Wellington Bikers Be Warned

[wkid_one]

Strange things are appearing in bushes near Wellington motorways.




According to police, they are not blue plant hybrids, but part of their "normal" operations.

The accompanying photo, taken by a member of the public on Monday afternoon, shows a member of Wellington's road policing group discreetly tucked behind bushes in the median strip where the northbound urban motorway splits into State Highways 1 and 2.

The "spotter" was recording offences and calling colleagues further up the road to stop the offending motorists.

Though not fully concealed in the bushes, the officer had removed his cap and safety vest to avoid being highly visible.

Officers dished out 26 tickets in 2½ hours for speeds ranging from 112km/h to 135km/h. Dozens more speedsters were detected but not all could be stopped.

Inspector Allan Boreham, Wellington district road policing manager, made no apologies for the "short duration, high impact" operation, one of dozens that have run in the district since April. "This is just another normal operation."

Speedsters were deterred only by being caught and fined, not by a high-visibility police presence on the roads, he said.

He reminded people who thought the tactic was sneaky to remember that plainclothes police commonly targeted drug dealers and car thieves.

"Why is it that offences on the road are different to burglaries? A uniformed cop being reasonably covert on the side of the road but still wearing his uniform – I have no difficulty with that.

"People just need to obey the law and those that don't, it's our duty to catch them," he said.

The spotter's location had been deemed safe, and he had even slapped on police-issue sunscreen to guard against damaging ultraviolet rays.

[merv]

By the number of tickets they are dishing out it seems to me the consensus is the speed limit on the motorway is too low.

[Hitcher]

While reading my Dompost this morning, I saw this and thought "Wikd will post this for sure". I like some certainty in my life.

Fancy having to squat in roadside bushes for a living. Other people would get arrested for this behaviour alone. They could at least build the poor bastard a maimai!

If the cops want to bust people for speeding they shouldn't sneak around.

Also, if you get stopped a couple of km up the road from the point of the alleged transgression, how do they validate what information was on the gun or whether it was you they pinged? Or are they just relying on you to fess up and say "It's a fair cop, officer. Do with me what you will." ??
:buggerd:

[matthewt]

Also, if you get stopped a couple of km up the road from the point of the alleged transgression, how do they validate what information was on the gun or whether it was you they pinged? Or are they just relying on you to fess up and say "It's a fair cop, officer. Do with me what you will." ??
:buggerd:

I lost my license for 28 days (55kph over) and asked to see the laser reading. I was told it wasn't available as the gun had been reset and that they weren't required to show it to me anyway. Not sure how that would stack up if someone had a go legally. This was in late 2000.

[wkid_one]

While reading my Dompost this morning, I saw this and thought "Wikd will post this for sure". I like some certainty in my life.

Fancy having to squat in roadside bushes for a living. Other people would get arrested for this behaviour alone. They could at least build the poor bastard a maimai!

If the cops want to bust people for speeding they shouldn't sneak around.

Also, if you get stopped a couple of km up the road from the point of the alleged transgression, how do they validate what information was on the gun or whether it was you they pinged? Or are they just relying on you to fess up and say "It's a fair cop, officer. Do with me what you will." ??
:buggerd:
I called the Police about this this morning. APparently it is for OTHER traffic offences, like illegal lane changes, changing lanes without indicating, unsafe following distances.......M'Bikes beware as it includes lane splitting.

Speeding is something it is not targetted at

[matthewt]

Speeding is something it is not targetted at

So why the laser gun ??

[Slingshot]

Does anyone this there's value in a sticky thread that people could list sites where they've spotted cops with radar/laser equipement.
If so, maybe it could be regionalised and people could update the list as they found new one.
There seem to be favorite places that cops hang out, like on the Wgtn Motorway heading into the city just past the bit of land that juts into the harbour (the one that heaps of people fish off), or further along the Motorway at the on ramp just before the terrace offramp. Both of these sites are imposible to see until you're basically right on top of them.
I can post a few more sites as well if people want.

[Motu]

[b]

Speedsters were deterred only by being caught and fined, not by a high-visibility police presence on the roads, he said.


What crap is that? put a police car on the side of the road and everyone slows down to 80kmh for at least 5km,fines only deter the speeder caught,not the 100 potential speeders slowed down by a patrol car.

