Done. "Overtook across flush median"

**RiderInBlack** · 17th August 2007, 08:18

Fu*ks me off a bit but it is the law:
"Don't pass any vehicle if it means you have to drive over a flush median." (Land Transport NZ - Passing).

Was going up Manu Hill past the Whangarei Museum, working me way past fu*k'n "Cagers" who were not pulling left for me. Because of that to pass safely I had to go one the painted lines, which lead ta being ticketed. $150 if ya please for "Overtook Across Flush Median". Don't if there is demerits for it (can anyone tell me?).
Now for those who know Whangarei, that area used to have passing lines, but got changed to flush median strips ta keep Phil Heatly happy (He lives there when he is not in Welly). Have discussed with the Councillor responsible for the decision to remove the passing lines last year the sillyness of the change. He told me that vehciles should pull left so following traffic could pass legally, but I have not seen that. Means now there is nowhere ya can legally pass a slow truck going up the hills from the Whangarei Hospital until past Cemetry Rd, especailly if ya in a "cage". Bikes might have a chance of passing only if the vehcile in front pulls left

.

**Swoop** · 17th August 2007, 08:38

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

Now for those who know Whangarei, that area used to have passing lines, but got changed to flush median strips ta keep Phil Heatly happy (He lives there when he is not in Welly).

Nice to see that politicians are not being tempted to abuse the "baubles of office"...

If a public servant has expected to see all drivers "keeping left" so that others may safely pass, that person has not actually driven on NZ roads for many years!

**HDTboy** · 17th August 2007, 08:48

Better a ticket than crashing into a vehicle using the flush median for its intended purpose. I've seen Whangarei's passing lanes all disappear over the last 5 years, it's bloody stupid, but you were breaking the law, therefore have no grounds for whingeing about getting the ticket.

**Coldrider** · 17th August 2007, 08:56

Double laned roads down here have singularised with a flush median strip also.
They are used to slow the traffic down, something you had not clicked on till it cost you. We have to accept getting caught behind slow traffic is a fact of life, and ride/drive correspondingly.

**vifferman** · 17th August 2007, 09:30

This is great news! It proves the cops do actually hand out tickets for 'crimes' other than having your speedo needle (allegedly) in the wrong place on the dial.

**RiderInBlack** · 17th August 2007, 11:27

Originally Posted by Coldrider

Double laned roads down here have singularised with a flush median strip also.
They are used to slow the traffic down, something you had not clicked on till it cost you. We have to accept getting caught behind slow traffic is a fact of life, and ride/drive correspondingly.

If it's a laiden truck doing less than 50kpm up hill in a 70kpm zone with a clear visible road ahead of me, ya can get fu*ked if ya think I'm going ta follow him for 5+km

**RiderInBlack** · 17th August 2007, 11:33

Originally Posted by HDTboy

Better a ticket than crashing into a vehicle using the flush median for its intended purpose.

Was none using the median strip. If ya follow ya logic then we should never pass as there maybe a vehicle turning right sometime in the future on any piece of road we ride on. Sorry don't buy it ta that. I am very aware of the risk of some dork turning in front of me as I am passing and take that inconsideration when pass and riding.

**HDTboy** · 17th August 2007, 11:45

The reason the rule is there which you broke is because a flush median is made for merging, not passing, who's to say another road user couldn't hypothetically pull out from a siding, and into your path on his median strip?

Edit: I don't even need to search for the rules, cause you've done it for me. If you know you're breaking the rules, you have no grounds for whingeing about getting a ticket

**RiderInBlack** · 17th August 2007, 12:01

Originally Posted by HDTboy

The reason the rule is there which you broke is because a flush median is made for merging

Merge from where? if ya knew that stretch of road ya know what I meant by that. Fu*k-all chance of that needing ta happen there, especial at the time I past there. Sorry but they never should have put a flash median there.

**RiderInBlack** · 17th August 2007, 12:14

Not really worried. Will pay it but am curious as ta whether there is demerits with that.
At the end of the day I broke the law (I know that.....now, DOH). It is a 70kph zone and close enough to schools (even if I was heading away from the schools) that I first thought he may have been pulling me over for 4kph over. Just think that they were stupid removing the passing line from there.

**craigs288** · 17th August 2007, 12:35

Originally Posted by Coldrider

Double laned roads down here have singularised with a flush median strip also.
They are used to slow the traffic down, something you had not clicked on till it cost you. We have to accept getting caught behind slow traffic is a fact of life, and ride/drive correspondingly.

We only have to accept it if we are willing to let the government waste our tax dollars retrograding our two lane ( each way ) roads into one lane each way. Who is the bright prick responsible for making those decisions? Probably the bright prick who will be complaining that there is too much congestion on those newly designated one-lane roads and have to introduce a congestion charge to anybody travelling to and from Whangarei (or anywhere else in this beautiful country where they think they can get away with more compulsory social engineering at all levels). Bright prick indeed.

**Coldrider** · 17th August 2007, 13:03

Originally Posted by craigs288

We only have to accept it if we are willing to let the government waste our tax dollars retrograding our two lane ( each way ) roads into one lane each way. Who is the bright prick responsible for making those decisions? Probably the bright prick who will be complaining that there is too much congestion on those newly designated one-lane roads and have to introduce a congestion charge to anybody travelling to and from Whangarei (or anywhere else in this beautiful country where they think they can get away with more compulsory social engineering at all levels). Bright prick indeed.

Councils hire uni grads, give them copious amounts of rate payer cash to be wasted, and the grads get to do the projects to make a name for themselves.
As usual some do a good job, some not so good,
Do you vote in local elections, do you know what you council is proposing now and/or for the future.
Citizens & ratepayers have rights, but generally there is only a select few who get involved, make submissions etc till it all too late.

**Sanx** · 17th August 2007, 13:40

Originally Posted by Coldrider

Citizens & ratepayers have rights...

Not under Uncle Helen...

**devnull** · 17th August 2007, 13:45

I'd rather get the fine for riding past slow cages on the median than be crushed between 2 cages because some dickhead wasn't watching his following distance...