Police to issue 25pc more speeding tickets

[wkid_one]

From stuff.co.nz

By HAYDON DEWES

The battle against speeding motorists has been cranked up another notch with police expecting to dish out a quarter more tickets over the coming year.



Estimates in the police's annual statement of intent put the number of tickets to be issued during the next financial year at between 350,000 and 400,000, compared with between 275,000 and 325,000 this year.

The latest projection means ticket numbers will have almost doubled in just two years. Police announced last year that tickets issued were set to increase by a third.

Police also plan to increase the number of mobile breath tests, from about 750,000 to about 850,000, as well as the number of tickets for not wearing a seatbelt, from 55,000 to 65,000.

The number of traffic tickets issued, which includes those for red light running and not wearing a seatbelt, is expected to rise by 100,000 to 1.4 million. Figures announced in last week's Budget showed that total traffic fines collected by police this financial year would have added $105.2 million to government coffers over the past year.

Almost a quarter of all police funding goes toward road policing as part of its Road Safety to 2010 strategy, which aims to lower the annual road death toll to 300 by 2010. However, last year's road toll of 459, up from a record low of 404 in 2002, has caused police to amend their target for the coming financial year from between 350 and 390 to between 350 and 410.

Police have constantly defended targeting speeding motorists, saying doing so saves lives. A spokeswoman said yesterday that the latest estimated rise in ticketing was not a Government demand, but a projection based on increases over the past few years.

In an opinion piece in today's Dominion Post, Police Minister George Hawkins writes that no apology should be made for focusing on speeding drivers. "If you choose to break the law, you know there's likely to be consequences."

National's law and order spokesman, Tony Ryall, was astounded by the latest estimates and said the "unrelenting spiral" of ticketing was jeopardising public goodwill towards police.

[James Deuce]

Saw that.

Sigh.

I really don't think that people go, OOOOO lets go out and speed today. We MUST break the law. For instance what do you do when a temporary speed limit sign says 70km/h on one side of the road and on the other side of the road its matching partner says 30km/hr? That was the exact scenario at the start of the Rimutaka road works a couple of weekends ago at Te Marua.

I bet you anything you like that you'd get ticketed for 40km/hr over and you wouldn't be allowed to argue that the road construction company should have their shiznit together.

It just doesn't feel right to me (it's my opinion - not hard fact OK :)) to concentrate on Mom & Pop when there is a great deal more to do. I'd like to see failing to indicate, failing to stop when required, spilling diesel/effluent on the road, failing to give way, and bad parking targeted. Most of the above happen at intersections where the majority of accidents happen. Bear in mind that most accidents for motorcyclists are injury accidents, and as most accidents happen at intersections the majority of motorcyclists must be injured at intersections rather than the open road. It's all about me, see. :)

[Hitcher]

We need to rise up against this, brothers and sisters, for yay verily it is the thin edge of a very large wedge. We need to protect the world of our grandchildren from dour naysayers and wowsers.

I shall stop at this point, otherwise I may pen a small novel...

[Deano]

I really don't think that people go, OOOOO lets go out and speed today.

Shit no - that would just be wrong....... :innocent:

[vifferman]

We need to rise up against this, brothers and sisters, for yay verily it is the thin edge of a very large wedge. We need to protect the world of our grandchildren from dour naysayers and wowsers.

I shall stop at this point, otherwise I may pen a small novel...
No, don't stop, Mr Hitcher. I'd like to read a novel.
I like reading. And I'm BOOOOORRRRED..... <yawn> Where's a dozy smiley icon when you need one?

[vifferman]

Shit no - that would just be wrong....... :innocent:

AHA!! But then you ride a VTR, so you would ...um.... errr.... whatever.... :whistle:

[Deano]

AHA!! But then you ride a VTR, so you would ...um.... errr.... whatever.... :whistle:

Is your's a futuristic-prototype-model firestormer ? - 2057 ? :msn-wink:

[Jackrat]

25% more for me is still zero so WTF, should I care anyway??

