Ticketed for passing on double yellows

[Sentox]

Well, I copped a ticket for passing in the Manawatu gorge today. Leaving Palmerston, and got pulled over in Woodville.

The stupid part is that I assumed that operation centerline was still in effect, and basically just owned up to it. The cop mentioned at the end that someone had rung in and reported me instead. If I had denied it, or asked for proof, could a ticket still have been issued? Just wondering in hindsight.

Even better, this brings my demerits to 70, so it'll be a paranoid year and half from here on out

[Techno]

What's operation centerline?

[cowboyz]

bascially an operation that is concentrating on drivers crossing the centreline in the manawautu gorge which is double yellow the whole way through and notorious for drivers on the wrong side of the road.. You know.. what everyone keeps complaining about ??? Until of course some bike gets snapped for being on the wrong side of the road? even though there are very very few oppourtunities to pass safety even on a big bike let alone a 250.

I live about a k from the start of the gorge and its a magic piece of road on the very rare occasion you get a clear run through it. pay up the fine and next time.. stay on your side of the road. Ill be frikken annoyed if they close the road cause you stacked it into the front of a car that was inconviently driving on its side of the road cause you cant stay on your own side of the road.

[Patrick]

If I had denied it, or asked for proof, could a ticket still have been issued? Just wondering in hindsight.

Even better, this brings my demerits to 70, so it'll be a paranoid year and half from here on out

To answer your question, yes.

Doesn't take much for that remaining 30 points. Be good now.

[Sentox]

even though there are very very few oppourtunities to pass safety even on a big bike let alone a 250.

There's a handful of places where, if you have the presence of mind to be scanning ahead, you'll easily be able to determine if there's enough space to conduct a safe, unhurried passing maneuver. If I was trying to pass at every blind corner, you might have a point, but that's not the case.

I live about a k from the start of the gorge and its a magic piece of road on the very rare occasion you get a clear run through it. pay up the fine and next time.. stay on your side of the road. Ill be frikken annoyed if they close the road cause you stacked it into the front of a car that was inconviently driving on its side of the road cause you cant stay on your own side of the road.

Quite frankly, if I stack it, your annoyance will be very, very low on my list of concerns. As I've admitted on this very forum before, in the past I've pushed my luck in the gorge, and I'm not proud of that. I've wised up since then, and I'm sure as hell not talking about carving people up here.

Placing myself in the other lane does not cause me to spontaneously combust. Staying within my lane does not make me magically safe. Paying attention to my riding and evaluating the road ahead might, on the other hand.

I broke the law, I got a ticket. No objections there, I made the choice.

To answer your question, yes.

Doesn't take much for that remaining 30 points. Be good now.

Interesting, thanks. Hopefully I shouldn't run into any more trouble. I don't speed, so it rules out that source of demerits. Passing in the gorge is the only other place where I break any traffic law that I'm aware of, so it mostly boils down to "don't stuff up" for a while.

[porky]

man you got issues

you are a saint cause you dont speed, but ending up as a hood ornament is okay?

Stay on your side of the road, or fucken walk.

[swbarnett]

man you got issues

you are a saint cause you dont speed, but ending up as a hood ornament is okay?

Stay on your side of the road, or fucken walk.

So you're saying we should never overtake? Have you not seen yellow lines in places where it's perfectly safe to pass? Unfortunately this is becoming more and more common.

Or is this just a case that I don't know the gorge and it's a lot tighter than I'm led to believe?

[Usarka]

And what happens when you get dobbed in by a "motorist" when you didn't actually cross the yellow lines?

probbly still get nailed.?

[swbarnett]

And what happens when you get dobbed in by a "motorist" when you didn't actually cross the yellow lines?

probbly still get nailed.?

This is exactly why, as a member of a jury, I would never convict on the strength of one witenss alone.

[crazyhorse]

And what happens when you get dobbed in by a "motorist" when you didn't actually cross the yellow lines?

probbly still get nailed.?

Excellent point...................... But I'd like a show of "hands up" for anyone who has passed in the gorge........?????

And yes, it is a tight windy road.

[cowboyz]

Excellent point...................... But I'd like a show of "hands up" for anyone who has passed in the gorge........?????

And yes, it is a tight windy road.

we are all law abiding citizens here!

[davereid]

Have you not seen yellow lines in places where it's perfectly safe to pass? Unfortunately this So you're sais becoming more and more common.

Yep, yellow lines USED to mean you can't pass here safely, as you view is obstructed.

Now they are part of "Traffic Calming".

So when you see a yellow line you can never be sure if it is there because there is a dip in the road concealing vehicles, or if a planner decided you didn't need to pass there.

So, its back to using your own judgement, just like it was before they painted an yellow lines.

[Toaster]

Yep, yellow lines USED to mean you can't pass here safely, as you view is obstructed.

Now they are part of "Traffic Calming".

So when you see a yellow line you can never be sure if it is there because there is a dip in the road concealing vehicles, or if a planner decided you didn't need to pass there.

So, its back to using your own judgement, just like it was before they painted an yellow lines.

Very true but the sad bit is risking a fine and demerits for using your own judgement despite of the law.

Its not a race out there and its cheaper and simply less hassle to obey the law. I am happy to take my time and get home in one piece and without unwanted fines.

[MSTRS:Me]

So you're saying we should never overtake? Have you not seen yellow lines in places where it's perfectly safe to pass? Unfortunately this is becoming more and more common.

Or is this just a case that I don't know the gorge and it's a lot tighter than I'm led to believe?

Do you know the Hunua Gorge? That's sort of similar, although a lot narrower mostly.

[pzkpfw]

It's not a race out there and it's cheaper and simply less hassle to obey the law. I am happy to take my time and get home in one piece and without unwanted fines.

If I rode my bike in such a way that I never ever broke any law at all - I don't think I'd bother owning it in the first place.

May as well stay warm and dry, with Zeppelin on the CD player.



(It's all a balance. I'm not actually advocating riding on one wheel at 3,000 km/h over the dead bodies of nuns, either.)