Letter in Saturday's Harold - Police to target motorcyclists

[Ixion]

Yesterdays (Saturday 10th Jan I guess) Harold had a letter from a John Richards of Glen Eden. Mr Richards states "A police spokesperson said on the TV news that motorcyclists are to be targeted by police this year"

Mr Richards objects to being targeted.

I never watch TV so I do not know what Mr Richards is referring to, but I also dislike the idea of being targeted by the police this years.

Did anyone see the TV News item to which Mr Richards refers, and if so, what was it about ?

[Shadows]

He's probably referring to this

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4804914a11.html

"Motorcycle safety would be targeted in a new 10-year government road safety strategy to be launched early next year, she said."

[Ixion]

Perhaps, but it does not quite seem to fit. Mr Richards specifically refers to a *police* spokesperson. Of course, he may be confused.

I haven't heard anyone else mention such a statement, or any mention of a specific police campaign to target motorcyclists. . But i have seen a number of comments form police sources that might be indicative of a softening up of public opinion preparatory to launching such a campaign.

[Crazy Steve]

Yesterdays (Saturday 10th Jan I guess) Harold had a letter from a John Richards of Glen Eden. Mr Richards states "A police spokesperson said on the TV news that motorcyclists are to be targeted by police this year"

Mr Richards objects to being targeted.

I never watch TV so I do not know what Mr Richards is referring to, but I also dislike the idea of being targeted by the police this years.

Did anyone see the TV News item to which Mr Richards refers, and if so, what was it about ?

Anyone not wearing the right riding gear shouldn't get Acc coverage for that part of there body that gets damaged..

I have a friend an older rider (Born again) Limited buget for bike and gear..In two years he breaks his collar bone and massive gravel rash..In one accident.

The another 12mths later he severs his Big Toe and massive gravel rash..From not wearing any boots..

The 1st massive Acc claim could of been reduced in cost me thinks if he was wearing Good gloves...And the second could of been avoided by wearing good boots...

I dont wanna pay high Acc fees anymore....These people that arnt wearing gloves and boots....Should pay for there OWN injuries NOT ME ! ! !

Crazy Steve

[tri boy]

If your not acting like a plonker on the road, then I don't think the rozza's can do that much.
They already have radar and speed camera's, and wof/reg is a no brainer, so if they start pulling you up, unless your pissed or stoned, theres nothing to worry about.
After all, "the man" is still just the man.

[Shadows]

Perhaps, but it does not quite seem to fit. Mr Richards specifically refers to a *police* spokesperson. Of course, he may be confused.

I haven't heard anyone else mention such a statement, or any mention of a specific police campaign to target motorcyclists. . But i have seen a number of comments form police sources that might be indicative of a softening up of public opinion preparatory to launching such a campaign.

True it is of concern but the last time I checked it wasn't illegal to ride a motorcycle.

Therefore such a statement could only refer to what level of discretion the police may be afforded when deciding whether or not to prosecute for traffic offences, so anything that was stated could only affect the people already breaking the rules or those whose riding is often in the "grey areas" - such as when lane-splitting.

Most people accept that if they are caught doing something wrong they have to face the consequences. It's just a bonus if the copper decides to let you off.

[Tank]

Did anyone see the TV News item to which Mr Richards refers, and if so, what was it about ?

I didn't hear the entire quote. Just something about Thursday nights around S/W16

[Ixion]

Indeed so. But I'm just trying to find out what 'the man' said on TV.

And unfortunately, if they want to , they can indeed target bikers. F'instance. You're riding along in fairly haevy traffic, doing around 60, like all the cars around you. Not overtaking, just keeping in line. And a cop pulls you over. "Here's your ticket". Hang on, look at that stream of traffic. ALL of them doing the same speed I was. "Not interested. Only bikes get tickets".

A lot of road laws are pretty subjective too. Excessive noise. Careless use. Failure to keep left - strictly speaking , riding right wheel track is breaking the law. Stupid law, and it'd never be enforced thus - unless bikes are being targeted.

[JohnR]

He's probably referring to this

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4804914a11.html

"Motorcycle safety would be targeted in a new 10-year government road safety strategy to be launched early next year, she said."

The article quotes '...bikers killed in accidents to 50 so far this year - well ahead of the 38 deaths recorded at the same point in 2006 and in 2007.'

"She" also said 'The growth in motorcycle accidents was directly related to the number of new motorbike registrations, with about 16,000 more motorbikes registered in 2007.'

So 16000 (read it... SIXTEEN THOUSAND) more motorcycles registered results in 12more deaths

I may be an uncouth, soon to be outlawed biker but how do they get "...should be targeted" out of that?

