Fast Lane Is The New Slow Lane

[rastuscat]

So many people are using the fast lane by default, I have started to use the slow lane to go faster. Here's the news : it works.

I came onto the Christchurch Northern Motorway this morning on the way to work. Bugger all traffic, but what was there was all sitting in the fast lane (the outside lane of two), so I just stayed in the left lane and passed them all.

That's not how it's supposed to work, but it does.

So many folk have this sense of sitting in the fast lane, even when there's no reason to, that's it's defeating the purpose.

WTF?

[trustme]

It's a Christchurch thing

[pritch]

Yeah but it works much better if they sit in the fast lane at the same speed as the car in the inside lane. That's the Auckland method aapparently.

[Scuba_Steve]

So many people are using the fast lane by default, I have started to use the slow lane to go faster. Here's the news : it works.

I came onto the Christchurch Northern Motorway this morning on the way to work. Bugger all traffic, but what was there was all sitting in the fast lane (the outside lane of two), so I just stayed in the left lane and passed them all.

That's not how it's supposed to work, but it does.

So many folk have this sense of sitting in the fast lane, even when there's no reason to, that's it's defeating the purpose.

WTF?

Be nice if your old gang did something about it wouldn't it :whistle:
Still I do get satisfaction when I force some one who can't grasp the "keep left unless overtaking" concept to miss there exit cause I don't let line cutters in (& people who can't keep left piss me off)
It's only happened a couple times but it's so much more satisfying when the exit they missed was the last one & now they have to travel another few km's before they can even turn around to then travel back so they can take the exit they wanted

[rastuscat]

Be nice if your old gang did something about it wouldn't it :whistle:
Still I do get satisfaction when I force some one who can't grasp the "keep left unless overtaking" concept to miss there exit cause I don't let line cutters in (& people who can't keep left piss me off)
It's only happened a couple times but it's so much more satisfying when the exit they missed was the last one & now they have to travel another few km's before they can even turn around to then travel back so they can take the exit they wanted

I love forcing people who have failed to plan ahead to face the consequences of their lack of vision.

For example, bikers who want to go straight ahead from left-turn-only lanes get bugger all sympathy.

Cars even less so.

[AllanB]

I think it is a Christchurch thing.

I think the mentality goes something like: Fast lane = speed limit (and in theory this is correct as one should not be travelling over 100) so I'm doing 100 so I'll sit in the fast lane.

Reality is slow lane = 100, fast lane = faster ........ we need a ultra fast lane :clap:

[haydes55]

I think it is a Christchurch thing.

I think the mentality goes something like: Fast lane = speed limit (and in theory this is correct as one should not be travelling over 100) so I'm doing 100 so I'll sit in the fast lane.

Reality is slow lane = 100, fast lane = faster ........ we need a ultra fast lane :clap:
Bullshit. When have you ever seen anyone go the speed limit? No one can manage 100km/h

[Gremlin]

Yeah but it works much better if they sit in the fast lane at the same speed as the car in the inside lane. That's the Auckland method aapparently.
That and wait until you see your exit and make a nice smooth line from the outside lane straight to the off ramp. Reverse when entering the motorway. I'm really surprised there are so few accidents.

Friday evening, car changed into my lane on the motorway, indicated and moved in one motion. Flashed my high beam, kept it on, nothing changed the cars path. Today, car simply moved into my lane with no indication or response to the horn while I was on the picks... It's mostly the cluelessness that pisses me off the most.

[Berries]

It's a Christchurch thing
And Dunedin. We only have 10km of two lane road here but you see it every day. More often than not you undertake someone and they immediately indicate and pull left, showing that they were just driving on auto pilot.

What gets me is when the car overtakes a vehicle and then there is a massive gap to the next vehicle ahead but it stays in the right hand lane. It all comes back to the courtesy thing which is sadly missing on NZ roads. But then if the rules don't categorically prohibit the practice what do we expect?

[FJRider]

... But then if the rules don't categorically prohibit the practice what do we expect?

