159mph copper's aquittal overturned

[merlin]

Why do people think the policemen are beyond human?

No idea. They're not race drivers - they've just received some training in high speed pursuit. Big friggin deal.

Maybe when they get behind the wheel the car magically uprates it's stability and braking capabilities?

In my experience a fair portion of them are nothing more than jumped up arrogant bum holes with a certificate to say they can drive fast. Sure they do a great job, but to think of them as a team of Nigel Mansells in uniform is hugely misguided. They are human, the cars they drive are not supercars. I'd like to see a copper sort his car out when a huge crosswind hits the car whilst he's doing 150mph. Let's see your advanced driver training get you out of that one!

 

[willd58]

You're brave, posting that in a forum. And, if it's true, a fool.

Depends, or is it that you are the fool who is?!
This 30 is on the middle of a duel carrigeway, and is a 400 meter road that bypasses a round about, i have no idea why its 30 as no one slows down for it and its clearly just duel carrigeway.

Oh, and i think its pathetic how this thread has turned into a "omg police are so arrogant they think they are gods gift when really they are poopoo heads who arnt even that good"

The guy was practicing, get over it you jelouse fools!

 

[Jonnycoupe]

People saying a copper driving at 200mph in a 30mph has made it a bit of a farce. I do hope it was an OTT comment and not real belief.

Im pretty sure the steering inputs required are beyond human at that speed.

TBH if i had to practice driving at 160mph id reconsider my career options. Also whilst developing my skills i'd prefer to have my employer actually behind me. Hire Millway or MIRA test track for a day? Get a couple of bangers and you could actually simulate a pursuit.

 

[willd58]

People saying a copper driving at 200mph in a 30mph has made it a bit of a farce. I do hope it was an OTT comment and not real belief.

There are some 30's where i genuinly believe you could do 400 down, it was not in jest, there are some speed limits out there that are very silly indeed.

 

[pdw8]

As I expected, this is really just turning into a police bashing excercise. If it had been a member of the public in a Ferrari or Veyron then yes he would have been prosecuted but a lot of people would just say he is stupid and unlucky. Some would admire the bloke for having the bottle to drive at 160mph.
The speed is not an issue as you can kill someone at 30-40mph so driving at 70mph or 160mph would be have the same results.
I have been done for speeding 3 times in the past and am by no way a police sympathiser but all this particular officer is guilty of is being stupid enough to record it.

 

[Firestar_3x]

There are some 30's where i genuinly believe you could do 400 down, it was not in jest, there are some speed limits out there that are very silly indeed.

I'd like to see anyone do 400mph down anything thats not a salt lake or beach.

 

[Lopéz]

There are some 30's where i genuinly believe you could do 400 down, it was not in jest, there are some speed limits out there that are very silly indeed.

Now you are showing a total lack of comprehension for the laws of physics and reaction times.

400mph is 182 metres a second. THATS HALF A RUNNING TRACK!

If you're going to add to a debate it might be wise to actually think before you post.

 

[Dogbreath]

There is only one thing this copper should be prosecuted for, and that's his mustache

 

[Oakesy2001uk]

Tottally (above). When We ask him to chase someone and he cant do it thats when there is a problem. It was quiet so conditions were good. They need the practise! This is a mixed viewpoint but its his job, are you saying they should shut roads or go on racetracks, thats not the same conditions. This should be done, he needs to no what the car he's using can do.

Even worse he's chasing someone in rush hour at 130 mph, and he crashes because he dosent know the car and is not aloud to test it until its too late and he needs to do it.

 

[kitten_caboodle]

There is only one thing this copper should be prosecuted for, and that's his mustache

Agreed. It is in fact a criminal element

 

[Hilly]

i believe this is a pretty much even split.

A case of, agreeing to disagree

 

[spaz]

Tottally (above). When We ask him to chase someone and he cant do it thats when there is a problem. It was quiet so conditions were good. They need the practise! This is a mixed viewpoint but its his job, are you saying they should shut roads or go on racetracks, thats not the same conditions. This should be done, he needs to no what the car he's using can do.

Even worse he's chasing someone in rush hour at 130 mph, and he crashes because he dosent know the car and is not aloud to test it until its too late and he needs to do it.

Well if conditions were quiet and good (although as it was night I wouldn't say they were optimal) what would the difference be between a closed road/race track and this situation? Hammering it a straight line is hardly good practice and if he wanted to know what it CAN do he can just look at the manufacturers specifications.

 

[Firestar_3x]

Well if conditions were quiet and good (although as it was night I wouldn't say they were optimal) what would the difference be between a closed road/race track and this situation?

Glad you posted this cause i was just about it!

 

[kitten_caboodle]

i believe this is a pretty much even split.

A case of, agreeing to disagree

Agreed.

 

[Firestar_3x]

Not related but --->

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4674052.stm

Some interesting quotes :

"There is no exemption for a police officer responding to an emergency call."

 

[DRZ]

Not related but --->

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4674052.stm

Some interesting quotes :

I cant remember exactly where in law it says this, but I am 99% sure that it does state that no posted speed limit shall stop a police officer from carrying out their duties.

 

[Archangelus]

I cant remember exactly where in law it says this, but I am 99% sure that it does state that no posted speed limit shall stop a police officer from carrying out their duties.

I'm pretty sure that 'duties' doesn't include doing double all the speed limits an officer sees when he's out 'training'.

 

[The_Dark_Side]

they've just received some training in high speed pursuit. Big friggin deal.

^pretty much sums up my thoughts at this moment in time.

 

[The_Dark_Side]

OPEN QUESTION#2

while trying to balance both sides of this argument today,a thought occured to me.

if it's SO important for plod to "familiarise himself" with the vehicle (that still makes me laugh even after the novelty has worn off),where do the Fire and Ambulance services familiarise themselves with their vehicles? you could argue this is more important for them as the vehicles they're required to drive bear practically zero resemblance to a car.at least the police officer will have road car experience to draw upon on top of any advanced driving courses...somehow i doubt that firemen get to take their engine home at weekends to "familiarise themselves with it".the speeds are lower than those a police pursuit driver will encounter,but a 15 tonne Fire appliance at 50mph could cause as much damage as a single car impacting at 100+MPH.
perhaps a more mathmatically minded member than i could calculate the relative vehicle weights impacting at those kinds of speeds.

 

[Skiddley]

Police drivers need to break road limits, fair enough, but 160? At some point persuits can reach speeds where more harm can be done than good. IMO, if you need to go anywhere near these speeds something is wrong, risks are inevitable, but they should be managed.