[Hitcher]

Does anyone this there's value in a sticky thread that people could list sites where they've spotted cops with radar/laser equipement.
If so, maybe it could be regionalised and people could update the list as they found new one.
There seem to be favorite places that cops hang out, like on the Wgtn Motorway heading into the city just past the bit of land that juts into the harbour (the one that heaps of people fish off), or further along the Motorway at the on ramp just before the terrace offramp. Both of these sites are imposible to see until you're basically right on top of them.
I can post a few more sites as well if people want.
The buggers also hide behind the concrete bollards at the end of the railway line by the Railway Station. They also hide in the Stadium carpark (and then run the red light to catch anybody they ping). They also park under the verandah on the canvas and awnings place up the Ngaio Gorge!! And I've also spotted them loitering with intent on Old Hutt Road under the Jville railway bridge... [Seethe, fume]
:argh:

[wkid_one]

Does anyone this there's value in a sticky thread that people could list sites where they've spotted cops with radar/laser equipement.
If so, maybe it could be regionalised and people could update the list as they found new one.
There seem to be favorite places that cops hang out, like on the Wgtn Motorway heading into the city just past the bit of land that juts into the harbour (the one that heaps of people fish off), or further along the Motorway at the on ramp just before the terrace offramp. Both of these sites are imposible to see until you're basically right on top of them.
I can post a few more sites as well if people want.
yep great Idea

And a couple more:
1. Just after the merging lane before you head in to the Terrace Tunnel (LASER)
2. Cop hanging over the fence after the Nauranga Turn Off heading north with 2 bikes waiting down by the merging lane to pick you up. (LASER)
3. Parked in the Belmont Turn-off catching traffic heading south (LASER)
4. Parked up in the south bound breakdown lane just after the Silverstream lights on the left hand bend with his rearward Radar on (RADAR)
5. Parked in the horse paddock on the southbound side of the motorway just before the Manor Park Turnoff. (LASER)
6. Parked in the turnoff to the Firebreak that is now blocked off heading north on the river road with Laser - with two other cars for pick ups.

[bungbung]

but wait, there's more:

Bike with laser northbound from terrace tunnel on the grassy piece at the Tinakori rd off/on ramps

Laser handheld on Hobson st bridge watching southbound m/way with 3 cars by Hawkestone st onramp to collect.

Laser handheld outside Thorndon New World watching Murphy St offramp speeds (its a 50km/h zone, but you wouldn't know it)

[svs]

By the number of tickets they are dishing out it seems to me the consensus is the speed limit on the motorway is too low.

So what can be done about it? They keep going on about 100k being appropriate for small NZ roads with no crash barriers, but coming out of Wellington (and Auckland) the motorway is wide, open, gentle corners, steel crash barriers down the middle and entrance/exit ramps. What's the issue with raising the speed limit to 130k? It would be just as safe and also would clear the traffic quicker. The only loosers would be the police coffers with the reduced fines :D

see http://www.safespeed.org.uk/ and http://www.roadsense.com.au/

[bluninja]

So what can be done about it? They keep going on about 100k being appropriate for small NZ roads with no crash barriers, but coming out of Wellington (and Auckland) the motorway is wide, open, gentle corners, steel crash barriers down the middle and entrance/exit ramps. What's the issue with raising the speed limit to 130k? It would be just as safe and also would clear the traffic quicker. The only loosers would be the police coffers with the reduced fines :D

see http://www.safespeed.org.uk/ (http://www.safespeed.org.uk/)and http://www.roadsense.com.au/
The 'spaghetti junction' portion of Auckland motorways was slapped with an 80 k 'temporary' limit last year. The claim was that slowing traffic down increased the flow of traffic.....a bit like the variable speed limits on the M25 in England. Like there it has no effect.

[BigB]

The 'spaghetti junction' portion of Auckland motorways was slapped with an 80 k 'temporary' limit last year. The claim was that slowing traffic down increased the flow of traffic.....a bit like the variable speed limits on the M25 in England. Like there it has no effect.

Except that they then put a speed camera in at the weekends and you get done (in the car 94Kph) $80 thankyou very much :angry2: :Police:

[Lou Girardin]

Scum, hiding under bushes with the rest of the dog turds. Then telling us it's for offences other than speeding, don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.
As for the spaghetti junction 80km/h limit, a chance would be a fine thing.
Lou

[Coldkiwi]

slimy turds. why don't they go stop a burglary instead of skulking in the bushes (oh yes, thats right, it doesn't gather money)

I'm glad the jafa pigs haven't cottoned on to this level or sneakiness yet. *touch wood*

[Lou Girardin]

I'm glad the jafa pigs haven't cottoned on to this level or sneakiness yet. *touch wood*
Too late! Watch for filth in the flora along Quay St by the container terminal.
Lou

[Slingshot]

slimy turds. why don't they go stop a burglary instead of skulking in the bushes (oh yes, thats right, it doesn't gather money)

I had a friend that had his house done over during the Christmas break. It took the fuzz 2 days to get there and fingerprint etc.

The most anoying thing was, when they called us and told us the news we went over to see how they were, about 2 minutes before their house there was a police check point with 2 patrol cars, they were there for at least 3 hours.
The next day we went back up to the house and sure enough...the fuzz was back at the checkpoint but they hadn't yet made it to check the house :argh:

[Lou Girardin]

Be fair! They're under resourced.
Lou

[Slingshot]

Be fair! They're under resourced.
Lou
Yes, I realise that...but to have a couple of cop cars sitting literally 2 minutes from the scene of a crime yet it took them 2 days to get there. I realise that not all police are trained to deal with burglaries as well but they could have at least popped in.

