Why traffic police are a GOOD thing

[Bob]

Why are they a good thing? Because they stop twats like the one I saw this morning.

I have to get onto a major roundabout on the way to work (a motorway, plus two main 'A' roads come off of it) - at rush hour it takes some patience.

So I am sitting behind three cars in the entry lane. Then one of the cars in front of me moves wide - which is odd, as we're already in the outside lane.

Then I find out why - he waits for his chance, then drives into the EXIT lane! Then screeches out onto the roundabout.

I was so pleased to see that the police patrol car that had gone past a little earlier had noticed where he had placed himself and monitored him and what he was doing, then pulled him at the next set of lights.

Given the way he did this, I would guess it isn't the first time - on our speed-camera-dominated roads over here, he wouldn't be exceeding the limit, so his misdemeanor would not be picked up.

I know you guys are getting cameras over there - wonder how long it will be before you start asking for your police patrols back?

[thehollowmen]

We already want them back

The human element is now gone from the tickets.. I don't get stopped in inner city going 80 down george st with a cop behind me (it was an accident, I didn't realise how fast I could go) and they don't stop people now unless it is major....

On the other side of things... the speed camera adverts SHOWED US why we need the patrols back. A wife comes into the hospital with a letter and says "it was the same day" as he got into the accident that killed some kids and a lady...

Had he been chased down and pulled over by the cop I think the advert would end with the kids would be still staring wide eyed as they passed him getting a ticket...

ok... rant over... bed for me now.. sorry if that was innapropriate

[StoneChucker]

I'm under the impression that they are a whole lot stricter in terms of traffic law enforcement over there in the UK, than here in NZ. On the whole I think thats really good, and look forward to when they start something like it here. However, I do take great enjoyment in stretching my bike's legs from time to time, but I guess I should take it to the track if thats what I'm after.

It wouldn't really affect me anyway, since believe it or not I actually obey the traffic law 100% of the time in my car, and most of the time on my bike. I've heard talk of new cameras mounted in the reflectors on the road, which would make identification impossible. They have quite a few more patrol cars in the UK so I hear, and some/all with video recorders? And cameras with timed markers, ie: time you between two points = speed. Quite sophisticated really, but I think anything like it in NZ would be a long way away.

I reckon to improve NZ road safety, they could make an effort to ensure the roads are physically safer. Not only the road condition, which in places is worse than I've seen in Cape Town, but also the road design, which at times invites trouble.

What scares me most on the roads, as I'm sure it is for everyone, are the other CARS out there. I'm 100% for stricter laws / new designs to make the roads safer.

Of course, on the best roads, with the safest laws, there's always going to be a drunk/inexperienced/tired/accident prone/whatever driver, so you accept a certain level of danger when you decide to go out.

[Bob]

The police cars do have cameras and speed monitoring equipment etc... which is a good thing.

BUT... the traffic patrols away from motorways are disappearing faster than contact lenses at a basketball rally. And are being replaced with static speed cameras (known as GATSO).

I rarely see a patrol car on my way to/from work. Maybe I'll spot one along the 15 mile route - but that will be in town, rather on the major 'A' road that I use to get from the local roads to the roads approaching work.

This 'A' road has - along the 10 miles or so that I use - 6 of these cameras. With the result that there are no traffic police on the road. The only thing these cameras do is monitor speed. Any bad driving? Just carry on doing it, the cameras will not pick this up.

Back in the days of police patrols, do something stupid, get pulled over and warned, issued a ticket or whatever. But as long as you stay inside the limit (and all anyone actually does is speed up to the camera, brake and then speed up when outside the camera range) you can do anything else you like.

The other nightmare is that a lot of car drivers (I'm being specific as bikers and truck drivers all know what is going on around them) will see a camera and brake... no matter what speed they are doing. The times we're in a 50, the car in front is doing 50... but slows to 40... almost every day of the week. It sometimes happens that someone is doing 40 in a 50... but still slows to 30!

I'm all for cameras where they will be genuinely useful - near schools for example (but they can't place them there - they can only be located where there have been more than 8 accidents in 3 years) - but when they are put on straight bits of road - and in the case of the road I use every day, a road than has no pedestrian access or slip roads on the straights - they are there to collect speeding fines only.

If we had real, actual police, who looked at road conditions, how you were riding/driving etc., I for one would feel a lot safer.

