Reporting dangerous driving.

[car]

Is it worth it? Forgive a newcomer to these fine isles, but we have some sort of telephone hotline for this don't we? *555 or somesuch? Is there anypoint? Do things get done, is it recorded?

I'll save you the boring details, but after just over a year in NZ, tonight's ride home was the first time someone here has tried to "teach me a lesson" by purposely endangering my life. I know not what lesson he was trying to teach me, I'd already figured out that he was a wanker.

On the rest of my ride home I was trying to figure out what options a lone rider on a DR200 actually has. Not many sprang to mind.

[James Deuce]

No it isn't. You get a letter thanking you for your input.

If say that you will happily front up to court if necessary they get a hell of shock and then get all grumpy and give you a lecture about resource limitations.

It's just a sop to make the "public" feel like something is "being done".

[Genestho]

Apparently we do have a number *555, and I am currently working on trying to get details on the process and the expected outcomes of a *555 call, so I can publish it at my website...

(Have been trying to get this since Aug).

Im trying to promote *555 as no-one else will. Here is a call centre number that saves lives that ACC, Nor the Police, Nor the Govt are keen to promote, and seem to be doing everything they can to avoid *555 getting too much attention.

By nature Im not a dobber and Im not keen normally to advocate dobbing but after finding there were witnesses to the recidivist and unlicenced drunk driver that killed my hubby and his mates in April on their Guzzi's had previously crossed the centre line before he crossed again to kill 3 innocent lives. Then it took his own.
I never knew there was a number to call before my boy was killed!

In digging into *555, I have been informed of alot of conflicting stories by the general public of how their calls in general were dealt with.

There seems to be no structure, and every "experience" and complaint expected to be made differently.

In a conversation Ive had with a Traffic Manager, Ive been told local Police are understaffed (although there is backup if neccessary) and dont want the call centre overloaded.

So I decided to look a little further into *555, and was given a contact at the Comms centre.

I have had a pretty crap dealing with the North Communications centre in this regard, and after putting pressure on with a couple of tricky questions...prior to the BADD Memorial Run I then recieved an email with the Subject Heading:
"I No Longer Work for NZ Police"
Is this how the hard questions are dealt with?

After which I wrote some annoyed emails to Helen Clarke, Minister of Transport and Annette King.

At which point I was emailed by an investigative Officer who tells me my dealings with Northcomms and the conflicting info in regards are being looked into and investigated. (Stalling)

November I sent another email asking how the investigation was going..
No reply (More stalling)

In December I sent another email, saying there was no excuses for the lack of reply, that its slack and NZ deserves better...

All of a sudden ...there was a reply...and the so called investigation continues..(I can feel a Tui advert coming on)

I know since Ive started advocating *555 locally alot of people have used it to get drunken twits off the road, and luckily there seems to have been quick acting staff to backup the calls...

I got the feeling right from the start, digging into *555 that the answers I was getting were a case of "Oh well - shit happens, thats life when you ride a bike"

If *555 was LOUDLY advocated, same process each time a call was made, structured... maybe a little less shit would happen..
and a lot more shit prevented...

Everybody should be able to feel safe on the Roads, and safe in the fact that there is a call centre and a system and processes in place and expected outcomes.

I dont have much faith in *555 system right now. But if we continue to use *555 theyre going to have to sharpen their act up and get it sorted from "top" to "bottom"

One person cant do everything, but everyone can do something.

[car]

No it isn't. You get a letter thanking you for your input.

I shall save them some paper, then. It did smell of "completely unenforceable" to me, but like I said, this is the first time I've had cause to consider it.

Oh, well. I'll just chalk it up schmuckery and continue on my merry way.

[TOTO]

*555 is the same shit like "0800 RED RUNNER" or whatever it was the wording.

I called the real number and I was greeeted by a nice machine.

Machine said: "Number does not exist or has been disconnected, please check the number and try again" , fucking desk wankers...politichans...do everything for image but actual work - NONE :angry2::angry2::angry2:

[mowgli]

Last time I called *555 they told me they would notify mobile units to be on the lookout for the idiot I was reporting and pull him over for a chat if they saw him. They said that if I wanted more should visit http://www.police.govt.nz/ and click on "Report a bad driver". I checked that site out later and read that reporting online would result in a letter being sent to the owner of the vehicle. If I wanted serious action taken then I would have to go to a Police station and make a formal complaint.

[Usarka]

Lay an official complaint / charge with the police for attempted assault or something.

Do it in writing so when they tell you to rack off (which they will) you can send it to the media.

[chanceyy]

last time i had cause to use *555 I was towing my horses in a built up area doing the speed limit 50ks .. & a blardy idiot passed on the inside .. very lucky for him & us as I contemplated turning left to take the horses back to their paddock but decided to shoot home first and kept travelling straight ..

the "idiot" was probably doing at least 80 given the way he was pulling away from me .. gave me a hell of a fright cause I never seen him coming up on the inside ..

however I did get a visit from a cop over it & they tracked him down & had a strong word (what ever that means) but would not prosecute cause it would only be his word against mine ...

I would still use *555 but realise it can be pretty useless

[Grahameeboy]

It is worth it...reported a guy on a Vespa minus his helmet....when I asked him he said he had one......his Mum will be getting a surprise letter in the mail.

He said he was only going round the corner so what does it matter.....this was 2 km doen the road.....

[Usarka]

Actually i do use the online RoadWatch (http://www.police.govt.nz/service/road/roadwatch.html) reporting occassionally, especially for red light runners.

Two reasons mainly:

I like the thought of the pompous old trollop in the Mercedes who has never worked a day in her life getting worked up about getting a letter from the cops.
AND
If I ever get busted for a dangerous charge I can use as evidence to show that I'm normally a safe respectable member of the motoring community :killingme

[cold comfort]

It would be good to have a number you could have some faith in. Followed a cage yesterday with cellphone clamped to ear of driver happily weaving down the road. In 5 turns he did not indicate once (for obvious reasons)! A little more attention to this behaviour instead of the myopic focus on "speed" would go a long way to road safety. I merely made rude gestures at the last intersection knowing nothing would come of my complaint.

[Devil]

I've used and been in a car thats used the *555 service and both times they kept us on the phone providing information till the nearest cop could find us and pull the particular idiot over. They asked us to stop down the road, took a statement. Asked if we would be prepared to go to court over the issue (both times we said yes). On that note, offender was issued an infringement notice on the spot.

On the bike however, you're fucked. Go lay a complaint.

[Blackbird]

I've had mixed results. 555'd when a truck carved up a line of cars on the Napier-Taupo road..... nothing. 555'd when my wife and I were subjected to some road rage in the car by boy racers a few years back and they were wonderful - stayed on the phone all the time until the yobbos were nailed - result!

[scumdog]

Fuck there's a lot of whinging sniveling nay-sayers on KB these days!!:angry2:

Anybody with a scanner will hear what happens with a *555 call.

This resource is wasted on an overabundance of callers who whine on "No, I don't want to make a formal complaint but I think the driver needs a bit of a rev up"

So we get dispatched to a Priority One job to (hopefully if the witness/complainants directions/location and direction of travel ARE correct) stop a driver who unless is disqualified/drunk or similar is likely to be told "We had a complaint about the manner this vehicle was being driven blah blah blah...please drive safely"

If no formal complaint (i.e. prepared to appear in court as a witness) is forthcoming then the offending driver can only be dealt with as the attending cop sees it ... no offences detected = no tickets written or summons doled out.

(Walks away with head shaking at the fuckin' ignorance/excessive trolling of some KBers):calm:


(Also awaits massive refuting of above post) :jerry:

[Blackbird]

(Walks away with head shaking at the fuckin' ignorance/excessive trolling of some KBers):calm:

Happy New year Tom - tough holiday period down South was it?:bleh:

Geoff

[cold comfort]

I guess it depends on the perceived seriousness of the "alleged" offence. Obviously one would vigorously pursue a complaints process if a drunk driver etc but fumbling for ones own cellphone on a bike is prob not worth the effort, i believe. But i take your point SD!

[terbang]

I once observed a fuckwit in a Toyota SUV who tailgated another car for a while and then overtook (with the usual lack of performance that diesels have) into oncoming traffic and pushed someone into the shoulder. Complete disregard for others safety. I got his number and dobbed him in on the police website, was quite prepared to stand as a witness, look him in the eye and tell em how it was. I recieved a letter in the mail from the police advising me that I had screwed up by incorrectly stating the model of the vehicle though I got the type, colour and plate right. There were words to the effect that it wasn't going any further and bla bla bla about police comittment to road safety and so on. Yeah right, so this dick has a hazardous attitude, unashamedly endangers others wellness and continues to do so unabated, because I can't tell the difference between a hilux, surf, landcruiser, bighorn or whatever! Dunno why they bother with number plates, oh hang on there are speed cameras I guess.

[scumdog]

Yeah, it happens terbang and it pisses me off - you give it your best shot and somebody drops the ball!!

But I once got a flat bottle of beer but it hasn't stopped me asking for bottles of beer...if you know what I mean.

[Grahameeboy]

I once observed a fuckwit in a Toyota SUV who tailgated another car for a while and then overtook (with the usual lack of performance that diesels have) into oncoming traffic and pushed someone into the shoulder. Complete disregard for others safety. I got his number and dobbed him in on the police website, was quite prepared to stand as a witness, look him in the eye and tell em how it was. I recieved a letter in the mail from the police advising me that I had screwed up by incorrectly stating the model of the vehicle though I got the type, colour and plate right. There were words to the effect that it wasn't going any further and bla bla bla about police comittment to road safety and so on. Yeah right, so this dick has a hazardous attitude, unashamedly endangers others wellness and continues to do so unabated, because I can't tell the difference between a hilux, surf, landcruiser, bighorn or whatever! Dunno why they bother with number plates, oh hang on there are speed cameras I guess.

