The first two weeks of the traffic course have flown by, and on Friday it was assessment day. This meant having an instructor sit next to the drivers and judge them on their progress over the last two weeks. If the drivers pass, they are allowed to go on to the third week, which is the response part of the course - or driving under blue lights and sirens. Thankfully all passed the assessment and so next week, the first job of the day will be to stick all the police decals on the plain saloon cars that the students have been driving and then attach a magnetic blue flashing light to the top of the car. It will be interesting to see how differently people drive when they realise it is a police car behind them, compared to the last two weeks, where the cars have been 'unmarked'. The students have been told to expect the unexpected - some people don't realise that there is a police car behind them (even with the blue flashing lights, flashing headlights and wailing siren on), others suddenly realise that there is a police car trying to get past and become suicidal in their efforts to stop. Others try to be helpful and in the process of 'pulling over' create a blockage on the road in front of the police car. There is also the ‘effect’ on pedestrians, apparently many become like lemmings and try to cross the road before the speeding police car reaches them – often with much frustration being bestowed on the police driver as he slows to a snails pace to allow the said pedestrian to finish his ever-so-important journey across the road. Another effect of adding blue lights and siren, is that the students apparently get excited and forget all of the road training they have had over the last two weeks, and need to be brought back to earth by the instructors. Mr. Bill is really looking forward to next week and hopes that he can obtain a really good grade so it lines him up for a placement in the traffic division in the coming year.
I think it would be nice to spare a thought for the instructors as it must be one of the most scary jobs going – sitting in the passenger seat of a police car whilst the student police officer tries out his new found abilities for the first time.
Watch out Llanffuglen and surrounding counties – the boys in blue are coming!!
1 comment:
I know what you mean about drivers panicking when hearing a siren. I must admit I have done that myself.
Usually you can pull over or even go on the pavement to get out of thier way but when you are at traffic lights (stationary) that is when it becomes difficult. You can't move for them. I just come out in a hot flush and hope they can squeeze past.
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