Lane-Splitting offence

**R6_kid:Me** · 18th August 2004, 16:16

hey guys,
i've just recieved notice from the auckland police that i (my bike) was seen "changing lanes in an unsafe manner and riding between lanes of moving traffic".

This is my first traffic offense since getting my licence (just under 2 years), what sort of fines/punishment will i be looking at?

cheers,
gareth

thanks for all the ideas and information. Called the guy (the cop) today and it turns out he was driving home from work when he saw me, hence no action at the time - anyway he's a dog handler not a patrol officer. Basically he judged what i was doing as dangerous and acted as he saw fit. I got off with a warning after a short lecture. When asked why i was doing it, i commented on aucklands rather crap weather during that week and he seemed to sympathize

, but otherwise was just a good guy making sure that i dont go killing myself in rushhour auckland traffic and causing yet another block up on our shitty motorways!!!
lucky one this time

**James Deuce** · 18th August 2004, 16:21

Arrrrr, that be a hanging offence lad. Arrrrr.

**loosebruce** · 18th August 2004, 16:22

An offence notice (ticket) should've been sent as well, unless they are taking you to court which i doubt, failure to indicate lane change is $150 i think, if they are bastards about it they can put you on a driving charge, careless etc, depends on the speeds you were getting and how fast the moving traffic was going to what charge it would be, if it's your first offence you'd proberly get diverson if you were charged anyway.
Does it say anything about a court summons, or is it just a warning notice?

**vifferman** · 18th August 2004, 16:28

That's an inflammatory sort of statement, innit? Makes you want to go, "Who said they saw it? When?"
"Prove it!"
"What was unsafe about it? Why?"

**R6_kid:Me** · 18th August 2004, 16:30

at the moment i just have to tell them who was riding the bike at the time. I was never going more than 10kmh faster than the traffic which is what i normally work to. I think the lane changing is referring to when the traffic spread out and i was moving through the gaps, while indicating accordingly.

**R6_kid:Me** · 18th August 2004, 16:33

lol yeh. I was being cautious about it due to the crappy akld weather. I commute daily to and from school on the shore, and will pass highway patrol cops atleast once a week, in moving traffic, and have never been notified of an offense or had lights flashed or anything. It seems lane splitting is only an offense if the traffic is moving...

**Deano** · 18th August 2004, 16:56

Originally Posted by gareth_d

lol yeh. I was being cautious about it due to the crappy akld weather. I commute daily to and from school on the shore, and will pass highway patrol cops atleast once a week, in moving traffic, and have never been notified of an offense or had lights flashed or anything. It seems lane splitting is only an offense if the traffic is moving...

I recently got a $150 fine for overtaking on double yellow lines. I would have considered fighting it but the motorist who complained was an off duty inspector, so I felt I was pretty well fucked.

Have you just got a warning or a ticket ?

Im sure they would need a witness to make a ticket stick.

**R6_kid:Me** · 18th August 2004, 16:59

no ticket or warning. Just a letter to say i need to tell them who was riding (obviously me) or i get up 10g fine etc.

It will either be a complaint from a motorist or caught on video by fuken gay auckland traffic surveilance

**k14** · 18th August 2004, 17:17

I think it might just have been that someone rang *555 and dobbed you in. I know of other guys that this has happend to. Pretty sure that you won't get a ticket.

How long ago was it reported? If it was more than a few weeks just say you can't remember who was riding it.

**Zapf** · 18th August 2004, 17:29

Hi there,
Its is most likely someone dub you in, its a judgement call by them really. Write in and tell them that you were riding at that time, however you do not admitt to any of the allaged charges against you. If they want to take you to court good luck to them in making it stick. PM me if u have more questions.

Cheers
Zapf

**wari** · 18th August 2004, 17:48

NOw thats what I calll a BA-Starde™

I Was lane splitting on the nor'werstern after the resent FA-tality™ JAmmed the place up ...

PAssed a cop ( I callem #3's® for OBvious reasons ) ...

ANyway itwas tooo late tostop so I just kepted going ... I thought he might RAdio ahead to gitme nabbed ... but passed more #3's® no INsidint reported.

... musta bin agoodin.

**wkid_one** · 18th August 2004, 17:56

Woudn't even bother replying to be honest. They will chase you up if it is something to worry about

**R6_kid:Me** · 18th August 2004, 18:17

Originally Posted by wkid_one

Woudn't even bother replying to be honest. They will chase you up if it is something to worry about

even with the $10,000 fine and loss of licence for not replying within two weeks....

**Mongoose** · 18th August 2004, 18:18

Originally Posted by wkid_one

Woudn't even bother replying to be honest. They will chase you up if it is something to worry about

Do you honestly think this is good advice for a young fella?Seriously?
How about the thought that he does not get aff his arse and answer, may equal one pissed off cop having to chase it up, outcome not as good as fronting up?