Just say "Car".

Is silly eh when you had the rest right...........I mean the Speed Camera's take the rego and it would not be able to necessarily tell the model....Cops have to do an Ltsa check on the find this out. Plus I thought that most speed cameras took black and white as colour not so good so if this is the case then your response seems a bit lame

[Grahameeboy]

Yeah, it happens terbang and it pisses me off - you give it your best shot and somebody drops the ball!!

But I once got a flat bottle of beer but it hasn't stopped me asking for bottles of beer...if you know what I mean.

True but at least you have a choice of beers?

Here is one to avoid

[sprag]

Last time i used *555 was big day out last year going into town around 10am some teenage twits in a old car that did not look like it should be on the road was cutting people off, tail gating, yelling at people, flashing lights, etc even saw them take a space way to small and slam on there breaks and almost ram up the butt of another car,

So i called *555 and told the lady at the comms centre, gave the rego number and the make and colour of the car, she then said there was little they could do and next time don't call *555 and goto the police website.

[Usarka]

This resource is wasted on an overabundance of callers who whine on "No, I don't want to make a formal complaint but I think the driver needs a bit of a rev up"
....
(Walks away with head shaking at the fuckin' ignorance/excessive trolling of some KBers):calm:
.....
(Also awaits massive refuting of above post) :jerry:

Woohoo! Me first!

From the police marketing:

What is *555 used for?
*555 is the number to call on cellphones to report poor driver behaviour, non-urgent traffic incidents and road hazards.

The Police Communications Centres answer about 320,000 *555 calls every year.

If something dangerous is happening on the road, call 111.

(shakes his head that the cops don't even know how their own service is supposed to be used.

[Ixion]

I do not, in general, approve of motorists dobbing in other motorists. Contrary to the Biker Code.

But I will sometimes use either *555 or the Roadwatch form preemptively.

Sometimes when pootling along I will encounter some doddery imcompetant old fool or fooless , who I can tell takes objection to something I have done. Usually, my overtaking him/her, quite safely, but such types just object to being overtaken at all, despite the fact that they have been muppeting along at 30kph under the limit for the last 20km and have a tail of twenty vehicles cursing behind them. But, sometimes, just the fact that I exist and patently do not subscribe to their world view of dull constrictive greyness (the really scary thing is that half the geriatric fools are much younger than I).

In such cases I am concerned least the dodder lodge a complaint call against me. Only giving their one eyed slanted view of course, firmly based on their own incompetance.

So, I get my own in, hopefully first. Either a *555 call about a selfish and inconsiderate driver: or a road watch form. That way if they dob me in, I can point to my own complaint which was (importantly) lodged before my being approached by the cops.

What I do is make a small transposition in the rego number of their vehicle. Cops will come back and say it doesn't match, oh well never mind. But if they do come to me with the dodder's complaint, I can point to the call I lodged, and observe that the number , although slightly wrong, obviously relates to them. So, if they don't dob me, no harm on either side. If they do, I am covered.


One tip, though. If you use the Roadwatch form, don't put your own rego number. Firstly, because it is unwise to draw your rego to the attention of the snakes, and secondly because it will identify to them that you are a biker. The chances of a complaint from a motorcyclist being taken seriously are zero.

[Patrick]

After which I wrote some annoyed emails to Helen Clarke, Minister of Transport and Annette King.

At which point I was emailed by an investigative Officer who tells me my dealings with Northcomms and the conflicting info in regards are being looked into and investigated. (Stalling)



By writing to the minister, you turned that complaint into a ministerial complaint. "Stalling" it is not... fine toothed combing in progress and watch the result... Be patient, grasshopper...


Fuck there's a lot of whinging sniveling nay-sayers on KB these days!!:angry2:

Anybody with a scanner will hear what happens with a *555 call.

This resource is wasted on an overabundance of callers who whine on "No, I don't want to make a formal complaint but I think the driver needs a bit of a rev up"
So we get dispatched to a Priority One job to (hopefully if the witness/complainants directions/location and direction of travel ARE correct) stop a driver who unless is disqualified/drunk or similar is likely to be told "We had a complaint about the manner this vehicle was being driven blah blah blah...please drive safely"

If no formal complaint (i.e. prepared to appear in court as a witness) is forthcoming then the offending driver can only be dealt with as the attending cop sees it ... no offences detected = no tickets written or summons doled out.

(Walks away with head shaking at the fuckin' ignorance/excessive trolling of some KBers):calm:


(Also awaits massive refuting of above post) :jerry:

So..... so....... true!!!!

Those that come in wanting a "rev up given" simply go to the bottom of the to do lists.... and probably never surface.

Those willing to be witnesses in a prosecution are "dealt with" promptly down here.

And yes the *555 is for minor shit, but in saying that, I followed a drunk south into Wanganui giving directions on *555 as we went and the Wanganui crews intercepted.

If urgent, ring 111.

If urgent, *555 will also do...

Do nothing, get nothing......

[Tank]

I used *555 the other day - miles out from Matakana. Police were there in 15mins (impressive as we were a long way out) pull over the car that we were following and possibly saved a life that day.

So - yes - sometimes the system works !

[Patrick]

I used *555 the other day - miles out from Matakana. Police were there in 15mins (impressive as we were a long way out) pull over the car that we were following and possibly saved a life that day.

So - yes - sometimes the system works !

More often than you think. But only the ones that don't work are whinged on about on here.

Just before Xmas, a car following a tanker rang up the tanker company (a neighbours mate we just met at a BBQ was the boss), complaining of bad driving, probably drunk. The Company asked for the callers details but they didn't want to (and I can understand why...)

The company was on to it. They called the cops, radioed up the driver for his location and guided the cops into him. Sure enough, WAY over the drink drive limit. (blew over 1000)

Company only wanted to send a gift of appreciation/apology to the caller. Good on them too.

The drink drive matter made a brief mention in the paper, but the whole story was such a better one....

[judecatmad]

Is it worth it? Forgive a newcomer to these fine isles, but we have some sort of telephone hotline for this don't we? *555 or somesuch? Is there anypoint? Do things get done, is it recorded?


No point at all. The 2 times I have called *555 I have been thanked for my call and told that nothing will be done unless I now take myself off to the local police station to report the same driving I have just reported over the phone.

And even then I imagine all that would happen would be a 'don't do it again' letter would get sent out to the vehicle owner (who may not have even been the driver at the time.....go figure).

Pointless waste of time and resources IMHO.

[judecatmad]

Fuck there's a lot of whinging sniveling nay-sayers on KB these days!!:angry2:

Anybody with a scanner will hear what happens with a *555 call.

This resource is wasted on an overabundance of callers who whine on "No, I don't want to make a formal complaint but I think the driver needs a bit of a rev up"

So we get dispatched to a Priority One job to (hopefully if the witness/complainants directions/location and direction of travel ARE correct) stop a driver who unless is disqualified/drunk or similar is likely to be told "We had a complaint about the manner this vehicle was being driven blah blah blah...please drive safely"

If no formal complaint (i.e. prepared to appear in court as a witness) is forthcoming then the offending driver can only be dealt with as the attending cop sees it ... no offences detected = no tickets written or summons doled out.

(Walks away with head shaking at the fuckin' ignorance/excessive trolling of some KBers):calm:


(Also awaits massive refuting of above post) :jerry:

SD, it's not so much that I would expect to see a patrol car instantly take up pursuit, but that each time I have used *555 (bearing in mind this is only my own personal experience - there do seem to be some good results having read the thread right the way through) I have basically been given the impression that the service is a completely impotent one, unable to do anything without a formal complaint being laid at the local police station.

Now, I'm sure I don't have the shortest memory in the world (well, maybe at the moment that's debatable..LOL), but the reason I call *555 is to report make & model of car, plus a driver description and give a full run-down of the poor driving whilst I both remember the details and am cross enough about the idiot to actually do something about it.

By the time I get to the local police station I am liable to have forgotten many of the pertinent details. I'm also likely to have cooled off somewhat and may well feel that it's not worth the hassle, which means that said idiot driver gets away with it again. Furthermore, I don't have an awful lot of spare time to go trolling off to report something a second time and, to be honest, I intensely dislike the sitting around at the station, with the dodgy sorts that are already there, waiting for 15-20 minutes to be seen by a front desk person who clearly doesn't want to be doing that job and really isn't all that interested in what you have to say anyway.

Perhaps I have just had bad *555 experiences and should give them another go. My opinion, as I said, is based purely on my own experience to date (limited tho that may be!).

[Grub]

No it isn't. You get a letter thanking you for your input. If say that you will happily front up to court if necessary they get a hell of shock and then get all grumpy and give you a lecture about resource limitations. It's just a sop to make the "public" feel like something is "being done".

Total bullshit ... get the chip off your shoulder Jim.

*555 calls about seriously bad driving are followed up. Get a scanner and listen sometime.

I was following a vehicle south along the Porirua Motorway and he couldn't hold a lane. I styed with him at their request as they got units into the area. It took a while but 3 cars finally boxed him in Middleton Rd after be had gone down the motorway exit the wrong way.

Then there was the night the drunk driver on Sh58 nearly took out two cars and a bike by being on the wrong side of the road, they got him just before Pauatahanui.

