I wish I'd done a runner

[vifferman]

AND drink-driving and not wearing seat-belts and....but YOU only got caught speeding....

Well, true.
I must admit that I think the polis are doing a pretty good job with regards to drink-driving.

[discotex]

Well, true.
I must admit that I think the polis are doing a pretty good job with regards to drink-driving.

Pity the worst punishment you can expect is a slap with a wet bus ticket. Should be a manditory sentence for 3rd offence or if caught drink driving with a suspended licence. I'm so sick of hearing of people on their 5th+ conviction while disqualified doing 200hrs community service

[vifferman]

'Driver training means we can speed and you can't.'

Something which irks me (just as a matter of logic) is that in three of the five speeding tickets I've had over the last 34 years, I momentarily exceeded the speed limit (twice from inattention, and once to pass), then slowed down again. Potential danger aspect: nil.
In two cases, the polis drove much faster AND for longer in order to make sure I didn't get away with my murderous actions and to "give me a not-so-friendly reminder that I was exceeding the speed limit." In the other case, on a very busy road (where I overtook in a passing lane), the polis took many kilometres to catch me, solely because the traffic was heavy, and other motorists had to get out of his way. I'm sure they took care in each case and drove very skilfully, but my point is this: the ultimate purpose of road rules is to make the road safe for motorists. Chasing people at speeds above the speed limit for extended periods/distances is potentially hypocritical as it poses more danger than the 'crime' itself, especially if the criminal is no longer speeding.
In the latest instance, I went, "Oh crap - I think I was going a bit fast, and slowed down" (presumably the desired outcome). Chasing and punishing me did enrich the Gummint's bulging coffers, but did nothing to further road safety or to change my attitude (apart from making me somewhat paranoid and very resentful).
Did I deserve to be punished? Well, I was breaking a law. Momentarily, and with regard to the conditions (if the conditions had changed, with children, pets or traffic around, I would've slowed down).

[vifferman]

Pity the worst punishment you can expect is a slap with a wet bus ticket. Should be a manditory sentence for 3rd offence or if caught drink driving with a suspended licence. I'm so sick of hearing of people on their 5th+ conviction while disqualified doing 200hrs community service

I worked on a farm with a repeat drink-driver years ago. He was a nice guy (apart from being an irresponsible dick). He'd been caught drink-driving for the third time, and was quite matter-of-fact about it: "I'll probably get a fine, another disqualification, and a short sentence". He was right, and spent two or three weeks in Waikeria.
"How was it?", I asked on his release.
"Oh - pretty much the same as here, except the pay was less, and we got food and board. The only bad thing is my son got hassled at school coz his dad was a jail-bird".

This guy also kept driving while disqualified: "It's OK. If you get caught driving while disqualified, it's no big deal, unless you've been drinking. They don't like that!"

[jrandom]

the unbearable lightness of viffer

You, sir, need to come to a MotoTT trackday with me.

[scumdog]

This guy also kept driving while disqualified: "It's OK. If you get caught driving while disqualified, it's no big deal, unless you've been drinking. They don't like that!"

Of course there's the minor inconvenience of having the car towed away from under your arse and the comensurate costs - not just to the Govt but there's payment to be arranged with the tow company - and nowadays the likelihood of loss of said vehicle.
But in principle I agree - the penalty is not up there with the offence.

i.e. 1st & 2nd time for DIC the fine CAN be as high as $4,500, - when was the last time anybody heard of a 1st or 2nd time offender getting even a ONE thousand doller fine?

[Reckless]

i'm joining your club Viffer. Got a damn ticket in the cage yesterday. Bloody 66k in a 50. Fair cop I was going the same speed as all the traffic around me. He must just seen the "pick me" plate on the front. But i was in the wrong that I admit (not to him though, told him 52k with a smile). He said he'd first got me at 75k but second push of the button it was66k, yes, I had seen him but wasn't quite quick enough. He was good about it, told me Manukau have a no tolerance policy. Oh well $120 bucks and 20 demerits. But I'm a bit like you Viffer usually truckin around a bit fast. Not stupid fast but 66- 70, I suppose as proved by the ticket.