Our government takes speed to be the reason for all road ills - a naive viewpoint, but a useful one for statistics, as it is easy to put out lots of cameras, get lots of fines then say "Look Voters! Since we put the camera in Site X, there have been no accidents there. We are so wise! Vote for us again!" - meanwhile, the accidents have moved 50 yards down the road...

I'll put my soapbox away with thehollowmens...

[StoneChucker]

Our government takes speed to be the reason for all road ills - a naive viewpoint
Agree 100% And it's the same here too. When you hear the police giving a report of an accident, they ALWAYS mention they "Think speed was a factor" or "Are deciding whether speed was a factor". They get even more gun-ho when someone "young" is involved. Hell, I'd hate to have an accident in my car (slightly sporty), being 23 I'd be guilty of being a speeding boy racer, until proved a speeding boy racer.

[Mongoose]

Bad luck for the young fella down this way tonight then. Not only did he find the patrol car with radar working, he decided not to stop for it and managed to get to about 160kmh(100mph for our Pommy Bros) on a short straight, but slowed down to 120k for the twisties still with patrol car in tow. Then Oooooops, ran out of road,well, maybe some one shifted the road, who knows?, but now minus one car, guess license as well and the sorry sad job of telling Mum why she has no car now.
Needs more on the road coppers for the effect to work, as soon as the human policing lowers so does the due care and attention.

[Bob]

As soon as the human policing lowers so does the due care and attention.

Amen to that... now if only you could come over here and hammer the message into our politico's heads...

[thehollowmen]

oh
I should say..

To all you police on the forum... we love you and you do a great job and we want more of you and less of those mechanised monstrocities that don't stop accidents and just seem to collect money...

*beam*
(can you tell I'm a lot more human after sugar and coffee?)

[James Deuce]

Traffic police would be bloody nice to have back.

The only drawback of commuting to work on a bike is not being able to *555 (police hotline for reporting mad bastards and P addicts driving on the road). I left work early on Wednesday to take Heather to the dentist and followed a bloke in a baseball cap driving a Ford Laser station wagon in a bloody erratic fashion. I went to go round him and he veered at me so I sat back a bit and watched him wobble down the Hutt Motorway. Got to the Korokoro lights, pulled up alongside and he's f__king texting like a frenzied crack whore. We drove past a patrol car parked up on the Hutt motorway. He obviously didn't notice the unindicated lunges from lane to plane as this plonker tried to drive and text at the same time.

[spudchucka]

oh
I should say..

To all you police on the forum... we love you and you do a great job and we want more of you and less of those mechanised monstrocities that don't stop accidents and just seem to collect money...

*beam*
(can you tell I'm a lot more human after sugar and coffee?)
Thanks, and by the way most cops I know would agree with your sentiments about speed cameras. Bloody things are a pain in the butt!

[riffer]

Thanks, and by the way most cops I know would agree with your sentiments about speed cameras. Bloody things are a pain in the butt!
So who does like speed cameras then?

[TwoSeven]

Its funny - but they wouldnt collect money if you didnt speed.


I dont have a prob with the cameras. Think they are a good idea.


And in the UK they do have cameras that notify when someone is trying to do something stupid - like drive up a motorway the wrong way. Just not everywhere.

[Yokai]

Traffic police would be bloody nice to have back.

*555 (police hotline for reporting mad bastards and P addicts driving on the road).

Thanks for that!! As a cager and newbie biker I see a fair bunch of idiots up here in Dorkland... Now I know what to do (or rather what number to tell my gf to call)

Re: Having Traffic police - what bugs me is that the roads that should be patrolled aren't... For the cops out here - nip out to Franklin on a Friday night or Saturday morning, and Sunday evening. There's a good Long stretch (about 2K) of straight road - this always has someone doing a ton (160k) at some point during the weekend getaway to the coromandel.

And speeders and erratic drivers give everyone a bad name - Speeding boy racer cars give careful owners who like nice cars a bad name, speeding bikes give us lot a bad name.

Yo <end rant>

[vifferman]

Thanks for that!! As a cager and newbie biker I see a fair bunch of idiots up here in Dorkland... Now I know what to do (or rather what number to tell my gf to call)I think that if you have two people (the caller and a witness/passenger) who are prepared to make a statement, then the person reported on can be charged, based on your testimony. Otherwise, the police will try to respond if notified, and hopefully will catch the idiot in the act.


