Aaugh! The Highway Patrol!

**Trade_nancy** · 24th December 2013, 16:58

I can't accept random stopping of motorists as a fair way to treat people. People going about their lawful business whether driving, riding, walking or sitting watching tv - shouldn't be interfered with by police...just in case they were guilty of something. I can accept road stop/checkpoints for breath testing...just...but beyond that - F'ing leave me alone if I'm not law breaking.
I have been stopped twice in 2 years on my bike - riding to early start work - 4:30am. Both times it was a female cop and she was on her own. She sees me tootling down road at 50kph and does a u-turn and follows me for 4-5 mins, through a set of lights and around a round-a-bout before haling me to stop just outside work. Lights and sirens aloud.
She does the usual licence check, questions about my intentions and a warning not to be smart and she drives off in a huff...without any word of thanks or sorry. She really seemed disappointed that I was law-abiding and not a bike converter or crack smuggler.
If a rider/driver can be stopped anyway and time - why not start entering homes unannounced - just in case a P lab is out back, or mum and dad are beating on their kids....

**98tls** · 24th December 2013, 17:02

Why should she thank you or say sorry she was just doing her job.

**scumdog** · 24th December 2013, 17:15

Originally Posted by Trade_nancy

I can't accept random stopping of motorists as a fair way to treat people. People going about their lawful business whether driving, riding, walking or sitting watching tv - shouldn't be interfered with by police...just in case they were guilty of something. I can accept road stop/checkpoints for breath testing...just...but beyond that - F'ing leave me alone if I'm not law breaking.
I have been stopped twice in 2 years on my bike - riding to early start work - 4:30am. Both times it was a female cop and she was on her own. She sees me tootling down road at 50kph and does a u-turn and follows me for 4-5 mins, through a set of lights and around a round-a-bout before haling me to stop just outside work. Lights and sirens aloud.
She does the usual licence check, questions about my intentions and a warning not to be smart and she drives off in a huff...without any word of thanks or sorry. She really seemed disappointed that I was law-abiding and not a bike converter or crack smuggler.
If a rider/driver can be stopped anyway and time - why not start entering homes unannounced - just in case a P lab is out back, or mum and dad are beating on their kids....

You know very little about Police and their work methods and procedures, do you?

And in case you're NOT a troll tell me how are disqualified driver, people with outstanding warrants, drunks, stolen cars etc ever going to be picked up if nobody is ever stopped while driving? OK, you did mention breath testing...

**Motu** · 24th December 2013, 17:57

It gives me a warm glow to see a sportsbike rider pulled over, pity I was in the car this morning. Last day at work for the year, I was expecting too much stuff to carry home on the bike, and be half pissed. Worked all day, and got let off 15 minutes early, and only had an envelope to carry. But a nice bonus tucked inside the card.

**Berg** · 24th December 2013, 20:32

stopped a hell of a pleasant fella on State 2 last week. He thought I was going to tackle him about his speed and his weaving through the traffic (he was a bit gruff at first) but was genuinely surprised when I showed him he had a faulty brake light switch hence no working brake lights. In the spirit of Xmas he didn't even get a ticket. Gawd I'm getting soft in my old age.

**Scuba_Steve** · 24th December 2013, 21:00

Originally Posted by scumdog

And in case you're NOT a troll tell me how are disqualified driver, people with outstanding warrants, drunks, stolen cars etc ever going to be picked up if nobody is ever stopped while driving? OK, you did mention breath testing...

How are we supposed to know you're not a drug or arms dealer unless we send armed men round to kick in your door & stomp through your house each night?

& just incase you're not a troll (yea I know) in answer to a couple of your questions running the plates will pick up stolen cars, drunks they're usually noticeable (maybee if your gang hassled slow vehicles more you'd know this)

**Laava** · 24th December 2013, 21:01

Originally Posted by Berg

stopped a hell of a pleasant fella on State 2 last week. He thought I was going to tackle him about his speed and his weaving through the traffic (he was a bit gruff at first) but was genuinely surprised when I showed him he had a faulty brake light switch hence no working brake lights. In the spirit of Xmas he didn't even get a ticket. Gawd I'm getting soft in my old age.

You need a red and white suit.

**Smifffy** · 24th December 2013, 21:02

Originally Posted by scumdog

You know very little about Police and their work methods and procedures, do you?

And in case you're NOT a troll tell me how are disqualified driver, people with outstanding warrants, drunks, stolen cars etc ever going to be picked up if nobody is ever stopped while driving? OK, you did mention breath testing...

So if I'm driving/riding along in a law abiding manner, what would make anyone think that I may have outstanding warrants, be drunk or in a stolen car? Further, if I have none of these faults, why would I need to pass some kind of "attitude test" in order to avoid further scrutiny?

Why would ownership of a legally allowed radar detector be cause for concern/comment from a police officer?

If I am innocent of any detectable violation of the laws of the society in which I live, yet am stopped, inconvenienced and delayed in my undertakings, why should I not receive an apology, thanks or some recognition of the unwarranted inconvenience I have been caused?

Respect is a two way street. I was brought up to respect police officers. I always did. The police never had to earn my respect, they just failed to keep it.

**scumdog** · 24th December 2013, 21:26

Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve

a couple of your questions running the plates will pick up stolen cars, drunks they're usually noticeable (maybee if your gang hassled slow vehicles more you'd know this)

Hahahah!

'plates pick up stolen cars' pfffft... ' drunks are usually noticable' more pfffft (They don't ALL drive like you do when you're pissed)

You also know jack-shit about these matters - OR are you yet another troll??????

**Akzle** · 24th December 2013, 21:34

Originally Posted by scumdog

drunks are usually noticable' more pfffft (They don't ALL drive like you do when you're pissed)

ec fucking zactly.
Im an excellent driver when drunk.
Better than most people sober, in fact.

**scumdog** · 24th December 2013, 21:55

Originally Posted by Akzle

ec fucking zactly.
Im an excellent driver when drunk.
Better than most people sober, in fact.

Funny that - all drunk nincompoops say that too...

**Scuba_Steve** · 24th December 2013, 22:12

Originally Posted by scumdog

Funny that - all drunk nincompoops say that too...

yea but let's face it, it's not very hard to be a better driver than NZ's avg driver or even our "above avg" for that matter

**scumdog** · 25th December 2013, 19:25

Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve

yea but let's face it, it's not very hard to be a better driver than NZ's avg driver or even our "above avg" for that matter

So who is the brave fool who will claim to an above average driver/rider??

**Smifffy** · 25th December 2013, 20:27

Originally Posted by scumdog

So who is the brave fool who will claim to an above average driver/rider??

Possibly the ones that have the wagons with the disco lights. Or are you suggesting that they are mostly average or below, even after training?

Merry Christmas. Saw one of your team having to deal with a driver who parked his van in a ditch on my way home from work today. I have no doubt he would rather have been doing something else today.