I think the keep left rule still applies ... even in Dunedin. Just not policed unless there is seen to be a dangerous overtaking/driving involved.

Such driving by other motorists irks people ... only because they do not like being inconvenienced in any way.

[Voltaire]

I love forcing people who have failed to plan ahead to face the consequences of their lack of vision.

For example, bikers who want to go straight ahead from left-turn-only lanes get bugger all sympathy.

Cars even less so.

Good to see the big issues getting some attention. I must have missed Paula Bennett announcing that one.:lol:

My 5 minute survey looking out an office window at Nelson St in Ak showed about 25% of drivers playing with their phone.

[Berries]

I think the keep left rule still applies ... even in Dunedin. Just not policed unless there is seen to be a dangerous overtaking/driving involved.
My point was Section 2.8(2)(a) of the Road User Rule allows passing on the left on a multi lane road. By condoning the practice this lessens the intent of 2.1(3) where it lists the eight particular scenarios for when you can drive in the right hand lane. Most days I see people ignoring this. Well, ignoring it is a bit strong, it is simply another example of things being introduced or built, in this case the Fairfield bypass, with no education whatsoever on how to use it. I only know bits of the Road User Rule through my work, Joe Public is not going to read it even if he knows it exists.

Anyroad, I prefer it this way. Firstly I have no hesitation in undertaking another vehicle if it is hindering my progress and secondly it flags the driver of said vehicle as someone who either does not use their mirrors, does not know the road rules or does not care about motorbikes. All three are useful things to know before passing them.

[Tazz]

Christchurch doesn't do fast and slow lanes, and the left lane is often faster on the motorway as much of the left lane traffic takes exits along the way. No big deal as everyone is in the same boat and you're going to get there anyway, probably only 20seconds ahead of someone you passed 10mins ago to boot XD It's the same all over the world (expect on the other side of the road XD)

My pet hate is people who just fill up on the right hand 'straight ahead lane' at intersections, backing traffic right up that would otherwise make it through. Crossing Blenhole Rd near tower junction (going norf) is a regular place for this.

[Tazz]

I love forcing people who have failed to plan ahead to face the consequences of their lack of vision.

For example, bikers who want to go straight ahead from left-turn-only lanes get bugger all sympathy.

Cars even less so.

Out of interest, would behavior like that get a ticket over someone who feels the need to block already heavy traffic by stopping everyone and reversing into it?

[Mike.Gayner]

Ironic to have a former cop having a moan about this. I've never EVER seen a cop deal to this or enforce the "use left lane unless passing" rule.

[Madness]

It's a Christchurch thing


I think it is a Christchurch thing.


And Dunedin.

Bahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
























Bahahahahahahahaha...





























You know nothing until you've frequently travelled SH1 through D'Auckland and seen that fuckery with your own eyes each and every day.

[Blackbird]

That and wait until you see your exit and make a nice smooth line from the outside lane straight to the off ramp. Reverse when entering the motorway. I'm really surprised there are so few accidents.

I was on an IAM ride with a couple of guys recently on the Southern Motorway. The Associate was giving commentary and he noted an Impreza coming down an on-ramp at a fair lick which then ripped across in front of us into the "fast lane" despite it being really busy. "I'll be giving that a wide berth" he says. Within a minute, the Impreza ran clean up the back of the car in front due to following too closely. You see it all on the Auckland motorway :facepalm:

[tigertim20]

Ironic to have a former cop having a moan about this. I've never EVER seen a cop deal to this or enforce the "use left lane unless passing" rule.

Do you possess some sort of telepathic ability that enables you to interpret exactly what the cop you just drove past writing out a ticket was issuing it for?

slow cunts in the right lane annoy me, but I just go around 'em either way

[sopachrga]

Interesting thing with Chch is, most people don't actually treat it like a "multilane" motorway with fast and slow lanes.
I think the issue is that there is only two lanes, so people just treat it like any other two lane bit of road and spread out.

