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As the government are trying to drive people out of gas guzzlers and 4x4s by way of punitive taxation, and trying to persuade us to buy zero emission shopping trollies, I find it rather odd that VOSA and "Traffic Officers" AKA Wombles are clocking up thousands of miles on motorways every year in the very same gas guzzling 4x4s, financed by you and me...the taxpayer. Can it be justified by the fact that it might snow once or twice a year or is it just another case of do as we say, not as we do?
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Ever tried pulling a HGV off a motorway using an Aygo?
Ever tried getting half a dozen traffic cones and heaven knows what else they put in the back of one of these in a smart?
Fact is for the job they do they are fit for purpose.
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I would have thought a HGV would have been recovered from the motorway by a HGV recovery truck... a 4x4 would never pull one. As for half a dozen traffic cones and assorted paraphernalia, the police seem to manage very nicely with a Volvo estate
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I think pulling an HGV was tongue in cheek. Tried pulling a Volvo Estate from the central reservation with a Fiesta or similar. The boot on these 4x4 are full of equipment. An example of the right vehicle for the job.
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A large 4x4 is capable of pulling a medium sized hgv - biggest problem is getting a suitably sized tow rope!
And at the speeds these guys cruise at I would have thought they'd be getting 35 to 40mpg out of the trucks.
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Saw something about this a while ago. Apparently they were also chosen as they offer more protection when parked behind a stranded car - the extra weight parked at an angle will hopefully mean the car in front is spared.
I hate 4x4s when just a fashion accessory, but here I have no issue with them.
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Another substitute for real policing on our motorways, complete with the look a likey uniforms and all the toys.
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One very cold morning my unladen 7.5T removal lorry broke down approaching Putney on the A3. It was towed out of the centre lane by a LWB Landrover in low ratio.
The patrol guys also benefit from the raised seating position. I guess the alternative is a Transit type vehicle, but on their miles I doubt there would be a saving.
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Mr X - "Another substitute for real policing on our motorways, complete with the look a likey uniforms and all the toys. "
As a 35K+ / year driver, I must admit to being sceptical when the HA Officers were launched, but having seen them at work its an excellent idea that works in practice.
Would you rather have a police car tied up attending a breakdown, or an arguably better equipped HA 4x4 ensuring the safety of said vehicle? Same goes for road closures, surely better for a couple of HA vehicles to look after the traffic whilst the police investigate?
As for "all the toys" what does this mean? They get flashing lights and traffic cones?
I'm in favour of the HA Officers, and let the Police get on with traditional policing, and not worrying about keeping traffic moving...
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I'm in favour of the HA Officers and let the Police get on with traditional policing and not worrying about keeping traffic moving...
I quite agree. Also their 4x4's seem an entirely appropriate vehicle for the job.
According to a recent newspaper article most 4x4's are sold in London - I think that's the problem, not a handful in use by HA staff.
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I agree, on the whole the HA guys do a useful job, and they have been given the correct tools for the job.
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Totally agree the HA guys are a better way to do a lot of motorway support.
My son's clutch cable went on his Xantia at the M32/M4 junction leaving him stranded in the outside lane.
HA were there in about 10 mins to stop traffic & get him to the hard shoulder. Surely better than tying up a Police car with better things to do.
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Police mway patrols round my way used to use Volvo estate cars, which always seemed to me like a good tool for the job. Durable machines, with a high degree of safety for the occupants and plenty of space for cones and other such stuff.
I'm not so sure that the Highways Agency's 4X4s are quite so well-optimised for the job in hand. Less luggage space for all those cones, reduced occupant safety, and higher risk to other vehicles if something goes wrong and the car crashes, as well as higher emissions. I can see the advantage of enhanced towing ability, but how often does the average HA patrol car use that facility, and would it be better to have dedicated towing vehicle on call?
I can see arguments for and against the 4X4s, but I don't know the answer to this. Given the number of vehicles deployed (152, all 4X4s, according to the very informative FAQ page at www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/11235.aspx ), I would hope that they did a proper assessment of all the factors. Given that the HA commissioned research work in relation to other detailed operational matters such as fending (see that FAQ page again), I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they did undertake some sort of analysis before committing themselves to a 4X4-only fleet.
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