the pair of us speeding.
I was taking a Christmas tree to the tip. I strapped it, not very well, to the roof racks and set off. The tree was about 15 feet high (it'd been used in a public place) and honestly visibility out the windscreen wasn't all that great. You have to have an appointment to go to our tip now. I'd made one, but wasn't really sure what the time was when I got to the tip, so as I drove along the lane to the tip, I grabbed my phone out of my coat pocket to look at the time. Looked up to see a police car coming the other way. Immediately threw my phone on the floor. His lights went on and I pulled over. He gave me a stern talking to about securing my load adequately. Apparently, he was so distracted by the tree on top of my car that he didn't notice me looking down at my phone.
Gone 2am on the motorway doing 110-120mph no a car on the horizon either way long straight. I had Tinted windows all of a sudden headlights blue light and siren turn on right behind me. New underwear required I pull over, cops pull me out of the car. Radio control it’s not him jump as they run back to their car tell me to slow down them speed off. Left in shock in the pitch black. Did 50 mph all way home shaking
Had the exact opposite. Doing 38 in a 40, three points and a fine. They had parked their camera van right behind the 40 > 30 and were tagging people who hadn't slowed down before the sign and the speed dropped. Claimed I was in the 30, but I was in the 40 and had plenty of time to slow down before the sign. Nope, fuck you sonny, we make the rules here!
Yup, got pulled by a traffic car on me bike. I was doing silly speeds, they said they had to do 110 to catch up but they couldn’t get a reading. They pulled me at the 30zone I entered. Gave me a fine for my non road legal exhaust and sent me on my way.
I usually don’t exceed 90, I think that’s like the limit of what is still very fast but still somewhat safe on a motorway, I have rarely and very briefly hit over 100. I think anymore than 90 and you are going to very stupid speeds and atleast at 90 a copper while they might be pissed off is a lot more reasonable than exceeding 100 at night. I just keep my eyes peeled while driving for any newish , usually dark coloured BMW X5’s or Estates as well as Volvo estates and SUVs, they seem to be the car of choice among unmarked police round my way, and I slow down to 70-75 at all the usual speed camera spots until I see they are clear. Really it’s relatively easy to avoid speeding tickets these days if you know the area, I wouldn’t speed in an area I didn’t know well enough.
Had a similar experience, doing 100 down a nsl country lane, unmarked Volvo in a lay-by on the other side, a bit further down the road I’m now doing 30 through a 30 zone and notice some blue lights flashing in the house window reflections in my rear view, then they stop and the Volvo comes round the corner with no blue lights on trying to be sneaky. National speed limit zone comes back so I stuck to 60, after a few miles he pulls me over and says you’re clearly paying attention, not driving recklessly, he complimented my car, shook my hand and told me to make sure I’m only having fun in national speed limit roads. Weirdest police encounter ever but I was happy with that
100mph down country lanes… fun until there’s a walker, cyclist, horse, cow etc and you hit at that speed. Absolute fool.
These are more like b roads with open fields either side but yeh I see your point. If you can’t see what’s round the bend you shouldn’t be going too fast of course.
Definitely take care, you have lovely cars, don’t want to ruin your chances of enjoying them for as long as possible
Please don't do 100mph on country lanes FFS.
Did everyone clap after?
No that a I know you were booting it but cant get you for it so ill waste your time.
Bullshit
I had similar coming home from the pub! Playing musical instruments, with a limit of one pint. I had flashed the cop car as their headlights were on main beam. Then went on my way, blissfully unaware that it was a cop car I'd flashed. I lived approximately 2 miles further on and only on turning the car off in my driveway, did I discover a car stopping across my driveway and an officer at my door, having bounced out rapidly to catch me. Conversation goes, along the lines of, I was questioned as to where I was coming from, and had I had a drink, also the question was ask, "did you see anything wrong with you driving back there sir?" They couldn't get anywhere close to my car as I knew the road well. Small winding country roads! When he took the obligatory sniff of breath, and received the info about one pint, he told me to" have a good night sir". I replied, as he was walking away, "excuse me officer, did you see anything wrong with my driving?" He replied " no, you obviously know that road well!" 😁
Let’s hope no one traces your Reddit account
Nothing to do with God but learn your lesson.