[Moi]

My point was Section 2.8(2)(a) of the Road User Rule allows passing on the left on a multi lane road. By condoning the practice this lessens the intent of 2.1(3) where it lists the eight particular scenarios for when you can drive in the right hand lane. Most days I see people ignoring this. Well, ignoring it is a bit strong, it is simply another example of things being introduced or built, in this case the Fairfield bypass, with no education whatsoever on how to use it. I only know bits of the Road User Rule through my work, Joe Public is not going to read it even if he knows it exists...

From the Road User Rules section of NZTA (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/road-user-qas.html):
Keeping left

What does the Road User Rule say about keeping left?
In general, you should keep left unless turning right, passing or the lane is blocked.

So what’s changed?
The emphasis is now on keeping left unless you have a good reason, eg you are turning right, passing another or the left lane is blocked. Previously, the regulations focused on not impeding other road users.

Given they’re restricted to 90 km/h, why haven’t we made trucks and heavy vehicles legally obliged to used the left-hand lane at all times?
The same rules apply to trucks and heavy vehicles as apply to any other vehicle – they should keep left unless turning right, passing or the lane is blocked.

[pritch]

Do you possess some sort of telepathic ability that enables you to interpret exactly what the cop you just drove past writing out a ticket was issuing it for?



You actually saw a cop get out of his nice cozy car?

[pzkpfw]

Newspaper recently had an article on foreign drivers tips for a safer N.Z.

One of them was - "no passing on the left".

Screw that.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/88583585/five-tips-from-foreign-drivers-on-how-kiwis-can-drive-better

(They also say "keep lights on all the time" - which I don't like in cars as it makes the bikes stand out less).

[FJRider]

My point was Section 2.8(2)(a) of the Road User Rule allows passing on the left on a multi lane road. By condoning the practice this lessens the intent of 2.1(3) where it lists the eight particular scenarios for when you can drive in the right hand lane. Most days I see people ignoring this. Well, ignoring it is a bit strong, it is simply another example of things being introduced or built, in this case the Fairfield bypass, with no education whatsoever on how to use it. I only know bits of the Road User Rule through my work, Joe Public is not going to read it even if he knows it exists.

Anyroad, I prefer it this way. Firstly I have no hesitation in undertaking another vehicle if it is hindering my progress and secondly it flags the driver of said vehicle as someone who either does not use their mirrors, does not know the road rules or does not care about motorbikes. All three are useful things to know before passing them.

From a site called Driving Test.


There are no laws in New Zealand that prevent you from passing on the left (or 'undertaking') on a motorway. expressway or dual carriageway if the vehicle in the right-hand lane is going slower. Drivers who have driven in the UK might find this odd.

However, this doesn't mean that you are allowed to travel indefinitely in the right-hand lane on a motorway or expressway if you are not overtaking.

And it's not just a Dunedin thing either ..

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11331454

[rastuscat]

In defence of the lack of enforcement of this rule.

In order for there to be a ticket written, there has to be a precedent code (basically an offence code) identifying the piece of law the officers allegation relates to.

As best I recall the failing to keep left prec codes are vague. For example, I worked Auckland Motorways for a while with the MoT back in the day. A crusty old Senior Traffic Sergeant told me that each lane on a road is viewed as a road in its own right, so as long as you stay to the left of whichever lane you are in, you are not failing to keep left. It sounds like tripe to me, but could be the case.

I recall that the road north of Ngauranga has signs on it saying Keep Left Unless Passing. I recall that when the signs were installed the local cops wrote a lot of tickets for prec code F606-Failed To Comply With A Traffic Sign.

Those signs appear to improve the situation.

On the courses I run I always tell punters it's better to use the left lane unless there's a reason to use the right lane. This includes at junctions where the approach road opens out to two lanes for the intersection then merges back to one again.

To an extent I feel a little like a voice in the wilderness on that. I teach folk to do it, while nobody else does. Frustrating.

[Mike.Gayner]

In defence of the lack of enforcement of this rule.

