NZ vs rest of world: Toughness and enforcement of traffic laws

**PirateJafa** · 22nd June 2008, 19:57

Originally Posted by Macstar

Here's my challenge (please don't actually do it):

A. Drive on your local motorway or main highway at 115-120kph - see how far you get before being busted.

I don't know what it is with you mate - I cruise at that speed all the time (accelerate until she's shaking herself to bits, then cruuuuise...) and yet I've hardly had one of our fine law enforcement officers so much as blink bemusedly in my direction.

Maybe it's the inoffensive nature of the SMC tow truck?

**CookMySock** · 22nd June 2008, 20:12

Originally Posted by CDFloss

A friend got a ticket in the city the other day for going through an orange light!? He was on a bike, with a car on his tail, and was only meters away from the line when it switched, so thought nothing of going through.

So don't pay it. Do you think they will beat him in court over it ? Of course not. So do nothing.

DB

**scumdog** · 23rd June 2008, 08:24

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

So don't pay it. Do you think they will beat him in court over it ? Of course not. So do nothing.

DB

And DB will cough for all expenses involved with this too...

**CookMySock** · 23rd June 2008, 08:50

Originally Posted by scumdog

And DB will cough for all expenses involved with this too...

And that is the way of it isn't it scumdog ? Trump up any old bullshit allegation, write out some ticket because you CANT actually book them for the thing that pissed you off, then let their fears run wild about losing in court, sooo they just pay the fine, knowing that the allegation is bullshit.

It's all cool for the officers on the coalface though innit ? They won't suffer the public backlash when one day enough-is-enough.

Or will they ? It would be nice to be involved in an industry where I could misbehave to the point of destruction of said industry, then just walk away. I could have a lot of fun with that.

DB

**scumdog** · 23rd June 2008, 09:10

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

And that is the way of it isn't it scumdog ? Trump up any old bullshit allegation, write out some ticket because you CANT actually book them for the thing that pissed you off, then let their fears run wild about losing in court, sooo they just pay the fine, knowing that the allegation is bullshit.

It's all cool for the officers on the coalface though innit ? They won't suffer the public backlash when one day enough-is-enough.

Or will they ? It would be nice to be involved in an industry where I could misbehave to the point of destruction of said industry, then just walk away. I could have a lot of fun with that.

DB

Hey, sounds just like me!!
Ticket 'em 'Driving in a manner likely to damage a road, $600' for hooning around town for 5km with one bare rim on the rear of their Honda.

Easier to do than book him for pissing me off - haven't found a charge yet that covers "Dragging me out of my warm office away from my coffee and do-nuts while Overhauling' is on TV"'

Meh, I feel you overemphasise your fear that all will rise up against those on the coal face when enough is enough - if that was the case they would have frequently done that in the M.O.T. days.

Of course if they DO rise up I'll walk away and get another job.

(Full time KB poster would be good!

)

**spudchucka** · 23rd June 2008, 10:32

Originally Posted by scumdog

Meh, I feel you overemphasise your fear that all will rise up against those on the coal face when enough is enough -

Its just part of the "Edgecumbe goes International" prophecies. Tame Iti did it for Ruatoki and the Ureweras so stay tuned to CNN because you never know when the hillbilly hordes of the Rangitaiki plains will rise up and stick it to the man.

Yeee Haaaa!

**vamr** · 23rd June 2008, 14:08

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

This sounds interesting.. do tell us more !

Well not much to it. Because of the population/traffic density combined with the sheer amounts of scooters on the road enforcement of things such as red light running (chronic here) becomes very difficult.

I swear, some of the locals have balls of steel to be able to blindly ride through a red light, through fast moving traffic with the belief that they will brake. Same goes with overtaking without checking to see what's to their left.

Riding here isn't too bad but driving a car the first time nearly gave me a heart attack. My gf's continuous screaming next to me didn't help either. Subsequently, I learnt never to fall asleep in the back of cars, the one time I did I woke up to the sensation of the car fishtailing towards the side barrier because a scooter pulled out in front of us without looking.

As far as not stopping goes... well, the locals don't stop unless they have to. So if one knocks the other off a scooter and remain upright they'll most likely keep on going. And if a kind hearted good sumeritan pulls over to see if the downed rider is alright would most likely be pointed at as the culprit and sued. It's been known to happen before.

**CookMySock** · 23rd June 2008, 14:34

Originally Posted by vamr

And if a kind hearted good sumeritan pulls over to see if the downed rider is alright would most likely be pointed at as the culprit and sued.

haha

Classic!

DB

**vifferman** · 23rd June 2008, 14:46

Originally Posted by Macstar

Anyone who knows anything about statistics & mathematical modelling (and/or just has plain common sense) will know that in real life there are limits to any relationship between two variables etc etc.....

Great post, Sir!
People like simplistic models, and tend to think that way (cause and effect). The Gubmint using statistix would be a little more palatable, even if the models were simplistic, if they were reporting something a bit more meaningful, that related to carnage per vehicle mile traveled.
I suspect it's either that they're very stupid, or (more likely) it's deliberate obfuscation.
Fusking deliberate obfuskers that they are!

**vifferman** · 23rd June 2008, 14:48

Originally Posted by Macstar

If we all wait a little longer the bloody petrol price rises (another cost punishment) is more likely to reduce the road toll than anything else hapenning right now.

But of course the blardy Gubmint will take credit for it, and use it to justify some more draconian measures.