[shandawg]

Shit - my bike doesn't even HAVE a seatbelt - looks like I'm up for a few tickets then :P

[KATWYN]

:angry2: I got a ticket on Saturday nite. When I knew the cop was
not going to let me off, as he handed me the ticket through
the window I got annoyed and said "you are just a revenue collector,
you guys are pissing people off doing this sort of thing, you are
targeting the wrong people-I'll pay your fine, but you guys should be
targeting the tailgaters and the harrassers "

and went on the mention costs of bike & car regos and why the bad
ones get their thousands of dollers of fines written off while we
have to pay etc

He was actually really good after I bleated like that and he agreed
with me on both counts (ie) that it was annoying people-not that he was a revenue collector, but he said that he has a quota of
tickets to get and thats the end of story.

I was doing 68kmn a 50km area that I thought was a 70km area. The
moral for me is: when in doubt-do 50km
I was guilty as charged and at the end of the day maybe the likes of
me are menaces on the road just as much as tailgaters etc

[Firefight]

I got a ticket on Saturday nite. When I knew the cop was
not going to let me off, as he handed me the ticket through
the window I got annoyed and said "you are just a revenue collector,
you guys are pissing people off doing this sort of thing, you are
targeting the wrong people-I'll pay your fine, but you guys should be
targeting the tailgaters and the harrassers "

and went on the mention costs of bike & car regos and why the bad
ones get their thousands of dollers of fines written off while we
have to pay etc

He was actually really good after I bleated like that and he agreed
with me on both counts (ie) that it was annoying people-not that he was a revenue collector, but he said that he has a quota of
tickets to get and thats the end of story.

I was doing 68kmn a 50km area that I thought was a 70km area. The
moral for me is: when in doubt-do 50km
I was guilty as charged and at the end of the day maybe the likes of
me are menaces on the road just as much as tailgaters etc

Traffic cop = Glorified traffic warden at the expense of the tax payer.


Bad news alright, but atleast he didn't threaten to arrest you :confused2


F/F :crazy:

[KATWYN]

Bad news alright, but atleast he threaten to arrest you :confused2


F/F :crazy:

Yea thats what my husband said- surely not???

[vifferman]

Bad news alright, but atleast he didn't threaten to arrest you :confused2


F/F :crazy:

Yeeeess.... F/F? Have you something to tell us?
And what happened to the "Who" thread that disappeared.....?

[vifferman]

Is your's a futuristic-prototype-model firestormer ? - 2057 ? :msn-wink:

Why yes! Didn't you notice that from my avatar? Note the slimline, lightweight design, the svelte and attractive lines, and the huge power outut, as evidenced from the massive smokey.... :cool:

[SPman]

Yeeeess.... F/F? Have you something to tell us?
And what happened to the "Who" thread that disappeared.....?
I think Andrew was a naughty, naughty, boy in the weekend! :( :killingme

[Deano]

Its all been said before, but will the stats reflect the increase in tickets ?

I.e. will speed related accidents reduce due to an increase in ticket issuing ? If not, why not, and why continue with an ineffective policy....I know, cause of the $$$$$

[speedpro]

The "anywhere anytime" thing is going to be used more because "the deaths reported for the last 2 months are less than the "average" for these months from the last few years". 81 versus 83. Any statatician could pull that apart while eating breakfast, standard deviations etc etc.

If someone entered the general elections promising to
1 force the LTSA to get real with the statistics
2 bring in something like "strike 3 and you're out" as in California for the crims
3 honestly sort the hospitals, waiting lists etc
4 raise speed limits where appropriate
5 sort out immigration issues
6 all the other crap that needs sorting

I might consider enrolling and voting for them.

[Drunken Monkey]

I shall stop at this point, otherwise I may pen a small novel...

We already have a 40+ pager brewing elsewhere on this forum. All we need now is the artful prose of your pen, Mister Hitcher, and we'll have a works to rival that of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or perhaps, at least, Doctor Seuss!

[James Deuce]

:angry2: I got a ticket on Saturday nite. When I knew the cop was
not going to let me off, as he handed me the ticket through
the window I got annoyed and said "you are just a revenue collector,
you guys are pissing people off doing this sort of thing, you are
targeting the wrong people-I'll pay your fine, but you guys should be
targeting the tailgaters and the harrassers "

and went on the mention costs of bike & car regos and why the bad
ones get their thousands of dollers of fines written off while we
have to pay etc

He was actually really good after I bleated like that and he agreed
with me on both counts (ie) that it was annoying people-not that he was a revenue collector, but he said that he has a quota of
tickets to get and thats the end of story.