In order for there to be a ticket written, there has to be a precedent code (basically an offence code) identifying the piece of law the officers allegation relates to.

As best I recall the failing to keep left prec codes are vague. For example, I worked Auckland Motorways for a while with the MoT back in the day. A crusty old Senior Traffic Sergeant told me that each lane on a road is viewed as a road in its own right, so as long as you stay to the left of whichever lane you are in, you are not failing to keep left. It sounds like tripe to me, but could be the case.

All this just reads as "it's tooooo haaaaard, it's easier just to write speeding tickets" :tugger:

[tigertim20]

You actually saw a cop get out of his nice cozy car?

only for donuts


All this just reads as "it's tooooo haaaaard, it's easier just to write speeding tickets" :tugger:

If you were less of an ignorant cunt, you'd realise he gave up that quite a while ago.
We will try to use small words, if you promise to try and keep up.

[rastuscat]

All this just reads as "it's tooooo haaaaard, it's easier just to write speeding tickets" :tugger:

Looking back at my 27 year career, I wrote a few speeding tickets.

While out looking for seatbelt offences. If you have a radar switched on in this country, it's not possible to see nobody doing inappropriate speeds.

I reckon my tickets were 40% seatbelts, 40% traffic signs (No Right Turn, STOP etc), 10 % speed and 10% others. Cellphone tickets were my most recent favourite, but they only came along in the last short time.

Of course, I'm sure you know more about my career than I do. After all, I only lived it. You are the expert.

[AllanB]

Actually what slutted me off most over the holidays was dedicated, well signed passing lanes on the hill and the apparently tourist drivers remaining in the 'right side' passing lane. Horn use did not help - they appeared oblivious to why the motorcyclist was angry .... and to be fair the Ducati has a pathetic, scooter worthy horn, so they were either laughing at it or could not hear in over my exhaust :brick:

The above happened four times over the break.

[HenryDorsetCase]

So many people are using the fast lane by default, I have started to use the slow lane to go faster. Here's the news : it works.

I came onto the Christchurch Northern Motorway this morning on the way to work. Bugger all traffic, but what was there was all sitting in the fast lane (the outside lane of two), so I just stayed in the left lane and passed them all.

That's not how it's supposed to work, but it does.

So many folk have this sense of sitting in the fast lane, even when there's no reason to, that's it's defeating the purpose.

WTF?

LOL at "fast" lane round this town.

[HenryDorsetCase]

it's not possible to see nobody doing inappropriate speeds.[/B]



is that, like, a triple negative? does it mean you always found people speeding?



don't forget the pulling up the motorcyclists for a "random" stop to see if we have proper licences :(

[Zedder]

From the Road User Rules section of NZTA (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/road-user-qas.html):
Keeping left

What does the Road User Rule say about keeping left?
In general, you should keep left unless turning right, passing or the lane is blocked.

So what’s changed?
The emphasis is now on keeping left unless you have a good reason, eg you are turning right, passing another or the left lane is blocked. Previously, the regulations focused on not impeding other road users.

Given they’re restricted to 90 km/h, why haven’t we made trucks and heavy vehicles legally obliged to used the left-hand lane at all times?
The same rules apply to trucks and heavy vehicles as apply to any other vehicle – they should keep left unless turning right, passing or the lane is blocked.



That'll do.

[russd7]

Given they’re restricted to 90 km/h, why haven’t we made trucks and heavy vehicles legally obliged to used the left-hand lane at all times?
The same rules apply to trucks and heavy vehicles as apply to any other vehicle – they should keep left unless turning right, passing or the lane is blocked.
[/I]

this i agree with, i followed (read was stuck behind) two trucks coming in to christchurch, i thought to myself "its ok, we be on the motorway very soon" then what do ya know coming up to where the lane splits in two the second truck decided he didn't like followin the first truck and moved straight in to the right hand lane and took the whole fucken motorway to get past, i was stuck behind that stinking fucker right down to the airport before i could get past. he was a real wanker that fella, gives truckies in general a bad name

[Gremlin]

For example, I worked Auckland Motorways for a while with the MoT back in the day. A crusty old Senior Traffic Sergeant told me that each lane on a road is viewed as a road in its own right, so as long as you stay to the left of whichever lane you are in, you are not failing to keep left. It sounds like tripe to me, but could be the case.
This is mostly correct. When you contrast to the UK, they recognise multiple lanes as one "road" hence no passing on left etc. Here passing in a separate lane on the left is perfectly legal (each lane being correct).

