Lane splitting crackdown in Wellington?

[swbarnett]

Attempts at a history lesson apart I think it's more than a stretch to compare civil rights to the observation of a temporary speed limit on a road with works taking place.

Yes, the degree is quite different. The principle is the same. It's all a matter of perspective. I can guarantee that if you asked many whites of the time they would view what Rosa Parks did in same vain as a road worker might view speeding through roadworks.

The only way that the law makers can be kept honest is when we all pull them up when things are blatantly wrong. No matter the severity of the wrong.

[yevjenko]

Define "pull them up" and define "them"

[swbarnett]

Define "pull them up" and define "them"

"pull them up" - Highlight the fact that the public at large do not agree with their definition of right and wrong.

"them" - The "law makers" per chance. As I stated in the post I assume you are referring to.

[yevjenko]

But the people who you would be pulling up aren't the law makers, rather they're the law enforcers. And the law enforcers really don't give a sh!t... Although to be honest, neither do the 'law makers' who ever they may be

[pritch]

Although to be honest, neither do the 'law makers' who ever they may be

That'd be the gubbermint who sit in Wellington shining their collective arse, vaguely nodding along to whatever inanity is currently before the house, while wondering how to best boost their expenses claims.

[swbarnett]

But the people who you would be pulling up aren't the law makers, rather they're the law enforcers. And the law enforcers really don't give a sh!t... Although to be honest, neither do the 'law makers' who ever they may be

Ah, but if everybody blindly obeys every tiny little instruction from the narcissistic bunch of cretins that makes these laws then nothing will change.

Same if only one disobeys. However, if the public en masse were to partake in civil disobedience of the "stupid law of the month" then those said cretins would likely have no choice but to sit up and take notice.

[Ulsterkiwi]

However, if the public en masse were to partake in civil disobedience of the "stupid law of the month" then those said cretins would likely have no choice but to sit up and take notice.

some (and I am not saying they are correct) would say that what you are talking about is a hallmark of instability in a country.

Look I have no problem debating, no problem with someone taking a stand based on their principles. I do think however part of our problem today is we have too many people who are perpetually outraged. Their constant cries of "disgrace!" when a kitten doesn't get enough likes on Facebook diminishes the impact made when something of significance is brought to the attention of the general populace.
"stupid law of the month" would rapidly turn into "oh its those idiots again, another beer?"


While aspirationally fine and in the true spirit of democracy "stupid law of the month" would be more akin to nagging wife syndrome, constant beating on about a series of woes and complaints means the spouse being nagged simply switches off and listens to nothing. In some countries its known as opposition politics and we all know how good Labour have been at getting things done in opposition.

I tend to think of it this way: lets imagine you were given the power to change just two traffic laws or policies around enforcement. Your requests will be met but after that no changes will take place, probably ever but certainly not in your generation. What would you choose? What follows is a very difficult process setting your priorities. So go back to the hen pecked husband, except now he isnt nagged or hen pecked, he does however hear a reasonable request and it stands out because its not part of the background din. Its more likely to be successfully completed.

Its just a theory, but then this is the internets and none of it is real anyway.

[Akzle]

I tend to think of it this way: lets imagine you were given the power to change just two traffic laws or policies around enforcement. Your requests will be met but after that no changes will take place, probably ever but certainly not in your generation. What would you choose?

remove speed limits.

Replace registration/plates with the drivers phone number in foot high lettering

(this works for a) getting hot chicks numbers and b) giving dickheads an earfull)

[Frodo]

The problem that I have is that roading contractors have "cried wolf" too often and I no longer associate a warning sign with an actual hazard.
I normally ride with the assumption that there will be road workers and dogs and sheep on the side of the road, and that the surface will be messed up with road works or logging trucks, whether or not there are posted warnings.
All too often I come across "temporary" lowered speed signs that have no link to (a) actual road works and/or (b) hazards, but are actually due to lazy roading contractors.
They have lost my respect and I now select the speed that I consider is safe, also considering the risk of the likelihood of revenue collectors being present.

I rode into town past all of the huge screens saying how many minutes to the Wellington CBD. In the south bound lane at the top of the Gorge, contractors had started grinding away the old seal, presumably for resurfacing. Anyway the surface was rough, uneven and with loose gravel. No warnings, nothing on the big screens. Here was a case of where a warning sign and even a lowered speed limit would have been appropriate.
Shows that the presence or absence of lowered speed limits has no relationship with hazards.

