Police traffic enforcement inconsistency?

[gjm]

I was stopped and cautioned on SH1 north of Huntly t'other day, in fog. I'd been doing 90-95km/h, but Mr Plod suggested this was too fast for the conditions. First case of someone being stopped for inappropriate speeding I'd heard of - it should happen more often.

However, I explained I was sure I could stop in the road distance visible. He said that I couldn't. I said "I could easily come to a stop before reaching that vehicle up there on the shoulder." He looked, laughed, and said "What vehicle?"

As if by magic, said vehicle (which I could see) put his brakes on, making him instantly visible to Mr Plod. "Oh... That vehicle..."

I asked what he planned to do about the 3 cars that had passed me, all travelling in excess of 100km/h, less than 10m apart, and with the middle vehicle not even showing any lights.

He suggested I reduce my speed to be in accordance with the conditions, wished me a good day, and sent me on my way.

[gjm]

I was stopped and cautioned on SH1 north of Huntly t'other day, in fog. I'd been doing 90-95km/h, but Mr Plod suggested this was too fast for the conditions. First case of someone being stopped for inappropriate speeding I'd heard of - it should happen more often.

However, I explained I was sure I could stop in the road distance visible. He said that I couldn't. I said "I could easily come to a stop before reaching that vehicle up there on the shoulder." He looked, laughed, and said "What vehicle?"

As if by magic, said vehicle (which I could see) put his brakes on, making him instantly visible to Mr Plod. "Oh... That vehicle..."

I asked what he planned to do about the 3 cars that had passed me, all travelling in excess of 100km/h, less than 10m apart, and with the middle vehicle not even showing any lights.

He suggested I reduce my speed to be in accordance with the conditions, wished me a good day, and sent me on my way.

No, it's not (for me) a victory over the power of road traffic law enforcement (however annoying it may have been), but it does seem to fit with the OP's title for this thread.

[Akzle]

I was stopped and cautioned on SH1 north of Huntly t'other day, in fog. I'd been doing 90-95km/h, but Mr Plod suggested this was too fast for the conditions. First case of someone being stopped for inappropriate speeding I'd heard of - it should happen more often.

However, I explained I was sure I could stop in the road distance visible. He said that I couldn't. I said "I could easily come to a stop before reaching that vehicle up there on the shoulder." He looked, laughed, and said "What vehicle?"

As if by magic, said vehicle (which I could see) put his brakes on, making him instantly visible to Mr Plod. "Oh... That vehicle..."

I asked what he planned to do about the 3 cars that had passed me, all travelling in excess of 100km/h, less than 10m apart, and with the middle vehicle not even showing any lights.

He suggested I reduce my speed to be in accordance with the conditions, wished me a good day, and sent me on my way.

you should have punched him in the cock for wasting police time

[caspernz]

One song sums it up....

http://youtu.be/x_wLVCLPx0M?list=RD5PWSmMuBNK0

Although I would like some serious attention to this subject...

http://youtu.be/5PWSmMuBNK0?list=RD5PWSmMuBNK0

[R650R]

One song sums it up....

gjm you have to be the ONLY person I've ever heard of being cautioned/stopped in the fog like that. And in the truck game most never slow down as you cant afford the lost time, although most will slow if tis real brick wall stuff...
Back in the old RoadFrightner days I smoked up a B-train big time on those last curves before the Waikato expressway when out of the fog came a blinding array of flashing lights for an accident scene. And not one of them was parked anywhere near the tarmac!!! Expected to get pulled but guess they couldn't tell which way I went for all the tyre smoke. There's actually laws about using flashing beacons in fog...

I used to play this on the CB to wake up Berg's mates coming down the Bombays...


lyrics on this are a good laugh if you listen closely... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUyvU2Huf24

[caspernz]

I used to play this on the CB to wake up Berg's mates coming down the Bombays...


lyrics on this are a good laugh if you listen closely... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUyvU2Huf24

Here's another to liven up the airwaves on a quiet night...


http://youtu.be/ORyzsMZPPUg

[awayatc]

It seems to me that there is a lot of inconsistency out there with the policing on our roads.
This is being driven by enforcement that is way to tough

Just some thoughts........[/QUOTE]

there are 2 different kind of cops....
real cops
and the tax collecting wanna be cops.
Those traffic cop subspecies also come in 2 different kinds,
one are just mindless ticket writing automatons,
The other a more humane and understanding compassionate and rational kind,
so far the existence of the latter kind remains unconfirmed however...

[gjm]

gjm you have to be the ONLY person I've ever heard of being cautioned/stopped in the fog like that.

I really don't know if he actually intended to give me a ticket, or just the warning I received (even if that may have been about saving face). After all, I wasn't actually doing anything illegal... I was really surprised, and thought I must have a light out or something.

The thought crossed my mind to ask how safe he thought he'd been, given that he couldn't see a car that I could, and that as I had been doing 90-95 he must have been travelling considerably faster.

Oddly, I don't feel any indignance or animosity over this. Just humour.

[Digitdion]

I really don't know if he actually intended to give me a ticket, or just the warning I received (even if that may have been about saving face). After all, I wasn't actually doing anything illegal... I was really surprised, and thought I must have a light out or something.

The thought crossed my mind to ask how safe he thought he'd been, given that he couldn't see a car that I could, and that as I had been doing 90-95 he must have been travelling considerably faster.

Oddly, I don't feel any indignance or animosity over this. Just humour.

Is it a cops job to educate us? To teach us how to be a better driver?
Or to give out tickets and make arrests?