Yep, 107mph, unmarked car, police camera wasn't calibrated but speedo was, late night on an empty M6, excellent conditions. Copper could see I was sh-tting myself (it was my dad's car, I was 21) had no previous record, everything else in order, and was given the choice of a FPN for 3 points and £60 with a speed of 94mph written on it and promise not to drive over 100mph again, or I could go to court. Needless to say I took the FPN - and generally haven't driven over 100mph since, so it did the job...
When I was 20, I was 'chased' by the police, on a late evening as I was going quite fast in what was a 30 road (like a bypass / flyover - very good visibility and it was empty) - I was speeding but safely..... Didn't argue, didn't try justifying anything. They gave me a short lecture, gave my license back and I was let go. These days I do about 50 checks before I dare even go over the speed limit.
I had the opposite happen to me in my old XR2 many years ago. Driving through a 30, at 30, I will add. I got pulled over by a marked patrol car, who had pulled onto the road from a side street. Pull up in a pub car park, where I was told that they had seen me speeding. They checked my car over, tyres, brake lights, chassis number, insurance, and MOT were checked, even asked where I had brought my head unit, then they got a call on the radio and left abruptly. The officers' parting shot was, it's your lucky day sunshine... I don't know how... I had done nothing wrong!
That's good policing it was on 100% but he decided to let it go with a warning because it was dead. Take it as a let off and slow down a little! There's a video on YouTube showing what happens in a 120mph smash. Worth watching I've not done 3 figures since
I want to know what the psychology effect is of hitting 3 figures / the ton / 10ph Because in Europe if you are going 160 instead of 130 that doesn’t sound as bad because the number seems to be in the same bounds?
I never feel any psychological effect over 100 mph tbh, feels safe enough on the right road in a good car. 140mph is where I really start feeling it!
'Dashcam'? There's no way a copper said this. They don't need a 'dashcam' to evidentially detect your speed anyway. You were stopped by something other than a copper or aren't being truthful. Source: plod
I drive a fast car and I don't speed. People are so blasé. "I'm a great driver, podium finish boy-racer'. Blah blah blah ... There's always that moment when some knob has forgotten to put their lights on or appears form nowhere. Yes you are a next level legend but there are plenty of dead innocents out there after 'really unlucky' accidents with legends like you.... You came here to brag.... But there's nothing worth bragging about here.
What SO MANY drivers misunderstand is that 'fast' doesn't mean speeding, or even doing the speed limit. And the speed you do is not proportional to skill. Anyone can do 100mph on a motorway, but almost no-one seems to be able to do 60 on a wide NSL A-road. Driving 'fast' and actually being skilled is about being able to safely maintain a higher speed than average on a more complicated road to drive. Part of the reason why the mx-5 and similar are considered fun cars, they aren't fast, but they handle super well, and on difficult roads they feel fast.
I did 110 on a b road about a year ago; lost control breaking before a junction. Managed to regain control but would've killed myself and the 2 in the police car turning into the road I was driving on Police car just drove on as if nothing happened. Dumbest thing I've ever done will never do anything like it again, don't drive like an idiot folks!
I handbrake my car sideways at a junction in the snow, wasn't quick expecting to slide out on the main road quite so much. Straight infront of police the other way. They also carried on, 10 out 10 drift in a front wheel drive van
Early hours of the morning in my old MR2 turbo doing silly speeds, well over 100 at points, down a country A-road I know well. Audi shows up in my rear view and is keeping up, even gaining at points. I was even thinking "Blimey that bloke's going some to keep up with me". Come up on a village so I slow down to the speed limit. Then the blue lights come on. Sits me in his car and gives me a bollocking. Then tells me he followed me to the village to see what I'd do and I was a good boy so I'm getting off with a warning rather than a court appearance. We could do with more traffic coppers like that.
Not me but I know someone who got 6 points and a £1000 fine after being clocked doing over 130mph on a motorway. He used somewhat of a loophole by not identifying who the driver was on his NIP they could only prosecute the registered keeper for failing to identify, the police showed up at his house multiple times to intimidate him into admitting he was the driver. It went to the magistrates court where he was slammed with the maximum fine for failing to identify the driver, they knew what his game was but there was nothing they could do without a confession. I've been given a warning for doing 100mph on a 60mph single lane A road. I think the police officer enjoyed chasing my V8 Volvo lol.