Listen to the scanner and see how many *555 "1U" calls are passed on as priority 1 before you all mouth off about 'revenue gathering' :yawn:

[judecatmad]

*555 calls about seriously bad driving are followed up. Get a scanner and listen sometime.


I think that's the thing tho Grub - it seems that some people have had superb experiences with the service, which is fantastic to hear about, but also some people have had experiences which make them feel that the service truly may as well not exist.

I guess it's the same as any contact centre type operation - you get phone answerers who are really passionate about their jobs, and others who simply couldn't give a stuff. I suppose we always just expect more from these sorts of services than from the Telecom call centre (for instance!).

Having now read some of the reports on here, I think I'd be willing to give *555 another shot, but until I get more than a 'please would you now go and report it in person' response, there will be a definite grain of salt held on to!

[James Deuce]

Total bullshit ... get the chip off your shoulder Jim.

*555 calls about seriously bad driving are followed up. Get a scanner and listen sometime.


Have you ever gone to a Police station to follow up after making a call?

I have. Nothing happens. As soon as you mention motorcycle, or turn up with a helmet under your arm, they aren't interested in what happened, they're more interested in what you did to provoke the problem.

No point getting a scanner with the imminent advent of digital encryption for Police comms.

*555 is a waste of time, especially if you are a motorcylist.

[Usarka]

If something dangerous is happening on the road, call 111.

10kfc......



Have you ever gone to a Police station to follow up after making a call?
Yep. Won't bother next time.

[crazefox]

Have you ever gone to a Police station to follow up after making a call?

I have. Nothing happens. As soon as you mention motorcycle, or turn up with a helmet under your arm, they aren't interested in what happened, they're more interested in what you did to provoke the problem.

No point getting a scanner with the imminent advent of digital encryption for Police comms.

*555 is a waste of time, especially if you are a motorcylist.

Yeah. WOWCHICKYWOWWOW

[Grub]

... until I get more than a 'please would you now go and report it in person' response, there will be a definite grain of salt held on to!

I think you'll find that if they can't catch an offender in the act then the only way that person can be sought out and charged is if Police are acting on a formal complaint. That's the way the law is and a phone call doesn't legally constitute a "formal complaint"

[scumdog]

I do not, in general, approve of motorists dobbing in other motorists. Contrary to the Biker Code.


One tip, though. If you use the Roadwatch form, don't put your own rego number. Firstly, because it is unwise to draw your rego to the attention of the snakes, and secondly because it will identify to them that you are a biker. The chances of a complaint from a motorcyclist being taken seriously are zero.

(a) Biker Code schmiker code - if they're dangerous dob them in FFS - the life you save may be your own.

(b) You live in a sorry part of the country (why I have to ask) as down here in southern impoverished red-neck land a motorcyclists word is as good as anybodys - even more so because we have a lot of biker-sympathetic cops down here. (and a lot say "If the bugger is prepared to come here, get off his bike, take his helmet off and shuffle up the steps in all his gear then his complaint must be serious")

But hey, I live in a fantasy land it seems.....

[Swoop]

I have dialled *555 twice.
Once when a rather inebriated person was taking a stroll along the North Western carpark when it was not actually a carpark...

The other time was to notify that a large piece of timber was carefully positioned on the Harbour Bridge for traffic to swerve around/hit/collide with.

Who knows if anything was done for either of these. I would like to think that there was.

If important 111.

Dopey cager? Mr Spidi can sort that...

[Ixion]

(a) Biker Code schmiker code - if they're dangerous dob them in FFS - the life you save may be your own.



Dangerous in whose opinion , though ? The interchangeable Mabels think ALL those dreadful motorcycles are dangerous. The trouble with *555 is that it is an open invitation to the doddery and incompetent to secure official sanction for whatever they may consider dangerous. The cops never make any attempt to ascertain the qualifications of the complainant to determine dangerous or not.


I have dialled *555 twice.

The other time was to notify that a large piece of timber was carefully positioned on the Harbour Bridge for traffic to swerve around/hit/collide with.
..

I did use *555 a few minths ago to report a 3 seater sofa in the middle lane of the North Western - which was not in car park mode at the time. When I returned a few hours later the sofa was gone. It wasn't by the roadside . So either the owners noticed it was missing and returned to collect it, or the cops organised a truck, it would not have fitted in a snakemobile.

[rwh]

Dangerous in whose opinion , though ? The interchangeable Mabels think ALL those dreadful motorcycles are dangerous.

I fail to see your strategy here. Presumably you think your own opinion is valid? So you avoid submitting your valid opinion, and leave it to those whose opinions you don't value? Is your goal for the authorities to decide it's useless, because only idiots use it, and abandon it?

Richard

[slopster]

As some will know I got seriously fucked around when a truck driver made a complaint about my overtaking (it was safe and legal and I think he just got a fright). Of course his word was above mine and the local highway patrol cop gave me a ticket even though he hadn't seen it himself. I eventually got out of it after contesting the ticket but not until I had been fucked around for six months.

I can't believe they can give you a ticket because of what someone else has said and its up to you to prove your innocence.

[Ixion]

Well, no, I don't assume my opinion is valid. Generally I either assume that maybe the other person is a better driver than I am, or just chalk them up as General Idiot . If I *555'd every idiot I see doing something stupid, I'd be on the 'phone all day. But I think it usually rash to opine that someone else's driving is dangerous.

Of course there are cases when it really is, but I suspect that they are about 1% of the complaints, the 99% being the holier-than-everybody-else types who consider any sort of driving that does not accord with their own bumbling to be dangerous.

I know of at least one person who makes a practice of *555ing any bike that passes him. 'Cos he drives as fast as is safe (in his truck !) , so by definition anyone who passes him is driving dangerously.

Overall, I don't see it contributes much (the *555 system I mean), I'd be just as happy for it to be discontinued.

[James Deuce]

I'm kinda with Ixion here. Both times I visited the Police Station after *555ing, I'd been hit by people whilst moving, thankfully without them knocking me off in the one incident in which I was moto-velocipede mounted. If they refuse to follow up on something so blatantly dangerous as that, what is the point?

[HornetBoy]

ive had a alot of people bringing 555 up in a conversation saying that some elderly drivers had reported them for lane splitting and dangerously rideing etc thats the problem because people have different gauges on whats dangerous and stuff so it can cause alot of wasted time getting cops running around after some motorcyclist who has been dobbed in for nothing more than passing between two cars ... i reckon its pointless really but thats my opinion works sometimes but really just a number to vent your anger and disgust at someones driving/rideing

[Banesto John]

Remember the old black and white cars? Remember the R80RT BMWs? The *555 number was introduced by the Traffic Safety Service, the uniformed branch of the Monistry of Transport. In those days, cellphones weighed about as much as a brick, and cost about a zillion dollars. *555 calls were dealt with seriously, because there weren't many of them.

Now, time warp yourself to 2008, when everyone has at least one cell phone. Some people have a work phone and a personal phone, some have one for calls from their wife, and one for calls from their secret girlfriend. *555 gets called so often the road staff have no chance at all of dealing with every complaint that comes in.

Ade to this the fact that 95% of calls that start out "I'm following a guy that must be pissed to bits.............." and then end in a cop stopping them, to find they are dead sober, just crap drivers.

So, what we have out there are cops who have driven like maniacs to catch "a guy that must be pissed to bits" only to find that the driving required to catch him/her was totally unjustified.

And it's not as if there are hundreds of cops out there waiting for you to call *555. Cops are normally employed doing whatever they are expected to do by their bosses, and each *555 adds to that workload.

Certainly, the cops get some good catches from *555 calls, but more often than not there isn't a spare cop to catch the person you are complaining about, so don't complain when you get a less than adequate response. Does anyone really think that there are cops sitting on their arses waiting for the phone to ring?

Yes, bring on the derision, as I expect to be hammered for my views. Take a look in the mirror first, before you hit the keyboard.

[Genestho]

[QUOTE=Patrick;1375501]By writing to the minister, you turned that complaint into a ministerial complaint. "Stalling" it is not... fine toothed combing in progress and watch the result... Be patient, grasshopper...



Yeah I know - your right, and I often say that exact same thing to myself (Even the grasshopper bit). Ive found time is short and talk is cheap.

By the mixed views in this thread, its as mixed as the many reports Ive received..
If you have a call in centre that is supposed to be all about protecting road users then it should be functional and back itself up, or dont provide the service at all. (Its obvious this service is needed)
I can see the mission in trying to filter the obvious serious calls and the "whinger" calls, and that the police cant be sittin around waiting for the next call.

Theres alot of valid points here, perhaps the treatment of each complaint comes down to whether or not the employee cares about his/her job.
But, the thing is, with us kiwis is theres always excuses for everything, too hard, wont work, cant do it...not enough this, not enough that..

There is no excuse.

Provide a functioning service with the same processes and expected outcomes for each serious call and for once you get faith in this system, or provide a half assed service and nobody believes in it and wont use it.

My husband and his mates may have lived if somebody had bothered to make the *555 call when the drunk driver had crossed the centre line earlier in his journey and had been weaving for awhile.

Nobody made that call.

Strange how so many witnessed it and did nothing.

30000 people caught drunk driving this year and a 1/3 are recidivist drunk drivers, thats one of many pretty damn good reasons to have this *555 working, and I hope this system is working efficiently, before anyone of you finds that deadly oncoming car in your path.

Id really appreciate it if people could continue to post their experiences with *555 here, Id like to be able to keep a log for my own badd use and co alate as much as poss before I speak to the Ministers.
Cheers Jos

[Ixion]

,,
Yes, bring on the derision, as I expect to be hammered for my views. Take a look in the mirror first, before you hit the keyboard.