I loved the old police Academy movies. There moto ( opps Motto) was to protect and serve.
Now it seems for modern NZ police on our roads it's to promote subjective propaganda. Promote warm fuzzies about how if we drive a certain way all will be hunky dory.
There system is floored. Yes less people die on the roads. I say it's because of a lot of other things that have nothing to do with police and how over strict they are on things like speed.
Unfortunately I do not have the budget to pay someone loads of money to come up with the paperwork to back that up.

[Berries]

There system is floored.

Your not wrong.

[R650R]

Is it a cops job to educate us? To teach us how to be a better driver?
Or to give out tickets and make arrests?

I loved the old police Academy movies. There moto ( opps Motto) was to protect and serve.
The motto still stands, you've just read it wrong.
Its :To protect the govt and wealthy, and serve summons to appear on all others ;p

Those traffic cop subspecies also come in 2 different kinds,
one are just mindless ticket writing automatons,
The other a more humane and understanding compassionate and rational kind,
so far the existence of the latter kind remains unconfirmed however...

The latter does exist, your description of the first one reminds me of last interaction though...
While bouncing about like grasshopper on steroids he started blabbing about logbook violation as nothing entered for last four hours. Reached down and took book out of his hands and started explaining the laws to him that he should already know himself. Then he proceeded to sulk in his car for 20mins writing out speed ticket (and prob getting told by comms that I was right).
The same ones really don't like being informed about the health and safety requirement to maintain 3 points of contact when climbing side of truck holding breathyliser. I think more truckers are prob injured falling off cab/trailers than from crashes so its only right to warn them of hazards in your workspace but it just gets taken the wrong way....

[FJRider]

The seems to be a lack of consistency. I used to drive the Milford road. A classic example,of a road where there was lots of accidents by tourist drivers. A road where if there was more education to those tourists it clear that a majority of the accidents would not occur. Also more of a police presence into Milford would help big time as well.
I had a bit to do with the Designated Milford road copper. He was frank, when I spoke with him. I asked why all,the Te Anau police were always out on the straight roads on the way to Queenstown "policing" ( that's giving out speeding tickets and lots of them) when all the accidents where on the road into Milford. His basic words to the effect was he is expected to give out a certain amount of tickets. No mention of a quota though!
And spending time on the Milford road he could not do that. Now I reckon he would drive into Milford maybe once a month for god sake. Even though that's were the majority of crashes where.

Only a small minority of the accidents on the Milford road are due to excessive speed. Most are due to sheer stupidity/incompetence. Driving Hire vehicles with little or no experience of driving ... on NZ (or any other) roads. That copper could spend all day on the Milford road and never be at the right place to see (let alone STOP) such stupidity ...


The Highway Patrol TV program recently showed an Indian driver clocked at 143 km/hr on the way to Milford Sound. Then ... asked the copper to give his wife (who wasn't driving) the ticket so HE could continue driving (he didn't trust HER driving skills ?? )

Any how, Back to the point I want to make.

It seems to me that there is a lot of inconsistency out there with the policing on our roads.
This is being driven by enforcement that is way to tough on minor infringements.

There IS consistency in the policing .... if you ride/drive over the posted speed limit ... it is likely you will receive a Traffic Infringement Notice.

Also big inconsistencies when it comes to sentencing people who have "really broken the rules."

Just some thoughts........

Hardly the fault of Police ... or Inconsistent Policing ... Look to the Judiciary to sort THAT issue. Sensible Sentencing groups do what they can.

[unstuck]

A.C.A.B.

[FJRider]

there are 2 different kind of cops....
real cops
and the tax collecting wanna be cops.
Those traffic cop subspecies also come in 2 different kinds,
one are just mindless ticket writing automatons,
The other a more humane and understanding compassionate and rational kind,
so far the existence of the latter kind remains unconfirmed however...

The General Duties and [Highway Patrol[/I] may wear the same uniform ... but (usually) two different breeds. On the few occasions I've encountered the former ... it was late evening/early morning as they were returning home after a callout. (Usually) more interested in going home rather than (minor) traffic enforcement. A stern lecture/warning (written or verbal) and ... everybody continues on their business ...

Highway Patrol however .. traffic Enforcement is their job. A few I have encountered at all times of the day or night ... have used their discretion ... to MY advantage.

Luck of the draw ... and the attitude of those stopped ... play a large part in the end result.

[rastuscat]

It seems to me that there is a lot of inconsistency out there with the policing on our roads.
This is being driven by enforcement that is way to tough

Just some thoughts........

there are 2 different kind of cops....
real cops
and the tax collecting wanna be cops.
Those traffic cop subspecies also come in 2 different kinds,
one are just mindless ticket writing automatons,
The other a more humane and understanding compassionate and rational kind,
so far the existence of the latter kind remains unconfirmed however...[/QUOTE]


I saw one this morning. In the mirror.

I've had this delusion for maybe 26 years now, the tickets change peoples behaviour. I've witnessed evidence of it, though not always for the best.

As a rule, open road speeds have decreased since the Highway Patrol combined the lower speed tolerances with a See Something, Do Something practice.

I've given up trying to argue the revenue collecting thing. If it were true, the same could be said of anyone. E.G. Dan Carter is a revenue collecting bastard, he kicks goals to increase his value.

I don't get the money from tickets. Whether I write 1 or 2 a day makes nil difference. But I can understand the view that others have on it. I just happen to not agree.

If we had a pill that we could put in the water to make everyone wear seatbelts, that'd be great. Meantime, what we do have is tickets, and that's what we do.

Interesting discussion this. Inconsistency frustrates those inside the organisation too, not just those outside.