Comments on: Pulled Over for Speeding? Dealing with the Police

By: UniversityOfGoogle

UniversityOfGoogle — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:24:27 +0000

Don’t be naive.

This is the same issue as paying your taxes.

Why should the rich be allowed to get away with it when those that are disadvantaged cannot?

Simple reason, because they can, because they are wealthy and have power.

If you can stomach this as “justice”, then feel free to pay. Otherwise stand up and protest, if you don’t challenge the system, nothing will change and your silence will only legitimize this injustice.

Is it really necessary for the global economies to come crashing down before people start to question where all that money has gone?

By: bex

bex — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:20:34 +0000

I would just like to add to this that I also accept that if I AM speeding, there are consequences.

Although I was angry at what I perceived to be unfair in my experience, I believe that as a society we do owe it to the police service as a whole to be courteous, even when we dispute something. What I like about this article is that it is far better to use the example replies that are given than a torrent of abuse, or a patronising bullshit excuse.

I am not trying to be a bleeding heart, but if you do make a mistake, and receive a penalty and you are a low income earner, you become further disadvantaged by the rigid fine repayment system. I think that most of the ‘revenue raising’, at least in WA, is the Fines Enforcement Agency, with their ever increasing costs added to the fines of people who couldn’t pay them in the first place.

I don’t think you can reduce the fines, as there will be a perception of a decrease in the seriousness of the issue. But wouldn’t it be better to let people elect right away to pay off their fines in instalments if necessary, rather than end up with suspensions and risk of further prosecution?

I think you should be able to ‘work off’ your points as well, maybe x amount of driver education classes per point? Give people the opportunity to keep from losing their licence while improving their awareness.

I am sure it would cost less than picking up people for non payment of fines and putting them in jail, which means they pay nothing and the taxpayer foots the bill for each night they are in jail. Additional custodial and financial penalties could then be imposed for those who don’t attend classes.

By: bex

bex — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:52:22 +0000

I disputed the fact I was speeding to an officer about 10 years ago, I challenged him to tell me how much I was speeding by, and he could not.
He then proceeded to go over my car with a fine tooth comb and ended up giving my a fine for ‘incorrect indication’ – my blinker apparently didn’t flash enough times before I pulled over for them.

I took it to court but as an 18 year old, I felt so intimidated by the officer and the court process that I had a mild anxiety attack and was unable to put my case across confidently, and now it is permanently recorded as an offence on my otherwise blank criminal record.

I get nervous every time I see a police car to this day, even though I know I haven’t done anything wrong.

The fact that it is at their discretion leaves room for a few cowboys

By: Me.

Me. — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:00:24 +0000

I would like to fight every ticket I get – ive had 5 within the last year – most of them sayhing 71 in a 60 (trunk road) area. All of them at night when the road’s empty of traffic. Anyway instead of fighting them I now try and get my moneys worth…. so I report pot holes etc etc.

my son just got a ticket… 71 in a 60 zone at 10pm – deserted industrial area.
Guess I better do a compaint and earn back his $130..
Who would want to join the police force these days? Overpaid tax collectors is all they are. I have no respect for them.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:11:48 +0000

hurt wrote: “i am a sole pensioner and worried about reprisals from the police.”

what a wonderful country we are becoming.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:50:19 +0000

I recently got a ticket for 80 in a 60 zone. After reviewing the ticket and the area, it turns out I was clocked virtually right on the change of speed zone (80 to 60). If I was confident about going through the whole legal court business, I’d fight it, but I’m hesitant because I just don’t know the process.