Dunno why. I reckon you've about summed it up. Every man and his dog, every woman and her cat, reckon they're shit hot drivers, and disapprove of most other drivers. And consider themselves competent to judge other people's driving.

Nine times out of ten, it's the incompetant calling in the incompetent.
Unless it's blatantly obvious, like someone driving the wrong way on the motorway, what's a cop to do? Give a driver a ticket because another driver (who may be a total idiot) says to ? That does happen, and it's usually very unjust.

Does anyone really want to have a situation where Mabel gets to decide what's acceptable driving and what isn't?

Incidentally has anyone else noted the common theme of truck drivers in the *555 thing. Sort of "I can't do that in my 20 ton 18 wheeler, so you're bloody well not going to either". Given the appalling standard of driving I see in some HG drivers, I don't really think they're qualified to judge.

[MaxB]

My experiences with *555 heve been mixed. Dobbing in isn't really a Kiwi thing but when a drunk nearly took out my family that all changed for me. I have now used that number a grand total of 3 times.

A few years ago we were coming south on the Southern motorway at night when one of the boi racer types cut 3 lanes at once almost taking the front of my car. I was in an emergency braking mode as he and his car full of maggots took the space that I would have been in if I had not braked hard. My missus *555d and held up the phone while I gave the details. This car would spend long periods half on and half off the left hand lane. Then it would veer over to the fast lane without signalling causing a fluury of late braking and swerves. For about 20km.

The comms joker phoned me back and told me to stay with the him and follow at a safe distance. In about 5 mins a mufti Commodore pulls alongside and the passenger makes all these hand signals. It takes me a while to realise he wants me to ID the car (a Legacy RS). I floor it and take the cop to within a few car lengths. I get high beams behind me and pull over. As soon as the cops are in front on come the disco lights and he pulled over the drunk. Not difficult because he was already driving in the gutter!

Comms said thanks and hung up.A few days later the cops phoned and I dictated my statement to them. I was told the driver was twice the legal limit and was disqualified and they were taking him to court. They did not require a signed statement as they had so many witnesses already. I spent days afterwards checking the front of my car for damage, I just could not accept that there was no contact between us.

FWIW that was my good experience of the *555 system.

[Mikkel]

Biker code or no biker code - I completely agree that you should be an upstanding person and do onto others how you would have them do onto you...

BUT!!!

If someone is driving like a complete fucktard with no regards for mine and others continued state of advanced mobility I am going to assume that he won't give a rats arse about me following him and telling it to him as it is. Quite the contrary I'll assume that my doing so will be more likely to instigate a calamity that could eventually land me a criminal conviction - or even a visit to the hospital or the morgue...

Ever since it became socially unacceptable to punch people in the throat for being stupid idiots (or skewering them on your rapier after a short exchange of maternal insults) tools like *555 and 111 are the intelligent persons only option of bringing about consequence for those who do not give a damn about their fellows. It is not only an option - I'd say it's your duty!

These days the only people who ought to be nervous about this post's topic are the indeed those who are unwilling to sort their shit out and live a respectful existence.
It is no wonder that congregations of people based on criminal activities (e.g. gangs, mobs, et cetera ad nauseum) are trying to enforce values that are against this. If people stopped being afraid and did what was right organised crime would be gone tomorrow.

[Genestho]

Well its just a matter of highlighting one part of a systematic failiure that enables recidivists to keep on keeping on, the recidivist drunk driver seems to be in most cases obviously out of control, and pretty easy to spot.
Lol now Ive asked people to post their experiences its all stopped.
Over the years most kiwis seem to whinge and moan and sway on their heels and say "cant change it so why bother" nobody does much and the ones that succeed are the ones with grit determination and passion.
Perhaps you need to go through this to feel action.
aka - the cheesecutter campaign...major kudos given.
Anyway cheers to those that have submitted their *555 experiences, I will coalate annonymosly minus the swearing etc.
I realise that as a community theres possible issues against *555 for obvious reasons; Sweet As. I'll continue on educating anyway.
Cheers.

"Patience make her heart grow stronger
Reassure her she’s where I want to be
Never was the grass ever greener
I’m about ready as I’ll ever be"
Op Shop - One Day

[Patrick]

Its catchy... its the same in these parts too...

[QUOTE=The Guzzi Widow;1385087]Lol now Ive asked people to post their experiences its all stopped.

As so often happens... give up proof and all is quiet...

If urgent, ring 111. If a minor traffic matter ring *555.

Do nothing, nothing will happen....

[Patrick]

[QUOTE=The Guzzi Widow;1377445
My husband and his mates may have lived if somebody had bothered to make the *555 call when the drunk driver had crossed the centre line earlier in his journey and had been weaving for awhile.

Nobody made that call.

Strange how so many witnessed it and did nothing.[/QUOTE]

That, is where it is tragic... So wrong, for so many reasons.

Far better to make the call and find out all is well than not to make the call and turn up at the scene of carnage.

[Swoop]

I reckon you've about summed it up. Every man and his dog, every woman and her cat, reckon they're shit hot drivers, and disapprove of most other drivers. And consider themselves competent to judge other people's driving.

Incidentally has anyone else noted the common theme of truck drivers in the *555 thing. Sort of "I can't do that in my 20 ton 18 wheeler, so you're bloody well not going to either". Given the appalling standard of driving I see in some HG drivers, I don't really think they're qualified to judge.
Quite right. Kiwi drivers think that they drive well, when they need to be thinking "how can I drive better?".
Truck drivers are another problem. 80% of them have forgotten the "Keep left" creed. Are they now joining the ranks of other "professional" drivers such as taxi and bus drivers?:crazy:

[jcupit69]

Some NZ drivers are shocking!!!! In the uk there are some ass holes on the road but its worse here (NZ is still 100x better thow). We must have a way to report them thats taken seriously!!!

On the rumatukas the other day with a mate, passing traffic in a passing lane, and some ass in a 4x4 pulls out for no reason and nearly killed me!!! I buggered off and when my mate tryed to pass him in the next passing lane the muppet tried it again!!!! Never mind we could have ripped down him in the twistys, but no we did it in a passing lane and he tries to kill us!!!

Also been knocked off by a 4x4, just chillin doin 45 in a 50 while my bike warmed up, and some tit in a 4x4 (neva found out if it was a man/women, was to busy passing in and out of conciousness) decides he wants to pull across my lane to do a u-turn without checking if anythings coming or even indecating.......ten hours later in hospital and the police come and decide all their gona do is give him a ticket for failure to give way!!!! Neva mind i nearly lost a testical and was concussed for 2 weeks, not to mention the state of my bike!!!!

More should be done to allow the police or someone to do something about stupid drivers trying to kill us through sum stupid vendetta or just lack of competence. In future I will try *555 and may consider the poilce website.

Congrats to you guzzi widow, big green point 4 you, and keep up the good work!!!

[jcupit69]

Quite right. Kiwi drivers think that they drive well, when they need to be thinking "how can I drive better?".
Truck drivers are another problem. 80% of them have forgotten the "Keep left" creed. Are they now joining the ranks of other "professional" drivers such as taxi and bus drivers?:crazy:

True that about cab drivers!!!! Sitting in the fast lane of the motorway at 95kmh and refusing to move over like your not even there!!! :angry2:
Far to many drivers sit in the fast lane of the motorway under the speed limit for no reason, and then their the first to complain when you have to undertake them!!! :brick:

[fireliv]

I *555 a guy once who was drunk driving, the comms people wanted me to follow him but the guys who were driving the car had turned the other way so we lost him and couldnt turn round. Comms lady got pissed off at us for not but she didnt say follow him and my driver didnt live in the direction he was going. Not sure what happened, they got the number plate and my number but never heard back.
My bro & dad are truck drivers and I know that they use it all the time, often have cops ready to pick up drivers when they get further down the road.

[James Deuce]

My bro & dad are truck drivers and I know that they use it all the time, often have cops ready to pick up drivers when they get further down the road.

Fascists. Who did and appointed them judge, jury, and executioner?

[scumdog]

Fascists. Who did and appointed them judge, jury, and executioner?


You can execute them?
About time.

:woohoo:, pass me the noose Ed!!

[Fatjim]

Whinge whing whing whinge whinge.

[scumdog]

Whinge whing whing whinge whinge.

Ah, I know that noise!

Ya need a couple of drops of oil in the gubbins somewhere, say near the grobinfibulator, that'll do it..

[James Deuce]

You can execute them?
About time.

:woohoo:, pass me the noose Ed!!


I don't mind if you do all three as you, after all, have style.

[pzkpfw]

I don't mind if you do all three as you, after all, have style.

Usually it's the facists who have all the style.

It is, after all, why the neutron bomb was invented.

Kills the soldiers, but does not harm their uniforms.

[Drew]

Couldn't be arsed reading the thread, someone give me the basics, so far I've deduced that people are calling for Rashika to let us all know when Dangerous will be driving. Is he that bad behind the wheel we should be warned?

[Goblin]

Havnt read the whole thread but....
I was *555ed by a lying scumbag boi racer in early May last year. I did nothing dangerous the whole journey yet I was hunted down like I had just murdered my children. The cop called for back up and soon there were 3 cop cars there to apprehend me. I was coincidently on my way to the funeral for the Guzzi Couple yet the constable insisted I needed to give him a "formal statement" and graciously allowed me to attend the funeral, all be it late now, and to go to the station at 1.30pm to so.
I stupidly went back to the station to wait for an hour when the cunstable decided to turn up. I was trying to text my daughter to arrange someone to be there for my boys when they got home from school but cunstable told me to put my phone away. I was treated like utter crap and when I told the constable I feared for my safety when this clown was tailgating me, talking on a celphone, weaving all over the road on my bumper, he laughed and said if it were my ex husband or boyfriend he could understand but a stranger is no threat!

