Use of *555/111 regarding the banning of handheld legislation change.

**Genestho** · 17th August 2009, 10:53

I advocate the use of *555/111.
Many fatals MAY have been prevented prior, due to the witness of dangerous driving behaviour, not acted upon.

I made a call to the WBOP Traffic Manager - Ian Campion, (he was happy for me to quote his name)

Regarding the legislation change to banning the use of hand held devices, to be implemented Nov 1.

Firstly I advised that Paula Rosen needs to put out a press release advising motorists what to do, asap, so there is no uncertainty.

Ian Campion advised:

Firstly -Obviously (< my word) - If you have a passenger, have them make the call.

Secondly - Ian said - historically speaking he won't see the legislation until 2 weeks prior.

Ian continued to say that, as with most legislation there is a reasonable defence.

Ian also said they won't be discouraging drivers calling in dangerous behaviour, as they get good catches from *555/111 calls, obviously they require the public to be able to give regular updates of the drivers whereabouts!
They have intercepted many an incident if a car is available due to these calls.

When they can get clear definition regarding this issue, there will be an update, and hopefully NZ Police will release an official statement regarding *555/111.

How do I report an incident of bad driving?
*555: Dial *555 from a mobile phone to report incidents which are urgent but not life-threatening, such as non-injury crashes, erratic driving, traffic congestion, breakdowns, and obstructions on the highway. These calls go to Police communications centres, similar to 111 calls, but are given lower priority.

111 is for in use of an emergency!

Online Community Roadwatch Report
The Community Roadwatch programme has been designed for use by New Zealand Police to advise the owner of a motor vehicle about the unsafe or risky driving behaviour you have observed and reported where you do not wish the offender to be prosecuted.
The Police will regard your report as confidential; in accordance with the provisions of the law as it relates to privacy and disclosure of information.

If you wish the incident to be investigated with a view to charges being laid in Court you must lodge a formal complaint with your nearest police station.

For the Form:

**Marmoot** · 17th August 2009, 14:19

Oh the irony....oh the humanity....

**Max Preload** · 17th August 2009, 14:51

Can I *555 someone for driving talking on their cellphone? What if someone sees me doing it and *555s me?

I have visions of hundreds of drivers going down the motorway all dobbing each other in on their cellphones...

**Genestho** · 17th August 2009, 15:23

Originally Posted by Max Preload

Can I *555 someone for driving talking on their cellphone? What if someone sees me doing it and *555s me?

I have visions of hundreds of drivers going down the motorway all dobbing each other in on their cellphones...

Dunno, I didn't write the legislation

nor did I make submissions, as was not aware of the consultation paper, workin on other stuff

Comical vision you have - isn't it?

Wonder if this particular issue was ever addressed.
Guess what this may mean is *555 call service -could become redundant?
Be interesting to see how this is resolved! Particularly in other countries.

**Danae** · 17th August 2009, 15:28

Well if you have to make the *555 call just pull over. If you're on the motorway or something, remember their numberplate and call at the next opportunity. Or just let it go...

but yeah. I would lol if someone got *555'd while *555ing.

**FROSTY:Me** · 17th August 2009, 15:31

Hang on the entire premise *555 is built on means that anyone driving and using *555 is right away handing themselves a ticket for DG.
And of course taking the other safe option-pulling over and stoppping when you get a call ius also illigal on our motorways.

**mister.koz** · 17th August 2009, 15:35

Get a headset or pull over to call *555... Quite simple really

**Ixion** · 17th August 2009, 15:40

Hang on.

Passing (for the moment) in silence over the fact that "pulling over" on the motorway is an offence, how does this work, anyway?

I "pull over" to the side of the road. Put the handbrake on And make my call? But I'm still in charge of the vehicle. Does the new rule say that it is only an offence if the car is moving? If it does , then presumably I may quite legally call up on my cell when I am stuck motionless in motorway traffic. I mean, I'm not moving .Or waiting at traffic lights?

And if it does not say thus, then I can cop a ticket for using a cell phone while behind the wheel . Moving or not. So pulling over wouldn't help. I'd have to pull over AND get out. Wandering around on the motorway, good way to go.

**Max Preload** · 17th August 2009, 15:41

Originally Posted by T.G.W

Wonder if this particular issue was ever addressed.

Guess what this may mean is *555 call service -could become redundant?
Be interesting to see how this is resolved!

Page 10. I can't see it changing much since submissions have closed.

**Max Preload** · 17th August 2009, 15:45

Originally Posted by Ixion

Does the new rule say that it is only an offence if the car is moving?

Only an offence if moving or stopped in traffic.

**mister.koz** · 17th August 2009, 15:45

Originally Posted by Ixion

....
Passing (for the moment) in silence over the fact that "pulling over" on the motorway is an offence, how does this work, anyway?
....

Semantics... get a headset...

**Hitcher** · 17th August 2009, 15:47

Other than it not having instant fine provisions, I can't see why cops can't bust cellphone users for careless use of a motor vehicle.

**Ixion** · 17th August 2009, 15:49

Originally Posted by mister.koz

Semantics... get a headset...

Semantics keeps lawyers in seven figure incomes.

BTW, a head set isn't enough. You have to have a phone that "does not require the pressing of more than 1 button on the mobile telephone to make, receive, or terminate a telephone call" or "does not require the driver to hold, or to manipulate, the mobile telephone in order to make, receive, or terminate a telephone call". So voice activated only ?

**Genestho** · 17th August 2009, 15:55

Originally Posted by Max Preload

Page 10. I can't see it changing much since submissions have closed.

Sweet! Thanks

Shouldv'e been on the ball with this one!!!
Glad it's addressed!

I noted South Aus who also have a traffic report call-in service banning cellphones for Learner drivers (including hands free and blue tooth) 31st August, and looks like Canada is too, within the next month or so (lost the link!)