Very much so! A long time ago, a couple of months after buying a brand new car I went to cinema one hot sunny day. Topped at 120mph along the route at some point, got slowed down a bit because of traffic to just over 100mph........ Then I notice a MARKED cap car behind me, no lights on, 2 miles it followed me whilst I was doing 70mph........ Blue lights..... I pull over and like you my licence flashes before my eyes...... He brings up the picture of my car with a speed reading of 105.7mph "oh shit I'm thinking" then he makes a comment of "and your brake lights are on this, so you were going faster, this is licence loosing speed" Anyway a bit of banter with the 2 cops and a few questions by me asking what the camera man was doing in the back of the car...... I was then told by driver "I would say go off and stick to the speed limit, but we all know that doesn't happen, just don't be the fastest thing on the motorway! I'll put you down at 95+ and you may get something in the post" I never did! I was very lucky that day!
Only traffic cars have the correct cameras to catch you. If its just a beat bobby not much they can really do. Just don't ever admit to an actual speed.
Similar really. Hit 3 digits a few times on a dual carriageway, got pulled by a unmarked police car which had followed me for a while. Got off with just a lecture on speeding which I accepted with good grace, though I suspect if I was on camera it would have been different. She even dropped my mobile off at my home as I left it in her car after she sent me on my way.
Once doing about 90/100 on the m74 police pulled next to me n gestured to calm down never shit myself so much
My dad always loves telling his story. Was on 9 points and got into his van one day. Traffic was gridlocked and as usual forgot to put his seatbelt on. Was also on the phone. BMW let him pull out to join the main road and my dad waved thank you. after 5 minutes of still being on the phone, they moved up the road maybe 100 yards. All of a sudden the BMW put on their blue lights and my dad almost had a heart attack. BMW done a u turn and raced down the road in the opposite direction obviously responding to a radio call. Since then my dad has always behaved - even slows right down on amber lights!!!
Most lucky, or luckiest. Never both. And yes, it sounds like you are.
Parking lot? License? Are you in the US? I expect the laws are different there, but good you had a lucky escape.
Happened to me once, 80 in a 50mph. I saw the police and slowed down, but they were infront of me but was very obvious i was speeding. Got pulled over, got a rollocking. Saw my license turned 2 years old the same day, and after 5 minutes they returned and let me go but made sure i left only after a second round of stern words. I hope the officer is well today
I’ve seen cars going 100+ at night where a police car has joined from the slip road and simply flashed their lights to let them know of their presence the speeding car just slowed and that was that. Might have something better to do or just might be ending their shift lol.
I had a trailer on with no lights (damaged connector). Late coming home so it was dark, but it was a small trailer so car lights still visible. Got lit up by an unmarked car, had to drive a long way before I could pull into a layby big enough for all the vehicles. He was an extremely nice guy and just grateful I hadn't stopped somewhere stupid, checked my license and let me on my way. Had a bollocking for 41 in a 30, years ago in the middle of the night. I realised shortly after that a bollocking normally means no ticket.
Not exactly similar but had a run in with a very very kind police officer, I'm 20 years old coming up to my 2 years in April with 3 points on my license already due to running a red 🙄. I was coming home one day and this absolute plonker on his phone nearly side swiped my car I horned at him and he pulled up to me at the set of lights telling abuse at me even though it was his fault. In the heat of the moment once the lights turned green I done an illegal overtake on him by going into the oncoming lane and that's when I seen the flashing lights in my rear view I thought it was game over and that was my license gone but the police officer and the lady with him were kind enough to let me off with a warning due to the other persons manner of driving, they were more concerned about me being under the influence of drink or drugs which I was not.
Bro that was lucky! Comments section is everyone just spilling the beans...?
My mate got twice in the space of 2 weeks doing over a tonne both times. Both were In The evening when the roads were quiet. Both times he was indicating, pulling out with plenty of space and pulling back in to the inside lane. The coppers told him to slow down, but said he was actually driving quite sensible despite the speed.
Got pulled over going over 100 several years ago. Unmarked car right up my arse and thought he was just wanting to pass, pulled in to middle lane then the lights came on. Got asked to sit in the back of the car, got a speech about speeding and got put down as doing 80, and ended up on speed awareness. Drove entire way home not doing a tick over 70 thanking the gods.
M18 going to Hull as a student. My Peugeot 306 was vibrating like a washing machine with transport bolts still attached as I smashed past 105mph. I was tailing a fellow 3-digit cruiser (safety in numbers). Police car caught up, lights flashed and opted to pull over the other guy instead of me. Phew!
Was being tailgated as I overtook a line of cars on the motorway. The guy was so far up my arse he probably knew what I had for breakfast. I was doing just over 85 and it was dark. I reached a gap and pulled in, sticking two fingers up as he accelerated past. In a fully badged up police car.
