Are cops trying to get everyone to hate them?

[Cath]

1 ) Failing to indicate; Depends on the situation. No cars on the road, no one to indicate for.

I disagree with this. You should indicate even if you don't think anyone is there. You know why: How many times have we all heard "I didn't see you"? If everyone indicated before moving into lanes, that's an extra second or two of warning so we can get out of the way - since I'm not holding my breath that people will suddenly learn how to see bikes, I'd rather have indicating always as the default.

Of course, I am guilty of not indicating when nothing is around too. But I wouldn't think it was unfair if I got booked for it

[Nelso]

So Ardy, have you ever fined someone for a similar offence to what they have done to give them a more lenient fine?

Drivers are given the appropriate fine.

Just out of interest, which of these offences, where no one is hurt, should police use their discretion and let people off:
1 ) Failing to indicate;
2 ) Being over the speed limit by 10km/h in a school zone;
3 ) Being over the speed limit by 10km/h in a 110km/h zone;
4 ) Talking on the phone for 25minutes whilst driving;
5 ) Talking on the phone for 30 seconds whilst driving;
6 ) Not wearing a seatbelt;
7 ) Displaying an expired registration label;
8 ) Drink driving at .051.

I'd be interested to hear (or read) peoples opinions.

All but number 7 are a potential danger to others so that is the only one where I think discretion is warranted.

[triway]

So Ardy, have you ever fined someone for a similar offence to what they have done to give them a more lenient fine?

Drivers are given the appropriate fine.

Just out of interest, which of these offences, where no one is hurt, should police use their discretion and let people off:
1 ) Failing to indicate;
2 ) Being over the speed limit by 10km/h in a school zone;
3 ) Being over the speed limit by 10km/h in a 110km/h zone;
4 ) Talking on the phone for 25minutes whilst driving;
5 ) Talking on the phone for 30 seconds whilst driving;
6 ) Not wearing a seatbelt;
7 ) Displaying an expired registration label;
8 ) Drink driving at .051.

I'd be interested to hear (or read) peoples opinions.

All but number 7 are a potential danger to others so that is the only one where I think discretion is warranted.

Number 6 is no danger to others unless you hit someone when you go flying out the window!

[Wattie]

1 ) Failing to indicate; Depends on the situation. No cars on the road, no one to indicate for.

I disagree with this. You should indicate even if you don't think anyone is there. You know why: How many times have we all heard "I didn't see you"? If everyone indicated before moving into lanes, that's an extra second or two of warning so we can get out of the way - since I'm not holding my breath that people will suddenly learn how to see bikes, I'd rather have indicating always as the default.

Of course, I am guilty of not indicating when nothing is around too. But I wouldn't think it was unfair if I got booked for it

if no one see's you, you wont get booked for it will you?

[Wattie]

1 ) Failing to indicate; Depends on the situation. No cars on the road, no one to indicate for.
2 ) Being over the speed limit by 10km/h in a school zone; Fine away
3 ) Being over the speed limit by 10km/h in a 110km/h zone; Depends on the situation, other traffic doing the same thing?
4 ) Talking on the phone for 25minutes whilst driving; FINE AND SMASH THE PHONE
5 ) Talking on the phone for 30 seconds whilst driving; AS Above
6 ) Not wearing a seatbelt; Fine and find other things to fine them for
7 ) Displaying an expired registration label; Discression i guess, but if they have a record of non compliance, give em a ticket
8 ) Drink driving at .051. Fine away.

dude? so if everyone was talking on the phone that would be ok??

the rules are stated, if you dont follow and are caught you get booked.

as for the whole rego label thing, i believe they should be thrown out, all coppers have the ability to rego check off the number plate these days. If you pay over the interweb you just stick the black label (no payment date) on your car. i could just go do that with my label before i pay. the label means fuck all.

but its the whole thing, if they let everyone get away with things once, i'd go Rob a bank, and plead "oh it was my 1st time, im sorry. can i go now?"

given a 500 buck fine for a $50 rego is a bit steep,thats 10 years of rego costs... i think you'd find the rule for trailers was written for truck trailers. hence the high fine.

What really pisses me off is when i got pulled over, i had no licence with me, he let me off with that, but fined me for my rego label beiong on the wrong angle. but when i questioned it he couldnt tell me what the legal angle was. nor could i find it anywhere after the event. so i challenged it, and won.

[hoffy]

fark me is this thread still goin' !

[Stereo]

My opinion on indicating is as follows:

"Accidents dont happen because people are speeding... They dont happen because people are on the phone or tired..... Accidents happen because two objects are in the same place at the same time..... If you want to avoid other objects being in the same place as you... Try indicating".

