Got pulled over today

[Damantis]

Was riding through the main street of Hamilton city, not speeding but was giving it a squirt in 1st gear up to about 8-9000rpm. The aftermarket pipe makes a bit of a racket tho so I suppose it was only a matter of time.
The was friendly and polite but I was a little disturbed by what he had to say.
Apparrently there is a fairly new offence called "sustained exhibition of acceleration". It was introduced to ping boy-racers and get this . . . They can confiscate a vehicle for said acceleration! Was riding without my L plate but he wasn't concerned about that, just told me to try and keep the noise down especially in built up areas as some traffic cop having a bad day may decide I am "showing off and attention seeking by revving loudly and accelerating" FFS! Wots next?

Has anyone had a similar experience?

[Max Preload]

I understood the charge is "unneccessary display of acceleration" and was passed along with the "sustained loss of traction" and is covered by the "The Land Transport (Unauthorised Street and Drag Racing) Amendment Act 2003".

However what is 'neccessary' and what it not is completely subjective and I object to that. Yes, they can impound the vehicle (not confiscate - only the court can do that) for either infringement and there is an appeal process but that doesn't negate the fact that the law is unjust. It completely flies in the face of innocent until proven guilty.

See the Police website blurb here.

[CB ARGH]

Boy Racers would put the letter from in the mail stating their "Over Accelleration" up onto their bebo page! I reckon it's something that they'd brag about... All the way to the bank to pay the fine.

And no... I haven't had any experience around a loud vehicle... i drive a Pulsar ffs

[Grub]

main street of Hamilton city,

Ohh ...

giving it a squirt in 1st gear up to about 8-9000rpm.

Uh huh ...

The aftermarket pipe makes a bit of a racket ...

Hmmmm ...

Well I guess if you haven't been on Mars for the last couple of years, you might guess that three naughty bells have just been rung in the cop shop. However, I believe only the third one is of any consequence.

The answer is no different to that which is clear for bikes. Put a quiet pipe on it and you could probabaly get away with numbers one and two daily for a year. I still don't get the noisy pipe thing because it is like honey in a bear trap. You can be heard for miles, a couple of radio calls to other units ... and you're walking home. What's the point in advertising that you are trouble?

So no, not a surprise, especially since you will have read in Saturday's paper that there's a major crackdown on noise and "anti-social driving behaviour" this month and particularly this weekend.

[brendonjw]

The law about excsive acceleration has been round for a bit now, the ahole thing of it is that its all that the cops discretion it was mostly bought in so they can ping traffic light racers as part of "solution" to the boy racer problem, so yes, they can impound your vehicle for it

[Max Preload]

Just a tip... if the acceleration is excessive enough and sustained enough, they won't get you for it...

[McJim]

Hmmmm. I guess me and my wee twin fall into that category. Luckily I haven't yet been pulled up for it. There is something special about the sound of a Ducati when you drop it down a gear and open it up to pass a car. Daffyd seemed quite enamoured with the tone on the way home from the March Hare.

I will pay attention to revving n town in future. thanks for the headsup!

[CookMySock]

IF you believe you are genuinely being persecuted then just laugh at them and ride away "see you in court, mate". Aint no fucking way they are going to take my bike coz I gave it a rev. Don't take your helmet or gloves off, and don't get off the bike. Visor-up only! If they chase you and stop you again, then top and SHOW them your drivers license (do not hand it to them) so they can verify your identity, then explain ONCE that you are leaving then leave.

If you are under 20, then this is likely to go down like a lead balloon. If you are an old cunt, probably it will work.

DB

[xwhatsit]

CBR250RRs do close to 20,000rpm, don't they? Why are we getting our panties in a twist about 8-9000rpm?

But yes -- Hamilton, main street

[HungusMaximist]

Isn't motorcycles all about acceleration?

[avgas]

Yep loud pipes get tickets

[westie]

I hate that law! I takes away lots of motorcycledom enjoyment

[skidMark]

CBR250RRs do close to 20,000rpm, don't they? Why are we getting our panties in a twist about 8-9000rpm?

But yes -- Hamilton, main street

I used to ride everywhere on my zxr at 10k.

never got pulled up on it.

Scared plenty of small children tho.

[marty]

where's the pouting lip emo?

the "unneccessary display of acceleration" must be accompanied by an offence - it is not complete if you simply accelerate quickly to 50km/h then stay there.

22A Persons not to engage in unauthorised street or drag racing, or other related prohibited activities on roads

(1) A person must not operate a motor vehicle in a race, or in an unnecessary exhibition of speed or acceleration, on a road unless the operation of the vehicle in that manner is authorised by law.

(2) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, intentionally pour onto, place on, or allow to spill onto a road—

(a) any petrol, oil, or diesel fuel; or

(b) any other substance likely to cause a vehicle to undergo loss of traction.

(3) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, operate a motor vehicle on a road in a manner that causes the vehicle to undergo sustained loss of traction unless the operation of the vehicle in that manner is authorised by law.

(4) In this section and in section 96(9), the operation of a motor vehicle in a particular manner is authorised by law if,—

(a) in the case of a race or an exhibition of speed or acceleration,—

(i) the speed of the vehicle is within the applicable speed limit or speed limits; and

(ii) the vehicle operator does not contravene any enactment other than this section that applies in relation to the operation of the vehicle;

[duckonin]

Most cause their own problems in life.