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[hotel21]

This might sound a little off kilter, given my previous vocation, but I've been intrigued for the past couple of hours since it happened.

I delivered a car today up into Glenlivit country - in fact, the farm was directly opposite the distillery and easily visible.  I got a lift down the road by a chap in a Range Rover back down the A9 via Aviemore, Dalwhinnie, Blair Atholl etc etc.  Anyone who knows this road understands that its a beautiful run but a road with sweeping bends, limited views and good dual carriageway, all in variable proportions.  And a bad reputation for road safety and subsequent carnage.

We had been chugging along behind a whisky tanker and in queue of traffic when a clear stretch emerges and the driver goes out for an overtake in a single carriageway section with a 60 limit for cars.  The fella floors it and in a jiff, we are upto 90 and pulling back in past the traffic and loosing speed on deceleration.  I spot two figures a good 6 or 7 hundred yards away on the verge on the opposite carriageway and mentioned about it being a strange place to catch a bus.  As we get closer, still loosing speed down to the 60 limit, we see that its a pair of trafpol minus high viz jackets and their patrol car up a farm track.  Strange, not understood part, now follows.

One of them was using a device no larger than a palm sized video recorder and tucked it out of sight as we were almost upon him.  He had obviously been filming/reading/monitoring our progress.  Both of us watched in the rear mirrors and there was no attempt to get into the patrol car and catch us up as I fully expected to happen.  No subsequent stop by any other trafpol a mile or so down the road as would have easily happened in my day.

It was not a prolaser or a hand held radar of any type known to me but to all intents and purposes, a small palm sized video camera.

Anyone any experience of similar?  The manouever was nothing outrageous or drastic, just a simple out for a confirmed look, boot it and back in again on the overrun type overtake.

And no, all you cynics, it wasn't me in the drivers seat - but was quite amused at the drivers actions thereafter and the subsequent q&a session that followed!

edit for spill chucker korrektions

[Crazycarzowner]

I could be wrong, but it might be one of these :-

Auto Vision

This is a highly portable video-based system, linked to a laser, that is usually used in an unmarked van or car.  The system is aimed at the front of passing vehicles and superimposes speed, time and distance information on a video image. It is popular due to its portability and the fact that it costs less than 1/3 of the price of a Gatso.

[feeutfo]

So why not act on the recorded info? If that was their purpose...? Testing the device maybe? Hence no wally bibs?

No experience of this one personally. (I currently have a "significantly clean license" apparently)

[feeutfo]

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/283744544/Distance_and_Speed_Measuring_Equipment_ATC1003.html

...maybe?

[hotel21]

My money is now on the autovision setup.  Thanks for the info.   

Portion of road in question is a recently remade, straight downhill section after a set of bends that preclude overtakes due to bad sightlines etc etc.  As said, in my day, would have been an ideal spot for hand held or vascar but times move on.

Will tell the fella the good news in the morning, then let him stew for the next 14 days or so......

hehehehehehe....    

[hotel21]

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/283744544/Distance_and_Speed_Measuring_Equipment_ATC1003.html

...maybe?

similar, but but we were far from 'slow moving'....   

[feeutfo]

[Stallion]

Agree with jason, if they had/recorded evidence then why not stop you there and then! Doubt them using the device had anything to do with you guys! 

[Crazycarzowner]

Thing is though, If they've got all the info, all they need to do is download it, send it to the CTO and they'll send the driver a NIP in the post.

[hotel21]

Thing is though, If they've got all the info, all they need to do is download it, send it to the CTO and they'll send the driver a NIP in the post.

Exactly.  Why chase someone when DVLA has a database of reg keepers?  I know how the system works (used it enough over the years) just not familiar with this piece of kit.

slainge!   

[scimmy_man]

you probably were driving safely and not worth a tug,

as long as you are paying attention, you have a 50/50 chance of being ignored,
I was clocked doing 40+ as I entered a 30 limit,(slowing from a duel carriageway)  I saw him and braked to 30, he nodded as I went past him, nothing more.

[hotel21]

you probably were driving safely and not worth a tug,
as long as you are paying attention, you have a 50/50 chance of being ignored,
I was clocked doing 40+ as I entered a 30 limit,(slowing from a duel carriageway)  I saw him and braked to 30, he nodded as I went past him, nothing more.

I reckon he was doing touching 90 in a 60 area with a horrendous reputation for crashes and injury in past years.  In my days of nikkin, it was worth a tug.  Doubt things have changed THAT much in the last 5 and a half years.....   

[aaronjb]

I'm sure the driver will enjoy his NIP when it turns up.. 30 over? 6 points and a £500 fine? Sounds about right - we have to compensate those victims of crime, after all..

[feeutfo]

I know how I drive. As we all do obviously.

Now obviously there is a learning period once we become fully qualified to drive in finding what we can get away with etc etc. But is is it me in recent years, it's become quite difficult to get tugged for speeding, never mind get ticket or worse...?

I don't want to tempt fate and all that but I rarely see plod on duty for traffic.

Less plod? Although thinking about, did I see Boris bimbling on about 1700 less plod on duty in the Met?

[Crazycarzowner]

They're a dying breed unfortunately Chris