Law change - Daytime headlights and ban on handheld devices

**xgnr** · 13th August 2009, 21:18

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

there are tests that can be done on lights that can tell whether they were on or not at the time of an accident. the wires inside react differently i think.

Yes true, but if not investigated by the serious accident crowd (i.e. you or somone else is dead) this probably won't happen... and you will have to prove it in your defense. Tough shit if the headlight wasn't smashed at the time of impact as there will be no evidence it was on apart from witnesses.

Dont get me wrong, I always ride with my light on but this law does worry me a bit about the possible implications.

Cheers

Stu

**sexy beast** · 13th August 2009, 21:24

talk about riding and texting skills...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7amxE3RLAzQ

Originally Posted by Dargor

The news paper doesnt say anything about no riding and texting, were all good.

**Hitcher** · 13th August 2009, 21:27

Originally Posted by Ragingrob

Sucks when you crash and are stuck in the car and need to use your phone

"Hi Mum. I'll be a bit late for dinner."

**zeocen** · 13th August 2009, 21:42

Originally Posted by Aaron_newrider

Older riders do need training, yes, but older riders don't think they are invincible (usually?) and don't do dumb immature shit

If we make the teenagers actually train to ride a motorcycle before we let them loose on the road there wouldn't be so many who think the are invincible.

Unfortunately, the thought of invincibility and lack of common sense is evident throughout the generations and holds no discrimination to any age bracket. I have seen the same idiotic behaviour in all ages of riders (including myself, I'm not immune to the red mist, either!).

I'm on the fence about the 24/7 headlight deal but I've personally never had trouble making out the difference between a motorcycle headlight and a car headlight during the day time, and only really mistake a motorcycle headlight with a 4x4 or Ute, or something similar. In either case I still see them and am still well aware of their presence.

But, then again, I my young, nubile body has 20/20 vision, maybe it's an old person's thing?

**Ixion** · 13th August 2009, 21:46

Originally Posted by zeocen

..

But, then again, I my young, nubile body has 20/20 vision, maybe it's an old person's thing?

Uh, dude, y' might just want to go look up the dictionary definition of 'nubile'. Unless you're trying to chat up Carver.

**zeocen** · 13th August 2009, 21:54

I'm trying to pretend I'm not getting wrinkles, here and am still in my teenage years!
Carver can look, but he can't touch.

**PrincessBandit** · 13th August 2009, 22:06

Originally Posted by Hitcher

"Hi Mum. I'll be a bit late for dinner."

or my version: me on the side of the motorway to hubby up in the States "Hi hon, just wanted to tell you the bike is still ridable......" all sorts of handy uses dem mobile phones. (Although I was most definitely stationary at the time)

**XRVrider** · 13th August 2009, 22:19

A bloke in the UK (hand helds etc.. banned) was driving along with his wife who fed him a hot chip. He opened his gob, wife threw it in, he was travelling under a motorway over bridge with a cop on it, who saw this and him eating and pulled him, gave ticket etc... Eating and driving is banned there too.

Seen plenty of people on phones and 95% drive way worse, even with earpieces. A lady driving who's having a fag, doing her make up and looking and talking to her passengers drives much worse, but thats still legal. Hmm

**Kickaha** · 13th August 2009, 22:40

Originally Posted by snuffles

who rides with no headlight on.

I do

Originally Posted by snuffles

I don't.....not that it actually stops the bastards from running you down...

that's why I don't, I'll take responsibility for my own safety and ride accordingly (with my headlight off)

Originally Posted by dmc

Or the inept car drivers will not run you down because you have your headlight on? They struggle to keep their cars on the road so your headlight isn't going to make much difference in them hitting you.

I predict it will make fuck all difference, be interesting to see the accident stats 12 months after this comes in

**jafar** · 13th August 2009, 22:44

New law to come into effect 1st November is for motorcyclists to be fined $100.00 for riding without their headlights on

No demerit points though.

**Leyton** · 13th August 2009, 22:50

Originally Posted by xgnr

Yes true, but if not investigated by the serious accident crowd (i.e. you or somone else is dead) this probably won't happen... and you will have to prove it in your defense. Tough shit if the headlight wasn't smashed at the time of impact as there will be no evidence it was on apart from witnesses.

The same argument can be put to indicators aswell. Whilst my light on may alert me to alert drivers, it will not to those who are just shutoff.. like the bus driver last weekend that pulled out on me on a round about!! DOH :P

Sure its more pointless legislation, personaly it does not worry me. My lights cant turn off. And even in on the old bike I simply leave the switch on, and the lights turn off with the ignition.

**The Stranger:Me** · 13th August 2009, 23:47

Originally Posted by robo555

Personally I do this anyway, the headlight is on every time I ride, it's now the law.

Sure, as we all should if we like our skin, however now the onus just moved from them to us. Why?
To save us from ourselves?
Why stop at headlights? Why not mandatory leathers, gloves, boots and glow vest, with flashing lights? Shit how about just ban bikes altogether.
Ok, ok, I think headlights on bikes at all times is a good idea, but a law to tell us so, I'm not so sure personally.

**jafar** · 14th August 2009, 00:01

So you blow a bulb on the way home in the middle of the day & Mr plod can stop you & give you a FINE FOR $100.00

I ride with my light on anyway, the bike is wired that way, but to make it an OFFENCE punishable by way of fine is just another nail in the coffin of civil liberties.

Next will be COMPULSORY DAYGLO

I

NZ the land of the free

**The Pastor** · 14th August 2009, 00:04

its not about weather or not riding with a light on is good or not, its what happens when you have a bike as your only means of transport and you dont have a working headlight. and its a summer day........

HELLO DEMERITS!

Yay! new laws! woohoo! i love being told what to do!

**jafar** · 14th August 2009, 00:07

Originally Posted by renegade master

its not about weather or not riding with a light on is good or not, its what happens when you have a bike as your only means of transport and you dont have a working headlight. and its a summer day........

HELLO DEMERITS!

Yay! new laws! woohoo! i love being told what to do!

NO DEMERITS on the new law, just a $100.00 fine