Busted...

[madbikeboy]

Well,

I was travelling along the Southern Racetrack, and I passed a motorcycle cop coming the other way around Penrose. I was going a little quick, so fair cop. He ended up catching up with me at Te Irirangi Drive, and we had a chat.

Now, back in the day, I remember getting told off by the old community constable, and I'd hang my head in shame, but I'd learn my lesson. Well, this cop was actually really good about things, told me off, but like a grown up.

I found myself respecting his approach, and even better, after the discussion, he let me off without a ticket. I rode home sensibly, and for once kept near the speed limit. I think being told to slow down respectfully had more effect than getting ticketed.

Lesson learned.

[Mom]

I found myself respecting his approach, and even better, after the discussion, he let me off without a ticket. I rode home sensibly, and for once kept near the speed limit. I think being told to slow down respectfully had more effect than getting ticketed.

Lesson learned.

Nice! We need more of these stories on KB.


respecting, respectfully

Good words, pity more on both sides of the equation dont understand what they actually mean.

[Coyote]

Phff, pigs. Bugger 'em.

(jkjklol)

[BIHB@0610]

Good on you, good on him, great outcome - and I agree entirely, we need more of these kind of stories :niceone:

[Katman]

Lesson learned.

Shall we hold you to that?

:msn-wink:

[madbikeboy]

KatMan, I'm trying to be restrained with the excessive horsepower I am blessed with, it's just sometimes it's tough... Sometimes, that bad angel wins for a while. It's the voices in my head... (Well, fuck it, that crazy sword guy dixon is trying that one on...).

I'm good at least 51% of the time...

[jrandom]

So how fast were you going, MBB?

I agree that a respectful chat would have far more impact on my riding behaviour than the robotic issuing of tickets.

[raftn]

I got pulled over at christmas by a cop on a bike, on highbrook drive, must of been the same one. Told me to slow down, spend the money on my kids and try to stick to the limit....also said i had a nice bike. First time i ever got off with a warning. needless to say i stuck to the speed limit the rest of the way home. He was a genuine good guy....i asked if we could swap bikes for an hour but he declined.......still I was happy! They are not all buggers. i wished him a good christmas and went on my way...................jingle bells........ jingle bells .............jingle all the way.............oh what fun........

[Stromble]

Well,

I was travelling along the Southern Racetrack, and I passed a motorcycle cop coming the other way around Penrose. I was going a little quick, so fair cop. He ended up catching up with me at Te Irirangi Drive, and we had a chat.

Now, back in the day, I remember getting told off by the old community constable, and I'd hang my head in shame, but I'd learn my lesson. Well, this cop was actually really good about things, told me off, but like a grown up.

I found myself respecting his approach, and even better, after the discussion, he let me off without a ticket. I rode home sensibly, and for once kept near the speed limit. I think being told to slow down respectfully had more effect than getting ticketed.

Lesson learned.

Can we get a transcript? or an indication of the respectful bollocking...

[Meanie]

They are not all arseholes, just a small minority of them. I agree, if i was spoken to with respect and politeness i would be more likely to listen, but if i get told i,m irresponsable and get a ticket because they are having a no tolerence policy on bikes, i,m likely to get a bit pissed off and think stuff it
Good on him for being a nice cop

[madbikeboy]

So how fast were you going, MBB?



Umm, err, hmm. Fast enough to be using the public transport system at worst (I think I was a bit under that by a margin), not fast enough to have a hotel service provided by the government with a room-mate called Bubba.

[madbikeboy]

I got pulled over at christmas by a cop on a bike, on highbrook drive, must of been the same one. Told me to slow down, spend the money on my kids and try to stick to the limit....also said i had a nice bike. First time i ever got off with a warning. needless to say i stuck to the speed limit the rest of the way home. He was a genuine good guy....i asked if we could swap bikes for an hour but he declined.......still I was happy! They are not all buggers. i wished him a good christmas and went on my way...................jingle bells........ jingle bells .............jingle all the way.............oh what fun........

Bet it was the same guy. I got chatting to him about his bike, reckons it has about an additional 60kg of gear, that plus the big BMW, probably about double the weight of the lil' scoot.

