Any - Road Discipline | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Thu 21 Jun 2012 11:07

Any - Road Discipline - Kiwi Gary

How the Colonies deal with Hoons !!

Here in NZ the law allows the impoundment for 28 days of cars behaving in "boy-racer" style, with a third offence resulting in the car being crushed [ after due process of law ]. The first two cars for the crusher have just qualified and are expected to be dealt with in days. There are several young gentlemen with two bookings who will be somewhat chastened, I suspect.

The law change was shepherded through Parliament by the Minister of Police, who now goes by the name of "Crusher". She has made no secret that she wants to push the crusher start button on the first car to be treated under her regime.

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Thu 21 Jun 2012 12:20

Any - Road Discipline - mikem004

What a great idea.

Does it also apply to idiots on motorbikes?

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Thu 21 Jun 2012 12:47

Any - Road Discipline - unthrottled

We have a similar thing in Blighty whereby a section 59 can be issued on an offending vehicle. If the 'offender' does not heed the warning, then the vehicle can be seized.

Before you applaud too loudly, remember that no specific motoring offence need be committed. merely that, in the opinion of a constable, the vehicle was used in a manner that caused alarm, distress, or annoyance. You have no redress to due process.

Not my kind of law enforcement at all.

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Thu 21 Jun 2012 13:07

Any - Road Discipline - Andy P

I'd imagine this would be backed up with video (or witness) evidence, as it appears most are now so equipped (video, that is, not witness). I doubt a court would convict solely on the word of one police officer.

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Sat 23 Jun 2012 11:47

Any - Road Discipline - Kiwi Gary

The first car has been reduced, complete with photo-op. Police have also released the photographic evidence leading to the third arrest. Lots of tyre smoke. Also released a photo of the young gentleman acknowledging his arrest with a stupid grin and the upraised fingers of scorn. Probably didn't impress the Beak.

The other matter which may be helping to bring the less-hardened offenders to their senses is that the Police are, in some particularly bad fatal cases, not charging the usual "Dangerous driving causing death", but going straight to manslaughter. Juries are returning guilty verdicts too, so judges have no option but long custodial sentences. Judges here can [ and do ] also set minimum non-parole periods so there is no sneaking off after just a small part of the sentence.

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Sat 23 Jun 2012 12:40

Any - Road Discipline - unthrottled

Be careful what you wish for. Basing policies on the most egregious examples is rarely a good idea. Once the police get a taste for nabbing motorists, that's all they want to do. After all, cruising around in a panda car or sitting in a lay-by eating doughnuts is preferable to dealing with the real problems...

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Mon 25 Jun 2012 00:02

Any - Road Discipline - Sofa Spud

I look forward to hearing of a Porsche or Ferrari being crushed - it's only a matter of time, assuming the NZ authorities apply the law in a non-discriminatory way.

But seriously, I don't think crushing is the best way to deal with the problem. Better to revoke the offender's driving licence AND ban them from owning a car - either until they mend their ways or permananetly.

Edited by Sofa Spud on 25/06/2012 at 00:11

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Mon 25 Jun 2012 09:16

Any - Road Discipline - RT

But seriously, I don't think crushing is the best way to deal with the problem. Better to revoke the offender's driving licence AND ban them from owning a car - either until they mend their ways or permananetly.

Those with no regard for the law aren't affected by driving bans or bans on car ownership, they just do it anyway.

UK already has such a crushing law - it's used for motorbikes and mini-moto's which are used off-road illegally - seems quite effective in the Midlands.

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Mon 25 Jun 2012 09:17

Any - Road Discipline - TeeCee

>> Better to revoke the offender's driving licence AND ban them from owning a car - either until they mend their ways or permananetly.

Hmm, you don't watch those fly-on-the-wall traffic police programmes, do you?

All too common is the ban given for, er, driving while disqualified. Presumably the message being sent here is: "Carry on as you are". All that's missing is the courts handing out Nectar points with each ban.

Oh, the driver pulled very rarely owns the vehicle he's driving, so the second part of your solution is as much of a paper tiger as the first.

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Mon 25 Jun 2012 09:50

Any - Road Discipline - gordonbennet

Vee haf vays of making your comply comrade.

Coming soon, and seemingly welcomed, enjoy it for once the 'they' have the powers they won't be removed.

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