I think the police could do a lot to improve their image.

[boris]

today i saw three on Haywoods hill,thats from the top down to hutt m-way.Then i when over the rimatuckers (wrong spelling)and back into WGTN didn't see any until the cake tin and there was five or six.

[Lou Girardin]

I was being facetious. Couldn't find the smilies
Lou

[mangell6]

I think the police could do a lot to improve their image.

As do a lot of Police. I know a number of policemen and in quiet conversations they are also concerned with the damage that the traffic policing is doing to what they term as 'real police work'.

But then their bosses boss wants the road toll

down.

Mike

[James Deuce]

As do a lot of Police. I know a number of policemen and in quiet conversations they are also concerned with the damage that the traffic policing is doing to what they term as 'real police work'.

But then their bosses boss wants the road toll

down.

Mike

Then teach people how to control their vehicles adequately and how to drive for the conditions they face

It's real simple.

[riffer]

Yesterday on the way to work three(!) on motorcycles came the opposite way (going north) to me just south of Moonshine Road bridge - 79UBA and a couple of mates - all going in excess of 120.

But then this morning, just south of Haywards, I was in the fast lane as usual, traffic doing about 120, me doing about 125-130, and an HP car came towards me on the other side of the road and flashed his headlights at me. I guess he was checking my speed and the light were to say "slow down buddy".

[Hitcher]

I went for a toodle last night at about 10:00pm and there was a conurbation of constabulary by the Ngauranga underpass at the Hutt end of Old Hutt Road. They were very intent on something to do with their cop kit. Fascinating...

[Lou Girardin]

But then their bosses boss wants the road toll
down.

Mike

No, the Police want Politicians happy with the revenue stream so that they get their budgets increased.
Lou

[mangell6]

Lou,

That is what I said "But their bosses boss wants the road toll" Theys do wants the road toll, looks at how much collecting they do. Theys haves lots and lots of collectors in candy cars.

Maybe they think it is a lolly scramble.

Mike

[franco]

Be fair! They're under resourced.
Lou

Heh. About two months ago my flatmate (Stu) was driving his car down a very wide road which is quite twisty. (Brooklyn Hill). It was 6pm on a Sunday with like one other car on the road (opposite direction) at the time. Literally letting the car coast, and he was doing 62kph.

Anyway, he gets near the bottom, and low and behold there are no less than 3 cop cars and 6 officers at the bottom. They waved him over, and one of the cops asks the normal questions - did you know you were speeding? etc. Anyways it was a speeding ticket for Stu.

At this point, Stu thinks, why the hell are there like *6 cops* sitting here chatting away with each other, smiling, joking and looking as if they have nothing better to do, ticketing me for 62kph? He gets out and approaches the officer. Without Stu having said anything yet and the officer sees him approaching and says "you can't talk your way out of this one you are definitely getting a ticket".

Well Stu goes "Fair enough mate, but thats not why I want to talk to you. I want to ask why it's taking 6 cops sitting around doing nothing but chat and joke with each other, issuing speeding tickets on a stretch of road which has had next to no traffic on it for the last 10 min?"

He then asks the group what their average annual salaries are (no answer) so assumed $40K per annum and multiplied that number by 6. He asked why it was costing the taxpayer like $240K in annual wages for this obvious waste of taxpayer money.

The answer? Nothing, not a peep, they just stood there looking at each other with dumb expressions hoping someone else would say something. Stu took his ticket, walked back to his car, jumped in and drove away...

On ya mate.

[Marmoot]

So, the question is are they 'plainclothed police' or 'uniformed burglars'?
:bleh:

[Lou Girardin]

Although I don't listen to him, I've heard that Leighton Smith on Newstalk ZB (I think) is starting a campaign against the Police speeding persecution. It would be worth sending emails of support. I'll try and find the address.
Lou

[Lou Girardin]

Email him at www.newstalkzb.co.nz. Here's an easy way to vent your displeasure at the revenue men.
Lou

[Deano]

Two cops on Normandale Bridge with Laser and binoculars or camera, clocking vehicles passing below on SH2 (Western Motorway), Lower Hutt.

[bondagebunny]

in Wellington - I guess you deserve all you get, you lot let the pollies stay there - when if all the bikes got together there would be more than enuff HP to drag the Behive and its contents into the harbour.

Dracula Sux - so do politicians - they get their teeth into your wallet and suck it dry.

[Coldkiwi]

Too late! Watch for filth in the flora along Quay St by the container terminal.
Lou

oh yes. thats right. the bastards got me there 2 years ago!!! dual carriageway, no driveways and its a 50 zone... they must love that spot. The filth got me there at dusk having hid behind a unmarked dark blue commodore at 417 metres with a laser.

i'm all for changing their prioirites but i can't stand talk back. anyone got more info on the campaign?