A day with the PSNI

Our Chief Reporter Jordan Moates spent the day with the PSNI's Road Policing Unit.

Here's how he got on;

0730 - Attended briefing at Mahon Road PSNI station.

The operation planner told me I would be spending the day with Constable Forsythe (driver) and Constable Anderson (observer) who are part of the Road Policing Team.

0800 - Left the station to head for the M1 motorway in an unmarked Audi A6.

Constable Anderson talked me through the equipment the vehicle had on board.

A series of cameras at the front and rear allows the officers to constantly monitor traffic.

0820 - A call came through from the PSNI control room about a broken down vehicle on the M1 - the first of many that morning.

The traffic was quite heavy and with around 15 miles to cover the officers drove along the hard shoulder with sirens blaring.

0825 - arrived at location, near Sprucefield in Lisburn.

Constable Anderson got the broken down car moved into the hard shoulder and arranged for it to be recovered

We had hardly finished when a second call came through - another broken down car, this time near Belfast.

0835 - while driving along the hard shoulder we come across a car with a flat tyre in the bus lane - a few miles before our call.

Constable Anderson jumps out to try and help, but the wheel is damaged.

The officers arrange recovery and we make our way onto the initial call

0845 - we eventually get to Belfast where a car has broken down in lane 2 causing delays during rush hour.

Within 5 minutes the team have the obstruction cleared and traffic moving again.

0900 - after joining the Belfast bound traffic, this time with no sirens, we made our way towards Banbridge.

With traffic moving more freely it gave us the opportunity to look out for speeders.

A number of cars pass us that seem like they are going faster than the rest.

However after using the onboard equipment it's determined they are still within the speed limits.

There were also a series of vehicles clearly speeding, however they noticed the police car and slowed down before we could get a reading on them.

11.30 - we are negotiating through a roundabout at Sprucefield when a car in the next lane draws the officers attention.

The driver is holding a mobile phone in his had and talking at the same time.

He was so engrossed in his conversation he didn't even notice us trying to get his attention.

That changed after a quick blast of the siren.

He was pulled over and Constable Anderson dealt with him.

A quick chat on the phone cost him three penalty points and a £60 fixed penalty notice.

11.45 - we mounted a speed detection operation on the A1 dual carriageway near Dromore.

Constable Forsythe talked me through the ultralight 2000 laser detection device - AKA - the speed gun.

This particular section of the road has a 60 mph limit, after a series of fatal collisions over the years.

12.15 - we were beginning to think all drivers were law abiding citizens.

After half an hour we still hadn't detected a car over the limit - but that would soon change.

12.20 - We stop a series of cars who were over the limit.

Depending on their speed offenders have a number of options.

They can take accept three penalty points and a fixed penalty notice.

Alternatively they can opt to go on the Speed Awareness Course.

Or if they dispute the offence it can be dealt with in court.

12.25 - the officers have begun pulling vehicles over.

On was detected at 80mph - unfortunately for the driver he wasn't legible for the speed awareness course.

A van driver, in a company vehicle, was clocked at 74 mph.

Constable Anderson pulled him over and discovered he also wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

He was able to get the AA Drivetech course but got fined for the seatbelt.

13.30 - began final patrol along M1 before going back to base.

Nothing serious was detected.

A few drivers were given some friendly advice about their actions on the roads.

14.00 - debrief at Mahon Road (along with tea and biscuits).

14.30 - Constable Anderson and Forsythe head back out to finish the rest of their shift - and I drive off very carefully....I don't want to get caught myself!!!!