Doing a runner

[ScumKiller2]

The following is asked from a point of interest only. In no way to I advocate breaking the law (or lying).

I have never done a ‘runner’ myself being the honest law abiding citizen that I am. I do however wonder what strategies them coppa fullas use in the event of a biker (or a very fast car driver) doing a runner on a country road.

Is it normal for the cops to chase, radio, muster etc? Would the biker be better off just nailing it for ages, or finding a side road 5km away, or is that asking to be cornered…..If he didn’t get your licence number and he finds you sipping a filtered coffee outside a café can he still get you? Sounds like a game of chess to me…… And I’m always up for having rules explained to me….

[T.W.R]

i've been involved in a couple of runners/chases a number of years ago, me & associates being the chased. one event was rural & one city. the rural one was the best( if you could call it that!) ended up involving 3 black&whites 2 muffties, & 2 bikes (cops), my mates and i were on a high speed run, A B/W sprung us & a chase started (fuckin stupid now lookin back at it) we got road blocked at the ' PEG' ( a pub at the startof the nth motorway in CHCH) luckily (or not) my mate ( who was riding a VF1000R) was the target of porky ( he got done for speed in excess of 180kmh, apparently the cop couldn't lock the radar on him & being 1991 they weren't to flash then) 2yr loss of licence/ $1000 fine.
the city one was a beaut (5 bikes drag racing down Morehouse ave CHCH) sprung by a cop, chased eventuated ,bikes took off in seperate directions, the cop obviously called for back-up , ended with a game of cat & mouse through sydenham & phillipstown ( one bike got caught, recieved a $300 fine for dangerous use of a motorvehicle & failing to stop).

ten foot tall & bullet proof we thought we were then!, in our late teens early twenties. looking back in retrospect we were just dumb attempting what we did. ( being caught in the moment is an adrenalin rush, but it blurs your judgement )
The main thing to remember is you might think you'll get away with it, but it rarely happens, you endanger yourself & others , and as fast as you might be you'll never out-run the police radio!

[madboy]

Oh I love these sorts of topics. It's amazing to see what different views are posted by people - and the lack of understanding is frightening.

Now to get some facts clear:

1. Sportsbike will annihilate Commodore in straight line
2. Sportsbike may beat Commodore around corners
3. Radio waves travel faster than sportsbike, BUT
- there needs to be someone on the end of those radio waves in a position to stop you!
4. Sportsbike would be unlikely to beat helicopter.

There are, of course, exceptions to every rule. I don't rate my chances in the wet or on road works.

Now, for some questions for the unbelieving - how do you stop a motorcycling that doesn't want to stop? They can't use spikes, cos those will cause you to crash big time - too dangerous. They can't exactly ram you off the road (although Flyinpony(?)) might beg to differ.

From my experience, most runners involve a 15 second "pursuit" followed by a few minutes of solid effort to ensure that pursuer and pursuee never meet again. Sometimes you don't even need to up the ante over what you were doing in the first place.

[Motu]

I think the Cops look at it as why are they running? Something to hide? If you are scared of the Cops,have you got a reason?

[marty]

i've used spikes on a bike. works fine. the have a moderate leakage rate - they don't 'pop' the tyre. i've also used the bumper, the front left guard, and a 2 car sandwich. a couple have got away, but i've located more through enquiries on plate numbers and members of the public being narcs, than have actually got away scot free. remember, when you're riding like an idiot, and there's sirens, people take notice, and on 3 or 4 occasions i have been flagged down, or approached when i have stopped at an intersection to listen (amazing how effective that is) and given the rego plate by a vigilant member of the public.

[skelstar]

Did someone say 'sandwich'?

Seriously the idea of doing a runner has always intrigued me. I imagine ducking into a driveway would be an option (in country or the city), you couldnt ride like a maniac for too long otherwise you would be noticed by bystanders for quite a long time (ie what Marty said). Youd have to know the region better, and better than the pursuers too I imagine.

[madboy]

i've used spikes on a bike. ...

a couple have got away, but i've located more through enquiries on plate numbers and members of the public being narcs, than have actually got away scot free.

Interesting, I was always under the impression they weren't allowed to use spikes. Oh well, more info to bear in mind then.

Agree on numberplates, all the more reason to have them taped or removed when you're out for a ride. But then I can usually put a year between myself and the cop within a matter of a few seconds, so the vigilanty factor is reduced.

Interesting also is your stats on success rates. I find it's the complete opposite in my case. I have NEVER been busted on a bike. NEVER. I'm not saying it won't happen one day, but it just hasn't happened yet. Although maybe you were a bit more selective in what you chased, rather than the goofs around here that try it on when they haven't got a hope in hell to start with.

[Jonty]

I remember a few years ago there was a gap in the law which prevented police from following you onto private property if they did not suspect you of comitting a crime. The little loophole has now been plugged! In terms of doing a runner, I think it is extremely unwise and to be honest all it will mean is that you are constantly looking over your shoulder for the next few months wondering if they got your rego or someone had Id you. If you have been speeding stop and fess up.

[DMNTD:Me]

I think the Cops look at it as why are they running? Something to hide? If you are scared of the Cops,have you got a reason?

In the old days I did it for the rush ..yep a dumb farker I twas
In some ways I wish I did it yesterday ($510 fine ) BUT I know that it isn't worth it these days for many reasons.
Well aware that my bike could blitz their cars...no doubt at all, but a bus could blitz me if I screwed it worse still hitting a by stander and killing them.
Got to admit though an open road....hmmmm

[DMNTD:Me]

I think the Cops look at it as why are they running? Something to hide? If you are scared of the Cops,have you got a reason?

In the old days I did it for the rush ..yep a dumb farker I twas
In some ways I wish I did it yesterday ($510 fine ) BUT I know that it isn't worth it these days for many reasons.
Well aware that my bike could blitz their cars...no doubt at all, but a bus could blitz me if I screwed it worse still hitting a by stander and killing them.
Got to admit though an open road....hmmmm.
It's them demerit points that get me...makes me think but obviously not enough

[DMNTD:Me]

...freaking heck

[SimJen]

If you are heading into the countryside along a road you know well and the cop decides to chase, then you've probably got a chance.
The way I look at it is, I would give it a go if the conditions were right, especially if the cop had clocked me doing possibly 50+ over the limit, then you've got nothing to lose.
I know for a fact that no other traffic cops live out my way, and I know for sure I could outrun any cop on my twisty country roads as I know every inch of them having ridden them for 20 years+
Of course I'd never try it officer!

[Big Dave]

I was riding with a bloke that did a runner. Near Te Aroha.
They caught him 15 minutes later.
I'll have the Buell paid off before he rides - or can afford to - again.

You might get away with it more than once - but I reckon Stop - take the licks - or it could be a whole world of pain.

[Marmoot]

Sounds like a game of chess to me…… And I’m always up for having rules explained to me….

Don't trust these guys. Most of them have never done it either, and it would be a case of blind leading the blind.

Try it for yourself and you'll find the true answers to your questions.
Just don't blame anybody for the consequences.

Or better yet, forget about the whole issue.....

[avgas]

Few things,
a) Dont do it unless i needs to be done (dunno what thats suppose to mean - but will probably make sense when its happening)
b) Make it a breif as possible - if you still have cops within some visiable distance after 2 mins, ur fucked. Preferably you need to be 1K distance between you and then BEFORE 1min - if not your fucked.
c) Its easier to hide then run. You can never out run a radio.
d) There is a 90% chance you will crash and die
Why are the police chasing you, is it worth risking your life for it?