Highway Patrol... What rights do they have

[ZeroK66]

I am a little cautious now when passing their 4x4's cause I am not sure if you can be done for anything... wondering if they did have power to stop you for speeding etc? I think they are only there to help in the event of an incident... but would hate to tempt fate...

[s4woody]

they have no police power at all..they are just highway patrol helping motorists in trouble and sorting out traffic problems caused by accidents/breakdowns..

[Amosu]

Of course there isn't anything to say that they won't notify the local constabulary should they deem you to be piloting a low flying aircraft rather than drving 'sensibly'

[simple1]

They have now been given powers to stop HGV rated vehicles for safety reasons only, other than that, they have no powers other than to create traffic jams by driving at 55 mph and causing already nervous drivers to sit behind them incase they get nicked......... I pass them at whatever speed I happen to be doing...........

[ZeroK66]

LMAO to both Amosu and Simple... thanks guys.

[s4woody]

oh yeah and thanks woody for your input...

[simple1]

Yeah..... thanks Woody

[ZeroK66]

You know I clicked submit then I thought d'oh Woody will take that the wrong way...

I mean LMAO at Simple and Amosu and thanks to "guys" meaning everyone

*Gives woody a hug and a kiss*

Can you hear my recirculadump?

[derdle]

From the Highways Agency website....

Q) What powers under the Traffic Management Act 2004 do Traffic Officers have?

The Highways Agency Traffic Officers have powers to:

Stop traffic and close roads, lanes and carriageways;
Direct and divert traffic;
Place and operate traffic signs;
Manage traffic and traffic surveys.
Further legislation covering the removal of abandoned or broken down vehicles is expected by summer 2007.

Failure to comply with a Highways Agency Traffic Officer’s directions or sign is an offence and could lead to:

A fine of up to £1,000
Driving Licence endorsement; or
Disqualification.
Assaulting, willfully obstructing or impersonating a Traffic Officer is an offence and could lead to a fine of up to £5,000 or Imprisonment

[rolskii]

They have now been given powers to stop HGV rated vehicles for safety reasons only, other than that, they have no powers other than to create traffic jams by driving at 55 mph and causing already nervous drivers to sit behind them incase they get nicked......... I pass them at whatever speed I happen to be doing...........

simple1 .... as far as I can remember, when I was a mechanic many years ago, as a vehicle tester you had the right to "impound" dangerous unroad worthy vehicles...... not sure if that applied to HGV testers or small/plg vehicle testers, if someone can actually remember that facts then please chip in .....
but yeah highways agencys, think how much the vehicle with 2 or 3 people in it is going to cost to keep on the road per year ......?!!!
having done over 20K in under 6months you tend to notice these people by the roadside, especially in the warmer months, there would be 2 or 3 support vehicles on any incident, usually a flat tyre, with all the fairy lights on ....... now at night time that looks like some serious sh1t going on, needless to say that when passing the incident you notice there is about 5 or 6 people (HA bods) hanging around, having a laugh, basically being a bloody nuisance, as it holds the traffic flow in both directions due to rubber necking etc.....
As my mates run the network for the highways agencys, they share a portion of the HA plot sarf o brum .... all of them tell me the blokes in the cars are just wanna B coppers ... that lord it up big time ....
They definately hold up the traffic due to nervous drivers getting more nervous and are generally not that polite to road users ... I seen it in bristol ......
I hope they dont get anymore powers to act on us with ...