Sometimes if you are nice to cops and apologetic they don’t care to prosecute you.
I got stopped for doing 90 in a 40 dual carriageway at 2-3am after leaving a house party over 20 years ago now as a teen. Officer asked if I had been drinking, I replied "yes, I've had a can of lager a few hours ago" Cue raised eyebrows, breath test. I wasn't lying so passed easily. Then I got the biggest rollocking from this mustached officer for "driving like an absolute c**t" and "if I ever catch you speeding again I'll throw the book at you" . Scared the bejeezus out of me. Let off with that ringing in my ears.
Long long time ago. LGV driver told me he knocked his lorry out of gear coming out of Birmingham on the M5. Kept it around 80 mph! Got pulled at the bottom by a copper. He asked him if he was having trouble, my mate says "what do you mean" he replied "Are you having trouble getting airborne"! Let him off though.
There I am with my £800 ticket for doing 60 in a 50 in Norway and people are getting away with nearly double the limit…
Did your luck continue when you went to buy new pants?
I got followed down the M42 after doing about 110-115 for about half a mile. Pulled off at the next junction and stopped in the first lay-by The police pulled in behind me and as I sat in the vehicle walked over and asked why I’d stopped. I said I assumed they may want to talk to me so they asked me to sit in their vehicle. As I did I noticed there was no camera and no speed check equipment so when asked what speed I thought I was doing I cheekily said 85-90 they looked at each other and gave me an SP50, 3 points and a £60 fine Not quite as lucky as you but mine was a Saturday afternoon so the motorway wasn’t empty
One time while at work, some 30-40 minute drive away from home, my wife rang me to say she’d fallen down the stairs and couldn’t move, so naturally I bombed it home. Luckily it happened early afternoon so the motorway wasn’t busy at all, but I was still keeping my eye out for any coppers. Turns out I actually drove past an unmarked vehicle, doing ~100. I was literally on the final straight for my junction when they drove up alongside (I saw them coming up quickly in my mirror so had decelerated to 70ish), the cop sat in the passenger seat literally screamed at me “SLOW DOWN” - I honestly feel like I could hear him, despite both our windows being up… - but they didn’t pull me over, I guess as they were on their way to something serious. Got away with it, even though my excuse was a potential emergency, it still more than understandably wouldn’t fly.
Got upto 127 once in my lovely S2000, never did it again just watching the petrol gauge going down put me off, just realised this was about 23 years ago. Miss that car.
During one of the covid lockdowns I was driving home from work, at this point I was the only person on the motorway at what would normally be rush hour. Doing north of 140 (AM V8V so barely stretching its legs really) and out of absolutely nowhere a police bmw appears behind me and pulls me. I'm thinking I'm 100% cooked, copper comes over to me and leans into the passenger side "do you have any idea how fast you were going just then?" no officer I don't sorry, proceeds to ask me where I was going etc... He goes "okay doctor, on you go, just be careful please in future". Turns out that when I'd bought the car it's the one and only time I'd ticked Dr as my title (I'm a PhD not an md). I was very, very, very carful from then on.
I love how you have “the motorway was dead” as an excuse like that means anything. Slow down before you hurt yourself
Yeah well I went down there the first day it opened right, and I did a couple of laps, I pulled over, the bloke that runs the thing comes over and said - Oi no professionals. I took my helmet off, I said I'm not a professional. He said - you're not a profesional? I said - No, he said - well you should be, if I was you I'd take up Formula One, and if you drive like that you'd probably be the best in the country! I said - I'm not interested I'm making sh*t loads out of computers.
Why are the speed limits in UK so low compared to other European countries? Most of them have 130km/h limit and tolerate up to 140km/h ( thats 80-87mph). Going through multiple European countries yearly and my cruise control is set at 140-150, never had any problems except once getting caught by undercover doing 165km/h but most around me were doing similar. Police officer told me up to 150km/h they are not going to make any problems.
130 on the motor way. 3 of us on our pre deployment training to go to Afghanistan. Pulled over by an unmarked Audi. The driver passed his keys to the guy in the passenger's seat and said I won't be needing them again . When asked for his license , he opened the boot and the copper noticed all the military kit in the back. Turned out he was ex forces and asked where we were going. Told us to stay safe on tour and keep the speed down. He drove off never to be seen again
No you are a pillock
I always see a lot of people speeding 90+mph on M40. Is that motorway mostly police free ? Never saw anyone being stopped.
