North Shore: Northern Motorway: Police targeting motorcycles (25 January)

**p.dath** · 25th January 2010, 07:07

I've just come home south bound (towards city) about 7:30am-8am (25/1/2010) along the Northern Motorway and got pulled over, (along with half a dozen other motorcycles I saw) by a cop targeting motorcycles, and warned not to lane split any more, and that my riding was dangerous because of that.

Decided not to argue, as I got the distinct impression he was thinking of laying a dangerous driving charge, which is very hard to defend.
I was riding maybe 50km/h, which was about 20km/h to 30km/h faster than the flow of traffic.

Lane splitting itself is legal:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Lane_Splitting

But who wants to be made an example of. Everyone I saw pulled over was just getting a warning.

**BoristheBiter** · 25th January 2010, 07:13

New cop? or did he just not get laid?

first time i have heard of this. was he just standing there or was he in a car?
was there more than one cop?

**BoristheBiter** · 25th January 2010, 07:18

This if rom the AA web site but it was back in 2007.

"A recent phenomenon is lane-splitting where on motorways when traffic is slowed, motorcyclists dodge left and right passing the cars by riding along the dotted line. Legally the practice is doubtful, although there is no specific lane-splitting regulation. Drivers get annoyed when motorcyclists do this; however, they should contemplate that if all motorcylists drove cars, how much longer the queues would be. You can get eight motorbikes into one parking space taken by a car, so they help ease parking and congestion."

**p.dath** · 25th January 2010, 07:28

Originally Posted by BoristheBiter

New cop? or did he just not get laid?

first time i have heard of this. was he just standing there or was he in a car?
was there more than one cop?

I've seen this cop before (in fact, I think I have seen him on TV - motorway Patrol).

He was in a car, busily driving along pulling over bikes as fast as he could.

**p.dath** · 25th January 2010, 07:30

Originally Posted by BoristheBiter

This if rom the AA web site but it was back in 2007.

"A recent phenomenon is lane-splitting where on motorways when traffic is slowed, motorcyclists dodge left and right passing the cars by riding along the dotted line."

To be fair, no one I saw was "dodging" traffic, they were just riding along next to the dotted white line. I didn't see anyone gonig excessively fast. In fact, everyone I saw was riding in a responsible manner.

**BoristheBiter** · 25th January 2010, 07:43

Originally Posted by p.dath

To be fair, no one I saw was "dodging" traffic, they were just riding along next to the dotted white line. I didn't see anyone gonig excessively fast. In fact, everyone I saw was riding in a responsible manner.

I didn't think you would be.
if this happens again (or to anyone esle) ask the cop what land transport act covers lane splitting, would be good to hear what the answer is.

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th January 2010, 07:43

Originally Posted by p.dath

... got the distinct impression he was thinking of laying a dangerous driving charge, which is very hard to defend.
I was riding maybe 50km/h, which was about 20km/h to 30km/h faster than the flow of traffic.

...

Splitting 'can' fall into that bracket. But not what you describe you (and others) were doing.
With those speeds, the cop was trying to find other ways of meeting his performance target.
Can I suggest you complain to his boss?

**Devil** · 25th January 2010, 08:00

Originally Posted by BoristheBiter

I didn't think you would be.
if this happens again (or to anyone esle) ask the cop what land transport act covers lane splitting, would be good to hear what the answer is.

I wouldn't, because if he's got sand in his vagina he'll do you for unsafe lane change at best and potentially dangerous driving at worst. No need to provoke them. If you're getting a warning, keep your mouth shut.

**p.dath** · 25th January 2010, 08:16

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Splitting 'can' fall into that bracket. But not what you describe you (and others) were doing.
With those speeds, the cop was trying to find other ways of meeting his performance target.
Can I suggest you complain to his boss?

I've sent an email to someone I know you works in motorway patrol. I'll wandering if it was just this officer, if a new directive has come out, of if there has been a recent accident. Once I know then I'll seriously consider what you say.

I was very tempted to spew out a letter this morning, but I've learned its better to wait a day, get a level head, and then proceed from a basis of fact. Emotions are combative, buts facts are harder to argue with.

Originally Posted by BoristheBiter

I didn't think you would be.
if this happens again (or to anyone esle) ask the cop what land transport act covers lane splitting, would be good to hear what the answer is.

There is no specific legislation that covers lane splitting. It walls under into a grey area that is covered by the general passing legislation. The Wiki has all the info about it.

My belief is that it is possible. However if you get charged with something like careless driving or unsafe lane change, then you are fighting a "subjective" charge. And if it goes to court, and the cop says it was unsafe, and you say he's wrong - who do you think the Judge will side with.
Unless you have deep pockets, those kinds of charges can not be defended - don't even try.

**CookMySock** · 25th January 2010, 08:19

Originally Posted by Devil

I wouldn't, because if he's got sand in his vagina he'll do you for unsafe lane change at best and potentially dangerous driving at worst. No need to provoke them. If you're getting a warning, keep your mouth shut.

Nah bullshit. This is another example of cops pulling "law" out of their arse and wiping it on the public.

Steve

**Little Miss Trouble** · 25th January 2010, 08:45

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Nah bullshit. This is another example of cops pulling "law" out of their arse and wiping it on the public.

Steve

So you'd rather be a loud mouth and argue with him & actually get ticketed than keep your mouth shut & get given a warning? Thats smart...

**GOONR** · 25th January 2010, 08:56

Originally Posted by p.dath

I've just come home south bound (towards city) about 7:30am-8am (25/1/2010) along the Northern Motorway and got pulled over, (along with half a dozen other motorcycles I saw) by a cop targeting motorcycles, and warned not to lane split any more, and that my riding was dangerous because of that.

Decided not to argue, as I got the distinct impression he was thinking of laying a dangerous driving charge, which is very hard to defend.
I was riding maybe 50km/h, which was about 20km/h to 30km/h faster than the flow of traffic.

Lane splitting itself is legal:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Lane_Splitting

But who wants to be made an example of. Everyone I saw pulled over was just getting a warning.

That could explain why only me and the other guy that got on the motorway at Onewa were splitting. I caught up to a group of three others just sitting in their lane behind the traffic, I thought it was a bit odd so just tagged on to the back.

**yachtie10** · 25th January 2010, 08:59

This sounds like a motorway patrol guy who pulled me over on the morning commute a while back (northcote on ramp)
He basically told me there was no legal way I could split by explaining everything I could not do
he didn't leave his car and I didn't take my helmet off
when i disagreed he drove off down the shoulder of the motorway till the next exit

**Big Dave** · 25th January 2010, 09:09

Overtaking in the same lane on the right hand side is legal, overtaking on the left in the same lane is a contravention of the Road Code.

The emergency lane (against the median) is legal to use in 'an emergency' - having to use it to avoid a vehicle you are legally overtaking can be considered an emergency.