Red-light runners? Good on the Plod.

[Swoop]

We have seen many opinions on the threat that red light runners pose to all of us, bikers, cagers and pedestrians, etc. Mostly they contain comments about "the cops do nothing" or similar.

On my ride to work, I noticed a uniformed ecilop standing on the corner of a major intersection that I pass through. "Interesting" I thought.
This was not a once-off situation, as this morning I saw the same thing again.

I'm not going to mention the location of this event, since we all obey the red light. (don't we!).

Suffice to say "Good on ya!" to the officer/s involved. May you reap a bountiful havest of red-light runners.

[Highlander]

Have seen that quite often recently in Tauranga. The Police officer, in uniforn in open view, is on the radio to his mates down the road pulling up (and assumably ticketing) those who are dumb enough to go through the lights while they are red with a police man standing there watching.

Well done :clap:

[Cajun]

Have seen that quite often recently in Tauranga. The Police officer, in uniforn in open view, is on the radio to his mates down the road pulling up (and assumably ticketing) those who are dumb enough to go through the lights while they are red with a police man standing there watching.

Well done :clap:

chapel st lights are shocking, i have been taken out about twice in past two weeks at those lights, people clear running the red, and i know people run that light so never gun it from the green.

[jrandom]

I ran a red light at about 12:30am today.

Several puppies immediately died.

Also, the rate of global warming increased fractionally but measurably, and as he lay dreaming in his bed in the Katcave, deep in the forests of azure, Katman was disturbed by a shiver of generic rage...

[Katman]

I ran a red light at about 12:30am today.

Several puppies immediately died.

Also, the rate of global warming increased fractionally but measurably, and as he lay dreaming in his bed in the Katcave, deep in the forests of azure, Katman was disturbed by a shiver of generic rage...

Sorry, must have missed it.

[jrandom]

Sorry, must have missed it.

Well, I did say that it was generic. You may perhaps have attributed it, at the time, to an excess of pudding.

I wouldn't, however, like to think that your Katsense was so insensate as to fail to alert you in some way to such behaviour.

[sunhuntin]

maybe its geriatric instead?

good on the plod... heres hoping those they catch learn something without having to kill someone.

[scumdog]

Well, I did say that it was generic. You may perhaps have attributed it, at the time, to an excess of pudding.

I wouldn't, however, like to think that your Katsense was so insensate as to fail to alert you in some way to such behaviour.

Sounds like promotion to PD is indicated here....

[jrandom]

Sounds like promotion to PD is indicated here....

You miss the subtleties of the point I'm making, sir.

Red light running is not so much a function of drivers ignoring The Rules (tm) as it is a function of them being blind as bats and completely self-absorbed.

While enforcement of this particular rule in busy intersections during daylight hours absolutely a Good Thing (tm), addressing the underlying faulty attitudes via education will be the key to a broader solution.

[Ixion]

Red light running is not so much a function of drivers ignoring The Rules (tm) as it is a function of them being blind as bats and completely self-absorbed.




I disagree. I see a *lot* of red light running around Manukau. Almost invariably it is *very* plain that the driver realises perfectly well that the light is red, or about to turn red. If nothing else, the pickup in speed and engine note as he floors the pedal gives it away. That and the fact that often as not, I've already stopped as he hurtles through, whcih would be a rather a broad hint I'd think.

[scumdog]

You miss the subtleties of the point I'm making, sir.

Red light running is not so much a function of drivers ignoring The Rules (tm) as it is a function of them being blind as bats and completely self-absorbed.

While enforcement of this particular rule in busy intersections during daylight hours absolutely a Good Thing (tm), addressing the underlying faulty attitudes via education will be the key to a broader solution.

It's not the blind as bats factor, more the "My Time is More Important than Yours" attitude, get a lot of that, (education won't fix such an attitude) -whatever life crisis they are having at that point in time rationalises them taking risks/breaking laws and look out anybody that gets in the way.

An attitude like that deserves a thorough licence check at the side of the road imho...:devil2:

[gijoe1313]

And in the dystopian future, there shall be a Satellite tasked to lance a beam of pure power down through the heavens and despatch the rogue red runner with aplomb.

Neatly it will sever the offending vehicle in twain and also burn an infraction bar code into the miscreant's largest organ (their skin).