[Clivoris]

Great story mate.
I went to Derek Wooton's funeral yesterday and the cop directing traffic took time to tell me what a lucky lucky man I was to be on my bike. 3 cheers for the feds:clap:

[madbikeboy]

Can we get a transcript? or an indication of the respectful bollocking...

Umm, can't remember word for word, but he asked why I was riding faster, and I told him the truth, that I didn't like being wedged between cars so i add a few kmh, and he saw the logic - he rides all day and the fluoro doesn't make him any safer right? He told me to keep the speed down, and didn't give me the BS about bikes are instant death etc, he was just matter of fact and told me that I could and should be walking for 28 days, but instead to ride using discretion and care.

Chatted about his bike while he was radio'ing back, and he told me that they were watching me on the camera's which is how he knew where to find me (thank goodness for not feeling in a wheelstand sort of mood eh!).

But he was reasonable, considered, and he realised that I wasn't riding dangerously. It was almost like being pulled back in Scotland, where only stupidity or arrogance got you ticketed, not a higher cruising speed.

[Ryan432]

...get a ticket because they are having a no tolerence policy on bikes...

I got done on the new auckland motorway (state highway 18) for 115kph and the guy told me that usually he would have let me off but they had heard reports of people doing over 200kph on the new section of road so they were cracking down, firstly why would he tell me,thats just cruel and secondly cruising at 115kph with the rest of the after work traffic is alot different from racing at over 200kph! On a happier note I got pulled over on the North Western on the way to uni once for 125kph by a bike and the guy just wondered how i managed to get my GN up to that speed and told me to get to class! (no ticket)!

[jrandom]

Umm, can't remember word for word, but he asked why I was riding faster, and I told him the truth, that I didn't like being wedged between cars so i add a few kmh, and he saw the logic - he rides all day and the fluoro doesn't make him any safer right? He told me to keep the speed down, and didn't give me the BS about bikes are instant death etc, he was just matter of fact and told me that I could and should be walking for 28 days, but instead to ride using discretion and care.

You're a lucky fellow, and big ups to that cop for giving you a break.

I have no doubt that in the long run it'll have a far more positive effect on your safety and law-abidingness than a whacking great ticket and four weeks of antiauthoritarian fuming on the bus would have.

[Ixion]

..and he told me that they were watching me on the camera's which is how he knew where to find me ..

..

HM. I thought I remembered claims a while back that those cameras were not used for enforcement purposes.

[madbikeboy]

HM. I thought I remembered claims a while back that those cameras were not used for enforcement purposes.

They're not, they're owned by Transit and have no evidentiary value.

However, a smart operator in the comms centre can easily guide a police officer, and the reality is that a bike stands out a mile on the road when there are a sea of cars...

[madbikeboy]

You're a lucky fellow, and big ups to that cop for giving you a break.

I have no doubt that in the long run it'll have a far more positive effect on your safety and law-abidingness than a whacking great ticket and four weeks of antiauthoritarian fuming on the bus would have.

Yes, totally agreed, and I'm riding slower as a result. So, the chat worked.

[Ixion]

Ah . I thought my aged memory had not completely gone fubar

From this (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1405276&postcount=27)post in this thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=65537)this quote from Transit.

"The argument is that traffic management does not require recording and that law enforcement is not the centre's role. "


and its link (http://tinyurl.com/yqcfj2).

So, another lie from Transit. Not that I'm surprised

[Ixion]

They're not, they're owned by Transit and have no evidentiary value.

However, a smart operator in the comms centre can easily guide a police officer, and the reality is that a bike stands out a mile on the road when there are a sea of cars...


Which sounds exactly like a definition of "enforcement piurposes" to me.

[scumdog]

Which sounds exactly like a definition of "enforcement piurposes" to me.

So what was 'enforced'???

Get a grip.

[jrandom]

So what was 'enforced'???

Er.

In this case, the speed limit on the motorway?

:blink:

[scumdog]

Er.

In this case, the speed limit on the motorway?

