Cops using emergency lanes

**Donor** · 13th May 2010, 19:42

Originally Posted by Ixion

It may be because at some palces , eg bridge overpasses, in Auckland anyway, the emergency shoulder disappears. Enough room usually to squeeze a bike through, but not a four wheeler. And if the traffic in the left lane is stopped with nowhere to go the emergency vehicle could end up trapped.

Pretty much it - as well, the break down lane is covered with nails, screws, broken glass and other crap from numerous fender benders and other events.

Also, splitting like that means NOT having to cross multiple lanes to get to the incident, and not having to worry about meat heads on four wheels swerving left when they hear a siren behind them. (Some people actually remember that nugget from the road code.)

Personally, I've never used the break down lane, never will. Far safer to take it slower and split. (Well apart from the munter bike that rear ended me a couple or three months ago)

**Ixion** · 13th May 2010, 19:47

Also, occurs to me that going down the emergnecy shoulder, you'd probably end up being forced up an off ramp before long.

**R-Soul** · 14th May 2010, 09:14

Theexplanations don't really make sense.

Why not use puncture proof tyres then (yes they do exist)? Or have the left lane swept regularly? And if your sirens are blaring and lights showing, then cars in the left lane will see you a long time before you arrive because their view of you is unimpeded by other cars.

And if cars will actually bundle themselves out of their lane to let you through, surely they will allow you to cross an offramp unhindered?
And if an occasional bridge is encountered, with a reduced hard shoulder area, then the response vehicle will only be impeded for 20 m instead of the entire kilometre before it.

Isn't this the WHOLE POINT of keeping cars out of the "emergency lane"? (what do you actually call that area in NZ anyway?) Otherwise why keep cars off it at all? Why not use it for another lane?

I saw an ambulance again today battling its way splitting its way between lanes on the motorway. Surely in life threatening situations, speed to/from the accident is everything?

I still have not seen any comments from cops (unless I just dont know who the cops are). What are the official reg's on this?

**Rogue Rider** · 14th May 2010, 09:22

Maybe, just maybe popo forgot he was in his car and thought to himself, "Owh I'll just shoot up the middle like all the bikies do, I'll fit through there" or perhaps he was chasing a motorcycle that was shooting up the middle of the lanes.... thats a pet hate for cops, cause they can't do it lol.....
Bring back the MOT...................

**Dave Lobster** · 14th May 2010, 14:59

Originally Posted by Hiflyer

Don't know if it would really matter for car tyres as much but those lanes are full of broken glass, bits of wood and other sharp fuckers just waiting to give you a flattie!

That's ALL of Auckland roads, not just the hard shoulder.

**peasea** · 14th May 2010, 15:11

Originally Posted by Toaster

Common sense would dictate whether to lane split or to swing left and use that lane. But not all cops are great drivers either... just like the rest of the population.

Common sense, NZ Police, hmmm, drums fingers on table, looks at ceiling, whistles. "Not all great drivers either", thinks of u-turns, repeats previous process.
Back to the beer.

**peasea** · 14th May 2010, 15:12

Originally Posted by R-Soul

the traffic was pretty dense.

He'd probably fit right in then.

**peasea** · 14th May 2010, 15:14

Originally Posted by Dave Lobster

That's ALL of Auckland roads, not just the hard shoulder.

Haha, I was in an Auckland bar one night and got a COLD shoulder, that gave me a flattie I can tell ya.

**Pixie** · 15th May 2010, 09:21

Originally Posted by R-Soul

Was the cop being dumb (or forgot his training) yesterday

Training? Haa haa ha ha ha ha ha Haa ha ha he he he ha ha ha haar haar haar hee he he he he

**Grahameeboy** · 15th May 2010, 19:25

Saw a cop using a mobile phone....surely they should have handsfree..more so

**Mully** · 15th May 2010, 21:13

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

Saw a cop using a mobile phone....surely they should have handsfree..more so

Aren't they specifically except from the law?

**Grahameeboy** · 16th May 2010, 10:07

But why should they be if they are...

**firefighter** · 16th May 2010, 10:43

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

But why should they be if they are...

Because there's a difference between a cop using a cell phone while driving and a the average driver who already usually does'nt pay enough attention!

5 pretty decent reasons;

1. A cop is'nt going to text and drive/the main problem.
2. The calls cops take when driving 99% of the time are more important than the average citizen. That's why you are allowed to use your phone in an emergency situation......
3. Most cops, even though they are taking important calls will pull over if appropriate.
4. Why not install handsfree?! Dunno, i'd say it'd be flucken expensive, and eventually they will be installed.
5. A cop already has to use radios, beacons etc on the move, so are pretty adept to it all. 16 year old worlds best driver ever does'nt need any extra attention taken away from the road.