Impeding traffic is probably a more likely path

[Moi]

this I agree with, I followed (read was stuck behind) two trucks coming in to Christchurch, I thought to myself "it's ok, we be on the motorway very soon" then what do ya know coming up to where the lane splits in two the second truck decided he didn't like following the first truck and moved straight in to the right hand lane and took the whole fucken motorway to get past, I was stuck behind that stinking fucker right down to the airport before I could get past. He was a real wanker that fella, gives truckies in general a bad name

But, but, but... he was "passing" the other truck...


eventually!


... was it a constipated portaloo truck?

[Dogboy900]

I see it all the time in Wellington: They come off the on ramp and make a kamikaze dash to the outside lane and then sit there at 90km/hr until they need to exit. Often there will be a line of cars in the outside lane and the left lane is clear.
They are all mental out there!

[Mike.Gayner]

If you were less of an ignorant cunt, you'd realise he gave up that quite a while ago.
We will try to use small words, if you promise to try and keep up.

If you saw my prior response you'd see I referred to him as a "FORMER" cop, so chill out. You a fucken cop too or something?

[R650R]

Given they’re restricted to 90 km/h, why haven’t we made trucks and heavy vehicles legally obliged to used the left-hand lane at all times?
The same rules apply to trucks and heavy vehicles as apply to any other vehicle – they should keep left unless turning right, passing or the lane is blocked.
[/I]

Not all trucks are physically speed limited. Trucks have just as much right to be in the fast lane exceeding their speed limit as much as any car or bike that wants to be in the fast lane exceeding the speed limit.
Cause the only reason ANYONE wants or needs to be in the 'fast' lane is to be driving faster than the other two lanes of traffic, the other two lanes full of people perfectly happy with their current speed for current conditions.

But hey the day you have all the traffic in lanes 1 and 2 consistently doing above 90km/h, not dancing on the brake pedal needlessly, not swerving in front of trucks at last moment to exit motorway etc..... then you wont see trucks in fast lane....

You have to experience it from the cab but certain sections its magnitudes safer for a truck to be in the fast lane. Try being in the left lane approaching say Takinini off ramp in busy traffic, your safe following distance constantly eroded by people from the fast lane pulling in front thehn the extra last minute lane changer comes across to exit and slams brakes in front of you.

[CJR]

If you saw my prior response you'd see I referred to him as a "FORMER" cop, so chill out. You a fucken cop too or something?

Sooo... When you give up your day-to-day we can refer to you as a 'former' wanker? - What're you going to do with all the spare time, knit?

[R650R]

In defence of the lack of enforcement of this rule.

In order for there to be a ticket written, there has to be a precedent code (basically an offence code) identifying the piece of law the officers allegation relates to.

As best I recall the failing to keep left prec codes are vague. For example, I worked Auckland Motorways for a while with the MoT back in the day. A crusty old Senior Traffic Sergeant told me that each lane on a road is viewed as a road in its own right, so as long as you stay to the left of whichever lane you are in, you are not failing to keep left. It sounds like tripe to me, but could be the case.



I know of a truck driver who ran into a parked car (abandoned/broken down?) on side of SH2 near Waihi. He duly reported it to cops who investigated... cant remember if he was tickted or warned but remember him being very upset at time that they said words to the effect that because it happened left of the fog line the truck had technically left the roadway so it was his fault. (which it kinda was really, and he was prolific txt n drive phone user)....

