NZ Police - why do they do it?

**smoky** · 15th August 2009, 11:45

Got a ticket yesterday; that makes 9 in 20 years

I was heading home from work, down thru Huntly toward Hamilton
been past the township, past the quarry, 200 meters from the open road signs in a 70k area - see the cop on the other side of the road, check the speedo - 80ish Klm/Hr

I thought I'd be ok, being so close to the open road sign and all, but no

pulled over and fined for 84 klm/hr, $80
And wouldn't ya know it - my WOF was over due by two weeks - fine of $200 (it was booked in to be done - along with a service next week)
Went to the nearest testing station before they closed and got the WOF, so hopefully won't have to pay the $200

I'd been doing around 70 all the way along that overly extended limited speed area thru Huntly (behaving myself) and was merely slowly increasing my speed toward the open road - I just think giving people tickets for that kind of speed 200 meters from an open road sign is completely antagonistic, and just breeds contempt for the police. It could've been palatable if there was a school nearby, an intersection, lots of traffic or some other potential hazard? But there's not. what an arsehole

My question is; due to the fact I have exceeded the speed limit at times and not been caught, should I just accept this kind of wanky behavior and not let it annoy me ?
What on earth does the cop think he's achieving? Policing people 200 meters away from an open road sign and a piece of road with no real dangers or hazards?

**Oakie** · 15th August 2009, 11:50

Pot - Kettle ... I know I do the same myself but if you want to be annoyed, be annoyed with yourself for breaking the law, not the cops for enforcing the law.

**kiwifruit** · 15th August 2009, 11:52

Slow down rossi

**Indiana_Jones** · 15th August 2009, 11:53

Originally Posted by smoky

What on earth does the cop think he's achieving? Policing people 200 meters away from an open road sign and a piece of road with no real dangers or hazards?

About as much as they're going to achieve trying to ban 'pistol grips' on our guns......

They're on a power trip and they fucking love it.

-Indy

**Ixion** · 15th August 2009, 11:56

What on earth does the cop think he's achieving? Policing people 200 meters away from an open road sign and a piece of road with no real dangers or hazards?

'S obvious, surely? Revenue.

**p.dath** · 15th August 2009, 11:56

When I originally did my licence I was told it wsa okay to speed up at that point. So I have to say I'm guilty of doing that all the time. Once I see the 100Km/h sign I start speeding up.

Must try and re-train myself to wait until I am at the sign.

**Virago** · 15th August 2009, 11:57

The Plod generally allow a 200m discretionary margin, for people slowing down as they enter a lower speed area. But for people speeding up before they get to a higher speed limit - no excuse.

Operating a vehicle without a WOF - again no excuse.

You took your chances and got pinged. Accept it and move on.

**smoky** · 15th August 2009, 11:58

Originally Posted by Oakie

Pot - Kettle ... I know I do the same myself but if you want to be annoyed, be annoyed with yourself for breaking the law, not the cops for enforcing the law.

Originally Posted by Virago

But for people speeding up before they get to a higher speed limit - no excuse.

..... Accept it and move on.

Nah - It's not the fact I got caught for speeding that irks me, it's the attitude of enforcing the strict letter of the law for no apparent logical outcome - I am fining you because I can, thats all.

If I only got caught for no WOF, I wouldn't be moaning about it - that was fair enough, and it was only two weeks out, and I got a new one and won't have to pay the fine - I have no issue with all that.

**MSTRS:Me** · 15th August 2009, 12:02

Fish in a barrel...why do you think the cops sit in places like that?
Oh..and on the subject of 200m after a slower speed sign...DISCRETIONARY is the keyword.

**saltydog** · 15th August 2009, 12:08

Originally Posted by kiwifruit

Slow down rossi

Geeze mate, why dont you pay the fine for him?!
You've obviously never exceeded the prescribed speed limit then?

**kiwifruit** · 15th August 2009, 12:12

Originally Posted by saltydog

Geeze mate, why dont you pay the fine for him?!
You've obviously never exceeded the prescribed speed limit then?

Why should I, mate?

Yes, i have. Fortunately i've learnt my lesson

**scumdog** · 15th August 2009, 12:12

Originally Posted by smoky

Nah - It's not the fact I got caught for speeding that irks me, it's the attitude of enforcing the strict letter of the law for no apparent logical outcome

So how fast DO you think you should be allowed to go before getting a ticket???

**smoky** · 15th August 2009, 12:14

Originally Posted by MSTRS

...DISCRETIONARY is the keyword.

There's no such thing as discretionary when you have quotas to fill, and a fall in revenue. When your boss's KPI's are measured by those, you tend to please your boss before pleasing the public - after all he pays you, he promotes you.

I learnt years ago about the 'attitude' test - I know how to play the game, it doesn't work when the officer has been told he hasn't meet his targets this month.

**short-circuit** · 15th August 2009, 12:15

Originally Posted by scumdog

So how fast DO you think you should be allowed to go before getting a ticket???

You're surely not gonna try and defend this? It's practically entrapment for the purpose of revenue gathering only - nothing too do with road safety