[SARGE]

A lot of road laws are pretty subjective too.

sorry bro..laws cant be "subjective"..

far as im concerned.. if someone pulls me up on a "subjective" law.. better be prepared for a long court fight

[Ixion]

sorry bro..laws cant be "subjective"..

far as im concerned.. if someone pulls me up on a "subjective" law.. better be prepared for a long court fight

Course they can be. Better if they aren't of course.

Excessive noise is a classic instance. Cop can give you a ticket if he think your vehicle is too noisy. Just cos it sounds noisy to him. He doesn't have to measure the noise, and it doesn't make any difference if you have a brand new WoF. All he has to do is say "Sounds too noisy to me. here's your ticket" .That's subjective.

Even driving in a manner dangerous. Cop thinks it's dangerous. Driver doesn't . That's subjective. Unsafe lane change. The cop thinks (subjectively) that it's unsafe. The definion isn't written into law any where.

Outside road area too. Disorderly conduct. My highspirited fun is his disorderly conduct. That's subjective.

Lots of subjective laws. Depend on the cops opinion. Ultimately, maybe, that gets tested in court. Still subjective, just there it's whether the judge thinks it's noisey/dangerous/unsafe/disorderly

[ffirman]

I don't think that you would get done for the riding in the right wheel track, as the road code says, that is where you are meant to ride. ie the front of the car's driver's main vision.

It was one of the questions I had to answer for the learners.

Question 33 here: http://www.drivinginstructor.co.nz/t...=Motor%20Cycle

Cheers

Fran

Indeed so. But I'm just trying to find out what 'the man' said on TV.

And unfortunately, if they want to , they can indeed target bikers. F'instance. You're riding along in fairly haevy traffic, doing around 60, like all the cars around you. Not overtaking, just keeping in line. And a cop pulls you over. "Here's your ticket". Hang on, look at that stream of traffic. ALL of them doing the same speed I was. "Not interested. Only bikes get tickets".

A lot of road laws are pretty subjective too. Excessive noise. Careless use. Failure to keep left - strictly speaking , riding right wheel track is breaking the law. Stupid law, and it'd never be enforced thus - unless bikes are being targeted.

[Ixion]

I don't think that you would get done for the riding in the right wheel track, as the road code says, that is where you are meant to ride. ie the front of the car's driver's main vision.

It was one of the questions I had to answer for the learners.

Question 33 here: http://www.drivinginstructor.co.nz/t...=Motor%20Cycle

Cheers

Fran

Doubt you *would* get done. But you *could*. Do a search here , it's been well covered. Legislators forgot about bikes. Again. Road code disagrees with law. Road Code is right.

[SARGE]

Course they can be. Better if they aren't of course.

Excessive noise is a classic instance. Cop can give you a ticket if he think your vehicle is too noisy. Just cos it sounds noisy to him. He doesn't have to measure the noise, and it doesn't make any difference if you have a brand new WoF. All he has to do is say "Sounds too noisy to me. here's your ticket" .That's subjective.

i carry this with me.. copy of the internationally recognized ISO standard for sound testing...

To ascertain how this 86dBA is measured you need to follow ISO 362 (practically identical to BS 3425).
There are conditions over 6 pages with all the details but these are the guts of it

-measurements shall be made in a level open area with no reflecting items (buildings, boulders, fences etc) within 50m.
-There shall be a minimum of 20metres square of ashphalt or similar road surface (that has to comply with ISO 10844... I did say it wouldn't be simple!) with a further minimum 10m stretch at either end (at least 3m wide) prior to entering the 20x20 area.
-The microphone is 7.5m away from the centreline in the middle of the 20x20 area
-4 measurements are made per side .. ie vehicle does at least 8 passes
-vehicle must be warmed up first
-As the bike approaches the 20x20m area it must be doing 50km/hr in 2nd and/or 3rd gear (if 5 forward gears or more are fitted). The bike then accelerates hard across the 20m and then the throttle is closed as the rear of the bike passes the 20m line
-if the engine RPM's exceed the maximum net power point, the test is done only in 3rd gear, otherwise both 2nd and 3rd are used
-minimum of 4 consecutive measurements must be done and be within 2 dB

if they got all that.. im happy to pony up

[doc]

If your not acting like a plonker on the road, then I don't think the rozza's can do that much.
They already have radar and speed camera's, and wof/reg is a no brainer, so if they start pulling you up, unless your pissed or stoned, theres nothing to worry about.
After all, "the man" is still just the man.

It's been coming for a while not just from the car owners complaining. I imagine some of the locals who live on the various loop/GP ride routes. Joe public gets a bit envious or sick of when they see bikers blatantly ignoring speed limits and road rules that are made for the cars. Plus if half of what gets posted on here about the exploits of some of the "Legends" is only part truth, you got say, it had to happen.