And speeders and erratic drivers give everyone a bad name - Speeding boy racer cars give careful owners who like nice cars a bad name, speeding bikes give us lot a bad name.<END rant>Sounds like you're either very sensible, or haven't ridden a bike that's infected with the GoFaster virus (i.e., heaps of power). But you're right, inasmuch as bike riders who are inconsiderate or reckless law-breakers do tend to tar us all with the same brush. F'rinstance - bikers who just ride down the centre of the road, overtaking everything despite on-coming traffic; guys on bikes who lane-split when the traffic is moving at 80 km/h; guys who do stoppies or wheelies in traffic; bikers who weave in and out of the traffic; eedjits who exceed the speed limit by dangerous margins.

[Yokai]

Sounds like you're either very sensible, or haven't ridden a bike that's infected with the GoFaster virus (i.e., heaps of power).

Yup - that's me - sensible and a newbie learner... therefore I don't want to go super fast... I like to go at a nice sensible speed at the moment



But you're right, inasmuch as bike riders who are inconsiderate or reckless law-breakers ...<SNIP> ...eedjits who exceed the speed limit by dangerous margins.
Yeah - I didn't really mean the odd 10K or so over the top, I meant the 2 idiots on those blue and white sports bikes in Dorkland last night who were doing around 100 down Ponsnobby Road...

Its the recklessness that bugs me - if you want to take your bike out and go fast - go to a track day, you are less likely to hit someone/piss off the locals/annoy a cop/die.

*shrug*

Yo
:wavey:

[rodgerd]

So who does like speed cameras then?

They're cheap law enforcement.

[vifferman]

Yup - that's me - sensible and a newbie learner... therefore I don't want to go super fast... I like to go at a nice sensible speed at the momentGood for you.

Yeah - I didn't really mean the odd 10K or so over the top, I meant the 2 idiots on those blue and white sports bikes in Dorkland last night who were doing around 100 down Ponsnobby Road... What time was that? (Although I work on Ponsonby Rd, it wasn't me, by the way - my bike's red, and I wasn't riding it yesterday anyway). But I know what you mean - I used to regularly get passed on the Harbour Bridge by some eedjit on one of those "brightly coloured crotch rockets" doing at least 30 km/h faster than everyone else as he lane-split his way to work. Or eternity...

Its the recklessness that bugs me - if you want to take your bike out and go fast - go to a track day, you are less likely to hit someone/piss off the locals/annoy a cop/die.Crikey. You almost sound like one of those LTSA billboards. But you're quite right.

[Posh Tourer :P]

The problem is not the cameras per se, it is the focus on speed as a problem, and the subsequent belief that police do not need to patrol those areas where there are cameras, or anywhere for that matter. Nicer to see an "anywhere, anytime" approach here, better than fixed cameras, more of a pain for anyone who wants to do 111kmh on a straight though.

Oh and Bob, I have noticed that as people get more used to the cameras, they stop slowing down so much - most traffic round Akl sits at about 55-60kmh past a speed camera ie just below getting caught...

[MrMelon]

I followed an unmarked cop car a couple of weeks ago that was driving pretty erratically. Pulled up at the lights next to him and the bastard was sending text messages on his phone! :(

[James Deuce]

I followed an unmarked cop car a couple of weeks ago that was driving pretty eratically. Pulled up at the lights next to him and the bastard was sending text messages on his phone! :(

:angry2: (Message too short, angry, and full of obscenities)

[vifferman]

I followed an unmarked cop car a couple of weeks ago that was driving pretty erratically. Pulled up at the lights next to him and the bastard was sending text messages on his phone! :(And you didn't pull him over (citizen's arrest?)?
You could have at least tootled melodiously, then wagged you finger at him and shaken your head. :)

[gav]

So did you tap on the window and ask him WTF he was doing?

[vifferman]

So why is it:Offtopic: that most times - but sadly (?) not all - when I see someone driving a bit weirdly, they're talking on their cellphone? And yet "The Powers That Be" (Feckin Eedjits That Shouldn't Be. more like) have decreed that there is insufficient evidence that cellphones are a traffic hazard to ban their use while driving? Saw an example just this morning - some twat parked acorss two lanes to turn left, and I was wondering why, till I saw he was driving one-handed and a cellphone stuck in the side of his head. AND he wasn't wearing a tinfoil hat, so the poor bastid was obiously suffering from Irradiated Brain Syndrome.:wacko: :buggerd:

[Mongoose]

But you're right, inasmuch as bike riders who are inconsiderate or reckless law-breakers do tend to tar us all with the same brush. F'rinstance - bikers who just ride down the centre of the road, overtaking everything despite on-coming traffic; guys on bikes who lane-split when the traffic is moving at 80 km/h; guys who do stoppies or wheelies in traffic; bikers who weave in and out of the traffic; eedjits who exceed the speed limit by dangerous margins.

