Police killing us again!

[MSTRS:Me]

... the police officer. ... contributed to a crash ...

Goes much further than that.
The ute driver 'contributed'
The rider 'contributed'
The cop CAUSED

[Max Preload]

The limit at that crest is 100, and at 100k's he would still have hit that police car.

Actually, the limit at that or any other crest or corner is the speed at which you can safely stop within the distance of visible road ahead (given it is a road marked in lanes) or 100km/h, whichever is less.

[MSTRS:Me]

Actually, the limit at that or any other crest or corner is the speed at which you can safely stop within the distance of visible road ahead (given it is a road marked in lanes) or 100km/h, whichever is less.

That may be so, but the reality is that almost no-one would slow down prior to such a crest on an open, 100kph road...and I doubt that any motorist has ever been ticketed for it.

[oneofsix]

That may be so, but the reality is that almost no-one would slow down prior to such a crest on an open, 100kph road...and I doubt that any motorist has ever been ticketed for it.

road is clear 100k ok ... oh fuck whats that cop car doing????????
Seriously though ... disbelieve and surprise or shock is not calculated into the reaction time that's why its illegal to pull a u-turn where there is less than the required visibility.

[Max Preload]

That may be so, but the reality is that almost no-one would slow down prior to such a crest on an open, 100kph road...and I doubt that any motorist has ever been ticketed for it.

I'm simply pointing out that it's one of those catch-all bits of legislation for when they can't get you on anything else, like driving in a manner likely to cause annoyance to any person: $600 infringement fee.

[MSTRS:Me]

It is a fair piece of legislation, being able to stop in the clear distance ahead (2 laned road) or half the clear distance ahead (single lane road), it's purpose being safety.
But it is impossible to police, being so open to interpretation, speed-wise. An old banger, with rod-activated drum brakes might need to be travelling at 30kph to manage compliance, whilst a modern, 4 disc, power assisted jobby could do 95kph.
Fact is that every time a motorist approaches a blind section of road such as this sort of crest, they should slow down as a precaution. But few do.

[Elysium]

Fact is that every time a motorist approaches a blind section of road such as this sort of crest, they should slow down as a precaution. But few do.

I do that when I ride on roads I've never been on before. Proberly saved my life 2 years ago when I was riding near Invercargill and come upon such a crest that was shadowed with trees on each side of the road.

The sign said 90 and I dropped to 70 and about 2 seconds later as I hit the top of the crest my back wheel violently swung left and right. I admit I panicked a bit but just kept aiming my front straight, didn't touch the clutch and eased off the throttle. Sure enough I hit normal road again. If it went bad then I would gone over the sheer cliff next to the road.

Reason wheel gave out was idiot contractors having patched the road in places and didn't sweep any of the loose gravel up along with no signage. One of those patches was right on top off the crest where you could not see it until you hit it. So poor was the patching that on comming cars on the other side of road had lost control when they hit the pachting too judging by the amount of long skid marks.

[MSTRS:Me]

I do that when I ride on roads I've never been on before. Proberly saved my life 2 years ago when I was riding near Invercargill and come upon such a crest that was shadowed with trees on each side of the road.

The sign said 90 and I dropped to 70 and about 2 seconds later as I hit the top of the crest my back wheel violently swung left and right. I admit I panicked a bit but just kept aiming my front straight, didn't touch the clutch and eased off the throttle. Sure enough I hit normal road again. If it went bad then I would gone over the sheer cliff next to the road.

Reason wheel gave out was idiot contractors having patched the road in places and didn't sweep any of the loose gravel up along with no signage. One of those patches was right on top off the crest where you could not see it until you hit it. So poor was the patching that on comming cars on the other side of road had lost control when they hit the pachting too judging by the amount of long skid marks.

One guess as to who was responsible for the situation you (and others) found yourselves in.
Yes, yes, Steve - I know...

[Elysium]

One guess as to who was responsible for the situation you (and others) found yourselves in.
Yes, yes, Steve - I know...

Oh yes indeed, something about expecting the unexpected. So really I should have known there was patching in the area.

[MSTRS:Me]

Here's another brilliant example of propaganda reporting...
In today's local paper, there is a front page report of a crash on a suburban street on Saturday night. The final paragraph states "SCU officers are investigating the cause of the accident to determine if alcohol and speed were factors."
Why can't they just say "SCU officers are investigating the cause of the accident"?

The aftermath makes it obvious that speed was involved (the moving car, a Ford of some description, hit a parked Nissan Safari, and shunted it 20m along the road, over the kerbing and into someone's front wall). The driver was probably pissed, but who knows...don't have to be pissed to drive at speed in a residential area at 11.40pm...

[Bald Eagle]

Here's another brilliant example of propaganda reporting...
In today's local paper, there is a front page report of a crash on a suburban street on Saturday night. The final paragraph states "SCU officers are investigating the cause of the accident to determine if alcohol and speed were factors."
Why can't they just say "SCU officers are investigating the cause of the accident"?

The aftermath makes it obvious that speed was involved (the moving car, a Ford of some description, hit a parked Nissan Safari, and shunted it 20m along the road, over the kerbing and into someone's front wall). The driver was probably pissed, but who knows...don't have to be pissed to drive at speed in a residential area at 11.40pm...

surely the correct quote should be "SCU officers are investigating to determine the cause of the accident" - with a completely open mind of course.

[Max Preload]

The final paragraph states "SCU officers are investigating the cause of the accident to determine if alcohol and speed were factors."
Why can't they just say "SCU officers are investigating the cause of the accident"?

Would that sell more or less papers?

[MSTRS:Me]

Anyone would think that all accidents (and I use that term loosely) are caused by speed and/or alcohol. I mean, that is what they are looking for when they investigate. I know this, because the paper tells me.

[Elysium]

Would that sell more or less papers?

The very words that every news paper editor utters at each meeting with staff.

[trustme]

Anyone would think that all accidents (and I use that term loosely) are caused by speed and/or alcohol. I mean, that is what they are looking for when they investigate. I know this, because the paper tells me.

The bugger of it is that statistics suggest that speed & alcohol are a major factor in serious accidents, not all, but a high percentage. A concerted campaign has been launched to get the message across to joe public. The obvious way to do this is via the media, smoke signals & carrier pigeons don't cut it any more.
Some would ague that this is manipulation of the masses, & the press are the puppets of the govt.
Would we rather go back to the good old days of 30yrs ago when getting caught DIC was almost a right of passage.