I was doing 68kmn a 50km area that I thought was a 70km area. The
moral for me is: when in doubt-do 50km
I was guilty as charged and at the end of the day maybe the likes of
me are menaces on the road just as much as tailgaters etc

Traffic cop = Glorified traffic warden at the expense of the tax payer.

George Hawkins denied the existence of a quota system in the Dominion today. Silly man.

[Firefight]

Yeeeess.... F/F? Have you something to tell us?
And what happened to the "Who" thread that disappeared.....?


Yes I wondered about that, I guess it must be all part of the big "Subdudakay" (sp?) thing, or the person concerned is trying to protect his/her otherwise impecable record !, :innocent: anyway FS I was as suprised as you to see it strangly disapear, maybe thats what that" Ociilator thingy of Waris does, makes embarassing posts go away ? :wacko: .

I have not heard from rider who is "alleged" to have had a run in with Mr :Police: , so I can only deduce that either he/she is sulking/has spat the dummy with me , or perhaps they have been arrested after all ??, and are awaiting a "wip round by KBers to raise the dosh to bail him/her out of klink !

F/F :wacko:

[Hitcher]

We already have a 40+ pager brewing elsewhere on this forum. All we need now is the artful prose of your pen, Mister Hitcher, and we'll have a works to rival that of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or perhaps, at least, Doctor Seuss!

Dear Mr Monkey, I hope that you are not suggesting that a summary of the "religious ravings" thread is in order??

[Hitcher]

"Subdudakay"

Subjudice is the word you're looking for.

[Firefight]

Subjudice is the word you're looking for.


Thank you Mr Hitcher, of all my many faults, spelling is the worst, Its good to see you knew what I ment. :sunny:

F/F

[fpsware]

George Hawkins denied the existence of a quota system in the Dominion today. Silly man.
My ex-girlfriend's father is a cop in Hamilton, there is definately a quota system.

[Satan]

ahhhhh - the police - the pawns of my master plan. Soon everyone will be ticketed and no one will be able to drive - mwaaaaa hahahaha. I may have let God create the motor vehicle - but I created the public transport system. Wait til you can't drive.......

[Hitcher]

ahhhhh - the police - the pawns of my master plan. Soon everyone will be ticketed and no one will be able to drive - mwaaaaa hahahaha. I may have let God create the motor vehicle - but I created the public transport system. Wait til you can't drive.......

Congratulations, Evil Lord. Now, how about creating some deaf ideological bureaucrats to frustrate those who seek a Better Way??

[Satan]

I created Zed to piss all you guys off as well!

[Hitcher]

I created Zed to piss all you guys off as well!

A master stroke, Evil One. I suspect this creation exceeded even your vision for chaos and pain...

[Lou Girardin]

One of the techs at work got pinged for riding in the bus lane on a scooter south of Shelley Beach road. He doesn't normally use the bridge and he was only in the lane for 50 metres (the lane is only 150 metres long). Blah, blah, blah.
Anyway, the fine was $500 friggin' dollars!
I've seen this bike cop there 3 or 4 times this week, at that rate he'll have toaster ovens coming out his ears.
Interesting public relations technique too, telling him to "fucking pull over!"
Must be grumpy because he had to have toaster ovens instead of an abdominiser.

[Drunken Monkey]

Its all been said before, but will the stats reflect the increase in tickets ?

I.e. will speed related accidents reduce due to an increase in ticket issuing ? If not, why not, and why continue with an ineffective policy....I know, cause of the $$$$$

It's even ruder than that! Their lies will never cease...
The LTSA/Police initiative have strongly defended their policies and beleive that the policies are effective. Let's assume, for the sake of this argument, that they are indeed correct. This would imply that their safety campaign has increased compliance. Now theoretically, if we could reach 100% compliance with the law, then they would be able to issue a grand total of 0 tickets? Increasing issuing of infringements then, should, by their measurements, increase overall compliance, thus lowering the expected infringements over the next period?
But don't the LTSA/Police actually expect to be increasing the number of infrigements over time? Therefore compliance is either 1) getting worse, or at best 2) keeping inline with the increasing car fleet. So if compliance is not improving, where is the indicator of the successful campaign?
They will immediately point to the road toll, then we get stuck back into the previous thread (and another one running around at the moment) about tickets/speed/deaths. Irrespective of the fact that the reductions in deaths are to do with inbuilt vehicle safety devices, not an 'overall speed reduction'. People that readily attempt to dispute this fact still haven't 'put their money where their mouth is' and demonstrated beyond all reasonable doubt that they will be no worse off in a high speed accident driving a 1/2 star safety rated car versus a 5 star safety rated car.