Ten weeks later I was sent a ticket for Dangerous Driving and a letter saying I would be summonsed in due course. Another few weeks and a cop knocked on my door and handed me a summons.

After half a dozen trips to Tauranga for a registrars adjournment cos the cops wouldnt send me full disclosure, meetings with my lawyer(more of your hard working folks tax dollars in legal aid thankyou!:buggerd:), then finally on the 16th Jan it got dismissed by the judge because the "witness", who gave a false address, never showed up.

Missed out on my kids school trips cos I had to appear in court. My kids and I missed our annual camping at Ohiwa with all the cuzzies for 3 days cos I had to be in court and all because some dickhead loser didnt like being overtaken by a blond chick in a beema and the cop believed him over me.

I now know to never trust what a cop says as he had no right to tell me I had to give a formal statement. My lawyer told me I should have told him to shove it and gone home to my kids but thats the power cops have over the general public. We believe everything they say.

After that rant, I have had a few occasions where I have wanted to *555 drivers who have put me and my kids in danger on the roads but its a bit dangerous to do a U-ey on a twisty road and chase down a driver who nearly killed me and my boy, so I didnt bother.

[Soul.Trader]

That's incredible, Goblin. What an utter abuse of the system - both by the idiot who phoned you in, and the senseless cops who pursued the matter. Shocking.

[Genestho]

Wow, I imagined this thread to have dropped away, and Ive been gone awhile...good to see you all still leaving posts, on boths sides of the situation.

I have had a reply to my questions re:*555 and its lack of stucture and effectiveness from Annette King, (strange how quickly after I posted in this thread..) but havent had time to have a decent read yet, she seems to have all the answers and the bases covered from what Ive read just quickly...I'll throw something on my website over the next few weeks in regards..and I'll keep looking into it all, I still have questions.

And from what I read in the Herald over the weekend perhaps even the hot Sun and the Moon are to blame for the mindless crap that goes on in NZ....I wonder what we blame the impotent justice system on? Perhaps sentences are given and judged on where the planets are aligned?..Scary shit...

Thats my outloud thought anyway...:girlfight:
Please continue to leave posts on your experiences, much appreciated.
Cheers Jos

[discotex]

...even more so because we have a lot of biker-sympathetic cops down here. (and a lot say "If the bugger is prepared to come here, get off his bike, take his helmet off and shuffle up the steps in all his gear then his complaint must be serious")


Pretty sure that's what the cop thought when I stopped to chat to on the southern after I was almost clipped by a dude undertaking at 150km/h in the left of three lanes as he gapped it between me and a truck to get into the fast lane.

I think the poor cop was so shocked that a sprotsbike would voluntarily stop to talk to a cop on lazer gun detail. I know my mate was. He thought I'd been busted but I was :innocent:

Quick description of the car and he was off to have a word. Probably nothing came of it except the tosser would have realised he was being watched.



My husband and his mates may have lived if somebody had bothered to make the *555 call when the drunk driver had crossed the centre line earlier in his journey and had been weaving for awhile.

Nobody made that call.

Strange how so many witnessed it and did nothing.


I've only called *555 a couple of times and both times it was after following the person enough to be sure they were likely to kill someone. I'm not into narc'ing but if someone is all over the road you have to do something.

I'd call 111 now as *555 is clearly being marketed as a whinge line rather than a "psycho is about to kill someone" line. It says as much when you ring it.

[Patrick]

he had no right to tell me I had to give a formal statement. My lawyer told me I should have told him to shove it and gone home to my kids but thats the power cops have over the general public. We believe everything they say.

Huh??? Course he can!! He can ask for a statement, up to you if you wanna give one. By not doing so, there is then only one side of the story, so that one side said you were driving badly.

Guaranteed ticket, since you declined to give your version once requested.

From what you told me anyhow on this one, a good result....

[Goblin]

Huh??? Course he can!! He can ask for a statement, up to you if you wanna give one. By not doing so, there is then only one side of the story, so that one side said you were driving badly.

Guaranteed ticket, since you declined to give your version once requested.

From what you told me anyhow on this one, a good result....Yeah I did want to give my version of events but I had to wait for an hour for him to show up. Then he thought I was lying! The "witness" gave a false address and had no intention of turning up to court to give evidence. I was dragged through the system on total lies.

What really gets up me now tho, is when I tell people the end result, they say that Ive paid for the crime by being dragged through the system so its ok. Well I didnt do the fecking crime!!! This is a minor traffic thing and it PISSES me off so I can never even begin to fathom going thru what the likes of LN, Peter Ellis, David Bain and possibly even Scott Watson, have been through.:Police:

But yeah...was a good result in the end. Cheers :drinkup:

[Patrick]

I can never even begin to fathom going thru what the likes of LN, Peter Ellis, David Bain and possibly even Scott Watson, have been through.:Police:

But yeah...was a good result in the end. Cheers :drinkup:

The juries have spoken...

LN = consent issue.
PE = Guilty.
DB= DEFINITELY Guilty
SW = GUILTY

Tee Hee...:devil2::devil2::devil2:, (Couldn't find a stirring spoon thingie...)

[Goblin]

The juries have spoken...

LN = consent issue.
PE = Guilty.
DB= DEFINITELY Guilty
SW = GUILTY

Tee Hee...:devil2::devil2::devil2:, (Couldn't find a stirring spoon thingie...):shit:But the juries never got to hear ALL the evidence in most cases.....but that's another thread....ya big stirrer!

[Patrick]

:shit:But the juries never got to hear ALL the evidence in most cases.....but that's another thread....ya big stirrer!

Shite!!! Only one little nibble... Gotta change location...

[janno]

Well here's a police story which will cheer all you naysayers up - although it was in Brisbane last week.

My ex husband commutes daily along the gateway motorway to work, and on the way home was quietly filtering throught the traffic (in Brisbane the cars move aside to encourage the bikes!!!) and a truckie decided to show Graeme he didn't like bikes filtering, and repeatedly tried to run him over. So much so that he was moving right over the lane markers in to the next lane in an effort to get him.

My ex has been riding for about 35 years, so got past him no trouble and spied a cop at the next offramp. He pulled up, and so did the car behind!! A complete stranger!!. Both told the cop what had happened, cop said, right, wait here, and pulled the truck over. Mr Truckie was ranting and raving, cop said quiet down or I'll do you for attempted GBH with a vehicle. Mr Truckie shut right up then, but unfortunately for Mr Truckie, also happened to blow positive for a drugs result. Oh what a shame - that's his licence gone . . .

So I still like to think there are plenty of good police out there who can see reason . . .

[Patrick]

Well here's a police story which will cheer all you naysayers up - although it was in Brisbane last week.

My ex husband commutes daily along the gateway motorway to work, and on the way home was quietly filtering throught the traffic (in Brisbane the cars move aside to encourage the bikes!!!) and a truckie decided to show Graeme he didn't like bikes filtering, and repeatedly tried to run him over. So much so that he was moving right over the lane markers in to the next lane in an effort to get him.

My ex has been riding for about 35 years, so got past him no trouble and spied a cop at the next offramp. He pulled up, and so did the car behind!! A complete stranger!!. Both told the cop what had happened, cop said, right, wait here, and pulled the truck over. Mr Truckie was ranting and raving, cop said quiet down or I'll do you for attempted GBH with a vehicle. Mr Truckie shut right up then, but unfortunately for Mr Truckie, also happened to blow positive for a drugs result. Oh what a shame - that's his licence gone . . .

So I still like to think there are plenty of good police out there who can see reason . . .

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... top result. And good on the car driver pulling up too...

[jcupit69]

Well here's a police story which will cheer all you naysayers up - although it was in Brisbane last week.

My ex husband commutes daily along the gateway motorway to work, and on the way home was quietly filtering throught the traffic (in Brisbane the cars move aside to encourage the bikes!!!) and a truckie decided to show Graeme he didn't like bikes filtering, and repeatedly tried to run him over. So much so that he was moving right over the lane markers in to the next lane in an effort to get him.

My ex has been riding for about 35 years, so got past him no trouble and spied a cop at the next offramp. He pulled up, and so did the car behind!! A complete stranger!!. Both told the cop what had happened, cop said, right, wait here, and pulled the truck over. Mr Truckie was ranting and raving, cop said quiet down or I'll do you for attempted GBH with a vehicle. Mr Truckie shut right up then, but unfortunately for Mr Truckie, also happened to blow positive for a drugs result. Oh what a shame - that's his licence gone . . .

So I still like to think there are plenty of good police out there who can see reason . . .

Awsome, thats just made my day!!!! Hope i get as lucky next time some asshole decides he doesnt like bikes on the roads!

[Genestho]

I decided that I cant be part of a thread and not put the results of my letter, I had many questions for Annette

One as you all know was questioning *555


I have been informed by Ministry of Police to inform the general public to call in erratic driving on 111. *555 is apparently only for minor traffic incidents, so thats why theres no structure to complaints, and each call is dealt with differently.

I know its been said here, but I had to get it from the horses mouth so to speak.

Im personally quite concerned about tying up 111 lines with potential life threatening danger versus immediate life threatening danger.

Im hoping that there is the facility for BOTH of these calls if I promote 111

Time will tell how that works.



Im concerned with a news story from the Herald not long after Leon, Si and Toni were killed.