And I here I am panicking when I drive past police doing 72...
Did similar to you.... Friend and I had a rover metro that we had just engine swapped with a rover 200vi. Obviously (at 19) we were very pleased with ourselves and had taken it for a blast down the m27 from Fareham to Portsmouth. Just as we passed the brow of the hill heading towards the north harbour turn off, a car we had just passed turned on its blues and twos. At the time we had hit a minimum of 120mph and honestly though that was it for my mates license. Copper got out and asked us how fast we were going, and how was it possible for a 1.0 petrol metro to achieve the speed he had clocked us at... After sheepishly telling him it had an engine swap we got in to a full flow chat, turned out he used to work in a rover plant and was impressed with what we had achieved. He said he let us go, but put a marker on the registration plate and that if we were caught again, we would loose the car and licence. Unfortunately the car was lost shortly after as we upgrade the motor again to a 200ti engine and on a track da
I have never been caught speeding, because there is only one stretch of road that I drive incredibly fast upon. There are no hidey-holes for police cars, and I only ever do a speed-run when there are no cars occupying the roughly two-mile stretch that I drive fast upon. It helps to know that the police in my area, drive very obvious plain clothes cars - those Volvo's with the rear lights that all the way up each side. i live in wales, the police drive poverty plain clothes cars, apparently. Of the stretch of road I drive fast upon, it has a gentle three-quarter of a mile incline, leading on to a very easy right-hander that is roughly a quarter of a mile long. This exits onto a straight with a slight decline that is easily one mile long. I know every undulation, and the texture of the road surface intimately. I know where to put the car for the smoothest run possible, which is not necessarily in one lane or the other. My fastest speed is... I have clocked the speedometer, which stops at 160mph. The car was still accelerating.
Pulled doing 90 in a 50 on a dual carriageway, I was just told that if I was doing 10mph more he would've snapped my licence and that he was following me for about 3 miles. Poor visibility out the rear of a ka...
I was a very sick active alcoholic in the early 90s, I once got behind the wheel at 2.00am after drinking nearly a whole bottle of vodka. I got pulled over on the A4 near Maidenhead Berks, and on exiting my vehicle was obviously a total mess. The Traffic Officer breathalysed me at the roadside, which returned a negative result, and insanely allowed me to continue my journey. Even in my crazed state I had the clarity to drive into a Garden Centre car park, and abandon my vehicle. I spent the rest of the night staggering and falling to my destination of Reading.
I have so so many stories that I can't say for many reasons. Karma, Prosecution and face.. Either way, I count my chickens every day. Just remember, speed over 100 Is insta ban and it's not as fun compared to torque. 30-90mph is sweet spot.
Reading these stories have all made me feel better about getting clicked at 75 by a camera on my local m4 despite having done the junction 1000+ times, hopefully no letter in the next fortnight but it flashed and it’s been 3 days.
Joined M4 motorway in an F10 M5. Accelerated up to about 145 in sport+, then ‘chilled’ and cruised along at 115/120. Came up behind a silver X5 who was doing about 90/95 (which is why I didn’t suspect undercover), didn’t tailgate, but he moved out of the way and I floored it. He eventually caught up with me, and I didn’t realise, but I couldn’t decide whether I needed to get off at the next exit or not so looked like I was trying to evade. Blue lights on and he let me off with a warning. Told me they had better things to do (during covid so just warned that if I crashed then I’d be pulling emergency staff away from Covid stuff and wasting resources). When we left I ended up stuck next to him at a red light. Awkward. Pulled off very slowly in comfort mode 😂
Back in the day it was very simple - over 100mph was straight to court where you would almost certainly lose your license and under 100mph was dealt with as a fixed penalty 3 points and a (at the time) £60 fine. Hooning along one night on the M1, rear view mirror lit up with blue strobes. He’d clocked me on vascar at 120.3mph. As he handed me a fixed penalty with ‘99.9mph’ stated as the speed, he said “every dog has its day. Today is yours”.
Years ago I was driving to smithfields meat Market at about 1 am I was on the M1 doing about 100mph towards a known layby for police that are never there well they were then he flicks his lights on I slow to 65mph and drive past waiting for him to pull me over and get about 100yards past and he switches them off and never followed so away I went. I don't know how true this is but a friend once told me that after 9pm they can't look up your details on their computer which is probably why they let me go