Why do the police get on a motorway, start flashing their lights, drive at 10 MPH and indicate no overtaking?

Question

I was on the motorway last night, and got on at a junction the same time as a police car. A minute later, they switched on the blue flashing lights, and a sign came up on an LED screen attached to the vehicle which said, "no overtaking". This went on for a junction, and then they pulled off! There was no accident on the road ahead...why on earth do they do this?! Please help, it's been driving me mad!!

Answer 1

its a rolling road block

a common technique to slow traffic down or control it. Maybe thre were clearing up ahead, more likely in your situation there were reports of people on the m/way..who knows.

Answer 2

Its called a rolling road block. The police car stops cars overtaking it and then slows right down to create a gap in front of it off traffic.

Up ahead there is then another police car/highways agency vehicle which is parked up where there is a problem (usually debris on the motorway), this then gives the people time to clear the motorway, before lettign the traffic go again.

Answer 3

Because there was a crash or a police situation ie car chase up ahead that they dont want the public involved in. Its a bit like when the pace car comes out in a motor race. To slow down proceedings and give the marshalls time to do their thing.
I found myself behind one of these police rolling road blocks once and a bit further up the road there was a fast car penned against the central reservation and a guy across the bonnet being cuffed

Answer 4

I can think of at least 3 reasons--chill out. 1) Cops are human and make errors too. Maybe he didn't know it was on. 2) Maybe he was bored or testing equipment. 3) Most likely--he knew of a potential condition ahead by way of his police radio that would have been hazardous to you (example: a police chase was underway ahead or could have led the fleeing car plus the chasing police units onto the roadway ahead--instead the chase terminated) Accidents are not the only hazard to avoid on the road. Thank you Mr. Cop, hope I don't meet you later under different circumstances. Former Cop.

Answer 5

police will get on the motorway flash their lights for what appears to be no reason but the reason is to cause a rolling road block whilst the carriageway ahead is cleared of debris accidents or breakdowns normaly about 3 junctions before the incident

Answer 6

Hi >
Well, knowing an old traffic cop, it is seemingly done for a few of annoying reasons.
1 " I am too early to knock off for the day"
2 " I might be able to really put the pedal down, and get another ticket if that car goes past.
3 "I have pressed the wrong of these miriads of buttons, and can't be *rsed to find it.
4 " I am a mental mess with this job, so taking it easy"
Anyway, driving at less than 30mph on a motorway is an offence - pull plod over.
Hey Ho,
Bob.

Answer 7

properly, there is two facets to this and that they the two mirror what's incorrect with society right this moment. On one hand i'm getting mega aggravated wih people who cruise in the quickly lane - the exterior lane replaced into designed basically for overtaking, after which you will pull in to the midsection lane or, extra constructive nevertheless, the interior lane. relatively, all and sundry could shuttle in the interior lane in any respect cases, purely pulling into the midsection lane to overhaul and purely in the quickly lane to overhaul those in the midsection lane (i.e. whilst there is quite some sluggish shifting lorries or crawling up a hill). If all and sundry caught to those regulations - that have been the regulations first laid down for using whilst vehicles have been invented and which all and sundry has on account that desperate to ignore approximately or be completely blind to - then the roads could be plenty safer. to boot we does no longer could decelerate unneccessarily, site visitors could be extra predicatable and all and sundry could be happier, getting from a to b plenty extra effectively. besides, my 2d element is that the honor has disappeared from using, no-one cares approximately every person else to any extent further and maximum drivers look so fool-hardy and flippant approximately using what's the main sensible killing device familiar to guy. I agree that all and sundry could returned off to a good distance and end putting different's lives in threat. Having been in distinctive injuries i understand the wear and tear that is brought about and arriving 2 minutes in the past isn't well worth the possibility to somebody's existence. it quite is somebody's son, daughter, spouse, husband, mom, father. I want those lunatics might think of of that as quickly as they are flashing from at the back of. So, i think of it quite is incorrect to get aggravated with human beings in the quickly lane in the event that they are using ideal there and not preserving the site visitors up unneccessarily. I additionally think of it quite is incorrect to force badly and carry others up in the quickly lane whilst there is not any choose. all and sundry desires to be extra considerate! Preaching over - wow, the place did that come from???!!!

Answer 8

Yes, it's a "rolling block"; they do this when there's debris in the carriageway and someone has to nip across and pick it up. It's better than having to shut the whole thing down for a 30 second job. As soon as it's sorted, the radio will tell 'em to take it off.
That's why you couldn't find anything ahead, it'd all been dealt with.

Answer 9

They slow the trafffic down so the police further down the road can can stop, get out of the car and move what ever was on the motorway safely. You would not of seen them at all. That cop might of saved your life.

Answer 10

I dont know about this case but I know this happens late at night when they want to move some dangerous stuff about such as radioactive waste and dont want the public to see a bit old truck on the road with a yellow and black warning thingy on the side