The chortles and amusement as other road users zootle on by will be akin to "Har har".

And somewhere, a little girl waits, for her father who in his haste has had his horizontal mode of commencement terminated with extreme prejudice, exacting in the eyes of the law...

[BiK3RChiK]

It's not the blind as bats factor, more the "My Time is More Important than Yours" attitude, get a lot of that, (education won't fix such an attitude) -whatever life crisis they are having at that point in time rationalises them taking risks/breaking laws and look out anybody that gets in the way.

An attitude like that deserves a thorough licence check at the side of the road imho...:devil2:

I agree! In Rotorua the other day and the traffic just kept on driving through even when we had the green for quite a few seconds... Everyone just seems to be in such a hurry these days!

Good on ya, Scummy!!

[KiwiRat]

Sometimes even being cautious at intersections is not enough to save you from the unseen enemy.

One particular evening in New Lynn I am at the front of the queue (in a full lane, not splitting) and the light goes green. My spidey sense says "It's Thursday night. Just hang a couple of secs m'kay?" Sure enough a car whistles through from the right.

What I couldn't protect myself against was the mongoloid behind me who only sees a green light and not the bike stopped a metre in front of him. Luckily he didn't fang it off the line and was only just rolling, but geez what a knob jockey.

Would you like a lift to the Blind Institute ya tool?

Kinda makes a case for being in between lanes at the front of a queue at an intersection doesn't it?

But I do agree that red light runners are a scourge and the law should be out there as resources allow, pinging theses menaces.

[avgas]

yep i have learnt my lesson, i trust none of you bastards on the road.
Ride Paranoid - or else die stupid

[jrandom]

Kinda makes a case for being in between lanes at the front of a queue at an intersection doesn't it?

:yes:

I almost always pull to one side when I come to a stop at an intersection, even when I'm at the front of the queue.

[MotoKuzzi]

I disagree. I see a *lot* of red light running around Manukau. Almost invariably it is *very* plain that the driver realises perfectly well that the light is red, or about to turn red. If nothing else, the pickup in speed and engine note as he floors the pedal gives it away. That and the fact that often as not, I've already stopped as he hurtles through, whcih would be a rather a broad hint I'd think.
Too true mate I see it every day on Roscommon rd, rising engine note a dead give away even if you can't see them.

[PrincessBandit]

Neatly it will sever the offending vehicle in twain and also burn an infraction bar code into the miscreant's largest organ (their skin).



C'mon now Justin, anyone who did bio at school knows that!!:shifty::laugh:

Good on the law for catching these mobile hazards. I am especially :gob:smacked when I see artic. trucks doing it. Must be a case of "get out of my way, my size makes me more important than you" (or perhaps puts them in a different class of road rules from us lesser beings). Or maybe they conveniently forget that they have a huge almighty ass hangin' out the back of them which doesn't feel the insignificant "bump" as they collect more roadkill.

[swbarnett]

I disagree. I see a *lot* of red light running around Manukau. Almost invariably it is *very* plain that the driver realises perfectly well that the light is red, or about to turn red. If nothing else, the pickup in speed and engine note as he floors the pedal gives it away. That and the fact that often as not, I've already stopped as he hurtles through, whcih would be a rather a broad hint I'd think.
I agree that this is also a factor and perhaps more of an issue than complacency. Both are a problem.

I believe deliberate red light running would be curtailed markedly if the stupid delay when all lights are red were removed. People get to know that they have a second or two after the light turns red where no-one else is allowed to move (just a theory but I think it has some merit). And we all know how good the average driver is at judging time and distance.

Admittedly there would be a prang or two while people got used to the fact that things had changed but in the long term I think things would settle down.

[swbarnett]

It's not the blind as bats factor, more the "My Time is More Important than Yours" attitude, get a lot of that, (education won't fix such an attitude)
That depends on the education. Driving training won't but taking people as soon as they are born and teaching them to respect themselves and others would solve a lot of driving problems in the next generation as well as have an effect on crime in general.

Education is the key, it just has to be more general. The goal of education is to train the mind in how to think, not stuff it full of facts. If a person knows how to think the facts will follow automatically; and they'll be accompanied by a good level of understanding.

[Max Preload]

About fucking time.

BTW what's the fine these days for running a red? Didn't it used to be $75? I heard it'd gone up to $150 - can anyone confirm?

