140+... mate got done

[raster]

Point taken but the Boy racer ammendmant's to the Land Transport Act 1998 doesn't define a boy racer (that would be far too un PC) they just have 3 offences with specific ingredients.

In saying that the guy was lighting up his wheels on a reasonably busy street with lots of pedestrians around.

If he had lost control of the car (a merc v8) and ploughed into people who were on the side walk (which recently nearly happend with a Lamborgini crash on Brighton Road near Parnell) im sure there would be a different stance on it.

Everyone seems to give us the stick, remember we dont make the law, we just enforce it and it doesnt mean we have to like it, though i support what happened with the merc; from what i heard he was being an absolute twat and treated the cop with total disrespect and contempt even though he created the situation.

Respect goes both ways.

Very True Dynamytus50, sometimes we need to be reminded of this fact.

[DirtMad]

Pretty strong statements For the record ... I think S4`s arent even in the same league as a ferrari ...

I think youre right- if he was on a bike or a car, not resembling a pensioners shopping cart, he might have had the book thrown at him...

[madboy]

I can see how comparisons should be drawn between a stripped out 1980s quasi-racer with carbon fibre doors and string for door handles with a late-1990s model family sedan with big horsepower... NOT! What planet are you people on?

If we want to wade into the "what car" debate my money is on the Merc E55. More class and attitude than any Audi, better daily driver than an M5. Granted the Beemer is a quicker car, but quite frankly it's only quicker at speeds you shouldn't be doing on any public road anyway. And the E55 comes as a wagon, which means my missus could fit the dog in, so I'd be allowed to by one... shame I've got a house to pay for first. Oh well, perhaps in 22 years...

Why the hell am I talking cars on a bike site?

[Skyryder]

But anyways, I thought he was lucky not to have it impounded...
I was just curious to hear if anyone else has had a similar exprience... or knows of anyone who has lost their licence/ had their bike/car taken off them...

There is no automatic impounding of the vehicle. This will only happen if you attempt to ride away after the offence notice has been served. More charges more costs. Someones going to get killed either doing a runner or by a hit 'n' run.

Skyryder

[Toast]

Everyone seems to give us the stick, remember we dont make the law, we just enforce it.

This statement is bullshit. You're employed to look out for public safety, bring about justice, etc. The laws are your tools to do those such things.

[boomer]

Saying an RS4 shits on a ferrari is like saying a honda cub shits on a suzuki.

This liddle 6 undie honduh takes out 750 and thou Gixxers! Back in ya box

[sollie]

i was passed by a silver rs4 wagon last weekend and he was looking for a ticket

[Ixion]

This statement is bullshit. You're employed to look out for public safety, bring about justice, etc. The laws are your tools to do those such things.

Whilst eschewing the perjorative, this statement is actually correct. The primary function of the police is not to enforce laws , to give out tickets, or even to catch criminals. It is to maintain the Queens Peace, and the Rule of Law (which is not the same thing as "laws"). In practice of course, the most effective way to do this is usually to enforce the law. There is however nothing in law or in his oath that requires any constable to enforce any law (other than the requirement to obey the orders of his superior officer).

This is sometimes pertinent in NZ, more so in England and Scotland, where many quaint and long obsolete laws still remain on the statute books. The police do not enforce them of couse. It happens in NZ too - how often do the police chose to enforce laws regarding sedition, blasphemy, or obscene language in a public place ? Or the law reguiring traffic to keep left and not impede other road users!

So it is not a valid argument to argue that the police "only enforce the laws, not make them"