Police and Ridesafe Stop
- Thread starter Sketchy Snr
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Yeah they should put down the donuts and get to work
Tell me, this donut thing
is it as bad as we are led to believe or is it just hollywood making a thing of it ?
Tell me, this donut thing
is it as bad as we are led to believe or is it just hollywood making a thing of it ?
Out here in Kalifornia the officers stop at the tofu bar after a morning latte.
I am actually enjoying this thread it gives a lot to think about. I would be interest to hear how it works in the UK as it seems that all three of us seem to have the same system so far. December is our main holiday month and road blocks and checks go into full swing. So when I am back home and have my PC I will start adding some stats into this thread as to what impact it all has to our safety this side. I think that may give you all an idea of why we do not mind being stopped this side
I'm going to post again on this thread but keeping away from any aspect relating to the US situation.
Dave said, "I think that may give you all an idea of why we do not mind being stopped".
We (in Australia) don't mind being stopped because out police at the lower and mid level are diligent and totally trust worthy. All that they want is to protect the public and get the scum off the road. The inconvenience of a quick random inspection to the average citizen is welcomed for the greater benefit. Our (be it small) mistrust of police is at the top levels, those commissioned officers are at times like politicians, been in the job too long and nest feathering. A common bumper sticker that we see very often says "Cops are tops".
When I ride my bike I don't wave to other bike rider much but I wave to cops, to me it's respect and thank you for doing a tough job wave.
Tell me, this donut thing
is it as bad as we are led to believe or is it just hollywood making a thing of it ?
It's a little of both. Cops do frequent the donut shops but the real reasons are...
1. The most common place to find open late at night or early in the morning is a donut shop
2. Just like the rest of us, the cops like a break during work
3. Donut shops were getting robbed and a few of them realized if they offered the night shift or early day shift cops a free or discounted coffee or donut they would stop in thereby giving a little added protection from the thugs
4. Just like a lot of folks some cops seemed to abuse the free or discounted offerings
5. Many cops were carrying a few extra pounds and looked like they had been hitting the donuts a little hard
6. When people were headed to work early they would see a patrol car parked at a donut shop and this is where it all got started
7. You can go into some shops (donuts, diners, 7-11's and other such locations) and you will see disposable cups with badges on them which the cops use for free self serve drinks which is something the store does to tell the cops they are offered free drinks
cheers HB
that explains it nicely
that explains it nicely
Singling out types of vehicles such as 4 wheels vs two wheels is generally illegal here. They can stop everyone at a checkpoint or every 4th vehicle or every 8th vehicle, etc. It has to be random.
Sobriety checks are constitutional as Gary mentioned. Driving is a privilege, not a right. There is no right to drive in the constitution. However, the search and seizure aspects of the constitution apply to wherever one is. It the cops have have probable cause to believe a driver is DUI, such as weaving, erratic driving, etc, smelling alcohol on the drivers breath, they can search a driver's vehicle.
Sobriety checks are constitutional as Gary mentioned. Driving is a privilege, not a right. There is no right to drive in the constitution. However, the search and seizure aspects of the constitution apply to wherever one is. It the cops have have probable cause to believe a driver is DUI, such as weaving, erratic driving, etc, smelling alcohol on the drivers breath, they can search a driver's vehicle.
Hairee
Member
This is an interesting thread to follow......a lot of what has been said about the stuation here in Australia, rests on the idea that police are decent, law-abiding citizens themselves, and can therefore be trusted at all times.......I'm sure that is the case, mostly. Who am I to cast aspersions....? I know a few policeman and they are nice blokes.
Since moving back to Queensland, however, over 10 years ago, I'm afraid my opinion of our finest has deteriorated somewhat, and even more so since I got back into riding 5 yrs ago.
As part of my job I visited police stations, and overheard conversations and observed attitudes that I would rather not witness coming from police officers.
I can understand them being a bit jaded about life and certain types of people, but to sound off when there was a visitor in their midst.....?
Whilst I never grumble about being pulled over for a random breath test (I agree with others on here....keep drunks and drugged ppl off our roads!), there is a lot of resentment towards traffic cops here.
