Bikers collide with Police car in Buller Gorge (1 December)

[MSTRS:Me]

I'm not arguing for the cop, just for common sense.

Oh yeah? In that case, common sense would tell you (as it has most of us) that the cop was a complete pillock turning where he did.
There has been plenty of conjecture on here as to whether the bikers were speeding, it is possible...but all reports attributed to them say 90-95kph. The biker that the cop was pursuing (cos that is what he was in the process of doing) said he was a bit quick. Does that mean the whole incident was his fault?

[Grahameeboy]

Oh yeah? In that case, common sense would tell you (as it has most of us) that the cop was a complete pillock turning where he did.
There has been plenty of conjecture on here as to whether the bikers were speeding, it is possible...but all reports attributed to them say 90-95kph. The biker that the cop was pursuing (cos that is what he was in the process of doing) said he was a bit quick. Does that mean the whole incident was his fault?

U-turns are dangerous and are a lazy way of turning to go back the way you have just come.

To do a u-turn you basically have to have all round vision and a head that can turn 360.

The slowness of a u-turn, blocking the whole road at some point is what makes them dangerous.

If you need to turn back just find a layby or side street and use that to turn safely.

Simple, like driving should be but many fail

[scumdog]

The slowness of a u-turn, blocking the whole road at some point is what makes them dangerous.

If you need to turn back just find a layby or side street and use that to turn safely.

Simple, like driving should be but many fail

Not sticking up for ANYBODY but it's not like there's a whole shitload of laybys or sidestreets in the gorge - yes, I know there was one layby close to THAT scene but they're few and far between, same in a lot of gorge roads.

[MSTRS:Me]

Not sticking up for ANYBODY but it's not like there's a whole shitload of laybys or sidestreets in the gorge - yes, I know there was one layby close to THAT scene but they're few and far between, same in a lot of gorge roads.

True, but the whole area was/is that cop's patch and he would have to be familiar with pretty much all of it. Familiarity breeds contempt?
And Grahameeboy, it was a 3 point turn....the slowest of the lot.

[Grahameeboy]

Not sticking up for ANYBODY but it's not like there's a whole shitload of laybys or sidestreets in the gorge - yes, I know there was one layby close to THAT scene but they're few and far between, same in a lot of gorge roads.

True but if that is the case, no u-turn until you find one of those few and far between turning spots..........so the speeding bike gets a lucky break...........

This was an unfortunate accident which highlights many issues I guess.

I don't think the cop was necessarily reckless. However, I think this re-opens the rules of pursuits. Safety first, ticket next.

I think that cops should avoid patrolling any roads without decent laybyes, side roads to avoid this situation.....................and leave some nice roads free from speeding tickets myself

[Grahameeboy]

True, but the whole area was/is that cop's patch and he would have to be familiar with pretty much all of it. Familiarity breeds contempt?
And Grahameeboy, it was a 3 point turn....the slowest of the lot.

Well trying to do a u-turn in a Holden is gonna end up in a 3 point turn eh.

[MSTRS:Me]

Well trying to do a u-turn in a Holden is gonna end up in a 3 point turn eh.

Actually, my Commodore doesn't (much) more room than my Laser or 626

[Grahameeboy]

Actually, my Commodore doesn't (much) more room than my Laser or 626

Yep but using the pavement doesn't count

[scumdog]

Actually, my Commodore doesn't (much) more room than my Laser or 626

The Queen Mary has a tighter turning circle than the new Commodores, THE worst of any modern rear-wheel drive cars I've use lately - apart from my T-bird. (But then it IS the size of the Queen Mary)

[vifferman]

Look its fucken simple
ok
you do a u turn and cause an accident ....ok

it your fucken fault

That's quite right. It all boils down to the fact that regardless of whether the bikers were speeding or not, the policeman chose to perform a u-turn in a very stupid place, in order to catch an alleged speeder.
Why are there rules about road speeds?
- Safety.
It's another example of a very minor offense being far outweighed by a much sillier and more unsafe action.

If the cop had been Joe Public, there'd be no discussion: he'd automatically be guilty of dangerous driving causing injury.

I'm by no means anti-cop, but I am getting more than a bit pissed off by the ridiculous emphasis on speeding. The issue is supposed to be road safety, not over-zealaous enforcement of what are sometimes rather arbitrary rules. If the police are prepared to drive in a manner that is dangerous to other road users in order to meet quotas and gather naughtiness taxes for the Gubmint, then a serious overhaul of our whole traffic safety and policing programme is overdue.

[MSTRS:Me]

The Queen Mary has a tighter turning circle than the new Commodores, THE worst of any modern rear-wheel drive cars I've use lately - apart from my T-bird. (But then it IS the size of the Queen Mary)

Oh well, mine isn't new...perhaps the steering has been run in?

[Coldrider]

If ya' drive in reverse everywhere, ya can use the handbrake to change direction without swapping lanes.

[Deano]

And if it was pile of rubble from the cliffs above or a mob of sheep you'd want it / them prosecuted too.

Now that's just plain silly.

But I don't think that anyone here that rides a bike like a 999 Duke or Benelli TNT could keep a straight face and say that they were only doing 90 - 95 through that section of road. MPH perhaps might be closer to the truth.

Not anyone ? - That's a bit silly too Spud. Check out the chicken strips of some GSXR1000's, 999's etc to see how hard some guys don't ride their bikes.

Not very objective.

[Kendog]

Not anyone ? - That's a bit silly too Spud. Check out the chicken strips of some GSXR1000's, 999's etc to see how hard some guys don't ride their bikes.

Not very objective.

Agreed, a fast bike does not make a fast rider.

[roogazza]

And if it was pile of rubble from the cliffs above or a mob of sheep you'd want it / them prosecuted too.

If you use public roads you will at some stage find obstructions on them.

Come on Spud , I can almost see you smiling ?? Cops make fuckups like anyone else .(done some myself and had to do the 367's)
Guess the pulse went up when he saw the speeding motorist and he just had to nab him ?// Gaz.