Roadworks, Kids and Cops

[What?]

For those of you who don't know (most of ya's), I live at the bottom of a steep-ish hill on a busy-ish state highway, on which there is currently a heap of works with loose chip everywhere.
So last night a cage full of kids comes screaming down said hill, the "driver" ignoring the 30K signs and the roadies flashing lights, flags etc, then comes up behind another car doing somewhere near 30K. There is a line of traffic coming the other way, so passing is not a viable option. Kid locks it up, slides and rolls right in the middle of the bridge.
The roadies were on the spot quick as and called the cops whist ascertaining that no-one was hurt. One hour later the rolled shitbox was still blocking off half the highway, and the cops still had not arrived (nobody dead so not important, I guess), although this did extend the entertainment as the kids were quite certain that the crash was anyone's fault but theirs.
Beats TV...

[bear]

Sure does beat TV, that's crap that the cops hadn't turned up in that time!

[Pwalo]

The things some people will do just to keep you amused. Makes you wonder how some individuals thought processes are oredered. Perhaps too much play station, where you can crash all day and walk away without a scratch on you or your vehicle.

[Krayy]

This got me thinking about the braking distance being increased in proportion to the load in the cage. I assume that this would affect the bike as well, but I'm not sure that the wife will go 2-up for me to practice emergency braking with the extra load. Anyone actually done this and got any comparative information??

[sAsLEX]

Perhaps too much play station, where you can crash all day and walk away without a scratch on you or your vehicle.

and you can brake for hairpins by driving in to people in front of you slowing you down and pushing them out of your way

[Slim]

This got me thinking about the braking distance being increased in proportion to the load in the cage. I assume that this would affect the bike as well, but I'm not sure that the wife will go 2-up for me to practice emergency braking with the extra load. Anyone actually done this and got any comparative information??

It is definitely harder to stop when you've got more weight on the back. Luggage won't make a noticeable difference, but a pillion sure does. Be wary that you don't take a pillion that's too heavy for your strength, especially if you have problems touching the ground on your bike. Start out small & work your way up to see what it's like. My rule is no-one pillions on my bike if they're heavier than me - I can't handle it.

[White trash]

For those of you who don't know (most of ya's), I live at the bottom of a steep-ish hill on a busy-ish state highway, on which there is currently a heap of works with loose chip everywhere.
So last night a cage full of kids comes screaming down said hill, the "driver" ignoring the 30K signs and the roadies flashing lights, flags etc, then comes up behind another car doing somewhere near 30K. There is a line of traffic coming the other way, so passing is not a viable option. Kid locks it up, slides and rolls right in the middle of the bridge.
The roadies were on the spot quick as and called the cops whist ascertaining that no-one was hurt. One hour later the rolled shitbox was still blocking off half the highway, and the cops still had not arrived (nobody dead so not important, I guess), although this did extend the entertainment as the kids were quite certain that the crash was anyone's fault but theirs.
Beats TV...

You shoulda rung TV3 news. Or taken good pics and sent them to a news paper.

The media loves to hear about the apparent lack of interest in anything not speeding related at the mo.

[Biff]

Sure does beat TV, when's the re-run? I'd like to watch that?
Nothing like a group of young idiots learning a lesson the hard way.

[Slingshot]

This got me thinking about the braking distance being increased in proportion to the load in the cage. I assume that this would affect the bike as well, but I'm not sure that the wife will go 2-up for me to practice emergency braking with the extra load. Anyone actually done this and got any comparative information??

The effect is also more pronounced on a bike.
When you add a pillion, you're probably adding around 30% extra weight to the original bike/rider weight.

When you add 3 passengers into a car you're probably only adding around 10-15%.

[spudchucka]

Sure does beat TV, that's crap that the cops hadn't turned up in that time!

I don't know what was going on in Tauranga at that time but often a single vehicle, non-injury crash will be shoved down the priority order when there are other jobs involving actual risk in the que. If a unit had been available it would have been despatched.

[madboy]

This got me thinking about the braking distance being increased in proportion to the load in the cage. I assume that this would affect the bike as well, but I'm not sure that the wife will go 2-up for me to practice emergency braking with the extra load. Anyone actually done this and got any comparative information??

dunno bout braking distance, but i know scraping the footpegs thru not allowing for the extra weight didnt go down well

[ajturbo]

dunno about you guys... but when i was a lot younger.. i went to a mate's party up the 88 valley in nelson.... yep we run out of beer... i had a car.... that i dove into wakefield... to the nearest pub...... on the way down my whole exhust fell off..(not just the muffler!! ) it was a mini... it was agravel road.... why didn't we finish up in the dich/paddock/under a truck.?? who knows? but i tell you i got a right yelling at by one of my mate's mum who was also at the party..never again did i drive after drinking...
still don't know how we stayed on the road.....

[Waylander]

For those of you who don't know (most of ya's), I live at the bottom of a steep-ish hill on a busy-ish state highway, on which there is currently a heap of works with loose chip everywhere.
So last night a cage full of kids comes screaming down said hill, the "driver" ignoring the 30K signs and the roadies flashing lights, flags etc, then comes up behind another car doing somewhere near 30K. There is a line of traffic coming the other way, so passing is not a viable option. Kid locks it up, slides and rolls right in the middle of the bridge.
The roadies were on the spot quick as and called the cops whist ascertaining that no-one was hurt. One hour later the rolled shitbox was still blocking off half the highway, and the cops still had not arrived (nobody dead so not important, I guess), although this did extend the entertainment as the kids were quite certain that the crash was anyone's fault but theirs.
Beats TV...

What time last night was this? Because i was riding through on that road at about 8:30 pm or so not sure on the exact time. Glad i wasnt there when that went down, would have seriously screwed my evening.

[What?]

Happened at 10pm.
I would have thought it a priority call for the cops considering the cage was completely blocking one lane, at the bottom of a steep hill and just around a blind corner on a busy state highway.
But then, I also would have thought the roadworkers could have just used a truck to push the wreck out of harm's way, too...