Highways Agency Cars on Motorways

balsingh

In the last few months, I've noticed a massive increase in Highways Agency vehicles on the motorway. They look almost the same as a police car and everyone slows down when goign past them ... but can they pull you over for speeding or having a fused light etc (as the police would)???? I havent seen it done .. they usually seem to be attending to broken down cars etc and maintaining the traffic flow.

Bob_Terveuren

http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/1966.aspx

It's all there!

Chris4817

Pretty much all they do is attend minor incidents to free up traffic Police. They cannot stop you for any offences, BUT it is an offence to ignore the direction of one, ie: they can direct traffic. I am sure that in the near future their powers will increase though.

skiddy2k

Chris4817 wrote:

Pretty much all they do is attend minor incidents to free up traffic Police. They cannot stop you for any offences, BUT it is an offence to ignore the direction of one, ie: they can direct traffic. I am sure that in the near future their powers will increase though.

but on those lines, im sure it only takes a phone call for the highway patrol cars to make to get a panda car on your tail!

but, if your doing nothing wrong..........there's nothing to worry about is there !

Skiddy

Wig

But you can refuse to stop for traffic surveys, or rather refuse to 'pull to the side' because once you have pulled in even if you refuse to answer you will still be stuck until the cars infront have finished. Best way would be to stop and refuse to pull to the side and wait for the officer to come to your drivers window, then explain that you refuse to take part.

highguyuk

Highways Agency Traffic Officers (HATOs) deal with managing the traffic and helping road users. They are not there to enforce the law.

If you see any white cars with blaze bars they are usually highways contractors or designers/survey team/consultants. If you see any white cars with Atkins on the side with a blaze bar - give him a wave it could be me!

skiddy2k

highguyuk wrote:

If you see any white cars with Atkins on the side with a blaze bar - give him a wave it could be me!

haha , nice one!

highguyuk

Following on:
KNITTING
A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car on the freeway. Glancing at the car, he was astounded to see that the blonde behind the wheel was knitting! Realizing that she was oblivious to his flashing lights and siren, the trooper cranked down his window, turned on his bullhorn and yell ed, "PULL OVER!"
"NO!" the blonde yelled back, "IT'S A SCARF!"

Basil_Fawlty

Wig wrote:

But you can refuse to stop for traffic surveys, or rather refuse to 'pull to the side' because once you have pulled in even if you refuse to answer you will still be stuck until the cars infront have finished. Best way would be to stop and refuse to pull to the side and wait for the officer to come to your drivers window, then explain that you refuse to take part.

Traffic Surveys?

toozie_2

Are you sure its not these fella's your seeing??

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/infocus.htm

Basil_Fawlty

what fellas? these vehicles are highway patrol cars, not police cars. It's explained on the link in post #2