Personally, when I moved to Melbourne I couldnt believe the lack of indication... In NZ most people indicate before they change lanes... Over here it seems to be optional...

[smithy5]

One rule I never really understood is talking on a mobile phone whilst driving......... Is it dangerous because you are driving with one hand, or is it because your mind is on the conversation and not the road. I suspect the later, however hands free is allowed It is not illegal to eat or smoke with one hand, how come you can't hold a phone

Also why were at it.... how come coppers can talk on the phone whilst driving Is it not dangerous because they have a blue uniform or have they had special training or what...... If they are specially trained then it could be argued that Joe Citizen could get the training and therefore an exemption too.... If it is not the training then what do Workcover have to say about the Police Commissioner putting his workers in danger by allowing this exemption

2c's

[aardvark]

I'm at the folks house enjoying Xmas dinner at the moment. Will respond to some of the posts here when I get back.

In the mean time, Smithy5 - it's been discussed before - Section 305 of the ARR allows coppers to do a lot of things other people aren't. personally, I never, ever, use a phone when I'm driving.

[aardvark]

At the said roundabout you can clearly see all directions so In my opinion that was just revenue raising,no discretion at all shown.

I'm afraid I agree with Cath. When you don't think anyone is behind you is the most important time to indicate!

[R1 Crasher]

At the said roundabout you can clearly see all directions so In my opinion that was just revenue raising,no discretion at all shown.

I'm afraid I agree with Cath. When you don't think anyone is behind you is the most important time to indicate!

Wasn't behind,was parked on the side of the road and set off a considerable time after she had gone round the roundabout.

[swabio-ACT]

Wow this has been going a while!

IMHO I am a big fan of people accepting responsibility for their actions. Nelso, is relatively happy to accept consequences albeit the ridiculous cost ! Which I agree is a pretty crazy amount for a bloody car trailer!

However, if you contravene any laws suck it up and accept the consequences, at the end of the day everyone is responsible for their own actions and should be able to accept the consequences of such actions. Whether it be speeding, phone usage, expired rego labels whatever...... It is the INDIVIDUALs responsibility to comply or accept whatever penalty is issued, you don't have to like it and probably wont..... that is the whole objective of the system.... to prevent people from contravening the law !

Now before anyone accuses me of being some crazy ass hippie / goody goody two shoes.... over my younger years I have had a shit tin of fines, licence disqualification etc, was I happy about them at the time.... well, disappointed that I had to shell out the $$$ but I broke the law and accepted the consequences for my actions...... I have also been the benefit of police discretion..... such as speeding, rego label (my own laziness.... label was in the centre console ) , conserving front tyre wear on the '05ZX6R.... However I look at these as fortunate situations.... and always found that the best approach is to be straight up and honest, genuine and polite when interacting with police..... I have only received a fine twice from an actual cop, the rest have been camera's....

Do i still contravene laws? yes... I'd generalise and say that most bike riders break the law everytime the throw a leg over a bike.... things such as.... illegal modifications, non compliance with noise regulations, speeding etc..... It is one of those things that because there is a penalty when ppl get picked up for it generally feel hard done by and that it is not fair etc etc.... I'd point out that IMO Nelso has not been a whingy prick about it, more just posing a question for public opinion... However there is certainly a decent chunk of members that feel hard done by for having the law they broke enforced...... As aardy has said.... it is a voluntary system If you don't like the conseqeunces don't contravene the rules ...... but hey that is no fun, so just man up and take it on the chin like the majority

[98ninja]

i think youll find most laws that are in force are there because someone has gotten hurt ,or killed,and or hurt and killed others whilst doing that.
unfortunately a few idiots ruin things for everyone else.
Laws are meant to be constantly changing to keep pace with what is relevant.
although i heard that in NSW (or Australia... Ardvaark?) from the late 70s until 1999 the road rules hadnt changed or been reformed.
there was a big overhaul with the road rules.
As for a $500 fine for not paying $50 rego being steep. it would have been easier to just pay the $50 rego. And im sure you wont forget to pay it again.
The worst part about traffic offences is there doesnt have to be the mens rea or guilty part of it. You can be completely oblivous you are doing or have done the wrong thing and still get booked for it.

anyway im not trying to rub it in. that sucks to get fined for that.

[seiko1]

My Bible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHiuaGJ4 ... re=related

[hoffy]

look no one will change anything so theres no point argueing about it..at the end of the day police officers are just public servants that enforce the law..relating to little stickers that go on trailer it seems c'mon its easier than solving real crimes so I'd be on that band wagon too if I was a copper

we may as well and go and flog plasma's...less chance of getting caught and we can sell them to pay for our fines