| In 2003 the Highways Agency were granted extra
powers to keep the traffic flowing on Britain's road network. Highways
Agency Traffic Officers (HATOs) can direct traffic, quickly set up
diversions and move debris or immobilised vehicles from the road. This
helps frees up traffic police officers to concentrate on law enforcement
and driver education. |
|
This is an example of a 2007 Mitsubishi Shogun decked
out in HATO colours. |
 |
|
WU53
JCJ is a Mitsibushi Shogun HATO patrol car. It carries
the usual black and yellow battenburg markings and amber flashing lights
all-round, plus red to the rear only. Shown next to the car is the type of
equipment carried to divert traffic. You can also see the HATO's
high-visibility jacket which is yellow on the lower half, orange on the
upper half with blue epaulettes. |
 |
|
Another shot of the same car with out the signage
around it. |
 |
|
EU04
BYA This is an example of the Range Rovers used by the
Highways Agency. |
 |
|
BU05
FMF is a Toyota Land Cruiser used by the traffic
officers of the Highways Agency. The vehicle has a striking luminous yellow
and black battenburg scheme on top of silver paint work. It carries a slim-line
clear light bar on the roof, making it appear very much like a police vehicle
from the front. |
 |
|
The rear windows of the vehicle carry the wording
'TRAFFIC OFFICER' to alert other motorists to its use. |
 |
|
In the rear of the 4x4, we can see some of the
equipment it carries. This includes: cones, tape, fire blankets, emergency
signage and water amongst other items. |
 |
|
With the rear door shut, we can see the dot matrix
display in the rear window to give messages to other motorists. However,
the spare wheel has had to be removed in order for it to be read clearly. |
 |
|
This Nissan Pathfinder is also used by the Highways
Agency. Like the Toyota above, it carries reverse wording on its bonnet to
denote its use. |
 |
|
This example does not carry the Traffic
Officer wording in the rear side windows, but does have a drop-down dot matrix
display (operated from the dashboard). It is equipped with the same light bar and additional rear bumper
lights as well as a tow hook. |
 |
| RF03
LFU This Honda ST1100 motorbike can be used by the HA
for patrolling and escorting duties. It is in orange and white checker
markings, and has amber flashing lights on the front and on a pole at the
rear. |
 |
| The rear and nearside view. Additional red
flashing lights have been fitted, along with amber LED lights and a matrix
sign. It has dual panniers and a top box to carry some equipment. |
 |
| This HA Honda motorbike is one of a pair that are decked out with
pink and blue squares. Notice that it has panniers and a top box for
equipment, but the fire extinguisher is mounted in front of the box. Amber
flashing lights are fitted to the front and on the top of the box. It has
HA logos on all sides, and is operated on behalf of the HA by CF Motoring Services Ltd. to rescue stranded motorists and hence reduce congestion.
|
 |
| KR03
UXC This yellow Ford Transit is a Highways Agency
'Incident Support Unit'. It is liveried with orange and yellow diagonal
stripes down the sides and traditional chevrons on the rear. It also has
two amber lighbars. |
 |
| WP53
ZTL is
a Mitsubishi Shogun operated by The Highways Agency. Although not an
emergency vehicle, it is used to patrol major roads. The crew do not have
the same rights as traffic police, but are able to direct traffic in the
event of an incident. |
 |
| From this view you can see how
the livery differs from an emergency vehicle. We have yellow and black
battenburg markings and orange and red flashing lights on the roof bar. |
|