My Point is!
I thought DAMN!!! I must put my radar detector back in the bloody ute! And maybe that might be a good investment for you considering your demerit situation. You could have bought one with the fines already paid. I found they are quite good. Even the false alerts make you button off a bit, mines a bit old so I get a few (Uniden Stalker). And there presence makes you a bit more aware of your speed. Constant reminder type thing.

Just an idea for you to put on your radar (so to speak).

[vifferman]

You could have bought one [a radar detector] with the fines already paid.

There's a reason I don't have one: for around 30 years, I had no (zero, zip, nada) tickets of any kind (parking, speed-camera, etc.) So I figured it was a waste of money, unless I spent all my time driving like a loon, instead of just the occasional naughtiness (at the right time and place). I guess I viewed it as "a symbol of an intention to break laws on a regular basis".
Now things have changed, because I'm now in the position where I can't afford to get any more points, and I realise it's very difficult to NOT break the speed limit. Hell, in D'Auckland it's true to say almost everyone speeds. The previous ticket I got, the pragmatic officer seemd to recognise this, when he said "keep it under 60 and you should be OK". Yesterday, driving the Fart Pantso, I discovered that is almost impssible. Not only does it feel like you're in a time warp, but all the other traffic goes much faster!

I am seriously considering selling my bike. If it wasn't for the fact I have a nice new rear shock on the way, I probably would've advertised it already.

[scumdog]

I am seriously considering selling my bike. If it wasn't for the fact I have a nice new rear shock on the way, I probably would've advertised it already.

Now I wouldn't expect YOU to wimp out like that....

[Reckless]

I agree with you totally!
But Times have changed Viffer. I get stuff all tickets as well, same as you. We must ride/drive similarly.
But they are into revenue gathering now, have budgets to achieve, so you have to arm yourself with the tools to remind you to keep a eye on your speed and warn you if you don't. As I say they are a constant reminder as well, try looking at it from that point of view. A saftey device!!

Anyway $500-00 Radar detector, will pay for itself, and its a shit load better than selling the bike. Up to you buddy, but I know what I'd do!!

[vifferman]

It could be the "too much commuting" syndrome, accompanied by early senility.

[Blackbird]

I am seriously considering selling my bike. If it wasn't for the fact I have a nice new rear shock on the way, I probably would've advertised it already.

Ian,
You'd be an impossibly grumpy old bastard if you sold the bike rather than being just a regular grumpy bastard, so don't do it. Far from a detector being an implied intention to speed with impunity, it's actually made me more edgy. I'm very selective about the "when and where" these days. Soooo... keep your bike, get a good detector with the approval of Management and keep smiling

[vifferman]

Ian,
Soooo... keep your bike, get a good detector with the approval of Management and keep smiling

"So, you waste $340 on fines, and you want to spend $500 on a radar detector as well?!? Why don't you just slow down!!"
She desperately wants to go to Urp next year. Any other expenditure (apart from bling, of course) is taken as personal sabotage of her goals.

[discotex]

i.e. 1st & 2nd time for DIC the fine CAN be as high as $4,500, - when was the last time anybody heard of a 1st or 2nd time offender getting even a ONE thousand doller fine?

Or paying said fine. Seems pretty easy to convert unpaid fines into community service..

[Blackbird]

"So, you waste $340 on fines, and you want to spend $500 on a radar detector as well?!? Why don't you just slow down!!"
She desperately want to go to Urp next year. Any other expenditure (apart from bling, of course) is taken as personal sabotage of her goals.

Ummm.. that line of reasoning is not unknown in the James household either and a laser jammer was not approved as it was regarded as an overt aid to intentional lawbreaking. The detector was grudgingly accepted as being "warning only". I'm sure an enterprising person such as your good self will find a way, especially as it's your equivalent of bling