[R650R]

This lane use is nothing new... perhaps in chc context they are hoping to float on the barriers incase of liquefaction quake number 453336

[EJK]

Both lanes are fast lanes.

<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ab/1e/c6/ab1ec69a337af9b73f9f72fb40e9f48b.jpg" />

[skippa1]

Ironic to have a former cop having a moan about this. I've never EVER seen a cop deal to this or enforce the "use left lane unless passing" rule.
Hardly a surprise a cop...or ex cop being a hypocrite

[jasonu]

Ironic to have a former cop having a moan about this. I've never EVER seen a cop deal to this or enforce the "use left lane unless passing" rule.

If you sit on the couch all day wanking over video games and stealing stuff on the internet you will miss out on a lot of happenings in the outside world.

[Akzle]

....

You have to experience it from the cab but certain sections its magnitudes safer for a truck to be in the fast lane. Try being in the left lane approaching say Takinini off ramp in busy traffic, your safe following distance constantly eroded by people from the fast lane pulling in front thehn the extra last minute lane changer comes across to exit and slams brakes in front of you.

just cos they slow down doesn't mean you have to

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b6/bb/26/b6bb2668030f54d9100212132e6e6ad2.jpg

[scumdog]

just cos they slow down doesn't mean you have to



Not a bad effort.




For a 12 year old....:rolleyes:

[manxkiwi]

I've found, by accident really. When you come up behind someone blocking the right lane, move left and slowly accelerate. Surprisingly often the right lane hogger doesn't want you to get past, so they speed up and bugger off. Problem solved, of course this doesn't really work if the motorway is chocka.

[Zedder]

I've found, by accident really. When you come up behind someone blocking the right lane, move left and slowly accelerate. Surprisingly often the right lane hogger doesn't want you to get past, so they speed up and bugger off.


Sadly, that's true.

[HenryDorsetCase]

just cos they slow down doesn't mean you have to



Are you the Humungous?

[pritch]

and to be fair the Ducati has a pathetic, scooter worthy horn, .

They don't fucking laugh at mine. Stebel Nautilus FTW.:first:

[HenryDorsetCase]

They don't fucking laugh at mine. Stebel Nautilus FTW.:first:

I think I have one in the shed. Allan do you want it? it was part of a KB group buy a while back

[5ive]

I spend an hour each day travelling on the Auckland Southern motorway, and when the traffic is freely flowing I've noticed that a lot of drivers will actually decrease speed as they pass another vehicle in the left lane.

So they'll be travelling 100-120 km/h in the right hand lane, all good, no worries, and then decrease their speed as they approach a vehicle in the left lane. Sometimes as low as 90 km/h...

This seems to cause a lot of the right hand lane queues, as once they've passed they'll stay in the right hand lane and speed up again, meaning no one gets to pass them.

I'm not too worried about it though, I spend most of my time in the left lane/s going my own speed, or passing.

[tigertim20]

If you saw my prior response you'd see I referred to him as a "FORMER" cop, so chill out. You a fucken cop too or something?

not a cop, just tired of seeing posts from someone who clearly overestimates the value and worth of their opinions.

Lovely rep comment too, thanks for that :)

[AllanB]

They don't fucking laugh at mine. Stebel Nautilus FTW.:first:

I had a rowdy one on my Hornet and took it off when trading it but it's a big solid bugger and the Ducati is so compact with no hidden spaces I've found to hide it, Yet.....

Can't have something spoiling the lines of the bike you understand .........

[awayatc]

Hardly a surprise a cop...or ex cop being a hypocrite


Sums it up.....

Have seen cop cars in "fast" lane doing 90 ish the whole stretch while left lane was empty....

[rastuscat]

Sums it up.....

Have seen cop cars in "fast" lane doing 90 ish the whole stretch while left lane was empty....

Remember that 90% of the Police are not road policing. The are just as good or bad as the rest of us, as they are taken from the population.

And even road police can be bad drivers.

[awayatc]

Remember that 90% of the Police are not road policing. The are just as good or bad as the rest of us, as they are taken from the population.