:blink:

Fucked if I would call it enforced, a bit of guidance more like it.

[jrandom]

Fucked if I would call it enforced, a bit of guidance more like it.

That came down to the cop's discretion, and good on 'im for being an easygoing cunt.

The traffic cameras, however, were definitely used to support enforcement. The fact that the cop decided not to write out the ticket once he'd pulled MBB over is neither here nor there from Transit's perspective.

Ixion's point is valid.

[Ixion]

And, given that Transhit are on record as being totally opposed to lane splitting (they believe that bikes should behave just like cars), the fact that they have decided to turn part time amateur copper may not be a trivial matter.

[jaymzw]

I know this is only funny because the copper didnt throw the book at you BUT. On sunday MBB and myself were lucky enough to go for a cruise out to mission bay. Before crossin the bridge we had a brief convo that went something like this

MBB: Main roads are very bad for cops so whatever happens never speed on them. While going along the waterfront dont break 50 k's

Me looking seriously: Yup,Yes,Okay,Sure

LOL as my father says "do as i say not as i do"

Anyway congrats to the cop and to u 2 i spose

[Ixion]

This (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10520825)dude committed the heinous offence of moving a traffic cone (one of those orange things). He didn't get off so lightly

Another quote



Waitemata Police communications manager Kevin Loughlin said the cameras were operated by Transit, which worked closely with the police in traffic management.




and (admittedly, I'm not sure if this relates to the Transit cameras or other ones (what other ones , anyway?));




The images are kept for 28 days, unless needed for evidential purposes.

[Forest]

This (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10520825)dude committed the heinous offence of moving a traffic cone (one of those orange things). He didn't get off so lightly

Actually his offense was driving through a section of road that had been closed for road-works.



and (admittedly, I'm not sure if this relates to the Transit cameras or other ones (what other ones , anyway?));

There's a network of cameras in the CBD/downtown area of Auckland. They're used to spot trouble as it develops on the street e.g. fights, drunks, tagging etc.

[Ixion]

Not according toi the Harold, which states that he was charged with "interfering with a traffic control device".

But if perchance the road works he drove through were being done by those total CUNTS Fulton Hogan, then good on him, I'll buy him a beer if I ever meet him.

[westie]

Fucked if I would call it enforced, a bit of guidance more like it.

Tomatoes tomaaatoes call it what you like

[jaymzw]

So what was 'enforced'???

Get a grip.

One could argue that there was enforcement as MBB stated he drove to the speed limit all the way home. Clearly most riders here would responde better to a "slow down son" than a ticket. I think we need more rational cops like this. I think they are still enforcing the law by issueing warnings to members of the public

[scumdog]

I think they are still enforcing the law by issueing warnings to members of the public

'THINK'?
I KNOW they do.:msn-wink:

[Ixion]

Hm

I find that there is a Police policy statement (http://www.police.govt.nz/resources/2003/cctv/) on the use of CCTV cameras by the Police

And since these Transhit cameras seem to be being used for police purposes it seems to me that they should comply with that policy. Which, they don't.

Me thinks a letter to Transhit may be needed.

[jaymzw]

'THINK'?
I KNOW they do.:msn-wink:

Mmm:clap: validation is good lol:clap:

Your a cop aye ScumDog?

Just out of interest, how many "warnings" would you issue a day?

[Brett]

Hard luck MBB. The South Eastern is one that I used to get a bit carried away on on the way to work sometimes when it was empty. Good on the cop for having a different approach.

[mynameis]

You must have been appealing to him ! :lol:

Count ya lucky stars !

[breakaway]

It's all fun and games till you lose your licence.

[jrandom]

It's all fun and games till you lose your licence.

No, that's when the fun and games begin.

:shifty:

[Duke girl]

Why is it that for those who get pulled over by the cops for doing something wrong while on the road can bad mouth them for doing what they get paid for and that being keeping the roads a safe place for everyone to use. I would hate to live in this world without them and commend them for the job they do. You were lucky to come accross a cop who gave you a warning and not a ticket. Maybe you should take out a lotto ticket as you never know you may be lucky 2nd time around also.

[Meanie]

Why is it that for those who get pulled over by the cops for doing something wrong while on the road can bad mouth them for doing what they get paid for and that being keeping the roads a safe place for everyone to use. I would hate to live in this world without them and commend them for the job they do. You were lucky to come accross a cop who gave you a warning and not a ticket. Maybe you should take out a lotto ticket as you never know you may be lucky 2nd time around also.

She has a good point...............

[jrandom]

Why is it that for those who get pulled over by the cops for doing something wrong while on the road can bad mouth them for doing what they get paid for and that being keeping the roads a safe place for everyone to use.

:yawn:

There's keeping the roads safe, and then there's chickenshit revenue-gathering.

More intelligent guidance like what MBB received and less robotic 'enforcement' of rigid rules that cannot always apply perfectly to varying roads and conditions would go a long way toward improving the public image of the traffic police.

We all want to ride safely and take responsibility for our actions, and cooperation will always be forthcoming when law enforcement is done intelligently.

[vifferman]

I found myself respecting his approach, and even better, after the discussion, he let me off without a ticket. I rode home sensibly, and for once kept near the speed limit. I think being told to slow down respectfully had more effect than getting ticketed.

Lesson learned.
The last-but-one ticket I got, was the same for me (except he didn't let me off). However (but!) the last one really pissed me off - there was no discussion, the cop was young enough to be my son, and was grinning like a Cheshire cat most of the time. Yeah, maybe he was just a bit nervous, or maybe ticketing me gave him some perverse pleasure.
Whatever.
All I know is it didn't make me remorseful, just resentful, and a bit paranoid. At the time, there was no other traffic (none! Just the cop car), and the conditions were not at all unsafe (no kids or pedestrians around, and I was riding safely).
Yes, I deserved the ticket, and I have since taken to riding a bit more carefully. Not more safely - just taking more care to not get pinged.
The money ($150, IIRC) wasn't an issue. The points (35) were a bit of a piss-off. But (however!) the attitude and way the ticket was delivered didn't help police/public relations at all, and were purely enforcement/revenue gathering, whereas they could have been educational and furthered public relations. Goodness knows the pleece could do with more public confidence and good PR.

[scrivy]

Not all cops are b@stards.

I remember way back when I was 17...... riding around on my GSX1229EF, around Tauranga doing wheelies etc. waiting for a mate to finish work. I ended up in a park that had just been recently graveled. I went flying through it lock to lock sideways, doing donuts (no other vehicles or people present). Thought it was great fun, so did it 2 more times. As I drove out of the park, there was a bike cop sitting on his bike with a big smile on his face. He asked what I was doing.... ummmm, errrr... "I got sideways on the gravel, and was lucky not to go down - since there were no signs around etc.... (bullshit)"....
Fine he said, so why go back and do it again, twice??? :slap: :doh:

He laughed at me and my lame excuse. I thought I was screwed, but he just said don't let me catch you again, and since there was no one else around to see it, I should go on my merry way!!!!! FARK ME!!!
He also said I had good bike handling skills for a 17 year old. I was stoked. Sweating like mad, but stocked!!
Can't tar them all with the same brush.

[BIHB@0610]

I remember way back when I was 17...... riding around on my brand spanking new Indian Scout ......

Yep, those were the days .......:shifty:

[madbikeboy]

Fucked if I would call it enforced, a bit of guidance more like it.

Guidance that worked I'd like to point out.

Those police BM's look like lardy old buses, must be thrilling to ride at speed leaning over with the big bar around the front of the motor.

[madbikeboy]

One could argue that there was enforcement as MBB stated he drove to the speed limit all the way home. Clearly most riders here would responde better to a "slow down son" than a ticket. I think we need more rational cops like this. I think they are still enforcing the law by issueing warnings to members of the public

Yeah, Jaymzw is totally right, if I had of gotten a ticket, I would have viewed it the same way as tax... Instead, the talking to slowed me down. Effective policing in my opinion.

[scrivy]

Yep, those were the days .......:shifty:

Hey.... I'm not that old!!!

[madbikeboy]

Why is it that for those who get pulled over by the cops for doing something wrong while on the road can bad mouth them for doing what they get paid for and that being keeping the roads a safe place for everyone to use. I would hate to live in this world without them and commend them for the job they do. You were lucky to come accross a cop who gave you a warning and not a ticket. Maybe you should take out a lotto ticket as you never know you may be lucky 2nd time around also.

It's straightfoward in my view - there are three types of cops:
1. The Ginga - I don't respect him because he is breaking the law instead of enforcing, and I've seen this with my own eyes. I've met another cop who is a D in Vegas that falls into this category as well, he's a right tool.

2. The good guys, like the cops who turned up to deal with a drunk driver and the black Jeep SUV thread who used his 4WD to push a bike around, and if I get caught and ticketed by one of them, fair cop, no complaints from me, and then

3. The cop who tells me that I'm a danger to society and gives me the lecture about motorcycles = instant death and eternity in hell.

95% of cops seem to be type 2: There seems to be a few who are type 3, and I don't really give a rats ass about their opinion, I'm not taking advice from someone who earns minimum wage.

The type I hate, and will always hate, are the Ginga law breaking types. Who polices the police. The interesting thing is that the 95% all hate the type 1's too.

My 2 cents worth (and 10 charactor minimum),

[Indoo]

Hm

I find that there is a Police policy statement (http://www.police.govt.nz/resources/2003/cctv/) on the use of CCTV cameras by the Police

And since these Transhit cameras seem to be being used for police purposes it seems to me that they should comply with that policy. Which, they don't.

Me thinks a letter to Transhit may be needed.

And if the camera operators from Transit watched a drunk driver sway from lane to lane crashing into other vehicles and 5 minutes later watched him crash into another car killing the occupants but didn't tell the Police because it was against Policy, I know exactly letter writing people such as yourself would say.

[klingon]

Apparently the Transit camera operators are civilians and only have the same right/responsibility to inform the police of dangerous/illegal behaviour as any other member of the public.

There is a single office where they monitor the motorway cameras, the traffic light cameras and the security cameras around the new Northern Busway stations. They can also control traffic lights from there (eg to create the "green wave" if there is an official convoy going through the city).

Ixion, in your esteemed role as Keeper of Good Sense, you should give them a call and ask to go on a tour of their facility. You could meet with the Boss at the same time and express your concerns about the role of the staff apparently extending beyond their mandate as civilian members of the public. It would be interesting to hear their response.

[klingon]

... officious little letter writing people such as yourself ...

Indoo, I respectfully suggest that you get to know people a little better before you start calling them names. Thank you.

[cs363]

Good to hear of some pleasant interaction with the traffic police, it seems to me that the traffic policing section is made up largely of the 5% quoted above as stories of sensible policing like this are all too rare these days, whereas stories of the Ginga's of this world seem infinitely more common. The 95% good cops appear to be based in other branches of the department, maybe the Ginga types just naturally gravitate to the traffic section?
I'm all for cops ticketing blatant speeders (as in high speed) and especially boy racers and their idiot antics, but there just seems to be far too many 'revenue gathering' tickets issued for minor speeding infringements where a warning such as happened to MBB would have a far better effect on the persons driving/riding habits, a wake up call if you like.
The zero tolerance approach that many (most?) traffic cops take does not make for good public relations, and I'm sure many of the problems we have in society have some bearing on this lack of respect for the Police that seems quite general now compared to how it was perhaps 10-20 years ago.
That said if/when I get pulled for a minor speed infringement I will still keep an open mind and hope that I have the good fortune to be pulled by a rational and forward thinking cop such as MBB struck.

[Damantis]

End of the day, we are at thier mercy and if we're breaking the law, however stupid and inconsistently applied it is, then we gotta wear the consequences eh? theres reasonable cops and theres asshole cops, just the same as in any part of society. Ive ridden at 180+ and if I was caught I'd be dissappointed if not suspended on the spot! Anything 20-30k over the limit in my opinion tho should be judged according to the traffic conditions etc. thats where this cop got it right and others just succeed in giving the cops a bad rep.