"Hang up but call us back if he crashes"
A motorist followed the driver and made a call to *555, after initially being told the driver would be intercepted she was told to hangup but call 111 if he crashes.

The erratic driver got from Thames to Auckland on a Saturday night of a long weekend and was never intercepted, the motorist following said she believed this driver to be drunk "crossing the road on the wrong side numberous times, braking suddenly, driving 55/60km’s in 100km areas."


She called three times and no units were available, she even followed this driver to Bombay Hills Mcdonalds carpark, and was still told - no units available. So she left the carpark.

So Im assuming the driver got away.

Not good enough, bloody lucky he didnt kill anyone.

As Ive said right from the start of this Journey, I believe that Motorists should have faith that if calls are made - drivers will be intercepted, its not the publics problem if there are no units available. (although it does become the publics problem in the end, some suffering injuries - sometimes permanent, and as our three families know - some die)

731 drivers with three or more convictions were prosecuted among a total of 3588 drink drivers - The Bay being the highest rates for the country. :Pokey:

[scumdog]

The other side of the coin:

We got one of those "She's all over the road and running onto the grass verge at times and driving at a slow speed, she must be drunk" Priority 1 calls via Comms from a 'concerned motorist'.

Fact: Yes, she was doing above - but due to her car overheating at anything over 70kph she was pulling over onto the grass verge (or edge of the road) to let traffic pass her instead of holding it up.

Person phoning in never mentioned 'all over the road meant just moving to the left or the fact the slow car never went near the centre-line etc.

[Genestho]

Surely you would think like most call centres there would be a "tree" of questions to ascertain quickly the nature of the percieved danger?
Is it about time the Police did a campaign on this kind of thing? (I know more money - always an excuse) Obviously the public are unaware - as myself which line to call.

If that hadnt been a car overheating, the motorist wouldve been seen as a danger, and she wouldve been.. if she hadnt pulled out of the way.
Police still wouldve had to head out that way to divert traffic until the car was towed anyway.
Every phone call concerning an erratic driver should be looked into, even if it turns out to be a waste of time.
How many are not a waste of time? How many accidents couldve been prevented?
I know locally there have been alot of people making that call, and I have emails prooving these people have been drunk, so drunk most of them couldnt stand, let alone driving

[Patrick]

Surely you would think like most call centres there would be a "tree" of questions to ascertain quickly the nature of the percieved danger?
Is it about time the Police did a campaign on this kind of thing? (I know more money - always an excuse) Obviously the public are unaware - as myself which line to call.

If that hadnt been a car overheating, the motorist wouldve been seen as a danger, and she wouldve been.. if she hadnt pulled out of the way.
Police still wouldve had to head out that way to divert traffic until the car was towed anyway.
Every phone call concerning an erratic driver should be looked into, even if it turns out to be a waste of time.
How many are not a waste of time? How many accidents couldve been prevented?
I know locally there have been alot of people making that call, and I have emails prooving these people have been drunk, so drunk most of them couldnt stand, let alone driving

Fair call, but that could be why there were none to attend... chasing up the dodgy ones which turn out to be nothing. Not ideal, but we can't be everywhere every time... We respond when available and if dealing with something not so important, I drop it and go hunting. Sometimes we get the catch, sometimes not, but we give it a crack.

[Goblin]

...We respond when available and if dealing with something not so important, I drop it and go hunting. Sometimes we get the catch, sometimes not, but we give it a crack.So my lawyer wasn't lying to me when he said that 95% of people falsely accused of dangerous driving type offences through *555 just plea guilty to get it over with? So it seems to me that when you "Go hunting" it doesnt matter if the person is guilty or not, you will believe the complainant to get the catch?

[scumdog]

So my lawyer wasn't lying to me when he said that 95% of people falsely accused of dangerous driving type offences through *555 just plea guilty to get it over with? So it seems to me that when you "Go hunting" it doesnt matter if the person is guilty or not, you will believe the complainant to get the catch?

Had a P1-1U (that a dangerous driving type complaint for the non-plods) tonight, handled it like all the complaints:

Stopped the offending vehicle, got drivers name etc and explanation.

And that's it - if the complainant DOES make a formal statement then yeah, there may be more action taking.

But I ain't doing it just on the say-so of potentially just a disgruntled motorist who wants a moan about somebody driving worse than them - or maybe just held them up.

Goblin, it's a cruel fact that in every occupation there are them what cock things up big time with their decisions and actions......and piss all sort of people off.

Not all of us are like that but sadly like a lot of things in life we get tarred with the same brush..

[Genestho]

Hey Ive just emailed Annette King a few more questions on *555 and 111.

If you witnessed what you thought was a drunk driver...would you call 111?

Do you feel 111 has the capacity to act on potential life threatening situations vs actual life threatening situations? (especially with whats going on in this country with the violent crime)
Would this impede you from making that call knowing you could be tying the lines up?

Or would you make that call, feeling it would be serious enough and if the comms centre cant handle it, its not your problem?

Im just trying to gauge feelings on this one...

As I said im not really that comfy on endorcing 111 for the above reasons.

Please leave feedback
Id create a poll but Im not sure that KB is the place for it, so Id like to continue with this thread if poss

Cheers

[BIHB@0610]

Hi Jos - I think things like 111 and *555 should be used to their fullest extent. We shouldn't have to be thinking about the etiquette of it all, whether lines are tied up etc - they should have filters built into their protocols so that the decision whether services are tied up is made by people who are paid to have the intelligence and time to think about it.

We don't have time to think about it - when you're following a suspected drunk it should be a no-brainer - dial 111 (that's what you've been told is the right thing to do so that's what I'll be doing from now on).

Personally I don't worry too much if I get it wrong, perhaps misconstrue someone's overheated engine. Apologies to the police - it's nothing personal, and I'm coming from good intentions - but if I am seriously concerned I'd rather waste some police time than risk wasting a family.

Keep up your tremendous work Jos - there are loads of us out there supporting you even if it's just with our thoughts. I can never listen to Brothers in Arms now without going to a pretty intense place, you're amazing.:first:

[Genestho]

Hi Jos - I think things like 111 and *555 should be used to their fullest extent. We shouldn't have to be thinking about the etiquette of it all, whether lines are tied up etc - they should have filters built into their protocols so that the decision whether services are tied up is made by people who are paid to have the intelligence and time to think about it.

We don't have time to think about it - when you're following a suspected drunk it should be a no-brainer - dial 111 (that's what you've been told is the right thing to do so that's what I'll be doing from now on).

Personally I don't worry too much if I get it wrong, perhaps misconstrue someone's overheated engine. Apologies to the police - it's nothing personal, and I'm coming from good intentions - but if I am seriously concerned I'd rather waste some police time than risk wasting a family.

Keep up your tremendous work Jos - there are loads of us out there supporting you even if it's just with our thoughts. I can never listen to Brothers in Arms now without going to a pretty intense place, you're amazing.:first:

Heya. Yea Brother In Arms fries me too, cant listen to the album, cant listen to Dire Straits at all even - we danced slowly to a street musician in the middle of broadbeach in the Goldy to Romeo and Juliet, I remember Leon dipping me at the end and me saying to him "Your a Nut" cracking up. Nice memory. He wasn't afraid of what people thought, and romance in public.

Your right, we'd like to imagine and hope that the ones at the top have made decisions based on intelligence.

I just have to make sure If I publish this on my website that I have it straight!
And I have to get answers to my concerns in writing.
I require feedback because Id like to keep a log on feedback for research.
No point blabbering if you dont have the research data.
And your right, I agree at the the end of the day, waste police time - not families.
Thanks Mate:niceone:

[scumdog]

Personally I don't worry too much if I get it wrong, perhaps misconstrue someone's overheated engine. Apologies to the police - it's nothing personal, and I'm coming from good intentions - but if I am seriously concerned I'd rather waste some police time than risk wasting a family.

Just make sure there's some balance - 'wasting' too much police time may result in a 'real' drunk carrying on driving 'cos the cops are tied up with everybody thinking anybody that doesn't drive 100% is a drunk driver.

I know I've stopped a lot that were old people, people talking to passengers, peole unfamiliar with the vehicle etc.. (and the example with the overheating car that kept swinging to the left,)

But yeah, dob 'em in if really in doubt I'd say......

[BIHB@0610]

Very good point Scumdog - I agree entirely about the need for balance. I chose my words carefully - and I will "dob 'em in" (quote you) if I'm "seriously concerned" (quote me). Between us all we'll stop the dickheads eventually :Police: :ar15:

[discotex]

Had a P1-1U (that a dangerous driving type complaint for the non-plods) tonight, handled it like all the complaints:

Stopped the offending vehicle, got drivers name etc and explanation.

And that's it - if the complainant DOES make a formal statement then yeah, there may be more action taking.


I figure if they're really psycho drivers you'll see it when you catch up to them and can book them on that anway.

Question about the statement though... If you catch up to the person do you ring the complainant back and ask them if they'll make a formal statement or do we need to tell the comms people we will when making the call?

And you know what.. Even stopping them so they realise people are watching probably does a world of good.

[BiK3RChiK]

I have rung both *555 and 111 on different occassions. *555 IMO is a waste of time. I put these drivers down to time wasters and let the letter of the law catch up with them eventually.

Regards 111 call, I distinctly recall following a car home one night that almost hit a bridge. The driver got such a fright, they jerked the car out across the centre line and took up half the other lane! Needless to say, I backed right off and called 111 immediately. A car was dispatched and we met up coming into town at a roundabout. The drunk freaked out when he saw the cop and stopped in the middle of the roundabout! Then when the cop came around he took off like a robbers dog!! I left them to it...