And even road police can be bad drivers.

For which I have complete sympathy and understanding...

But I would expect leniency and understanding from both sides.

And that is where the balance has shifted......

Most traffic cops have zero tolerance for Joe average...
And therefor Joe average has also zero tolerance for cops ,especially if they are not being 100 percent correct themselves. ....


I would be quite happy with a lot less analness all round,
But that seems to go against cop headshed policies.

So it is be and get fucked to you and us all

Oh yes......

Happy new year

[russd7]

For which I have complete sympathy and understanding...

But I would expect leniency and understanding from both sides.

And that is where the balance has shifted......

Most traffic cops have zero tolerance for Joe average...
And therefor Joe average has also zero tolerance for cops ,especially if they are not being 100 percent correct themselves. ....


I would be quite happy with a lot less analness all round,
But that seems to go against cop headshed policies.

So it is be and get fucked to you and us all

Oh yes......

Happy new year

not my experience, been let off way more than ticketed and sometimes for more than i should, just sayin

oh and a happy new year to you too

[awayatc]

Thank god ....
Can only judge from my rather bleak perspective. ...

Years and years and years ago I've met a cop who didn't write a ticket before even leaving their vehicle....

[HenryDorsetCase]

Police have a great sense of humour. So when you get pulled over, have "Fuck tha Police" playing really loudly. Works better in a car, obvs.

But yeah, cops dig that shit, and you will totally get off whatever ticket they were gonna write because you are clearly a top dude with righteous taste in music

[R650R]

Remember that 90% of the Police are not road policing. The are just as good or bad as the rest of us, as they are taken from the population.

And even road police can be bad drivers.

And just like any workplace even the best at their jobs have bad days or errors of judgement....

For starters the recruitment process is wrong anyway as far as getting 'perfect' drivers.... Its all about life experience and communication skills, I don't think they even take people for a driving assessment as part of interview? yet any half decent transport company does. And then you have to be an ordinary cop for two years before becoming a highway patrol... or has that gone too....
But anyway the specialist aspect of the job is telling OTHER people how bad their driving is and the consequences... so really they should be recruiting sales people for the role....
Road policing is a mix of Cold Call direct marketing and Animal control, theres' no bonuses for fuel economy or tyre wear etc.....

[R650R]

Thank god ....
Can only judge from my rather bleak perspective. ...

Years and years and years ago I've met a cop who didn't write a ticket before even leaving their vehicle....

After losing 20 minutes of my life at 4am in the morning for being 12km/h over the limit I'd have glady had a prewritten ticket and see you later bob moment....

[T.W.R]

And just like any workplace even the best at their jobs have bad days or errors of judgement....

For starters the recruitment process is wrong anyway as far as getting 'perfect' drivers.... Its all about life experience and communication skills, I don't think they even take people for a driving assessment as part of interview? yet any half decent transport company does. And then you have to be an ordinary cop for two years before becoming a highway patrol... or has that gone too....
But anyway the specialist aspect of the job is telling OTHER people how bad their driving is and the consequences... so really they should be recruiting sales people for the role....
Road policing is a mix of Cold Call direct marketing and Animal control, theres' no bonuses for fuel economy or tyre wear etc.....

When the oldman was in the MOT and on the patrol bikes half the officers out riding the bikes, it was their 1st experience of actually riding....on the few occasions there would be a couple or more at home for morning tea or a cuppa & there was one (who actually went to be a senior sargent & only retired a few yrs ago) that would say straight out:
"don't wave when we leave because I wont wave back, I can't take my hands off the bars"

Thankfully that sort of shit has been sorted these days

[granstar]

Yep, in the 80's I had one :Police: pull up beside me at the lights, XJ650 under all the white bells whistles and crap on it, and he fell over :laugh: See'n as he was a Cockroft cowboy prick, I left him there to pick himself up ...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsS0cvTxU-8

[rastuscat]

Yep, in the 80's I had one :Police: pull up beside me at the lights, XJ650 under all the white bells whistles and crap on it, and he fell over :laugh: See'n as he was a Cockroft cowboy prick, I left him there to pick himself up

That is a real Invercargill clue, right there.

