`Can I see your licence, please'

[xwhatsit]

Met my first police tonight! Coming home from work at about 9.30, pulled onto Manukau Rd (well, Broadway or whatever) from Remuera Rd. Feeling a bit hungry, and wanting to get home to eat my dinner in my shoulder bag, I didn't hang around when the car in front of me decided to do a steady 40kph. Looked over my shoulder, changed lanes, didn't indicate, carried on going.

Carried on going along Manukau Rd, largely going with the traffic, with occasional moments a little bit faster to move through (past trucks and diesel 4WDs and other nasty things). Turned left through Greenwoods Corner, which is signposted `SLOW' and all of that, and noticed that the car in front had taken it rather literally and ended up being quite close behind them. About 5 seconds after that, I heard the `WOOOP' and saw the blue and red lights.

Switched bike off, took off gloves and helmet, officer came over and said `do you know how fast you were going?'. Sorry I said, not really. He said, `Ah ok. You were going about 70kph sometimes, and even nearly made it to 80kph once'. `Oh.' I say. He also tells me he saw me change lanes without indicating a few times. This is true -- usually I look over my shoulder, then move without indicating. He said I was following way too close on a few occasions. Asks for my licence, says `Oh, learner licence'. `Yep,' I say, `I hope the L plate is still there?' It is, thank god.

Takes my licence away. I hear a printer and the sound of paper tearing. That must be my ticket, I think. He comes back, hands me my licence, asks if I know my licence conditions. I recite them, he says that's fine, gets in the car, and goes. No ticket! What a nice guy.

What did I learn? Well, for a start, it's hard to tell there's a police car behind you at night. Secondly, I need to keep an eye on my speed. I had no idea I was going that quick, and I'm being serious here. Nearly 80kph? Christ. Following distance is something to keep an eye on too. I knew the guy was going slow around the corner, I thought if I came around at normal speed then sat in behind him he would speed up. A bit rude for a start, but also not very legal. Still room to stop if he slammed on his brakes, I'm pretty sure, but that's no excuse.

I also learned that there's at least one friendly traffic cop out there. He didn't try to lecture me about being evil or whatever for going quickly and riding a bike. He just gave me advice on what I was doing wrong, was very polite and easy going. I suppose not giving him attitude or trying to give excuses helped me a lot there.

So no ticket, thank goodness, can't really afford one lol. Not really sure how the system works, but I assume there's a warning noted on my licence somewhere on the computers, so if I get pulled over again for doing the same thing they won't be so lenient next time?

Anyway, cheers to those two policemen, I'm glad the things I've heard about you appear to be greatly exaggerated, at least in these two individuals. I actually will try my best to address the things they asked me to do. Cheers, guys!

[Steam]

Jeez, 10kph more and it's instant loss of license. Sounds like he loves bikes cos 80 in a 50 zone is pretty damn excessive.

[xwhatsit]

Jeez, 10kph more and it's instant loss of license. Sounds like he loves bikes cos 80 in a 50 zone is pretty damn excessive.

Damn straight. Yeah I got pretty scared when he said I nearly hit 80kph -- I had no idea I was going that quick. I knew I was going more than 60kph at some points, but 80kph is very excessive, I'm with you there.

[Littleman]

What you didn't see was his twitchy hand covering off the taser behind his back and the women being raped on his bonnet. Letting you off was just a way to bribe you as a potential prosecution witness.

Nice guys, come on, how naieve.

[Deviant Esq]

Indy knows well what happens to bikers that go more than 40km/h over the limit in a 50 zone... and we all know how silly speeding is in a 50. You weren't doing anything silly though, and learned your lesson. Hell, it's easy for the speed to creep up a bit around town if you aren't careful.

You were very lucky to get away with that! Could have easily been a hefty fine if the Policeman was having a bad day (failing to indicate $150 (?), breaking licence condition (exceeding 70km/h) $400... plus the speeding ticket), so that is one big letoff. Lucky you were wearing your L plate, maybe that's why he took sympathy on you?

[vamr]

What you didn't see was his twitchy hand covering off the taser behind his back and the women being raped on his bonnet. Letting you off was just a way to bribe you as a potential prosecution witness.

Nice guys, come on, how naieve.

Hahaha... bravo.

[Ixion]

Most traffic round there ru ns at 60 to 70. if Mr X was just keeping with the flow, there was nothing about his speed to mark him out.

I'd guess the cop saw the L plate , and the following close bit, and decided to run an attitude check. That's why he had him recite the licence conditions. Mr X passed. A cocky know-it-all attitude - might have been a different story.

Good cop. Not for letting him off a ticket, but for caring. Old school, I reckon.

[xwhatsit]

Most traffic round there ru ns at 60 to 70. if Mr X was just keeping with the flow, there was nothing about his speed to mark him out.

I'd guess the cop saw the L plate , and the following close bit, and decided to run an attitude check. That's why he had him recite the licence conditions. Mr X passed. A cocky know-it-all attitude - might have been a different story.