Dear Mr Monkey, I hope that you are not suggesting that a summary of the "religious ravings" thread is in order??

Moi? No! I would never suggest that you do such a thing. However, if you were to do so on your own accord, I'm sure there will be many who will enjoy the dry wit and penmanship of a true artist such as yourself!

[spudchucka]

One of the techs at work got pinged for riding in the bus lane on a scooter south of Shelley Beach road. He doesn't normally use the bridge and he was only in the lane for 50 metres (the lane is only 150 metres long). Blah, blah, blah.
Anyway, the fine was $500 friggin' dollars!
I've seen this bike cop there 3 or 4 times this week, at that rate he'll have toaster ovens coming out his ears.
Interesting public relations technique too, telling him to "fucking pull over!"
Must be grumpy because he had to have toaster ovens instead of an abdominiser.
$500 for driving in a bus lane doesn't sound right, what else was he done for?

As for the profanity - write to the area comander and make a complaint. You won't sort the guys attitude out by telling us all about it.

[Lou Girardin]

$500 for driving in a bus lane doesn't sound right, what else was he done for?

As for the profanity - write to the area comander and make a complaint. You won't sort the guys attitude out by telling us all about it.

It is right and the other is all under way.
One question though. Is profanity worse than a chest poke?

[sAsLEX]

As for the profanity - write to the area comander and make a complaint. You won't sort the guys attitude out by telling us all about it.

And what will they do, I have had mates get in trouble over the boy racer laws only to have the cops drop the charges when they relise they will not win the cases, the guys still somehow had the demerits transfered to his license which was then taken away. No one he spoke to was any help, police said ring this they said ring them and in the end all he could get was 'read the road code'...as if that would help him?!?!

[spudchucka]

It is right and the other is all under way.
One question though. Is profanity worse than a chest poke?
I'll check the offence details for my own satisfaction, $500 sounds over the top to me.

Come on Lou, a chest poke is just a bit of cop humor, (you remember humor don't you?). Some people might actually receive one depending on the circumstances and sometimes cops have to speak to people in language that they are capable of understanding and that will help in resolving an incident. I don't know the circumstances in which this biker cop swore at your friend so I won't comment on that incident. In general I think that if a cop is habitually swearing at the people they are dealing with then it is time for them to think about moving on.

[spudchucka]

And what will they do, I have had mates get in trouble over the boy racer laws only to have the cops drop the charges when they relise they will not win the cases, the guys still somehow had the demerits transfered to his license which was then taken away. No one he spoke to was any help, police said ring this they said ring them and in the end all he could get was 'read the road code'...as if that would help him?!?!
If you do nothing then expect nothing in return.

As for Lou's mate, if he complains about this cop then the cop will at least have to explain his actions to his boss. He might think about keeping his mouth shut next time!

[scumdog]

Congratulations, Evil Lord. Now, how about creating some deaf ideological bureaucrats to frustrate those who seek a Better Way??

My Better Way will defeat those dastardly plans of the evil Quasievil, I intend to take charge of the whole country and remove all traffic lights, stop signs, give way signs and no passing lines, I will also increase the speed limit to 300kph everywhere, then I will make the following distances no more than 5 metres.

The benefits of all this will be that almost nobody will get tickets, people wil get to their destinations quicker and more vehicles will be able to cram onto the roads.

With all this positive spin off I will be the most popular man in New Zealand and crush the machinations of Quasievil mwaahaahaahaahaaa-ah :killingme

[Mongoose]

My Better Way will defeat those dastardly plans of the evil Quasievil, I intend to take charge of the whole country and remove all traffic lights, stop signs, give way signs and no passing lines, I will also increase the speed limit to 300kph everywhere, then I will make the following distances no more than 5 metres.

With all this positive spin off I will be the most popular man in New Zealand and crush the machinations of Quasievil mwaahaahaahaahaaa-ah :killingme

What, complet with potatoe around your dick so we can call you a *dicktato :moon: r*?