Are the police allowed to speed?

[Bonez]

I was heading north on the Mitchell freeway last night, and on the edge of the road near Whitfords ave was NJ 109 with it's lights flashing, as if they had pulled someone over for a traffic stop (although the car had gone...)

I drove past them and I could still see the lights flashing for ages, until they were too far back to see. As far as I know, at this stage they hadn't moved.

I then got about 4-5km south of Hodges drive and they came completely out of nowhere, police lights were off but it looked like they were just cruising back into Joondalup.

I was listening to channel 48 at the time and they were most certainly not on the way to a job, as there were no jobs to be dispatched at the time and everything was already under control.

The cops came past me at about 110 - 115km/ph in the right lane, and when the speed changed to 70km/h at the end of the freeway they continued doing about 90km/hour until they got to the red light on the corner of Hodges drive.

I know that it's quite possible that they *were* on the way to a job, but even then, what gives them the right to go faster than anyone else unless they have been authorised to do so via a priority?

[Walks]

Bonez.are you a moderator in this section?

If so you would have read NUMEROUS posts in relation to this topic. The answer has been posted NUMEROUS times also. For example

If you have a beef, dob them in.

Walks.

[Donga]

Bonez dont forget not all jobs are dispatched by VKI on the radio sometimes they use mobile phones in order for a bit of privacy. Perhaps they did not have there lights or siren on as they did not want to alert the baddie they werer coming.

[Bonez]

Walks, yes, I am a moderator. However, that has absolutely nothing to do with my initial question.

The thread you linked to does not answer my question, it refers to a situation involving a high speed chase where they are talking about officers being granted permission to speed in the form of a priority.

I didn't state that I had a beef, nor do I have a beef. I was asking a simple question. No need to get your knickers in a knot.

Donga, yes i'm aware of that, which is why you will notice that I already covered that in my initial post.

Bonez

[dazla]

Short Answer........yes they can.

[Bonez]

Thanks dazla. Do you have a source, like what law it is covered under?

[Donga]

Sorry Bonez I missed that bit until you pointed it out. I am not quite 100% today so I have misread alot of things.

[vk6hgr]

Thanks dazla. Do you have a source, like what law it is covered under?

Road Traffic Code. Covered in the other thread

[Tom]

I saw something interesting whilst at work this week.

I had my scanner in my left ear cruising up Wellington St in the City and all of a sudden saw one of the AG marked traffic cars race up to the lights at William St then puts his lights and sirens on to get thru the red lights then turn them off as he cleared them...

He then repeated this at all the TCL's up Wellington St past Harbour Town, which I though was interesting.

Had my scanner in my right ear and he wasn't issued a P2, although he was heading to a job in Leederville...

Interesting....I know what your saying Bonez.

cheers

Tom

[Ludacris]

There has been many threads on this and it always comes back to this.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/c ... /s280.html

Exemption for drivers of emergency vehicles (police officers)

280 . Exemption for drivers of emergency vehicles (police officers)

(1) A provision of these regulations does not apply to the driver of an emergency vehicle being used for official duties by a police officer if —

(a) in the circumstances —

(i) the driver is taking reasonable care; and

(ii) it is reasonable that the provision should not apply;

and

(b) the vehicle is a motor vehicle that is moving and the vehicle is displaying a blue or red flashing light or sounding an alarm.

(2) Subregulation (1)(b) does not apply to the driver if, in the circumstances, it is reasonable —

(a) not to display the light or sound the alarm; or

(b) for the vehicle not to be fitted or equipped with a blue or red flashing light or an alarm.

[madmikey]

puts his lights and sirens on to get thru the red lights then turn them off as he cleared them...

I suspect they would have been late for lunch...

I've seen this a few times too... good luck to em I guess...

[westernwedgey]

This may help, Friday arvo a job was issued to ZS102 & ZT103 P2 and ZM105 (i thinx) on the way no Priority but with Tazer.

Someones gf threatening to jump from Footbridge over Mitchell Freeway in Glendalough, VKI asked vehicles to proceed P2 but when near without light and sirens.

Situations like this happen often and without radio comms and would be seen by the uninformed public on the roads as odd or in their eyes perhaps illegal. (ie. proceeding at speed without lights and sirens)

[hitman]

I saw something interesting whilst at work this week.

I had my scanner in my left ear cruising up Wellington St in the City and all of a sudden saw one of the AG marked traffic cars race up to the lights at William St then puts his lights and sirens on to get thru the red lights then turn them off as he cleared them...

He then repeated this at all the TCL's up Wellington St past Harbour Town, which I though was interesting.

Had my scanner in my right ear and he wasn't issued a P2, although he was heading to a job in Leederville...

Interesting....I know what your saying Bonez.

cheers

Tom

I have seen this many times as well. I saw a GD van do it last night in Belmont but he took off at high speed without lights. I am guessing it would related to getting somewhere quickly without alerting possible suspects of them approaching.

[Walks]

I apologise if I seemed blunt yesterday, 8 hours painting can really mess with you head.

Walks, yes, I am a moderator. However, that has absolutely nothing to do with my initial question.

It does, it means you are on here a fair bit and obviously monitor the posts that come thru. You have even closed a thread discussing this very topic.

The thread you linked to does not answer my question, it refers to a situation involving a high speed chase where they are talking about officers being granted permission to speed in the form of a priority.

I think you find it was a combination of Police speeding to conduct traffic stops and attending jobs. I can find about 4 other threads stating the same thing.


Remember everyone, the SEARCH button is your friend.


Back on topic, I guess it all comes down to the definition of “official duties” as per 280.

My official duties commence when I book on and cease when I clock off. Now does that answer you question.

Walks.

[Tom]

This may help, Friday arvo a job was issued to ZS102 & ZT103 P2 and ZM105 (i thinx) on the way no Priority but with Tazer.

Someones gf threatening to jump from Footbridge over Mitchell Freeway in Glendalough, VKI asked vehicles to proceed P2 but when near without light and sirens.

Situations like this happen often and without radio comms and would be seen by the uninformed public on the roads as odd or in their eyes perhaps illegal. (ie. proceeding at speed without lights and sirens)

westernwedgey,

I was listening on ch34 to what was going on, it was a firearm job in Leederville, the car I originally mentioned wasn't issued a P2, but activated his emergency devices when he got to a red TCL.

The cars you mention dude operate on a different channel all together.

cheers

Tom