Mistaken identity?

[stevedg]

yeah, it will probably cost me the same amount as the fine to contest it (travel, day off work etc) but the principle and the demerit points egg me on!
Interestingly enough, one reason I rode alone was that most groups go a bit faster than I would like (I was passed by quite a number on the day, cruising between 110 and 120 I would expect) and I did not want to risk getting a fine by speeding. As it so happened, if I was in a group and sped I would not have got the ticket! I will have to reconcider this the next time a group is going somewhere as I like riding in a group!
I attended a Civil Aviation Authority Safety Seminar a few years ago, Jim R. was the presenter. I would say he would be one of NZ's most qualified pilots - flys everything from the Skyhawk, RV4 (I think), sailplane, rotorwing and now getting (or has got) a Herc rating. Wow, us poor civilians can only deam of being able to fund that sort of fun. The point is he claimed that speeding limits were there for a reason and it's not just the driver that could get hurt but other people as well. He had never had a speeding ticket, and to be speeding just showed poor self disipline. I know exception to every rule and I don't like being tailgated, but to pull over cars will often pass within 3 feet of you (as happened on my way home from Wanganui - another reason to ride in a group). Here was a guy that could fly 50 feet off the deck at 400kts, should have been a speed freak but still did not believe in speeding!

[stevedg]

I got a ticket in October which I am contesting.
Mine is a little more complex, as I am also disputing who was useing the laser gun (police have told me it doesn't matter as the other officer was under supervision by a trained officer, but their guidelines and operating manual states 'only a trained and certified officer is allowed to use speed detection equipment').
I also disputed the speed reading 66kph in a 50kph zone, as I know I wasn't exceeding 50k, and also the line of traffic in front and behind me weren't stopped, so they can't have been exceeding 50k either.
I requested various bits of info from the police, one of which was the NZ operating manual and policy which makes very interesting reading, to much to go into detail here, but the operating manual and training is strictly against cars (states aerodynamic sport cars give eronous readings, as do halogen headlights, thats why the manual states 'it must be pointed between the headlights, on the number plate'), but of real interest is that there is no mention of operating procedures against motorcycles, not one single item.
Will let you all know how it goes when it come to court.

Good luck mate! I hate to argue on a technicality but unfortunately when it comes to your word against theirs, technicalities are the only thing you have left to argue on! Wish you all the best and let us know when the court date come up....

[MaxB]

Yep, as others have hinted at you will need documentary evidence of your speed and or credible witnesses. In a 'your word vs policemans word' case the courts will almost always believe the word of the cops.

[Jantar]

...I attended a Civil Aviation Authority Safety Seminar a few years ago, Jim R. was the presenter. .... Here was a guy that could fly 50 feet off the deck at 400kts, should have been a speed freak but still did not believe in speeding!

And the speed limit below 10,000' is 250 kts. Its OK, I have flown in gaggles with Jim R. and in the air he doesn't obey all the rules, and I know that more than once he hasn't obeyed them all on the ground either. Its just that he's never been caught.

[stevedg]

fair nough, a little embellishment on my part, but I still liked the way he made his point.
I remember being on the beach down in Paraparam and having the Skyhawks fly over on the way back to Ohakea, must have been no more than 200' agl, in formation. Wow!

[stevedg]

...
I requested various bits of info from the police, one of which was the NZ operating manual and policy ....

What address did you request them from? NZ Police Infringement Bureau, PO Box 9147 Wellington?

[Jantar]

fair nough, a little embellishment on my part, but I still liked the way he made his point.....

Not too much embelishment. I have witnessed him inverted at less than 100' and travelling at over 360 kts. But that is what he was trained to do back in the days we still had an airforce.

[Number 5]

What address did you request them from? NZ Police Infringement Bureau, PO Box 9147 Wellington?

Yes, but it took three requests to get it, other info to ask for is the accuracy certificate, the weekly accuracy check log, and the pre deployment accuracy (daily use) info which has to be recorded in the equipment daily log book (once you have read the manual you will understand what info to ask for).
All this info is on the use of laser/radar guns, but the operation manual also gives info on speed detection equipment in patrol cars.

[ynot slow]

Could be a help if the other guy in front of you was able to add his 2c worth,i.e I went passed the officer at Waverley,but think someone else got caught.Shit get a mate to sign a letter to the effect,might get you off,afterall IF you were sitting at legal speeds and got pinged for someone elses behaviour,why should you pay literally.

Seems things don't change much in Waverley,can remember the(mot) cop sitting outside his house xmas and boxing day with a ticket book 20 yrs ago plus lol,then when the cops both in Patea and Waverley retired they changed to combined forces.

[stevedg]

Didn't know the bike in front, I'm just assuming that that was the reason for him to alledge I was doing 130. Otherwise I have to assume an error on the Officer's part or the radar itself, which I would have thought would be less likely.

[scumdog]

'it must be pointed between the headlights, on the number plate'), but of real interest is that there is no mention of operating procedures against motorcycles, not one single item.

And aiming as per above at a target at 287 metres distance is REAL ricky.

[The Stranger:Me]

Could be a help if the other guy in front of you was able to add his 2c worth,i.e I went passed the officer at Waverley,but think someone else got caught.Shit get a mate to sign a letter to the effect,might get you off,afterall IF you were sitting at legal speeds and got pinged for someone elses behaviour,why should you pay literally.

Are you volunteering to put your name to that letter?

[kiwifruit]

I kept my speed under 108km/hr

So you were exceeding the posted speed limit.

If you break the law, you should be prepared to suffer the consequences.

[Patrick]

Good luck mate! I hate to argue on a technicality but unfortunately when it comes to your word against theirs, technicalities are the only thing you have left to argue on! Wish you all the best and let us know when the court date come up....

Post 1 and 13 outline it all quite well. The cop appears to have got the wrong bike. He got you, not the one that passed you and left you in the dust.... Write in outlining your version of events. The bureau will forward it to the actual cop involved to see if he can confirm this. If in doubt, in any form of doubt, the ticket shouldn't be written. In his eyes, he got the right one. Did you protest your innocence at the time? He should have notes of this....

What address did you request them from? NZ Police Infringement Bureau, PO Box 9147 Wellington?

As above. The address is on the back of the ticket. Request full disclosure. It will include the officers notes on the back of the carbon copy of the ticket you were issued... as well as calibration certificates and that the user is certified to use the device...

[stevedg]

yep, I agree do the crime and pay the fine. I admit that I occasionally did exceed 100 when I glanced at the speedo (I glance at the speedo a lot now since my first ticket), but an ezing off the throttle and problem is corrected quickly. If he did me for 108 fair enough, but 130 is just wrong.