Funny. When you joined the MoT or one of the local authority traffic depts you always started as a bike cop. You did a few years and when a car job arose you might be lucky enough to get "promoted".

Today there are less than 30 operational riders in the country. People queue up for the job. But it's rare to get the chance.

At one stage Wellington had 6 bikes and only 2 or 3 people using them. Auckland motorways had a senior Sergeant who used to ride the spare bikes around to keep the batteries sweet.

In Christchurch a few people have expressed interest but it's a real mission getting qualified. There's only 4 qualified riders in Christchurch.

When I joined Auckland City Traffic as a bike cops in 1988 the only qualification was having a bike licence. Those days are gone. It's all Osh and risk prevention these days. As is necessary.

[Grumph]

I had a T100 which was ex Wgtn traffic section. Apparently the OC asked for a 500 as he didn't want to ride a 650. It had VERY low mileage....

Rastus - I assume that was you leading the flock of scooters in town yesterday. Enjoyed watching it....
The slow lane was even slower than you thought - pull up at lights and wtf, where are they ?

[swarfie]

Years ago (81ish) I was on my way to Auckland on my XR500. Came down past the St Stevens school to find a LONG line of traffic all doing 90k in the "slow" lane and no one in the "fast lane". Thought to myself "bet there's a cop up here somewhere". Pulled into the empty lane and passed them all including the cop, at 101k. Further down the road I looked in the mirror and about 30 of them were doing the same thing. I had to wonder at his logic....baiting...not much:tugger:

[rastuscat]

Years ago (81ish) I was on my way to Auckland on my XR500. Came down past the St Stevens school to find a LONG line of traffic all doing 90k in the "slow" lane and no one in the "fast lane". Thought to myself "bet there's a cop up here somewhere". Pulled into the empty lane and passed them all including the cop, at 101k. Further down the road I looked in the mirror and about 30 of them were doing the same thing. I had to wonder at his logic....baiting...not much:tugger:

You have no idea what he was doing. He might have been waiting for a donut shop to open.

[HenryDorsetCase]

You have no idea what he was doing. He might have been waiting for a donut shop to open.

have you been to that Fresha Donut shop in Birmingham Drive? Its right behind Switch/Industrie and about four minutes from the saleyards. You will be able to get your kneed down on the roundabout on the way there and back. Sing out if you want a coffee some day....

[granstar]

I had a T100 which was ex Wgtn traffic section. Apparently the OC asked for a 500 as he didn't want to ride a 650. It had VERY low mileage....

Rastus - I assume that was you leading the flock of scooters in town yesterday. Enjoyed watching it....
The slow lane was even slower than you thought - pull up at lights and wtf, where are they ?

In the 70's as a teen I owned at the same time a 1968 TR6 650 and a 6TP aka saint (ex ChCh M.O.T bike) basically the same bike, the ex cop bike was very much quicker than the standard bike, either due to it's hot running use or the cams were different. (If only I hadn't sold them both)
:facepalm:

[nzspokes]

I think I have one in the shed. Allan do you want it? it was part of a KB group buy a while back

You selling it?

Got plenty of space for one.

[Grumph]

Just for you Rastus...

[Akzle]

Just for you Rastus...

vote akzle.



i mean, probably not death.

not for their first offense anyway. they'll just be dragged out of their cars and have five shades of shit kicked out of them by the police.
then a big tally mark painted on their car, and tatooed on their forehead. get a handful of tallys (for driving poorly) and then we'll execute them.

[rastuscat]

have you been to that Fresha Donut shop in Birmingham Drive? Its right behind Switch/Industrie and about four minutes from the saleyards. You will be able to get your kneed down on the roundabout on the way there and back. Sing out if you want a coffee some day....

I'm running a Bronze Course today. I might take a recce run out Birmingham Drive.