By: Buster

Buster — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:23:48 +0000

I was pulled over today in Horsham Victoria today by two overweight,rude,aggressive police officers.
I love cars and whilst I speed occassionally have been driving for close to 40 years without an accident.
I said ” How are you going”,this was met with “How old are you?”,I could tell from the hands on hips posture that they were annoyed,but I honestly did not know why?,
First they claimed that I had been changing lanes too rapidly(to my knowledge this is not an offence in Victoria),then they started to call me insulting names like “hoon,idiot,and told me me driving skills were non existant and they wanted to take my licence off me.
Their main bone of contention was because I had passed a truck on a bridge on the inside(lanes are clearly marked and thus perfectly legal).The interviewing Police officer did,nt deny this and attempted to change the subject this time saying the line was solid not unbroken(he begrudgingly accepted it is legal to overtake on marked lanes,on the inside,in Victoria).I actually had waited until the lines were broken and it was legal to overtake.I asked my wife (in case my memory was failing)and she confirmed that I had indeed waited until the lines became broken.
But what happened next was an unbelievably stupid statement by the same officer who claimed he had seen the truck driver flash his headlights at me, even though the Police car was behind the truck???.
These officers then on knowing I had done nothing wrong
decided to do a roadworthy.I stopped this quickly by offering to produce the roadworthy certificate issued less than a month prior.
The car was customised by its previous owner and does stand out,and I suspect they thought I was a young driver who would agree with whatever accusation was made.I did,nt however,and police don’t like that.
I think fixed video cameras in the police car(like the US) would prevent outright lying and fabrication by police officers wanting to look efficient to their superiors.The police officer said this prior to leaving,
“I’ve just come back from a road safety lecture in Ballarat and have to kick some butts or my job will be on the line”.
He also kept threatening me (I have my wife as witness)with ‘taking my licence off me’.I could see he was out to get me. “Next time I see you”,he repeatedly stated(probably when I’m alone).
And to all those police officers reading this and thinking that this has a familiar ring remember you are paid to serve us not invent stories to get promoted or generally harrass us.
Funny because I used to live in Geelong, had police officer mates there, and they told me some amazing stories of police corruption.Two of them left the force because they were pressured into taking bribes by other police so they could,nt inform on other officers for doing likewise.The’Brotherhood’ demands one officer never to rat on a ‘brother’.
I know that an unknown percentage of Officers are honest,but the trouble is that they serve a corrupt,self serving police force who are basically henchmen for laws passed in the heat of the moment by polititians who want to get re-elected and want to be seen as doing something for the community.These new so called anti ‘hoon’ and speed laws give the police way to much power to inappropriately apply at their discretion,which usually is never challenged.
I was today bullied for a confession which I refused to give and was let off with a threat(some here call it a warning) but I have no doubt if I drive my custom car into town right now I would instantly be pulled over on another fabrication.Lucky I’ve got another really boring car that they never notice.A person should be free to drive what they want in a free society,but this is not so,especially in rural areas where police have next to nothing to do and have to pay their way by collecting revenue.And police obviously know full well that this leads to community hatred and distrust in police generally as evidenced in their behaviour(‘us and them’).
I also would put writers on notice that their IP address’s are available to police through internet service providers,especially some that are fixed and can bring police straight to you.In fact many charges are brought about(by police) through tracking IP address,s of alledged offenders who like to big-note themselves on various web sites,especially with videos and boasts about illegal driving.
And in this day of high tech gadgetry don’t forget constant surveillance.This can work two ways however,a lot of mobile phones record audio and video.When you get pulled over, record the meeting if possible.It is useful evidence if needed.No one will do anything if they just sit back and accept corruption(of any type).Paul Keating fought his traffic infringment and won.Who wants to live
in an a country that prides itself as ‘free’ but is anything but.In the seventies you could drive as fast as you liked until the litigation toward high power cars (by polititians scoring browny points)curtailed that freedom.
If you see corruption,record it and put it in the hands of those who represent you,your local member of Parliament,Action groups,Chief Commissioner of Police.Sign petitions,be bold not afraid or your rights will all vanish.
By the way speed camera’s of any variety are already
obsolete and will soon be discontinued in favour of the new police weapon against speed, and that is GPS, it is absolutely accurate(contrary to a police officer claiming otherwise).why do you think it is now manditory to have GPS fitted to new cars,it is not for convenience(driver’s) or for safety.It will be the way you will be fined you very soon,only now they will be able to track your movements 24/7/365 days a year and
every time you speed you will be charged and fined,probably automatically by direct debit from your bank account.Hard to believe???….wait and see!!,I’ll be keeping my non gps car/s for as long as possible,eventually they won’t let you not have one(GPS).
If you have a new mobile phone you already have one.
Remember people we are all being watched even those with a badge and gun.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:08:55 +0000

i got a speeding fine the other day, in a 80 zone, i was going down a hill and saw police driving pass going the opposite direct, he put pulled me over up the road, i told the officer that he got me coming down the hill and that your not aloud to do that, i’ve seen it on tv,he didn’t like that and tried to make out he got me on top of the hill but i know he didn’t cause i wasn’t speeding he got me doing 95km on a hilly road that haven’t driven on before he tried to trick me into agreeing that i ment when he puts his lights on to pull me over.

i’m just wondering is this worth taking to court, i mean its unfair going down a hill.

what do you guys think?

By: Loz

Loz — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:09:06 +0000

Actually, Benny. I am much more uncomfortable and distrustful of police officers than I am of the regular population. The police have created a dichotomy of “them vs us”. I’m not saying by any means that there aren’t good police officers, nor that genuinely good officers shouldn’t be appreciated – my best friend is a policeo officer, and I have encountered a couple of good ones. On the other hand – I have also witnessed officers abusing their power, antagonising and intimidating people, threatening arrest and showing off their badge while drunk, being grossly negligent as to people’s safety and a host of other arbitrary abuses of their authority. Power corrupts. Your comment that “If the public are encountering a feeling of being uncomfortable when in the presence of a police officer, as is suggested in the article, then there is something wrong with those people.”… no the public are the ones paying your salary. You are in a position of authority that is entrusted to you BY THE PUBLIC. If the public are uncomfortable with the police – the problem is with the police. Unless the public have your full confidence and trust – the problem is YOU.

By: Officer Care - WA

Officer Care - WA — Wed, 12 May 2010 01:25:55 +0000

Hello,
I am a serving officer and I must say I am amazed at some of the information I have read. I am pleased to see the majority of the responses as sensible, but the people that appear anti-police I question. May I suggest that police rarely just stop a vehicle without some attention being first drawn to it. I myself have stopped many vehicles, usually because the vehicle or the driver has drawn my attention to it. Attitude is the key here. If you start being a smarty at the officer, it will just inflame the situation. I imagine I have stopped well over 5000 vehicles in my 13 year career. Of that… I have most likely issued 100 infringements. Most people are pleasant and I am more than willing to issue a caution. My stopping the vehicle and speaking to the driver has achieved my result, preventing them from speeding, drink driving or whatever they were doing that could have ended in a fatality.
So, in saying all that, most coppers are decent hard working people, family orientated just like you. Yes we have some clowns in our job, just like any other industry. If I may say, any of you are more than welcome to step up to the mark and assist me in doing my job. We will see how you go, informing parents there 19 year old son is dead as a result of alcohol, speed and the other aspect we don’t tell them – stupidity. Let us see how you go pulling bits of flesh from vehicles wrapped around poles and walls and then there are the drug effected violent drivers we stop… hmmm. I too want to go home after work and see my wife and kids. Best of all you drivers that speed, just slow down and you will be fine. To the original clown that wrote the article… I think I have stopped you and your kind before. You fall within that 100 that I previously mentioned.
Officer Care