Hell, just read this posting, sounds like a air discription of some of our KB Bro's. :eek: Have a look at some of the other threads and there will be some one putting their hand up to any one or more of thse things :moon:

[James Deuce]

Hell, just read this posting, sounds like a air discription of some of our KB Bro's. :eek: Have a look at some of the other threads and there will be some one putting their hand up to any one or more of thse things :moon:
Ahem. You should read some of firestormer's trip to work stories. :)

I myself am of course perfect and never do anything wrong.

[Mongoose]

Ahem. You should read some of firestormer's trip to work stories. :)

I myself am of course perfect and never do anything wrong.

Angelic wee critters, aint we? :no:

[James Deuce]

Angelic wee critters, aint we? :no:Oops I forgot to use smilies to point out irony again. Silly me.

[Jackrat]

Hey Bob,I know where all ya' cops are mate.
I spoke to one in Mangere today.
Nice guy to,he let me off a $190 fine for not wearing a seat belt.

[Blakamin]

And you didn't pull him over (citizen's arrest?)?

my boss did that 3 weeks ago... cop went "whatever"
so he *555'd him
(boss is a lawyer...scum of teh earth)

[scumdog]

Hey Bob,I know where all ya' cops are mate.
I spoke to one in Mangere today.
Nice guy to,he let me off a $190 fine for not wearing a seat belt.

$190 FOR NOT WEARING A SEATBELT? must be Auckland prices, down here they only charge $150 :2thumbsup

[Bob]

So why is it:Offtopic: that most times - but sadly (?) not all - when I see someone driving a bit weirdly, they're talking on their cellphone? And yet "The Powers That Be" (Feckin Eedjits That Shouldn't Be. more like) have decreed that there is insufficient evidence that cellphones are a traffic hazard to ban their use while driving? Saw an example just this morning - some twat parked acorss two lanes to turn left, and I was wondering why, till I saw he was driving one-handed and a cellphone stuck in the side of his head. AND he wasn't wearing a tinfoil hat, so the poor bastid was obiously suffering from Irradiated Brain Syndrome.:wacko: :buggerd:

The UK/English (for those of you that get upset by the term 'UK') authorities banned the use of mobile phones whilst driving from 1st December 2003. It is permissable to use a mobile if you have a hands-free set in place.

For them to do this, the Department of Transport had to put together a consultation document, which I beleive was handled by the Transport Research Laboratory- their website is at http://www.trl.co.uk/ -hopefully you can find something useful here to send to your local/national representative.

[spudchucka]

So who does like speed cameras then?
The Govt & LTSA are about the only folks that think they are a great idea.

I still maintain however that you must be driving with your eyes shut to get snapped by one in NZ.

[spudchucka]

It wont be long before use of cell phones in cars is banned, however if you crashed and was texting at the time you would find yourself charged with careless use at the minimum.

[Lou Girardin]

If I had to choose, I'll have speed cameras over the new robot cops. At least you don't lose your licence with camera tickets.
And isn't it funny, seeing all the revelations of speeding cops lately. Bullshit Castle (Police HQ) obviously thinks it will impress the public to see cops getting booked.
But I think the public reaction is one of two types;
Some people will think that all cops treat the speed limits with contempt and a few are unlucky enough to get caught.
Others will say, how can we keep to the limits at all times when even the bloody cops can't.

[spudchucka]

But I think the public reaction is one of two types;
Some people will think that all cops treat the speed limits with contempt and a few are unlucky enough to get caught.
Others will say, how can we keep to the limits at all times when even the bloody cops can't.
Most people have more in their lives to actually not give a shit, unlike yourself.

[scumdog]

But I think the public reaction is one of two types;
Some people will think that all cops treat the speed limits with contempt and a few are unlucky enough to get caught.
Others will say, how can we keep to the limits at all times when even the bloody cops can't.