[PrincessBandit]

Admittedly there would be a prang or two while people got used to the fact that things had changed but in the long term I think things would settle down.

Kinda agree with you there on removing the delay. There will always be those who milk the safety window, but don't know that I'd want to be one of the "guinea pigs" who is collected by someone in the relearning phase.

[Highlander]

chapel st lights are shocking, i have been taken out about twice in past two weeks at those lights, people clear running the red, and i know people run that light so never gun it from the green.

That was where I first saw it, have seen it at others since then though.
Good on them, great to see them enforcing rules other than just "excessive" speed.

Awful Truth - I think the signage they have put up around Tauranga says $150 for going through while the light is red.

[swbarnett]

Kinda agree with you there on removing the delay. There will always be those who milk the safety window, but don't know that I'd want to be one of the "guinea pigs" who is collected by someone in the relearning phase.
I hear where you're coming from.

A huge advertising campaign would need to be undertaken first so that the potential victims (and hopefully the perpetrators) are aware of the change.

[Skyryder]

I believe deliberate red light running would be curtailed markedly if the stupid delay when all lights are red were removed. People get to know that they have a second or two after the light turns red where no-one else is allowed to move (just a theory but I think it has some merit). And we all know how good the average driver is at judging time and distance.



I'd sooner have the safety factor 'on' than 'off.' Put another way I'd sooner have the red light runner in an empty intersection than one with traffic entering it.

Skyryder

[swbarnett]

I'd sooner have the safety factor 'on' than 'off.' Put another way I'd sooner have the red light runner in an empty intersection than one with traffic entering it.

Skyryder
I understand what you're saying and agree with you. However, this only works when the red-light runners restrict themselves to the "dead" period. Because there's no way for a red-light runner to know when that dead period ends they often overrun it, resulting in them running the red against an opposing green. Remove the dead period and the red-light runner has a clear indication as to when the opposing light is green - their light is red.

Put another way, I believe that drivers know they've got a "safety" factor and use it. Risk homeostasis comes into play to maintain an individual's personal risk level. Without a clear indication of where that safety factor ends it gets overrun.

[Coyote]

How easy is it to break an arm if you accidentally hit a car's wing mirror?


I may do some stupid stuff, but running lights is not one of them. I really do not like the smug look of some of the people who run through them.

[Swoop]

How easy is it to break an arm if you accidentally hit a car's wing mirror?
Quite safe actually...

[Coyote]

Quite safe actually...
Keep your arm stiff so there's no whiplash or keep it limp so the shock is absorbed?

[Swoop]

Keep your arm stiff so there's no whiplash or keep it limp so the shock is absorbed?
I recommend the closed fist/stiff arm technique personally. Others claim that I'm old fashioned though...

[Coyote]

I recommend the closed fist/stiff arm technique personally. Others claim that I'm old fashioned though...
I think it would be more satisfying, had you done it mistakenly to someone that had it coming of course.

[sunhuntin]

I hear where you're coming from.

A huge advertising campaign would need to be undertaken first so that the potential victims (and hopefully the perpetrators) are aware of the change.

cripes, remember the continuing stuff up with the decision to enfore the roundabout rules? even the cops dont know when to indicate... i nearly get collected several times a week due to incorrect indicating. its got to the point where i normally now come to a full stop to ensure my own safety.

[Guided_monkey]

It is time for a reminder from the powers that be that red light running puts others at risk.

A charge of premeditated manslaughter should shock a few of the morons back to the real world.

I'm sick of getting a green and then spending 1/2 sec doing the check left/right action as there is almost invariable some ass doing the runner.

Either that or more right hand mirrors getting the vertical force treatment.....

[swbarnett]

It is time for a reminder from the powers that be that red light running puts others at risk.

A charge of premeditated manslaughter should shock a few of the morons back to the real world.
If it's premeditated it's murder not manslaughter, yes? I don't for a second believe think that any of the red-light runners actually intend to cause a death. If a death does result I'm confident that a charge at the very least of "careless driving causing death would result" (and be richly deserved).


I'm sick of getting a green and then spending 1/2 sec doing the check left/right action
You should be doing this anyway. I have legitimately run a red light after hitting a patch of oil just short of the white line (this taught me to slow down earlier for a red). Had I tried to stop I would've slid into the side of the opposing car.