Driving along with police car behind me

[Iloverain]

I did not know here to post it. Am probably absolutely Aibu to worry?
NC.
I’m fairly newish driver in late 40s I would say not much confident.
I was driving yesterday from work.
A police car gave me a way on a busy roundabout and drove all the way behind me across quiet town where I live- about 3 miles- behind me all the way.
I was keeping the speed 30 ( got to 31 for a split of a second) but was nervous, thinking are they observing my driving, am I too slow, should I give way too oncoming vehicle in a narrow road if the vehicle was too still far..
Tell me I got nothing to worry about- as I said I don’t drive often, once a week maximum really.
I am now worry that I will get some fine for wrong kind of driving.
In the end I turned into my road and they kept driving but still.

[OliverBabish]

My DH is an officer. They stop people all the time if they have concerns about driving etc (well, if the officer can be arsed ). They wouldn’t follow you for ages (unless you’ve got drug markers on your vehicle ).

It’s just a coincidence. You sound really anxious, I hope you’re okay.

[OliverBabish]

Also DH says everyone turns into the world’s most compliant driver when there’s a police car behind them

[ImpatiensI]

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

Remember: if you are stopped they can only charge you with an offence if they are in full uniform, so the first thing to do is knock their hat off and kick it under your car.

😂🤣 sound advice!

Usually I just feel like others that they just happened to be going same direction but the other day a car followed me all the way along empty country lanes before finally turning round. No idea why 🤷‍♀️

[Confusedandshaken]

Police are on the lookout for suspicious or illegal activity. Since you weren't acting in a way to attract that sort of attention I doubt they even noticed you as anything more than part of the general scenery.

[LadyFidgetAndHerHandbag]

I've been driving since I was 14 and I still get a bit anxious when police drive along behind me. Honestly though OP I don't think you have anything to worry about, if they thought you were driving dangerously or had committed a crime they would have pulled you over.

[rainbowthoughts]

@lorca

Next time just find a suitable spot and pull over.

- Why? They are jsut another car on the road (ok, one that is probably watching your speed, but not always) . Even police cars have to be somewhere on the road.

Because OP was nervous and is still worried about the situation now. Pulling over and letting the police get on their way, then continuing her own journey would have eliminated such feelings and made OP day easier.

[DynamoKev]

They must laugh when they get onto a motorway and everyone sticks rigidly to 70!
If only!
Every time I see a Police or even HA car there's a plethora of twats slamming on the brakes and slowing to 50.

[SpnBaby1967]

Try having a trained police response and tactical pursuit husband in the car with you. I feel like I'm on a driving test every time DH is with me

[SarsonsWine]

Like others have said they would have pulled you over if they had any concerns but it is worrying for new drivers who haven't yet got their confidence.

[DontGoIntoTheLongGrass]

No, pretty likely. It's what they do usually driving behind someone especially if they let them out at junctions.

[AnxiousWeirdo]

I hate driving with police cars behind me. I always think I'm doing something wrong or illegal 😂

[Iloverain]

Thanks everyone.
I’m ok. It just it never happened to me before like that.
I suppose they have to be on the roads too and I was the one who managed to drive in the same direction with them.
I usually see them driving oncoming but never behind me for a longer time.

[SarsonsWine]

@DontGoIntoTheLongGrass

No, pretty likely. It's what they do usually driving behind someone especially if they let them out at junctions.

So they were watching the OP?

[Tempusfudgeit]

Grimbuster (n.) A large body of cars on a motorway all travelling at exactly the speed limit because one of them is a police car.

Douglas Adams - The Meaning of Liff

[DontGoIntoTheLongGrass]

Can't say yes or no. Might have been going in same direction but also might have been watching her car, running the plates. Nothing to worry about if you're not doing anything wrong though. The fact they didn't pull her over just says everything was fine.

[GlassBoxSpectacular]

I usually see them driving oncoming but never behind me for a longer time.

I think they need to drive in both directions because otherwise they’d end up miles away from the station with no way of getting back.

[DynamoKev]

@GlassBoxSpectacular

I usually see them driving oncoming but never behind me for a longer time.

I think they need to drive in both directions because otherwise they’d end up miles away from the station with no way of getting back.

[Iloverain]

They did not see me before they got behind me.
I was at a big round round driving straight across and they were just about to enter the roundabout on my left- hence they waited for me to clear the roundabout- for them to enter.
Then I realised they were going in my direction behind me.
Also they could not really overtake me as there is limit 30 and the roads are narrow with crossing islands etc, school..
They just drove normally as any other car- the only difference was they were a police car.

[EverdeRose]

Oh god OP I'm sure they do it on purpose to shit folk up.

I hate it when this happens, I get all nervous and almost forget how to drive. I'm sure it's just coincidence or maybe it's some secret police game they play. Either way I'm sure your driving wasn't worrying or they'd have stopped you.

[DIshedUp]

Have you never had a police car behind you before?

I think its normal to feel bit angsty with a police car behind you but not normal to be stressing about it once the event is done. They were just driving the same way as you.

I remember on a motorway recently where some fucker of a police car was doing 68mph, just slow enough that everyone wanted to overtake but just fast enough that it felt risky to overtake without speeding. It was like a game of chicken, who was going to overtake this police car first! I'm sure they do it on purpose.

[KarmaStar]

They will have forgotten you were ever in front of them.there is so much going on,unless you gave the officers cause to be aware of you,they won't have paid you any attention.put it behind you.

[Becstar90]

They would have stopped it. Don't worry!!!

[murbblurb]

police cars have to get from A to B sometime!

I love it when there's one about, pity it is so rare round here. All of a sudden even the lorry drivers and school run mums find themselves capable of observing the speed limit.

[murbblurb]

BTW national limit is 70mph, so you can't legally overtake someone doing slightly less. Should have got your arse out of bed earlier. And if you give a fuck about the planet (most don't) then you won't speed as it uses more fuel.

[stealthninjamum]

Oh op I totally get this, I’m still more careful when I see a police car. I remember being ‘followed’ by one just after I passed my test. My first car was a tiny one with small engine and I was horrified that it could only do 35 to 40 going up a hill in a 60 speed limit area. I was convinced I’d be pulled over for going too slow. Obviously I wasn’t and for the next week I asked everyone I know how fast their car does going up that hill.