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[2woody]

manual up to 5mpg more efficient.

my auto MV6 does about 8mpg less than my 5.7litre Holden

[Dishevelled Den]

..... and I wouldn't hold Police drivers up as in any way special - they are without doubt the worst and most dangerous class of drivers on UK roads.

I would agree with that to a certain extent as a result of bitter experience.

Some TrafPol I worked with were accomplished drivers as were the drivers used in other squads I worked in over the years.

While CPU drivers were well trained, in all those years I never saw a situation where that training was used in anger.

Finally in spite of what people may think armoured vehicles cannot be driven with destain as I once again found out after yet another interesting experience.

[2woody]

agreed - I did a spell teaching what they call "on-limit" manoeuvres to Police drivers, they were all without exception of the "you can't teach me anything" variety.

ask a person the question "are you a good driver ?", and if they say yes, you've pretty much proved that they aren't

[Dishevelled Den]

 

 I certainly found that.  The only truly great driver I remember is the guy who taught me to drive (as a civilian)

He was an ex C8 driver who opened a driving school when he had his 30 done.  He drove like a dream and a very impressive car control.

I needed four lessons in his Mk 1 Escort to pass the civvie test.  Immediately afterwards he coached me for the AIM test.

In contrast when I was in the police driving school I found the instructors to be efficient and fast but not particularly stylish and certainly lacked the confidence inspiring car control that my first driving instructor had. 

[Vamps]

 I certainly found that.  The only truly great driver I remember is the guy who taught me to drive (as a civilian)

He was an ex C8 driver who opened a driving school when he had his 30 done.  He drove like a dream and a very impressive car control.

I needed four lessons in his Mk 1 Escort to pass the civvie test.  Immediately afterwards he coached me for the AIM test.

In contrast when I was in the police driving school I found the instructors to be efficient and fast but not particularly stylish and certainly lacked the confidence inspiring car control that my first driving instructor had. 

Is that, in part, because old skool cars had to be driven where as modern cars have so much electronic help you never really feel that you have full control. just a thought as in a moment of 'pig sick of modern cars' I was tempted to buy a pre electronic car... 

[millwall]

the truth is they are all told to drive it like you stole it   

[Ploppy]

I guess I was very lucky, I obtained my ticket driving around london.. the red routes in a cheese grater or should I say manual Senator ....

Progress.... progress ....progress

It really is about getting to a job, safely ... hazard awareness and in one piece .

No one should put themselves or other road users in danger...

Blimey ... i must stop sounding old 

[Dishevelled Den]

I guess I was very lucky, I obtained my ticket driving around london.. the red routes in a cheese grater or should I say manual Senator ....

Progress.... progress ....progress

It really is about getting to a job, safely ... hazard awareness and in one piece .

No one should put themselves or other road users in danger...

Blimey ... i must stop sounding old 

I remember being told to "Crack on, son" by driving school instructors when in the midst of the most (to me) inappropriate circumstances.

The basic problem with many police drivers is that they're not only driving but observing as well. (A completely different job)

Although it's a requirement for drivers to be vigilant in the general sense (over and above driving) the two things don't always conspire to allow the driver to drive safely.

The vast majority of the squads I worked in had dedicated drivers for that very reason.  While I'm a reasonably good driver, I simply didn't have the skill set necessary to feel comfortable driving in the extended way often required.

[2woody]

absolutely - it's all about observation, anticipation and smoothness.
The actual process of handling the vehicle comes way second to that.

[SJKOO01]

A lot of ordinary Officers (and some driver trained) fail to do the basic things like indicate when turning and I've seen a fair few carrying on going through traffic signals when there changing on the amber/red cycle

the truth is they are all told to drive it like you stole it   

As for the above, well if they stuff the car, it's not their personal vehicle so doubt they're too worried.
Okay, so they'll have some explaining to do upon the investigation side of things after the accident, but they're is a different approach from Police being involved in an accident and a general member of the public.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

A lot of ordinary Officers (and some driver trained) fail to do the basic things like indicate when turning and I've seen a fair few carrying on going through traffic signals when there changing on the amber/red cycle

the truth is they are all told to drive it like you stole it   

As for the above, well if they stuff the car, it's not their personal vehicle so doubt they're too worried.
Okay, so they'll have some explaining to do upon the investigation side of things after the accident, but they're is a different approach from Police being involved in an accident and a general member of the public.

Indeed, any POLAC, no matter how trivial, is investigated by a senior officer.  They can face prosecution if it is found that not only have they breached Road Traffic Law, but also Police Driving Regulations.  Unlike you and me (outside of being found drunk in charge or causing death by dangerous driving) they can lose their job, or be demoted.

All for going to the aid of the public, where life and death could be in the balance!

[ted_one]

I did 20yrs with the London Ambulance Service and the main thing that was strongly impressed on us that get to the call without taking any unecessary risks no matter how urgent it was, as to be involved in an accident would undoubtably require two or more ambulances to deal with a call that originally required one vehicle.Also immediate suspension from driving followed until the accident had been investigated.

[2woody]

personally, I think they all drive like they know they aren't going to be investigated.

well not until they've injured someone, anyway.