159mph, and he got off???

I didn't realize that a Vectra GSI would do 159mph!

I understand that the police need to be able to speed to respond to emergencies, in pursuit, etc. but in this case none of those types of reason applied.  I think the guy was wrong and should have been treated as such.

skull wrote: police have testing grounds for any type of situation , no excuse.

But they don't chase bad guys on a testing ground do they. The RAF have simulators. This doesn't mean that they don't need to get out there and actually fly the aircraft at low level.

Like I said on my topic, I can see there is a need to know what these cars handle like on normal roads, if he's gone to the watch officer and asked permission to do this then I wouldn't have a problem.

As he apparently just decided to go thrash the a*** of the new car to try it out I think he was in the wrong.

However, reports suggest that West Mercia police have no system for authorising high speed test on normal roads, so perhaps he had no superior to ask.

I think it should have been authorised and probably supervised, how did he know for a fact when he did this that those roads were desrted and would remain so!

Doive wrote: However. The real issue is that a road user, regardless of occupation, time of day or experience level, has been excused for travelling at over twice the speed limit on a public highway. As has already been expressed, if that had been one of us ordinary folk we would have been relieved of our licence and possibly done some bird. If I went out tonight and did 120mph up and down Edinburgh city bypass at 4am I would undoubtedly get arrested. When presented before the judge I would inform him that I am a good driver with a clean licence, and therefore should be allowed to drive at these speeds, citing this case as background evidence. It would appear the fact he is a police officer has enabled him to step outside the law, making a mockery of it in the process.

Usual well though out comment Doive. Thinking about it I'm off to collect my 528 next week, can I be excused trying to achieve the book top speed of 146mph on the grounds of checking out a new vehicle - I think not!

Doive wrote: He was on a deserted motorway in the small hours of the morning - in conclusion possibly the best set of circumstances all in all for safe driving and accident avoidance.

not according to the reports - massive speeds in 30s, 60s and motorways