'Course there's a third lot that don't give a toss, - and there are more cops out there than a lot of people realise that have got speeding ticket and been caught on the speed camersa that take it on the chin, pay up and say nothing, yes kiddies, we all screw up now and again - and I ain't forgot that ticket I got in '87 mutter mutter....... :disapint:

[idb]

Aaargh, I can't stand it ....I have to rant!!!
The only people that get punished are the honest ones that pay up, how many times do you read about pricks who get their $9,000 worth of fines written off or tossers who are up for their 5th DIC or disqualified driving charge? How does that happen!!!?
How can they say that speed is the biggest problem and then fine you the same for 112ks if you are driving a shitbox 1950 Vanguard along the Devil's Staircase or a Hayabusa along the Canterbury Plains? How can it be that a 2004 vehicle is no more able to negotiate any road at 115km/h than one built in 1940?
They've taken all discretion from the hands of cops and now if I see one when I'm riding or driving my first reaction is 'fuck', a check of the speedo and relief that I made it past - not gratitude that he was on the road making it safe for me and others. I'm afraid that I see cops as another hazard to be negotiated.
I bet I'm not the only one and it can't be good for police force/public relations.
I could go on and on and on..........don't get me started!

[cycosis]

All late model bikes are made to go fast,bikes in general are made to go fast,thats why we ride them,well thats why i do.If i wanted to sit in traffic and be a slowby i would buy a car.Certain roads are made for going fast so i save it for them but only because track days are very rare and far away and dont cater for everybody.Any good rider knows when and when not to speed.I live to ride and aint letting the philf spoil my fun just cause they say its wrong! :ride:

[cycosis]

cops as another hazard to be negotiated.


I agree fully!Fuck them and their army! :whocares:

[Bob]

If I had to choose, I'll have speed cameras over the new robot cops. At least you don't lose your licence with camera tickets.


Really? You can over here. If you are clocked at 30mph over the limit, it is an instant ban.

There is a 10/15% margin of error built into the speed the camera will react, to allow for analogue clocks being inaccurate. But there are chief constables that have called for Zero Tolerance... most amusingly, one of the ones that wanted to get rid of the leeway was caught going too fast. His defence? The speedo must have been reading wrong! Oddly, I believe he dropped his "Zero Tolerance" campaign!

One of the motoring shows (Top Gear - I think you get it over there) ran a test - in a car, but the same thing applies to all vehicles - to see how accurate analogue clocks are. They fitted the car with the most accurate speedo kit on the market and compared the results with the car's own clock.

Interesting reading. At slow speeds, the car's own clock tended to over-read, but as the pace was upped, the clock went the other way and under-read. Up at what the car's clock said was 70, it was anything up to 80 or 85.

[scumdog]

Aaargh, I can't stand it ....I have to rant!!!

How can it be that a 2004 vehicle is no more able to negotiate any road at 115km/h than one built in 1940?
I'm afraid that I see cops as another hazard to be negotiated.
I could go on and on and on..........don't get me started!

Because the 2004 vehicle is more than likely being driven by the fuck-witted progeny of equally fuck-witted parents that in natural systems would have been killed off, - only safer cars had stopped them being killed off when they screwed up their driving - natural selection has been thwarted by safer cars.
Said progeny would very likely be out of their depth guiding a side-show go-cart around the fenced circuit. :wacko:

Come to think of it, cops have probably stopped a certain amount of natural selection be forcing people to drive at a speed and in a manner that they can cope with without killing themselves off!!! :killingme

[spudchucka]

I could go on and on and on..........don't get me started!
Yeah, likewise!

[spudchucka]

I agree fully!Fuck them and their army! :whocares:
Good on ya Mr 19 posts.

[SPman]

Come to think of it, cops have probably stopped a certain amount of natural selection be forcing people to drive at a speed and in a manner that they can cope with without killing themselves off!!! :killingme
Passive eugenics - thats what I like to see.

[Lou Girardin]

I'm not doubting that what you say is correct bob. But having had dozens of speedos checked, I've always found them to increasingly over-read.
The electronic speedo on my Bandit consistantly shows 5% fast.

[cycosis]

Why thank you Mr 847 posts.That will be 20 now

[thehollowmen]

Why thank you Mr 847 posts.That will be 20 now

you've got a long way to catch up...
so do I...

is there a post race on or something?

[Posh Tourer :P]

you've got a long way to catch up...
so do I...

is there a post race on or something?

Nah its over now. I won it yesterday....

[cycosis]

you've got a long way to catch up...
so do I...

is there a post race on or something?
Not sure on that,Not sure on why it was even mentioned on that note :shifty: