Articale in herald today (2005/02/28)

[enigma51]

Bikers fear new 'keep left' rule

28.02.05
By MATHEW DEARNALEY


Motorcyclists fear a revamped Road Code which came into force last night will penalise them for keeping themselves prominent and safe on streets and highways.

The Megarider Organisation, a motorcycle safety body, believes a new ability of police to log 20 demerit points against the licences of road users who fail to keep as far left as practicable will make two-wheel transport more perilous.

Failing to keep left has always been an offence punishable by an infringement fee or fine, but it is now among 32 driving misdemeanours carrying demerit points, double the previous number.

Motorists who attract 100 or more demerit points within two years face having their licences suspended for three months.

But Megarider spokesman Allan Kirk said yesterday that motorcyclists needed to be visible to stay alive, and that meant asserting their place on the road rather than hugging the left.

"Riding to the far left of the lane places the highly vulnerable motorcyclist closer to danger from the left, at risk of disaster in a gust of wind and at the mercy of bad car drivers who will push past in his lane." He believed many police had no idea of the problems motorcyclists faced.

Superintendent John Kelly, national road policing operations manager, said the introduction of demerit points for what had always been an offence was aimed at motorists who held up traffic unreasonably or took dangerous shortcuts by crossing centrelines on winding roads.

"It is not aimed at people driving in a reasonable position to keep themselves safe."

Mr Kelly said he believed very few motorists would fall foul of changes to the Road Code. Police would concentrate in early weeks on education rather than handing out penalties.

[bugjuice]

this is what we're talking about here. (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=9340) I think he's got it wrong, so your poll might not work. I don't agree that bikes keep left of the lane, however, I strongly agree that traffic is in the left lane unless over taking.

The latter is (what I think) what the law is clarifying, where as the former (again, as I think) is what the journo has interpreted the change as, which is wrong..

I've emailed a top-bod at the LTNZ asking to clarify this NZ Herald article. Hopefully, he emails back to say.

[Hitcher]

What or who are "Megariders"? Another BRONZ?

[bugjuice]

What or who are "Megariders"? Another BRONZ?
http://www.megarider.com/

[jrandom]

*I* just want to know what a 'dermit point' is.

It sounds vaguely disease-related.

[Wolf]

What or who are "Megariders"? Another BRONZ?
Looking at their website, it looks highly commercial - buy all sorts of books and courses through their web site - "we can save your life, just pay us now."

I would not be surprised if the reason Megarider.com got all up in arms in the Herald was in aid of a bit of free advertising: apparently they've been saving bikers' lives since 1971, yet I've never heard of them before - now we've ALL heard of them. As have most of the Herald-reading population (all except that group who only buy the Herald for the cartoons)

Not bad, eh, make a loud noise in the paper about something that's likely to have an emotional impact amongst your potential clients and suddenly you don't need to take out an ad in that paper...

[Marmoot]

*I* just want to know what a 'dermit point' is.

It sounds vaguely disease-related.

Mr. jrandom (http://redwing.hutman.net/%7Emreed/warriorshtm/grammarian.htm) ...

:yeah:

[pete376403]

Alan Kirk has been around for many years promoting motorcycle safety so in that respect he's doing ok. Maybe the report is a bit of a "shock horror" rant but if it's the only way to get peoples attention...
I'll be riding in the centre of whatever lane I happen to be in. (Unless I move over for a faster bike) - just the same as when I'm driving the car

[Skunk]

Alan Kirk has been around for many years promoting motorcycle safety so in that respect he's doing ok. Maybe the report is a bit of a "shock horror" rant but if it's the only way to get peoples attention...
I'll be riding in the centre of whatever lane I happen to be in. (Unless I move over for a faster bike) - just the same as when I'm driving the carAlan Kirk is opinionated. That can be a good thing if you agree with him. He is very good at getting motorcyclists issues noticed. And has some (in my opinion :) ) good ideas on how to stay safe.

[enigma51]

this is what we're talking about here. (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=9340) I think he's got it wrong, so your poll might not work. I don't agree that bikes keep left of the lane, however, I strongly agree that traffic is in the left lane unless over taking.

The latter is (what I think) what the law is clarifying, where as the former (again, as I think) is what the journo has interpreted the change as, which is wrong..

I've emailed a top-bod at the LTNZ asking to clarify this NZ Herald article. Hopefully, he emails back to say.

I did see your post (of course after I posted the poll). The thing is that the way this law is writen means that if a cop wants to he can give you a fine if he feels you are not left enough for his liking. IE you are looking like you have been lane splitting and he cant prove it but because you are on the right hand side of the vehicle in front you he thinks I cant get him on lane splitting so lets get him on not keeping to the left.

Im not saying it will happen but it sure gives the option. :yeah:

[bikerboy]

I did see your post (of course after I posted the poll). The thing is that the way this law is writen means that if a cop wants to he can give you a fine if he feels you are not left enough for his liking. IE you are looking like you have been lane splitting and he cant prove it but because you are on the right hand side of the vehicle in front you he thinks I cant get him on lane splitting so lets get him on not keeping to the left.

Im not saying it will happen but it sure gives the option. :yeah:

That's precisely why it is vague, more power by default, and how far is "as far ..as practicable", it is however far plod feels it is then and there.

If the law was only for "motorists that cross the white lines or hold up traffic" why not just have a law that say if you do these things you get 20 demerits?

Another example are the three laws basically against tailgating. One states driving to fast for stopping distance, another driving to fast for stopping distance on roads without lane markings, and the third for driving to fast for stopping within following distance.

More bureaucratic BS taxation by stealth.

[Waylander]

..all except that group who only buy the Herald for the cartoons..

That would be me:yeah:

[Hitcher]

I hope Megariders isn't the two-wheeled equivalent of Fast & Safe.

On that score, hasn't it been nice and quiet for a while...

[Jackrat]

I think this will be more about people hogging the right hand lane on motorways and cutting corners than single lane positioning in normal situations.
What ever I'm certainly not worryed about it,common sence really.

[bear]

I think this will be more about people hogging the right hand lane on motorways and cutting corners than single lane positioning in normal situations.
What ever I'm certainly not worryed about it,common sence really.

I tend to agree, I thought it was about what lane, not where in the lane. Would be interesting to know more.

[Lou Girardin]

The law has always said that you must keep as close as practicle to the left where there are no lane markings, this just extends it to laned roads. I agree in principle, as long as it's enforced with common sense. That's the worrying part. If it stops cagers hugging the centreline on some of our wider roads it'll be all good.
I don't expect to see 'keeping left' checkpoints though.

[igor]

it appears many of u have never heard of commonsense.

:whocares:

[flyin]

Wont this help motorcyclists?? if all th cages are forced by law to stay left in their lane then they leave us a nice big lane down the middle to pass them in!!

sooo cages will be able to be fined for moving to the right of their lane to cut us off right??

[bugjuice]

it appears many of u have never heard of commonsense.

:whocares:
most of us are full of it, it's the journo that seems to be lacking it lately.. Thing is, most people listen to what the papers say, so this is the danger. We need to know that by riding the way we've done for years safely, isn't now going to land us in trouble with the cops everytime we try to hold our line on the road.

All apears not so clear cut at the moment, so until some authoritive figure speaks and clears the air, people aren't going to know exactly what's what without some element of doubt, and doubt is what causes trouble and accidents.

[bugjuice]

Wont this help motorcyclists?? if all th cages are forced by law to stay left in their lane then they leave us a nice big lane down the middle to pass them in!!
it's not aimed at motorbikes persay. It's aimed at keeping traffic moving by everyone keeping left unless overtaking. This keeps the slow ones out of the way for faster vehicles to pass safer.

The misinterpretation here, is that this dumbass reporting, thinks that bikes have to keep left of the lane, not in the left lane, as the law (I think) is specifying. It'll help everyone, not just bikes.


sooo cages will be able to be fined for moving to the right of their lane to cut us off right??
if anyone cuts you up at any time, they'll be fined! That's nothing new, that's called dangerous driving, and driving without due care and attention..

[Blakamin]

what is with all these "new" laws???? ffs... most aren't new... just stupid cunts haven't been listening for the last 20 fuckin years...

[bugjuice]

exactly.. I think most of these aren't even new. Just haven't been enforced and gathering dust. Then someone at the back of the office thought of a new way to collect donations, oh, and it *might* make the roads safer..

[spudchucka]

this will be more about people hogging the right hand lane on motorways and cutting corners than single lane positioning in normal situations.
Thats what anyone with half an ounce of common sense would figger out without too much discussion.

[Biff]

There's no way on this planet will you ever see me keeping to the left of any lane that I occupy (unless I'm turning left, but even then I'll just angle my bike in that direction). If I'm in a lane, it's mine and mine only for at least two seconds in front and hopefully two seconds behind me. Keeping over to the left of any lane (as per the Herald's misdirected (?) reporting) is simply asking for some dicksplash in a cage to roll up alongside me and wipe me out. Riding a bike is risky enough as it is, without some idiot in a 4 x Fuckwit wrestling for control of my spot in my part of my lane. Mine, mine, mine.

I'm looking forward to the LTSA's response to your mail BJ.

[scroter]

the round-a-bout law isnt new but it never was law before, just safe and recommended practice. now its law

[spudchucka]

These new "offences" simply show that the halfwitted NZ motorist is just to thick, too ignorant or too arrogant to drive with courtesy and appropriate care and consideration for other road users. They have to be treated like school children because thats where their mental age reverts back to when they get behind the wheel.

[igor]

Thats what anyone with half an ounce of common sense would figger out without too much discussion.

its shows ya how many morons are on this site and the crap they talk about.

they have the us/them mentality.

its alright for them to commit offences but if anyone else does it its a henious crime.

as for the media. geez ya can't let the truth get in the way of a good sorry. the media are only interested in sales and for papers and rating for TV so they can sell advertising space at a higher rate. thats why i don't talk to im. :done:

[Funkyfly]

The law has always said that you must keep as close as practicle to the left where there are no lane markings, this just extends it to laned roads.

The Road Code stipulates that a bikers should travel on the right, behind the right whells of the car in front, not to the left.

In fact fail you license test if you choose "stay as far to the left as possible".

Along with a couple of other incorrect answers.

I would rather have this "Stay Left" in place because the number of clowns that drive at 80-90kph and hog the middle or the road are on the rise!

[Funkyfly]

These new "offences" simply show that the halfwitted NZ motorist is just to thick, too ignorant or too arrogant to drive with courtesy and appropriate care and consideration for other road users. They have to be treated like school children because thats where their mental age reverts back to when they get behind the wheel.


I have never ever seen a cop pull up a slow driver! I have been following numerous cars putting along at less than 100kph, (80-90) with a whole line of traffic banked up behind them and cops just cruize by the other way not giving a damn. Next thing you know someone trys to pass, exceeds 100kph and he gets ticketed.

The police chief said on the news the other night they were targeting drivers doing 110-120, well thats what you have to do to get past some of these clowns SAFELY.

It sux!

[Biff]

I have never ever seen a cop pull up a slow driver! I have been following numerous cars putting along at less than 100kph, (80-90) with a whole line of traffic banked up behind them and cops just cruize by the other way not giving a damn. Next thing you know someone trys to pass, exceeds 100kph and he gets ticketed.
!

The 100K is a maximum limit mate, not a 'must drive at' indicator. The fact of the matter is that 80-90Kph probably isn't too slow to draw the attention of the cops. As annoying as it is to be stuck behind someone doing that speed.

If they drove at 40-60 KPH in a 100 zone, holding up traffic in the process, I'd hope the feds would then have a word in the ear of the driver concerned. Although it's probably my gran and she'd brick herself if a cop pulled her over for a chat.

But I know what you mean :niceone:

[Daisy Duke]

[QUOTE=igor]its shows ya how many morons are on this site and the crap they talk about.

they have the us/them mentality.

its alright for them to commit offences but if anyone else does it its a henious crime.
[QUOTE]

It's called a discussion. That's when people talk and communicate as opposed to jumping in with nothing constructive to say and simply abuse people.

In this particular instance there's an adult debate about the apparent incorrect reporting of a change in the road code in a news paper.

Yep - I read the article too and didn't understand what the reporter was talking about as it clearly conflicted with my understanding of the new law.

I've a PhD and a BSc. I am not a moron.

[Funkyfly]

The 100K is a maximum limit mate, not a 'must drive at' indicator. The fact of the matter is that 80-90Kph probably isn't too slow to draw the attention of the cops. As annoying as it is to be stuck behind someone doing that speed.

If they drove at 40-60 KPH in a 100 zone, holding up traffic in the process, I'd hope the feds would then have a word in the ear of the driver concerned. Although it's probably my gran and she'd brick herself if a cop pulled her over for a chat.

But I know what you mean :niceone:


Correct you are, however law does state that you are not to hold up traffic, and if you have a bank of 10-20 cars/trucks behind you something is up.

All im saying is Cops should also deal to this problem as it is often the cause of drivers reaching 110-120kph.

Heck i would go as far as betting $50 that if everyone travelled at 100kph the amount of "speeding" drivers would drop.

Dont get me wrong, im not trying to bash on cops here, alot of them are great, but maybe there are other ways to meet their quota besides "speeders" :yeah:

[Daisy Duke]

Correct you are, however law does state that you are not to hold up traffic, and if you have a bank of 10-20 cars/trucks behind you something is up.

All im saying is Cops should also deal to this problem as it is often the cause of drivers reaching 110-120kph.

Heck i would go as far as betting $50 that if everyone travelled at 100kph the amount of "speeding" drivers would drop.

Dont get me wrong, im not trying to bash on cops here, alot of them are great, but maybe there are other ways to meet their quota besides "speeders" :yeah:

What does the law actually state here? Does it actually state what the maximum number of vehicle can be behind you before you should pull over?

I guess I should buy a copy of the road code!!

[Funkyfly]

What does the law actually state here? Does it actually state what the maximum number of vehicle can be behind you before you should pull over?

I guess I should buy a copy of the road code!!


Im pretty sure it says something impeding the flow of traffic, there would not be any written law regarding the exact amount of traffic you are holding up.

The road code doesnt contain all the roads laws.

[vifferman]

I've a PhD and a BSc.
Ooooooohhh.... sexy. :love:


I am not a moron.
But are you a maroon?
What about a macaroon?

[bugjuice]

Macarena?

heeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyy Macarena


The road code doesnt contain all the roads laws.
ironic then, that you can get your lisence, and drive according to what you've just learnt, then to be pulled up and get a ticket for something you didn't even know about! ahhhhhh... how we love the law and it's ways.....

[Blakamin]

I have never ever seen a cop pull up a slow driver! I have been following numerous cars putting along at less than 100kph, (80-90) with a whole line of traffic banked up behind them and cops just cruize by the other way not giving a damn. Next thing you know someone trys to pass, exceeds 100kph and he gets ticketed.

The police chief said on the news the other night they were targeting drivers doing 110-120, well thats what you have to do to get past some of these clowns SAFELY.

It sux!
fuckin correct!!!!

some stupid fuckers do 70 around bends coz they cant drive and no-one does anything....
I am well pissed off!!!!

[Daisy Duke]

[QUOTE=vifferman]Ooooooohhh.... sexy. :love: [QUOTE]

Hey big boy, want to see me in my cap and gown? I'll draw you a diagram of your respiratory system while I'm at it.


Why dont my quotes appear as quotes? I feel like a right moron now!

[bugjuice]

[QUOTE=vifferman]Ooooooohhh.... sexy. :love: [QUOTE]

Hey big boy, want to see me in my cap and gown? I'll draw you a diagram of your respiratory system while I'm at it.


Why dont my quotes appear as quotes? I feel like a right moron now!
ooooo sounds good :2thumbsup

as for the quote bits, you missed an '/' inbetween the [ and the Q, so it should be [/QUOTE ] at the end (without the space between the E and ])

[vifferman]

Ooooooohhh.... sexy. :love:

Hey big boy, want to see me in my cap and gown?
Yeah, alright.

I'll draw you a diagram of your respiratory system while I'm at it.
At what? :shifty:

So. Is it the BSc or the PhD that's required for drawing a respiratory system?


Six pharkin years at unimiversititty and I'm a good fer nothin' blob....

[Daisy Duke]

Thanks Bug juice! Doh!!




Six pharkin years at unimiversititty and I'm a good fer nothin' blob....

Don't worry sweetie. 8 years studying and three years on the job training and I'm a kept woman now. Bored, bored, bored, bored, bored.

Time for a career change. Maybe I'll become a KB junkie. What's the pay like? Must be good because Biff spends all his time here and he's loaded!! Bastard. :sunny:

Ooops - guess I'm thread hijacking (see that, I even know the lingo!). I'm out of here before someone shouts at me

[**R1**]

Seems sily to have to wheelie past everyone(cages) on the left......you could hit a parked car, there is heaps more room on the right, also if ya way over to the left how do ya know if there is any coppers comming?:spudwhat: ....seems to me just another way to clock up $$$$$$$$$ for pot or what eva the labour party do with all my cash.

[thehollowmen]

Seems sily to have to wheelie past everyone(cages) on the left......you could hit a parked car, there is heaps more room on the right, also if ya way over to the left how do ya know if there is any coppers comming?:spudwhat: ....seems to me just another way to clock up $$$$$$$$$ for pot or what eva the labour party do with all my cash.

yeah, and less room to react if someone pulls out, opens a door, steps out, etc...

bad... bad and wrong

[igor]

[QUOTE=igor]its shows ya how many morons are on this site and the crap they talk about.

they have the us/them mentality.

its alright for them to commit offences but if anyone else does it its a henious crime.
[QUOTE]

Yep - I read the article too and didn't understand what the reporter was talking about as it clearly conflicted with my understanding of the new law.

I've a PhD and a BSc. I am not a moron.

that is debatable if u went to ta whanaga aoteo give me my degree bro

unis ant wot that used to be. they have been dumbed down and any halfwit can now attend. in my day only the intelligent ones went

now the halfwits there make a degree worth SFA as far as i am concerned

IGOR = living in the reall world, had a job for 25 years and paying my way

[spudchucka]

The 100K is a maximum limit mate, not a 'must drive at' indicator. The fact of the matter is that 80-90Kph probably isn't too slow to draw the attention of the cops. As annoying as it is to be stuck behind someone doing that speed.

If they drove at 40-60 KPH in a 100 zone, holding up traffic in the process, I'd hope the feds would then have a word in the ear of the driver concerned. Although it's probably my gran and she'd brick herself if a cop pulled her over for a chat.

But I know what you mean :niceone:
Another practical application of common sense, incredible!

[spudchucka]

What does the law actually state here? Does it actually state what the maximum number of vehicle can be behind you before you should pull over?

I guess I should buy a copy of the road code!!
The only practical charge would be "inconsiderate driving" and it would have to be a pretty serious incident to warrant taking someone to court, (it isn't an instant fine). IE: deliberate and intended to impeded traffic, not just an old fart puting along at a speed they are comfortable with.

The old farts should still have the sense to pull over and allow traffic to pass once they have a tail back behind them. However they are often so intimidated by the cars following 2 feet behind their tailpipe that they don't think clearly and end up with tunnel vision.

Perhaps if we are going to charge the slow drivers we should also charge all the tail-gaters behind them too?

[Blakamin]

Perhaps if we are going to charge the slow drivers we should also charge all the tail-gaters behind them too?
why the fuck not??? would stop 70% of accidents I've seen.. (and heard in 2 days on a scanner)

c*nts that drive like nannas cause other people to tailgate and pass when not safe...

KILL 'EM ALL :angry2:

[spudchucka]

(and heard in 2 days on a scanner)
It was a real shitty weekend for crashes down your way.

[Zapf]

well to stop tailgaters perhaps people should move over if they are travelling in the fast lane and there are faster traffic coming up behind them. E.g people should move over to slow or medium lane if the faster car behind them is flashing their head lights...

or make a law that says similar things....

because tailgating is almost a language that some drivers use to say move over.... or speed up.

[Stevo]

Another practical application of common sense, incredible!
Common sense like considerate drivers, seems to be disappearing rapidly. If some one is driving inconsiderately in front of me I have found flashing my lights and tooting my horn madly works quite well. Next time you're in a diesel ute or something and struggling with an inconsiderate prick, try it. (BTW I did not tell you this and I am not encouraging or condoning this behaviour, ONLY where appropriate) :killingme

[Blakamin]

It was a real shitty weekend for crashes down your way.
this was only yesterday and today!!!! poor bastards...

still think slow drivers should be done for "dangerous"... or we have another invented called "impeding".... (haven't driven personally since being back from qld coz I thought I might get road rage.... have ridden tho)

oh... for all the wankers... they have attended ALL 111 calls, various escaped loonies, a missing bush-walker and a shit load of burgs (including one with the 2 alleged cunts still in the house... aged 14.. female... at 2pm today...thieven fukkers)
all the accidents, a coupla shop-lifts and more fuckin idiots on the road than you can point a stick at... stop believing in the media and lsten for yerselves.... :done:

[Stevo]

I thought Mr Policeman or woman would only pull one up if not driving to the left of the dottted line and to the right of the solid one.

Faaark me if on the way back from Wanganui street races this tossa in a Hilux caught us up relatively quickly (we were travelling on or near 110kph) BUT he was literally STRADDLING the freakin solid white line!!!! Eventually he overtook uswhere he indicated right and crossed the dotted line only to pull back to the left and straddle the sloid line again :brick: :brick: :brick:

Anyone fancy a bicycle ride in the country?? I bloody doubt it!

[Blakamin]

oops... forgot to mention the 2 14y/o and the 11 year old that stabbed someone yesterday......

why do we need to fix roads??? spend 5 cents and get some of these little c*nts put away!!!

Invest in police!!!

[spudchucka]

well to stop tailgaters perhaps people should move over if they are travelling in the fast lane and there are faster traffic coming up behind them. E.g people should move over to slow or medium lane if the faster car behind them is flashing their head lights...

or make a law that says similar things....

because tailgating is almost a language that some drivers use to say move over.... or speed up.
Regardless of what the slow driver is doing the tailgating is the responsibility of the person following. Its not just on motorways and multi lane stretches of road, tailgating is virtually a national sport. And it doesn't just happen at low speed, when I'm driving my car at around 105 - 110 I inevitably end up with some jerk right up behind me who inevitably ends up passing in an inapropriate location simply because that is the psyche of the New Zealand driver.

[spudchucka]

this was only yesterday and today!!!! poor bastards...

still think slow drivers should be done for "dangerous"... or we have another invented called "impeding".... (haven't driven personally since being back from qld coz I thought I might get road rage.... have ridden tho)

oh... for all the wankers... they have attended ALL 111 calls, various escaped loonies, a missing bush-walker and a shit load of burgs (including one with the 2 alleged cunts still in the house... aged 14.. female... at 2pm today...thieven fukkers)
all the accidents, a coupla shop-lifts and more fuckin idiots on the road than you can point a stick at... stop believing in the media and lsten for yerselves.... :done:
What channel are you scanning? Kapiti Mana I'm guessing?

[Stevo]

Umm. You don't sound happy but did I miss something besides the News tonight and last night?
What does this mean?



oh... for all the wankers... they have attended ALL 111 calls, various escaped loonies, a missing bush-walker and a shit load of burgs (including one with the 2 alleged cunts still in the house... aged 14.. female... at 2pm today...thieven fukkers)

[Stevo]

I don't get the whole slow drivers should be punished mentality??
Why is someone travelling at 80 kph in a 100 zone any more a hazard than some law abiding citizen towing a trailer at 80kph in a 100 zone? Tractors and Ag machinery are a hazard cos they go much slower than you think. Hell lets fine them for not doing 100kph as well!!!! What about someone towing another vehicle where the speed limit is VERY low. Lets fine them for not doing 100kph, then if they are, ping them for excessive speed while towing another vehicle.
Shit lets just fine everyone all the time!!!!!!

Oh! They already do......................

[Blakamin]

yeah, Spud... quite a nice lot of fuckers down this way.... wish I had a bigger antenna.... decided I couldn't do your job without the power to bash some brains into some people (haven't had myscanner since I lived in aus until yesterday)


sorry stevo... just saw a stuff.co.nz story on 111 calls that made me pissed right offf.........

[Stevo]

Oh. Mighta gone off on a wee tangent there :doh:

[spudchucka]

Umm. You don't sound happy but did I miss something besides the News tonight and last night?
What does this mean?
He's pointing out all the every day shit that police attend and no one ever hears about. This stuff is going on all day every day all around the country. The common misconception that police are just out issuing traffic tickets and ignoring all the other stuff is easily proven wrong simply by listen to a scanner, as Blakamin has done.

An interesting point is that the media all listen to scanners and should know what happens on a day to day basis but they elect to hear only the juicy bits that might make a story.

[Blakamin]

I don't get the whole slow drivers should be punished mentality??
Why is someone travelling at 80 kph in a 100 zone any more a hazard than some law abiding citizen towing a trailer at 80kph in a 100 zone?

that is a stupid law all by itself... like the 70k for learner bikes... it just gets people being stupid and people being killed!!!
it is a 100 zone ... keep everything at the same fuckin speed (provided trailers are road-worthy) and everyone gets along fine... make them do 20 less on the stupid highways with no passing lanes is asking for idiots to pass, dodge, get frustrated and possibly kill!

ffs... it aint like it's rocket fuckin science!!!!

[Stevo]

Are public allowed to listen to the scanners these days? A tow truck driver told me years ago that they used to listen to the scanners to get to accidents before another towey even tho they weren't really supposed to or allowed to or something like that

[spudchucka]

yeah, Spud... quite a nice lot of fuckers down this way.... wish I had a bigger antenna.... decided I couldn't do your job without the power to bash some brains into some people (haven't had myscanner since I lived in aus until yesterday)


sorry stevo... just saw a stuff.co.nz story on 111 calls that made me pissed right offf.........
Heres a link to the police findings on 111 call complaints.

http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/1809.php

[spudchucka]

Are public allowed to listen to the scanners these days? A tow truck driver told me years ago that they used to listen to the scanners to get to accidents before another towey even tho they weren't really supposed to or allowed to or something like that
Its not an offence to listen to a scanner however it is an offence to act on any information received over the scanner.

[Stevo]

that is a stupid law all by itself... like the 70k for learner bikes... it just gets people being stupid and people being killed!!!
it is a 100 zone ... keep everything at the same fuckin speed (provided trailers are road-worthy) and everyone gets along fine... make them do 20 less on the stupid highways with no passing lanes is asking for idiots to pass, dodge, get frustrated and possibly kill!

ffs... it aint like it's rocket fuckin science!!!!

No, but people aint real clever eh? How many trailers do you see on the roadside full of green firewood, a load of gravel or sand etc and missing one wheel. People can't load trailers at all well. At the same time like you I get frustrated towing our 2ton braked trailer with just my race quad or something on it and stuck on 80 (well 90 really cos always try to go as ast as I can within the normal tolerances).
Unlike most people with trailers I often SLOW DOWN ON A PASSING LANE to let traffic pass. If any trffic behind. Usually not much behind me anyway cos I prob let them thru before hand.
Of all the things I do or don't have, I DO have consideration and respect of others, unless they prove they don't deserve it

[Stevo]

Its not an offence to listen to a scanner however it is an offence to act on any information received over the scanner.


Crystal clear on that now. :apint:

[Blakamin]

Of all the things I do or don't have, I DO have consideration and respect of others, unless they prove they don't deserve it
I wish so many others did....
btw,I'd love to be the a fly on the wall on the welly motorway in the last 3 weeks... i was away for 7 days but still saw 3 matresses on the nth lanes from the terrace tunnel... dont people realise you actually have to tie shit down in a cage trailer??? (one was on my way home from the airport... said to the missus" they're gunna spew when thay realise"... 2 ks up... there they were...tying the base down in a caged trailer.... lol) :spudwhat:

[Marmoot]

Why is someone travelling at 80 kph in a 100 zone any more a hazard than some law abiding citizen towing a trailer at 80kph in a 100 zone?

Mate, u're barking the wrong tree.
The stupid bastard was the one doing 45kph in the northwestern m'way last night. Not the one doing 80 in 100. Imagine that.....less than half the speedlimit.

If the argument was that the driver is visually impaired, he shouldn't be driving in the first place.
If the argument was that the vehicle was unsafe, it should've been roadside-impounded.
If the argument was that the driver was not qualified to drive above 45kph, he shouldn't have been licensed at all. :angry2:

I failed license test once for doing less than 40 all the way. The officer said I was too slow and impending traffic and frustrating people following me, enticing them to overtake dangerously. I learned my lesson well ever since. That once-sh*thead officer for me turned out to be a bloddy legend.

[Stevo]

[QUOTE=Marmoot]Mate, u're barking the wrong tree.
The stupid bastard was the one doing 45kph in the northwestern m'way last night. Not the one doing 80 in 100. Imagine that.....less than half the speedlimit.

If the argument was that the driver is visually impaired, he shouldn't be driving in the first place.
If the argument was that the vehicle was unsafe, it should've been roadside-impounded.
If the argument was that the driver was not qualified to drive above 45kph, he shouldn't have been licensed at all. :angry2:

QUOTE]
Towing another vehicle you are only to do 50 kph isn't that right? Tis no different. Thing is in this country, every corner you turn there are hazards. As a driver shouldn't you be prepared for them?

45kph in the northwestern m'way????? How many lanes on this motorway? I thought you people up there just crawled along these things at 10kph listening to your stereos and singing along. Or is this Auckland traffic congestion problem just you guys having us on???????
Wanting us to pay for your effing roads again!! :angry2: :angry2:

[Marmoot]

45kph in the northwestern m'way????? How many lanes on this motorway? I thought you people up there just crawled along these things at 10kph listening to your stereos and singing along. Or is this Auckland traffic congestion problem just you guys having us on???????
Wanting us to pay for your effing roads again!! :angry2: :angry2:

offramp only got 1 lane....and it is a heck of a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG offramp. almost 1.5km I believe

[vifferman]

An interesting point is that the media all listen to scanners and should know what happens on a day to day basis but they elect to hear only the juicy bits that might make a story.
The other day (Saturday? Sunday?), we were on our way home, and there was a major accident just before the Harbour Bridge. The traffic was down to one lane, and crawling at about 15 km/h till we got to the crash site (fookin rubberneckers :angry2: ) then moving OK past that (once the eedjit D'Auckland drivers twigged to the fact they could use ALL the lanes!)
At the crash, the Fire Service, paramedics and police were all doing the best to sort things, and there's this pharkin camera crew, wandering around like vultures filming it for the news or whatever! Unbelievable !! I was quite disgusted.

Is it just me, or is a lot of what passes for news just tales of woe, glorified gossip, and sensationalism? :spudwhat:

[Lou Girardin]

The other day (Saturday? Sunday?), we were on our way home, and there was a major accident just before the Harbour Bridge. The traffic was down to one lane, and crawling at about 15 km/h till we got to the crash site (fookin rubberneckers :angry2: ) then moving OK past that (once the eedjit D'Auckland drivers twigged to the fact they could use ALL the lanes!)
At the crash, the Fire Service, paramedics and police were all doing the best to sort things, and there's this pharkin camera crew, wandering around like vultures filming it for the news or whatever! Unbelievable !! I was quite disgusted.

Is it just me, or is a lot of what passes for news just tales of woe, glorified gossip, and sensationalism? :spudwhat:

You got it.
Let's all stop watching TV, it just encourages them.

[vifferman]

You got it.
Let's all stop watching TV, it just encourages them.
The biggest piss off about TV is that the news is crap, and it's because THEY have decided that the format the news currently has is what we want. Oh, REALLY? Well, no-one asked me. I'd rather have more good news (instead of one token "happy crappy werid human-interest item"), the sports news entirely separate, longer and more detailed weather, and items of importance given a decent coverage, not just some "YourAttentionSpanIsVeryShortAndYouAreTooStupidAnd IgnorantToUnderstandAnyway" sound-bite.

[Blakamin]

Heres a link to the police findings on 111 call complaints.

http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/1809.php
cheers for that...was interesting... some people aye??

[igor]

The biggest piss off about TV is that the news is crap, and it's because THEY have decided that the format the news currently has is what we want. Oh, REALLY? Well, no-one asked me. I'd rather have more good news (instead of one token "happy crappy werid human-interest item"), the sports news entirely separate, longer and more detailed weather, and items of importance given a decent coverage, not just some "YourAttentionSpanIsVeryShortAndYouAreTooStupidAnd IgnorantToUnderstandAnyway" sound-bite.

it ant about news. its about ratings and selling advertising

work it out

how do ya think they pay judy $800K a year

[vifferman]

it ant about news. its about ratings and selling advertising

That's not my point.
My point (hidden in amongst the verdant undergrowth of my long and rambling blather) was that THEY (whoever the phark THEY are) decided that we wanted a particular format, content, etc., but I'm willing to bet that if you canvassed a cross-section of the population and asked the right questions, very few would like what THEY dish up. It seems to me more a case of trying to condition us to expect a certain format.
Well, I for one am no Pavlov's mongrel.

No sirreeee, JiminyBob.

But then again, :whocares:

[igor]

That's not my point.
My point (hidden in amongst the verdant undergrowth of my long and rambling blather) was that THEY (whoever the phark THEY are) decided that we wanted a particular format, content, etc., but I'm willing to bet that if you canvassed a cross-section of the population and asked the right questions, very few would like what THEY dish up. It seems to me more a case of trying to condition us to expect a certain format.
Well, I for one am no Pavlov's mongrel.

No sirreeee, JiminyBob.

But then again, :whocares:

That's not my point.
My point is the format and every thing is ratings base

why ask u, they no best or they think they do so thats why they presenrt it that way for eratings and selling advertising at the highest possible dollar

:whocares:

[spudchucka]

Why is someone travelling at 80 kph in a 100 zone any more a hazard than some law abiding citizen towing a trailer at 80kph in a 100 zone?
Surely this is a good thing. Don't know why they didn't make this change when they bumped up the open road speed for trucks.

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-safety/new-road-rules/summary-of-changes.html

Light vehicle towing speed limit increase

The speed limit for light vehicles towing trailers will increase from 80–90 km/h. (At the same time, the Police will be enforcing a reduced discretionary tolerance of 5 km/h over any applicable speed limit (previously 10 km/h).)

[flyin]

You got it.
Let's all stop watching TV, it just encourages them.

Good call. lets all go out and do somthing constructive.......... its amazing what comes of it :sunny:

[Lou Girardin]

The biggest piss off about TV is that the news is crap, and it's because THEY have decided that the format the news currently has is what we want. Oh, REALLY? Well, no-one asked me. I'd rather have more good news (instead of one token "happy crappy werid human-interest item"), the sports news entirely separate, longer and more detailed weather, and items of importance given a decent coverage, not just some "YourAttentionSpanIsVeryShortAndYouAreTooStupidAnd IgnorantToUnderstandAnyway" sound-bite.

The question is; how much dumber will society become? We have sound-bite news now, what's next? Txt headlines to go with pretty pictures.
Still, there's always BBC World.
It was funny seeing Judy stumble over a news item with the figure 800,000 being mentioned. She must have gone all a'flutter. I know I bloody would.