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Speeding Police Cars

159 mph? That's where we draw the line

A British traffic officer caught driving at 159 mph but cleared by a court of speeding and dangerous driving faces a legal move at the High Court in London Wednesday to convict him. [..] Milton's defense, accepted by the local judge in May 2005, was that he had taken the car on a test run around Telford, Shropshire, where he was based. The judge said the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he had driven dangerously and that the car was being "used for police purposes" when the incident occurred. The ruling prompted outrage in the media and condemnation from motoring groups.
Ref. https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060202/od_nm/...ain_speeding_dc

Cars Police Speeding

I think the officer should be reprimanded for his actions. The excuse that he was testing the car out should hold no water seeing that he was on public roads. Regardless of how early it was in the morning, he still endangered anyone who happened to be on the roads at the same time.

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That is one of my biggest pet peeves when out driving on the road. I don't know how many times I have seen a cop flying past me speeding, with not lights or siren on. If it's an emergency, lights and/or siren need to be on. It agitates me when I see them doing the very things that everyday citizens get tickets for, such as making a turn without using their turn signal. If they are going to be allowed to hand out such reprimands, then they need to abide by the same rules, unless in an emergency situation. And if they are in an emergency situation, then there are certain procedures they are supposed to follow.

Cars Police Speeding

For the most part I agree that LEO's should follow the same laws of driving unless they are operating "emergency traffic" and therefore using lights and siren.

I've seen officers that think it's okay for them to speed down busy road and tailgate just because they are driving a patrol car. I think it is poor judgement on their part and lowers the impression on the part of the public.

HOWEVER, there are situations where high speed driving without lights/siren is okay - including catching up to a suspect car to determine if they are violating some law (speeding, drunk, reckless, etc). Also, in response to an emergency situation where lights/siren could cause the situation to escalate.

In addition, I think it is essential for officers be able to practice high speed driving. Ideally a closed course could be used, but this is seldom practical. Practicing high speed driving on lightly traveled roads I think is fine (blue lights are probably a good idea). While this is technically against most departmental policy and the individual officer possibly would be held responsible if they are involved in an accident, I think it is reasonable to practice on public roads. How else are officers supposed to know the limitations of their vehicle at high speeds? (Of course, in the beginning article, 159MPH seems excessive).