As for the splitting crackdown, I passed two mufti cops and one marked car while splitting and neither reacted. Wasn't doing anything silly, though.

[swbarnett]

some (and I am not saying they are correct) would say that what you are talking about is a hallmark of instability in a country.

Interesting point. Yes, it's a form of instability brought about by a set of law makers that have no clue as to the practical outcome of these possibly "well meaning" laws.

Look I have no problem debating, no problem with someone taking a stand based on their principles. I do think however part of our problem today is we have too many people who are perpetually outraged. Their constant cries of "disgrace!" when a kitten doesn't get enough likes on Facebook diminishes the impact made when something of significance is brought to the attention of the general populace.

Absolutely agree. We have to choose what's important to us individually and not just pick a law at random. To me that's any law that impinges on the individual's right to self determination where there is no direct negatively affect to anyone else.

"stupid law of the month" would rapidly turn into "oh its those idiots again, another beer?"

Yes, and no. If "those idiots" amounted to a significant proportion of the population I think TPTB might just start worrying about votes.

While aspirationally fine and in the true spirit of democracy "stupid law of the month" would be more akin to nagging wife syndrome, constant beating on about a series of woes and complaints means the spouse being nagged simply switches off and listens to nothing. In some countries its known as opposition politics and we all know how good Labour have been at getting things done in opposition.

Indeed. This is yet another sign of a "government" that is completely out of touch with the people it's supposed to be serving. In the same way as a "nagging wife" is not a party to a marriage. Rather an individual always concerned about getting things their own way with no thought to how they're affecting the other party in the relationship.

[Ulsterkiwi]

I rode into town past all of the huge screens saying how many minutes to the Wellington CBD. In the south bound lane at the top of the Gorge, contractors had started grinding away the old seal, presumably for resurfacing. Anyway the surface was rough, uneven and with loose gravel. No warnings, nothing on the big screens. Here was a case of where a warning sign and even a lowered speed limit would have been appropriate.

had the same experience and agree completely.

your point on splitting is well made, behave like a dick, expect to be pulled over by one.

[pzkpfw]

Best wishes to the rider and all that. Injury sounds nasty. This post is not [s]for[/s] intended to be a finger-point. And I know I'm just speculating that he or she was lane splitting, but ...

I wonder if there will be a "Lane splitting crackdown"?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/7736...anga-gorge-sh2



(I hate logging trucks etc. on the motorway in "rush hour". Can't be helped, I suppose, but having the big trucks mixed with the commuters, whether car or bike, is always going to cause some issues. (Not "blaming" the truckie of course, just commenting on the mix of vehicles sizes and such.))

[Ulsterkiwi]

the gorge is a nightmare at times. If you want to see the mindless hustle for an advantage of less than 10metres, this is the place to go. Idiots sitting on the far offside lane deciding to leave the motorway 200metres before their chosen exit and dashing across, idiots joining from one of the merge lanes determined to get right across to the far offside lane in one continuous movement, most of them unaware of that little device called an indicator never mind the shiny reflective things that let them see behind them. Wankers.
Trucks have their work cut out maintaining momentum but it can make them ruthless. Riders can do silly things, pushing their position while forgetting they are the most vulnerable on the road.
Still, we don't know what happened but so long as the speed camera is there everyone will be safe......wait.......

[Drew]

I drive the gorge everyday also. "Loose gravel" is a wild overstatement, there was a tiny bit of grit on the road.

[MIXONE]

(I hate logging trucks etc. on the motorway in "rush hour". Can't be helped, I suppose, but having the big trucks mixed with the commuters, whether car or bike, is always going to cause some issues. (Not "blaming" the truckie of course, just commenting on the mix of vehicles sizes and such.))

My wife was cleaned out by a logging truck on the motorway last year.All her guardian angels must have been working overtime because the truck turned into her ,clipped tha arse end of the car which spun it sideways.The truck then scooped up the car and carried it sideways down the road until it came to a shuddering halt.My wife was helpless during all this looking at a huge chrome grill just cm.s from her face.Even the cops couldn't work out why the car wasn't just squashed beneath the truck!Scary shit I tell you.