If it's serious and obvious dangerous driving I'd call 111. I don't even bother with *555 now.

[Genestho]

Happy valentines! Instead of bawling my way through the day I have completed updating my site adding more stories,comments, links, and some educational research. (oo ouch let the controversy begin..) a photo of the Trailer as it looked in December with the back door logo'ed up (sorry no photos have the bikes on,Im trying to keep it as low key as poss till the logo'ing down the sides are finished and then I can bring her home to do her job) and also a wee blurb on the fund raising tees) AND and a photo of Tom Hughes and the Badd girls at Summer X Whakatane - specially requested!

I have also updated the request to call the 111 line.
However I have added my concerns, I just dont want to endorce something and the shit hits the fan, however then if I DO endorce and the shit hits the fan..I'll be on the bandwagon, and if theres no shit hitting fans and the line works - that, at the end of the day is what Im trying to accomplish - encouraging the public to be pro-active. I have also updated this info in my flyers that are around my local area.

Have a goodie and please do continue posting experiences either here or fire me an email baddnz@gmail.com

[Genestho]

Oh and nice signature line Planna:first:

[scumdog]

Question about the statement though... If you catch up to the person do you ring the complainant back and ask them if they'll make a formal statement or do we need to tell the comms people we will when making the call?

And you know what.. Even stopping them so they realise people are watching probably does a world of good.

No, I have too much to do without trying to contact the complainant who at the end of the day may not want to make a formal statement.
Ioften ask comms to contact them regarding that - and 1 in about 15 ever bother to get off their arse and make a formal complaint and statement.

Most common thing is for the complaining driver to stop nearby and speak to me in person - then I KNOW they're serious.

Re your last comment, quite true!!

[discotex]

No, I have too much to do without trying to contact the complainant who at the end of the day may not want to make a formal statement.
Ioften ask comms to contact them regarding that - and 1 in about 15 ever bother to get off their arse and make a formal complaint and statement.

I certainly would if I ever get to the point of calling again. Must make a point of telling the comms person I'll make a statement so they realise I'm serious.



Most common thing is for the complaining driver to stop nearby and speak to me in person - then I KNOW they're serious.


Can't remember if I already mentioned it but I did that on the southern motorway with one of the speed patrol guys after a wanker in a beemer came within inches of knocking me off (him doing 140+). The look on the patrol man's face was priceless - "WTF is this sprotsbike stopping for?!?" He quickly grabbed some details and jumped on the motorway.

[Genestho]

Hi slightly off topic but whoever blinged me, sorry I dont know who you are to pm you back, but site is www.badd.co.nz, under my sigy line. Cheers.

Good to know you have to be specificly asking to lay a formal complaint if the cops dont book the motorist themselves, otherwise you may expect to get a follow up call and now we know you never would.

As usual its up to yourselves to be responsible for yourselves, and follow things through yourself instead of waiting for things to come to you.

See you at Pareoa.
PS I wont be setting up shop at Paeroa this year, I want to cruise around and watch the racing as this is something Leon and I did together, this was our "romantic" day together.
But I will be on a low key mission, dont be scared if I approach you in the pitts, I dont bite.

If you see me give me a yell, Im up for it. Ill be wearing my Tee.
If as a Motorcycle Road Racer if you support what Im doing then let me know baddnz@gmail.com.

I have some plans involving the Motor Cycle Racing community, alot will be expecting a well overdue visit (Craig if you read this) and some Ive yet to meet.

And yes please continue to leave a post here with your 111 or *555 experiences.
Cheers

[Patrick]

So my lawyer wasn't lying to me when he said that 95% of people falsely accused of dangerous driving type offences through *555 just plea guilty to get it over with? So it seems to me that when you "Go hunting" it doesnt matter if the person is guilty or not, you will believe the complainant to get the catch?

Nah... he was "misleading you..."

95% of the people accused of shite driving are driving like shite... which is why they nod in court or pay the ticket. Guess you're a 5%er...;)

[Banesto John]

"Police and other emergency services receive thousands of nuisance and hoax calls each year including heavy breathers, people wanting taxis and those upset that their takeaway meals were bad.

Last year, a bride in Christchurch, panicked by a large oil stain on her wedding dress, dialled 111 in a desperate plea for help.

Other calls have included:
* A man rang to say there were two hedgehogs fighting on his lawn.
* A woman called to get police to make her boyfriend ask for her hand in marriage.
* A man rang to say there was a cow at his letterbox - and he was scared."

No f***ing wonder the cops can't deal with things reported to them, they are all out trying to control the countries cows.:argh:

[BIHB@0610]

I wonder if the man who rang to say there was a cow at his letter box was the boyfriend of the woman who called to get police to make him propose ..... he he......

[slowlegs]

I have found it works although the motorist has to be doing something pretty bad for them to do something about it. If you visit the police station and fill out a form you have a much better chance although if you want them prosecuted you have to either go to court or two people have to complain about the same incident. I got warned by the cops one time that the guy was a patched gang member and they advised me not to go ahead with it for my own safety.I suppose he could have killed me with his driving or after the trial. The only other time the cops called me back was when a guy in a skyline tried to run a pedestrian over. Otherwise I didn't ever even get a letter.

[Mikkel]

I wonder if the man who rang to say there was a cow at his letter box was the boyfriend of the woman who called to get police to make him propose ..... he he......

You'd like to think that the idiot density was low enough for that to be plausible.
Alas, I fear it is not so... :no:

[Soul.Trader]

I phoned *555 to report a truck driver who I'm pretty sure was pissed. He ran through a couple of reds (almost taking me out in the car), and couldn't stick to his lane. Never heard anything back from the cops, so no idea what happened in the end.

[BiK3RChiK]

I phoned *555 to report a truck driver who I'm pretty sure was pissed. He ran through a couple of reds (almost taking me out in the car), and couldn't stick to his lane. Never heard anything back from the cops, so no idea what happened in the end.

IME, *555 is a waste of time. Something like this I'd ring 111 !!!! That is an emergency if ever there was one!

M

[Soul.Trader]

In hindsight, you're definately correct BC. I wish the *555 operator had made such a suggestion.

[kevie]

Ringing *555 in most cases only gets a 10-1 (all points bulletin) put out for the vehicle on the police radio... this depends on a unit being free/in the vacinity to intercept the offending driver which understandably isn't always the case.
They recomend you either go into a station and file a report or go to the website and 'dob the driver in' (if you do a *555 and DONT follow it up with a written or online complaint you're only wasting your time)
If you dont do this followup they can not ticket the offending driver. there is also a noting on the vehicle file (QVR) that there has been previous 'one new' complaints against this vehicle/driver. if theres several the driver is more likely to be charged for the slightest offence.

I put in a LOT of *555s being a linehaul trucker, I dob in probably one in thirty offences I see (I dob in the dangerous ones and usually the passing on yellows). I make NO apology for that as the highway is my workplace and I feel I have a moral obligation to assist in keeping my workplace safe and also a crash can delay me up to 2-3 hours in some cases.

I ALWAYS follow up a *555 with a online or in serious cases written complaint/statement. And if the driver is 3T'd (pulled over) ahead of me I always stop and have a chat to the officer.

I run a scanner in my car and my rig and hear some of the results of the calls. and in many cases hear the offending driver pulled over so the *555 does have a effect on offending drivers.

And yes, an online report results in the offending vehicle owner being sent a letter to notify him of the complaint. Note that the owner isnt always the offending driver.

I have had a couple VERY STUPID AND DANGEROUS drivers I have instead of *555 rang 111 instead, those ones I go to the police station and ask for the FULL complaint form to fill in, the one where theres more detail and a tick box section at the end asking "Do you want the driver charged?" YES!! and "will you be prepared to appear in court?" YES

Another thing I do .... I keep a note book and record all the *555 calls I make for reference later and has been useful when I have been called back by the police and asked something about the incident.

Some of the amusing (and not so amusing) results of my calls are:
1/ The police called me back when I called in that a car that had been parked on roadside almost a week now had a suspicious car parked behind it. they sent a unit out, found 2 guys stripping the car, cop said to me the driver of the suspicious car was disqualified hence his car got impounded and the other guy had arrest warrants so he also was arrested. both were charged also for stripping the car :)
2/ Had a driver passed me, a van in front of me and a minibus full of elderly in the Manawatu gorge on blind windy corners, I 111'd him, cop called me back, he was disqualified driver, had GF's car and had 8 *555 or 111 calls re his driving that day, he was done for a raft of charges including 6 of dangerous use.
3/A driver passes me in the path of oncomming cars ON yellow lines, I write down his rego but wasnt going to ring it in, he then passed a fuel tanker on yelows on a blind hill ...... I called 111.... while talking to police he passes a ambulance in the path of a oncomming truck. Cops got him about 10 km up the road, I stopped, also the tanker driver. Offending driver was disqualified, been forbidden several times and was driving his GF's car which got impounded (wonder if he still had a GF). HE SAID ... the passing moves were safe because nothing happened and saw nothing wrong with them.
Again ... I make NO APOLOGIES for dobbing in stupidity on our roads.

[Ixion]

Ah the blissful glory of total moral superiority.

Did you ever stop to consider that the manoeuvres that you think are dangerous based on what would be safe for you , at your age (I'm picking you are very old), in a huge truck or a Virago 750 (and I own one of them ), may be quite safe for a younger person on a fast sports bike, or even a fast car?

And considering the appalling behaviour of most truck drivers on the road nowdays (I do remember when long haul truckies were VERY good and courteous drivers - those days are long gone), I suspect that you are indeed the poit calling the kettle black.

