Police hide in bushes to catch speeders

Police officers in Scotland are accused of unfair and dangerous tactics in catching speeders hidden amongst trees and bushes

Posted: 2 September 2011
by Visordown News

POLICE officers have been accused of 'unfair' tactics by lurking amongst trees and hiding to trap speeding motorists.

The policemen aim the speed gun at approaching motorists from behind trees and bushes on the A91 in Dollar, Clackmannanshire, then jump from out of the foliage to catch-out motorists in a move that has been branded potentially hazardous.

Critics believe that catching speeders through this method put themselves and other road users at risk as alarmed motorists slam on their brakes after spotting the officer.

The images of the police are visible on the Daily Mail's website.

Chief examiner for the IAM Motoring trust, Peter Rodger, told the tabloid: "Speed enforcement should be about preventing people breaking the speed limit. People tend not to like when police officers are sneaky and there is always an argument that it is better to prevent than to cure.

"While I can understand the frustration of officers trying to enforce it, hiding in order to catch them leads many drivers to mistrust the enforcement process."






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Discuss this story

I remember being caught speeding on the way to school on my Suzuki T250 way back in 1977 by police using these very same tactics - 34 years ago - have they learnt nothing ?

Posted: 06/09/2011 at 14:59

If you are caught speeding like this the ticket will tell you the model and serial number and type of device used to catch you, go on to the Internet and download the instructions for this device. 9 times out of 10 the instructions state that the device must be used within 1 metre of the curb, the user must be clearly visible to the target or words to this effect. You can produce this in court, if the device isn't used in accordance with the manufacturers instructions then the resulting readout can be inaccurate voiding the ticket. I have tried this defense it works. This also works if they are pointing it out of their car window!

Posted: 08/09/2011 at 15:43

Talkback: Police hide in bushes to catch speeders