Good cop. Not for letting him off a ticket, but for caring. Old school, I reckon.

Think you might be right there. I wasn't passing traffic at crazy closing speeds, was just sort of rolling past them, and the traffic does feel faster on that road than elsewhere. I must look at my speedo more often. Being lazy.

Attitude probably had a huge part in it. I was feeling pretty embarrassed, I don't like to look like a dick and look like I'm carrying on like a hoon, so I was pretty meek and polite with him. I guess I was just lapsing into the mode I have at the restaurant, `sorry sir we gave away your table, I know the traffic was bad, would you prefer this table here? Would you like a glass of wine on the house? My apologies'. I did wonder about being asked the licence conditions, I suppose it was an attitude check. Rather glad I was wearing my L plate, and wasn't riding after 10pm -- if I have to come home from work after 10pm I pull it off. Can't wait until restricted (very soon) so I can apply for an exemption and actually get it. Will this incident make them less likely to give me an exemption?

[Ixion]

Doubt it. Warnings aren't recorded any more, and there was no official action. He just checked out a novice rider, there are still cops who don't want to see youngsters splattered across the road.He figured that advice would be more useful than a bollocking.

The after hours exemption is pretty easy to get.

[xwhatsit]

Doubt it. Warnings aren't recorded any more, and there was no official action. He just checked out a novice rider, there are still cops who don't want to see youngsters splattered across the road.He figured that advice would be more useful than a bollocking.

The after hours exemption is pretty easy to get.

Oh really. I thought it went on some sort of record. Must've been the old system.

Copper was only a young guy. Sort of Maori/part-Maori looking, if you happen to be stopped.

I think if I'd been treated to a bollocking, as you put it, that would've left quite a different impression, and perhaps some resentment. As it is, they certainly won my respect, despite what some of the people on this forum seem to preach.

Yep, one of the first things I asked on this forum was about the hours exemption, but never got around to it before I blew up my engine (as I'd heard it was difficult to get on a Leaner's licence, especially early on), and then now it's rebuilt, I've nearly got my Restricted licence, so I'm better off waiting for that.

*Sigh*. I'm not suited to a life as a criminal on the run Think of me as Barry from Auf Wiedersehen Pet

[Motu]

Definatly the attitude - I've known a few bad arse bikers who looked like they should have an attitude problem,but when spoken to came across as polite,quietly spoken and well educated....which they were.I wouldn't go so far as to say they got away with murder....but they got away with what would put more arogant types into jail.

[Ixion]

He'll probably have noted the stop in his notebook (or whatever they use now). But there's no system now for the LTSA to record warnings. So nothing to reference against your name in the future. Attitude is what determines advice or bollocking . No point giving advice to someone who's not going to take any notice of it.

I always did a very nice line in grovel and "thank you officer". It's stood me in good stead more than once.

[Macktheknife]

Great result all round I think, you didn't get a ticket but you got a strong reminder of your riding habits, a good lesson and an improved impression of the cops. Who despite all rumours to the contrary, are not all bastards.
Well done.

[xwhatsit]

He'll probably have noted the stop in his notebook (or whatever they use now). But there's no system now for the LTSA to record warnings. So nothing to reference against your name in the future. Attitude is what determines advice or bollocking . No point giving advice to someone who's not going to take any notice of it.

I always did a very nice line in grovel and "thank you officer". It's stood me in good stead more than once.

Well, yeah. I work in a restaurant in Remuera; sometimes people come in, they want a table, but we're fully booked. Sometimes I'll try to shift things around and juggle things so I can squeeze them in (a pain in the arse, and perhaps the customer who booked had that particular window seat in mind when they booked early). But if the customer acts like an arrogant dick and treats me like dirt just because they've got money and a nice suit, then I'm sorry but I can't help them.

Is policing a service industry?

[Lorax]

Yep, one of the first things I asked on this forum was about the hours exemption, but never got around to it before I blew up my engine (as I'd heard it was difficult to get on a Leaner's licence, especially early on), and then now it's rebuilt, I've nearly got my Restricted licence, so I'm better off waiting for that.

My exemption to ride till midnight home from work will only finish when I get my full licence (currently on learners, so it continues on through to the restricted licence, as the hour restrictions are the same).

And yeah, some cops rule. Was the sober driver for my (smoked out) mates one night, had 7 beers over 5 hours, had been following this ALAC guideline card thingey. Chillin at top of Mt Wellington (freacken amaaaaaazing view at night) on the North Shore, 4am sat night, a cop rock up. Pipe disappears quick smack. Shit.

Usual chit chat, then "Have you been drinking tonight?"

"Yup"

Told him straight all about the card, that I'd had 7 beers, and blow me down if this cop didn't tell me to just take it easy, and that he didnt' want to catch me later on that morning over the limit. Jeeeez. I'm a big guy though so was confident of being under the limit. Although by confident, I mean I was shitting my pants, but should be under the limit.

Most cops are great I've found. High Five!