[RT527]

last time i had cause to use *555 I was towing my horses in a built up area doing the speed limit 50ks .. & a blardy idiot passed on the inside .. very lucky for him & us as I contemplated turning left to take the horses back to their paddock but decided to shoot home first and kept travelling straight ..

the "idiot" was probably doing at least 80 given the way he was pulling away from me .. gave me a hell of a fright cause I never seen him coming up on the inside ..

however I did get a visit from a cop over it & they tracked him down & had a strong word (what ever that means) but would not prosecute cause it would only be his word against mine ...

I would still use *555 but realise it can be pretty useless

Hope you had them in a horse Float......

[Soul.Trader]

Again ... I make NO APOLOGIES for dobbing in stupidity on our roads.

Good for you.


Ah the blissful glory of total moral superiority.

God I hope you havent bred Ixion. That would be a crime on humanity.

[chanceyy]

Hope you had them in a horse Float......

but of course :clap:

[car]

Is it worth it? Forgive a newcomer to these fine isles, but we have some sort of telephone hotline for this don't we? *555 or somesuch? Is there anypoint? Do things get done, is it recorded?

O, the irony! I got *555'd at the weekend, for "weaving in and out of traffic" and "riding erratically." I lane-split between the single line of stop-go traffic and the double-yellows, along a mile or so of tailback between Paekakariki and the McKay's Crossing roadworks. I did so slowly and carefully, only when the traffic volunteered to move over and let me past, because I had my son on the back. But obviously not carefully enough for someone, because I never got to Paraparaumu -- full disco lights and a chat at the side of the road.

The policeman was very pleasant and polite, and when I told him what I'd been doing, he seemed satisfied that I didn't need any sort of education on the dangers of motorcycling. He did apologise for pulling me over, though, and said that once someone had made a complaint they were obliged to act on it if they were able to -- he had been in the area. He suggested that the reason someone had complained was probably not my riding per se, but probably that I had a young child on my motorcycle. I said "well, at least their heart's in the right place, I suppose." "That's the way to look at it," he agreed.

He wished us good luck with the fishing and posed for a photo with my son.

Your tax dollars at work.

[Edbear]

O, the irony! I got *555'd at the weekend, for "weaving in and out of traffic" and "riding erratically." I lane-split between the single line of stop-go traffic and the double-yellows, along a mile or so of tailback between Paekakariki and the McKay's Crossing roadworks. I did so slowly and carefully, only when the traffic volunteered to move over and let me past, because I had my son on the back. But obviously not carefully enough for someone, because I never got to Paraparaumu -- full disco lights and a chat at the side of the road.

The policeman was very pleasant and polite, and when I told him what I'd been doing, he seemed satisfied that I didn't need any sort of education on the dangers of motorcycling. He did apologise for pulling me over, though, and said that once someone had made a complaint they were obliged to act on it if they were able to -- he had been in the area. He suggested that the reason someone had complained was probably not my riding per se, but probably that I had a young child on my motorcycle. I said "well, at least their heart's in the right place, I suppose." "That's the way to look at it," he agreed.

He wished us good luck with the fishing and posed for a photo with my son.

Your tax dollars at work.


What a reasonable sounding chap!

[scumdog]

Ah the blissful glory of total moral superiority.

I suspect that you are indeed the poit calling the kettle black.

Ah, I see even you have slumped to the KB ranter club level by using sarcasm and assumption..........time to up your game a bit, after all, who else would set the high bench-mark??

(and is 'poit' another KBism like gargre??)

[scumdog]

What a reasonable sounding chap!

True true and good on him

But it's not what we want on KB...

(It's like the Roman expecting entertainment and getting obese chinchillas unleashed on the Christians, there's no entertainment in it).

[car]

True true and good on him

He was a reasonable bloke, yes. And I still haven't met a New Zealand police officer who wasn't a reasonable bloke. Present company excepted, obviously.

;)


But it's not what we want on KB...

(It's like the Roman expecting entertainment and getting obese chinchillas unleashed on the Christians, there's no entertainment in it).

Give it time -- someone will be along shortly to tell me that only a complete and utter dipshit would put a child on a motorcycle, my parenting skills and lineage will be questioned, someone will say that they know where I live, and it'll all end in tears.

I was amused when I got pulled, because it added a bit of excitement to the journey, and no harm came of it.

Later, when I was getting squeezed on to the shoulder by some asshat who was absolutely desperate to be in front of me at the end of the overtaking lane, I did think "Where are those whinging busybodies when you need one? I mean, why report *my* riding when it's some dozy tart with a phone clamped to her ear and ``BACK OFF!'' and ``children on board'' plastered across the back of her 4x4 that's going to kill me?"

But then I got the tent pitched, wandered up the river with the boy, spent three hours fishing. I was all kinda peaceful and relaxed after that.

[pzkpfw]

I lane-split between the single line of stop-go traffic and the double-yellows, along a mile or so of tailback between Paekakariki and the McKay's Crossing roadworks.

Just curious, as I had to split that way too on Saturday: was it easier near the cheesecutters?

I found that once the barriers stopped, the cars all started hugging the double-yellow and removed my ability to split. (There was traffic coming the other way too.)

The barriers made the cars stay a bit more left, which gave me splitting room.

(To be honest, I also passed on the left a few times, including the last run up to Paekok [which was where I was going - went into that left before the rail over bridge].)

Cheers,

[car]

I found that once the barriers stopped, the cars all started hugging the double-yellow and removed my ability to split. (There was traffic coming the other way too.)

A lot were hugging the yellow lines, yes, but they all moved out of the way bar one truck, and some of the traffic oncoming was good enough to move over on their side, too.

By the time I reached the barriers, though, the traffic had wised up and started moving and I was happy to tuck in and pootle through along with them at 30kph.

My missus was out that way on Saturday, too, and she was stationary on the Centennial Highway heading north, when five bikes went past up the inside, on the footpath.

[Patrick]

Ah the blissful glory of total moral superiority.

Did you ever stop to consider that the manoeuvres that you think are dangerous based on what would be safe for you , blah blah... I suspect that you are indeed the poit calling the kettle black.

Geez IX, usually you are better than this load of whatever it was meant to be. Only old people complain? Riiiiiiggghhhhht.

May be, just may be, this truckie correctly pointed out shit driving and rung it in... sounded shit to me from the examples he gave...

Perhaps the dipshits he dobbed in might not be coming toward you on the next blind bend at the crest of a hill while you approach....

Good on him, I say. Bling given.

[RT527]

As some of you Know I drive Heavy Vehicles for a living and today Within the space of 5 k`ms a car who had been following me through the Road Works in the Athenree gorge,sth of waihi and heading towards waihi, pulled out and passed me at the end of the road works.
I was accelerating and pretty fast too,(I was empty) when said Twat pulled out
with less than 50 metres to go before a bridge and corner ....Yes there was oncoming , I pulled right over to let him go and so did the other car, Right of the Road .
Once he was past I tried to get Rego , but missed it, then as we were coming into Waihi where there are more Roadworks the Twat did it again to another truck , with even less room and more oncoming vehicles!!!!:blink::wacko:

This guy wasn't young either , Id say mid fifties , just total disregard for other road users, still couldn't get rego.

All I could do was take a deep breath and forget about it. really wanted a pair of :2guns: lol .

[Kinje]

Maybe it was easter madness that brought out more than the usual number of morons, but this one guy prompted me to use the *555 number.

I first came across him somewhere near Danneverke as I headed back to Wellington from Hastings. He came up behind me and passed. Didn't think too much of it, but then as he overtook the cars ahead of me, cut it very very fine with an oncoming car, it slowed, pulled left and flashed its lights. At that point I thought that was quite dodgy, hoped I'd not come across a wreck involving him and another innocent party, and made a mental note of the rego and car.

A little while on, caught up with him stuck behind a truck with 3 cars behind it. He was constantly edging out over the center line to see if he could pass, but didn't go. Having recalled his behaviour from before, I sat well back. After a while, one car got past and another turned off so he only needed to pass one car plus the truck. He finally got past quite safely on this occasion (there was still enough room for me to pass on the same length of straight). He stopped in Pahiatua and I rolled on by thinking I'm bound to see you again.

Sure enough, just north of Masterton he caught up and passed me again, and then passed another few cars, pulling out over a yellow line. This was the final decider for me, having seen his earlier manouvers I thought this guy needs to be toned down. As I rode into Masterton, I ended up right behind him and saw his baby in the back seat.

Called *555, spoke to the operator who took all the details, informed me I'd need to follow up with a visit to a station or online form, and that they would follow up. Just south of Carterton I passed 2 police cars on the side of the road, who looked like they had just finished talking to someone and sent them on their way. Last night I got a message from Police saying they had caught up with the car, spoken to him, and can I call back to give some more specific info. Did that this morning so hopefully they give him the learn.

Rant over

[Genestho]

Awesome, at least you know that its all being followed up and theyre keeping in touch, thats what you want. Only way to get the idiots out of our oncoming path. Well done.

[Rogue]

The *555 number is a good idea :2thumbsup

Wish I knew about it a few weeks ago when some cropping contractors around Te Awamutu were driving all over the road :spanking:. Had two trucks drift over the center line while I was passing them :Oi: seen others take corners on the wrong side of the road :bash:, speeding when empty up to 120km and weaving over the road because they were going to fast :gob:, turning off without indicating :nono: pulling out in front of oncoming traffic :no: the list keeps going.
So to all the bad driving cropping contractors out there I now have *555 and I'm not afraid to use it :finger: