Police Press Release - Bulletproof motocyclists

**Ronin** · 30th November 2009, 14:22

From: http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/21676.html

30 November, 2009 - 15:00

Increased motorcycle traffic on Canterbury's State Highways recently has urged Police to issue yet another warning to riders. Several motorcycle related events around the South Island have meant large numbers of motor cycles travelling up and down State Highways 1 and 7.

Focused enforcement has resulted in a higher than usual number of infringement notices issued to motorcyclists for speeding, with speeds of 120km/h plus being the norm. Overtaking on bends and yellow lines are also far too common, as are riders who do not have the appropriate licence or who are breaching the conditions of their graduated licence.

Increased enforcement is also targeting the behaviour of motorcyclists on State Highway 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa, where 4 motorcyclists lost their lives in 2008.

"Unfortunately there is a section of the motor cycling fraternity who see themselves as bullet proof and are prepared to take unnecessary risks which all too often are claiming their lives, and putting other road users at risk," says Senior Sergeant Neville Hyland, Canterbury Highway Patrol. "The saddest part of this whole equation is that a large proportion of these riders are family men, who run the risk of depriving their own families of a husband and father."

It is timely, with Christmas approaching and the summer weather more conducive to dusting off the bike and taking it out for a ride, to urge all motorcyclists to act responsibly and within the law. "If you feel the need to ride at high speeds, take it to the race track," says Senior Sergeant Hyland.

A 41 year old male motorcyclist will appear in the Rangiora District Court charged with driving while suspended, after being stopped twice by Police in North Canterbury within half an hour this afternoon, Monday 30 November. He was initially stopped for speeding (141km/h) and his licence suspended for 28 days for travelling at more than 40 km/h over the limit. He was stopped a second time a short distance away and his motorcycle impounded.

Two motorcycle riders have lost their lives on Canterbury roads so far in 2009. Last year, seven riders and two pillion passengers were killed. The increased enforcement will continue.

Senior Sergeant Neville Hyland, phone 03 3132669

Oh dear.....

**R6_kid:Me** · 30th November 2009, 14:32

Fair call. I don't agree with the 'speed kills' campaign, but blatantly ignoring the law and riding in an unsafe manor is just retarded. At a time when we have the media spotlight on us, and outlets like TV3 ready to pounce on any negative biker-related story they can, you'd think that those who act this way would be able to restrain themselves just a bit.

**pzkpfw** · 30th November 2009, 14:37

About twice as many people died last year from stuff-ups in hospitals, as riders died.

( http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/heal...s-in-hospitals )

(Not that I'm saying it's a good thing. Much better if none of us died, of course. And it's something we can control ourselves (as opposed to being at the mercy of an overworked hospital staffer).

Just trying to put perspective on it.)

**mashman** · 30th November 2009, 14:44

PAH!!! what can ya say to something like that... accidents will happen, people will have a rush of blood to the head every now and then... let's just hope noone comes a cropper... cheers for the concern Mr Fuzz

**avgas** · 30th November 2009, 14:50

Speeding on Burn Munro week.......never........

Sounds to me like the trap was set well before the bait was placed

**nrc** · 30th November 2009, 16:00

See this has just made the Stuff website...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crim...ing-widespread

Looks like a pretty good copy and paste job to me.

NRC.

**YellowDog** · 30th November 2009, 16:10

I am all for road users of any kind being stopped for dangerous driving/riding.

This speeding thing is a problem. Travelling at 140kph on European roads is pretty common and not a problem (or at least it wasn't the last time I was there)

**Elysium** · 30th November 2009, 16:15

The Fuzz are warning you!

Seriously 120 is what most traffic seems to be driving at anyway, hell I can be doing 120 and still have tail gaters trying to get past me.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th November 2009, 16:19

Originally Posted by nrc

Looks like a pretty good copy and paste job to me.

Most likely and RSS feed of some decription

**MSTRS:Me** · 30th November 2009, 16:21

Originally Posted by Elysium

.................................................. .............

Seriously 120 is what most traffic seems to be driving at anyway, hell I can be doing 120 and still have tail gaters trying to get past me.

You in NZ? Doesn't sound like it!
Anyway, if you do 100-110 those tailgaters will still be there, doing their stuff. It's not your job to stay in front of them. But if you try, and a cop sees you, anecdotal evidence says that you, the motorcyclist, will be stopped. There must be an instruction doing the rounds.

**laxette** · 30th November 2009, 16:23

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

About twice as many people died last year from stuff-ups in hospitals, as riders died.

( http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/heal...s-in-hospitals )

(Not that I'm saying it's a good thing. Much better if none of us died, of course. And it's something we can control ourselves (as opposed to being at the mercy of an overworked hospital staffer).

Just trying to put perspective on it.)

ACC must be gonna tripple acc contributions for medical staff too then

**scissorhands** · 30th November 2009, 16:23

'Any excuse to ticket biker', month, coming up in Canterbury

**Elysium** · 30th November 2009, 16:25

If they want to make even more money they should look at truckies who drive over their speed limits.

**AllanB** · 30th November 2009, 16:28

Nah - 120 is fast in the South Island. It cracks me up when you leave the South and head over the creek the speed immediately increases in the North Island. Well IMO anyway.

120 on the open road around Christchurch and Canterbury will see you passing 95% of the traffic. Well excluding motorcycles.

I am pretty sure I know the reason for this too .......

Most of our drivers are that shit on the open road that they need to keep their speeds low!

On the bright side we are much nicer people in the South Island

(until Skidmark comes back

)

**R6_kid:Me** · 30th November 2009, 16:33

Originally Posted by Elysium

If they want to make even more money they should look at truckies who drive over their speed limits.

If they want to make the roads safer then they should target people that are potentially endangering their own lives and those of others. Assuming they are ticketing bikers for passing on double yellows and passing around corners then I think they are starting the right place.

In my experience most cops can turn a blind eye to slight speeding, but you can't expect them not to ticket people for dangerous behaviour - especially if it is known that a 'problem group' will be passing through a particular area. You'd have to be a hermit to not be aware of the fact that the Police tend to target areas that are likely to be transited by people heading to any motorsport event. The thing is that by staying reasonably within the law on one long distance journey you will realise that you don't gain a whole lot by riding/driving like a dickhead.