Number plate hard to read?

[barty5]

The requirement for a reflector stems from the simple fact that your plate can fall off. Several recent examples of this confirm this can happen.
Not having a reflector is a fairly petty thing, but getting run up the arse at night, could be worse.

They can fall off as well.

[TimeOut]

FFS Most trailers have the plate mounted vertical and if on the mudguard laying back at on an angle.
Four wheel drives that have bull bars quite often have a lump of pipe covering most of the plate.

Good luck with this one.

[Swoop]

The requirement for a reflector stems from the simple fact that your plate can fall off. Several recent examples of this confirm this can happen.
Not having a reflector is a fairly petty thing, but getting run up the arse at night, could be worse.

They can fall off as well.

Correct. However the chances of both falling off at the same time, are remote.

[marty]

Arguing something like this in court is never that simple though, all that would result in is the judge explaining that the plates are there so that everyone can identify you, not just a select motoring demographic.

I would argue that as long as it could be seen from an angle of 45 degrees either side (the same as rearward-facing red lights), and from a vehicle travelling at the legal travelling distance behind, then it would be ok.

Go and take some photos of some trucks and trailers and present a number of different angles on number plate placement.

The other ticket, for not up to WOF standard - when I was in the mob that was not an ION offence (may have changed), but it would be interesting what qualifications the cop had to make that judgement. if he had have written the offence specifically for no red reflector, then that may be ok, but I'm not sure that is a requirement for a vehicle being operated during the day anyway.

[Skyryder]

When you have your day in Court suggest you stick to point...no finger pointing a cop...all you have to do is show it was readable...nothing less.

"Less is More"

I concur. Don't use the court as a personal crusade. Keep that for the complaints 'people.' Remember the police are your servants 'you' are not theirs


Skyryder.

[YellowDog]

Before this goes too far, I am assuming that said number plate has regulation sized letters and is made of the correct materials?

[Biggles08]

Before this goes too far, I am assuming that said number plate has regulation sized letters and is made of the correct materials?

Its the original plate...so yes.

I'll say it again, The only reason I believe i got the ticket(s) was because he was annoyed that I wasn't speeding as he believed that I must have got him with my radar detector...now the facts are:
a)I was riding at 105kph immediately prior to my radar detector picking him up
b)I was never considering breaking the speed limit (especially there, as it was exactly where another mate of mine lost their license)
c)My riding buddy was speeding and lost his license

So, there were two cops, one got my mate and the other one was pissed because he couldn't do me for speeding...BECAUSE I WASN'T...so he pulled me over anyway. He also said...and I quote "where is your registration and wof cert" and i explained that they were attached to the rear of my # plate and he said "Thats no good, you should be able to see them WITHOUT BENDING OVER!?!?!"

I didn't reply to that...just thought to myself what a cock!

[Pixie]

The requirement for a reflector stems from the simple fact that your plate can fall off. Several recent examples of this confirm this can happen.
Not having a reflector is a fairly petty thing, but getting run up the arse at night, could be worse.

They can fall off as well.

BULLSHIT -Where do you get this stuff?

The requirement for a reflector has nothing to do with plates falling off.
It's to aid visibility when the lights are off at night as in when the vehicle is parked.
There was a time when plates were not reflective.
I thing Biggles might find that the tail light lens may be reflective

[Pixie]

and he said "Thats no good, you should be able to see them WITHOUT BENDING OVER!?!?!"

I didn't reply to that...just thought to myself what a cock!

He's a total wanker.Mention that comment in court.There is no provision in the statute for the cop's comfort.

He probably wants to save his bending over for when he gets home at night

[YellowDog]

He's a total wanker.Mention that comment in court.There is no provision in the statute for the cop's comfort.

He probably wants to save his bending over for when he gats home at night

LOL - I though as most of the cops you see are a bit large around their middle (from sitting on their arses all day) - he couldn't bend over (except for under special off duty situations).

[YellowDog]

Its the original plate...so yes.

I'll say it again, The only reason I believe i got the ticket(s) was because he was annoyed that I wasn't speeding as he believed that I must have got him with my radar detector...now the facts are:
a)I was riding at 105kph immediately prior to my radar detector picking him up
b)I was never considering breaking the speed limit (especially there, as it was exactly where another mate of mine lost their license)
c)My riding buddy was speeding and lost his license

So, there were two cops, one got my mate and the other one was pissed because he couldn't do me for speeding...BECAUSE I WASN'T...so he pulled me over anyway. He also said...and I quote "where is your registration and wof cert" and i explained that they were attached to the rear of my # plate and he said "Thats no good, you should be able to see them WITHOUT BENDING OVER!?!?!"

I didn't reply to that...just thought to myself what a cock!

Biggles mate, I am always afraid that in such situations you get 'talked up' in to taling expensive and destined to fail action.

However it does sound like a good case. The cop has to decide on the offence he is going to do you for at the time of stopping you. I think he has cocked-up. The reflector issue is irrelevant as he has not booked you for it.

Would be great to hear how you get on.

Good luck.

[Biggles08]

heres some pictures taken about a month before i got the ticket...they were taken from a vehicle following me on the dirt road just before you get to Cape Reinga...this is exactly the view the cop has of me while I'm riding!

[Swoop]

he said "Thats no good, you should be able to see them WITHOUT BENDING OVER!?!?!"

Perhaps the man would like to provide the written documentation of where this is required "by law" to the court?

Pixie might have a solution for the reflector. Go and take a photo of your bike at night. See how much the lenses act as a reflector.
If they do just that, you have complied with the regulations and the nice man will have issued a ticket incorrectly.

[Conquiztador]

In the days when I used to build my choppers and have them all WOF it was considered part of life to get tickets, pay them and have to get new WOF. A little like farting after eating a can of beans.

Good on you Biggles for doing what you do. And I recon you are right. Sadly nothing will change. But it will make you feel better. It will cost you. And next time when he gets you he will come up with something better. His mates will have told him what to do...

Good luck to you!!

[bugjuice]

k, i'll chuck in my 2¢, since I've got the same bike, and a 'non-stock' setup too.

I've had my bike (pictured, old picture but still the same now) in this state since around December 04, and it's ALWAYS passed a WoF, and so far (touches his wood), never had a ticket about it. I've been pulled over on 'I think you were speeding' queries a few times, and two actual 'you were speeding, here's a ticket' queries, and never, not once, has my plate or exhaust (I have a Muzzy on there now) or set up been questioned.

A lil grey area about the reflector tho; for one, I've been told a few times by various testing officers, that the reflector is to aid visibility at night, when said vehicle is parked on the road. The tail light does reflect - with a flash from a camera. However, it doesn't reflect with car headlights very well. This has come into question a couple of times when I've had my WoF done, and I've mentioned that the tail light does reflect back car headlights, and they've been satisfied with it. I also don't have a 'white lamp' illuminating the plate either, but I've explained that the lighting is hard-wired and can't be switched off while the bike is running, and again, not even a raised eyebrow. Subsequently, the only thing I've ever had written on my WoF sheet, is that the tyres are 'running out of tread on the sides' and I'm to be careful.. okie dokie. I also have my WoF and rego sticker behind the plate too. Something that has been checked when I've been pulled over (and those random spot checks), and never ticketed for, where as Quasi got a ticket by a parking warden when he had his like mine on his 03 when he had it. Guess I could just be lucky, or everyone likes orange..

tbh, I've always thought having the plate there would always draw attention, thus I never moved mine there. Yes, it's legible, and clearly visible when following you, I know this for fact. But it's just a doughnut on a hook to me. Fight it for sure, it's just this might not be the last time you have grief over it.