The perception is (and I suspect it's justified) that motorcyclists are often singled out unfairly for licence checks, speeding surveillance, searches, and even situations where riders have been tempted into overtaking on double lines by police travelling slowly in front of them, on un-marked 'bikes and in un-marked cars.
It's a constant game of cat and mouse in the hills up out of Brisbane on weekends.
I could go on with examples, but let's just say our American cousins would be horrified at what takes place here sometimes. It has become out of control, and no wonder traffic police are called "tax gatherers" by motorcyclists and car drivers alike.
They justify all this activity as necessary to lower the road death toll......well, it don't seem to be working I hate to say!
I don't advocate open slather on the roads of course, but a bit more of a common-sense attitude would be welcome, and a more openly seen police presence in hi-vis patrol cars would be nice, rather than this constant lurking in the bushes and behind trees type of spying on their fellow Aussies, most of whom are law abiding citizens!
I better stop.....sorry for the rant, and the long post, but some comments here struck a chord........
Since moving back to Queensland, however, over 10 years ago, I'm afraid my opinion of our finest has deteriorated somewhat, and even more so since I got back into riding 5 yrs ago.
As part of my job I visited police stations, and overheard conversations and observed attitudes that I would rather not witness coming from police officers.
I can understand them being a bit jaded about life and certain types of people, but to sound off when there was a visitor in their midst.....?
Whilst I never grumble about being pulled over for a random breath test (I agree with others on here....keep drunks and drugged ppl off our roads!), there is a lot of resentment towards traffic cops here.
The perception is (and I suspect it's justified) that motorcyclists are often singled out unfairly for licence checks, speeding surveillance, searches, and even situations where riders have been tempted into overtaking on double lines by police travelling slowly in front of them, on un-marked 'bikes and in un-marked cars.
It's a constant game of cat and mouse in the hills up out of Brisbane on weekends.
I could go on with examples, but let's just say our American cousins would be horrified at what takes place here sometimes. It has become out of control, and no wonder traffic police are called "tax gatherers" by motorcyclists and car drivers alike.
They justify all this activity as necessary to lower the road death toll......well, it don't seem to be working I hate to say!
I don't advocate open slather on the roads of course, but a bit more of a common-sense attitude would be welcome, and a more openly seen police presence in hi-vis patrol cars would be nice, rather than this constant lurking in the bushes and behind trees type of spying on their fellow Aussies, most of whom are law abiding citizens!
I better stop.....sorry for the rant, and the long post, but some comments here struck a chord........
Go for it, rant away.
Regarding Queensland and police, I haven't been that way for too many years but they weren't really up to the standard of NSW police. Don't get me started on the Fitzgerald inquiry.
Hairee
Member
When I was a youngster just starting out in bikes last century, Victorian police were the "good guys".
Polite, helpful.......always treated me sensibly when pulling me over for speeding! Ha! (Took me years to get onto a full licence!)
We felt NSW police were a bit heavy-handed back then, and would pull you over for the slightest thing. Didn't seem to be able to tell the difference between outlaws and decent law-abiding riders either.
I lived in Tasmania for many years....police there were usually courteous and would chat and have a joke with you, if they stopped you for a breath test late at night.
But these days, I feel uneasy around Qld police, especially as they swagger around with their belts loaded with guns, tasers, capsicum spray, cuffs etc, and they seem so grumpy and ill at ease when you get pulled over for checks.
I just feel the gummint needs to take a step back and re-assess what police forces should be about.
Did you see, btw, there's talk of bringing in zero alcohol limits for motorcyclists up here, but not for car drivers?
Any comments from our American friends on that little gem? :y14:
Polite, helpful.......always treated me sensibly when pulling me over for speeding! Ha! (Took me years to get onto a full licence!)
We felt NSW police were a bit heavy-handed back then, and would pull you over for the slightest thing. Didn't seem to be able to tell the difference between outlaws and decent law-abiding riders either.
I lived in Tasmania for many years....police there were usually courteous and would chat and have a joke with you, if they stopped you for a breath test late at night.
But these days, I feel uneasy around Qld police, especially as they swagger around with their belts loaded with guns, tasers, capsicum spray, cuffs etc, and they seem so grumpy and ill at ease when you get pulled over for checks.
I just feel the gummint needs to take a step back and re-assess what police forces should be about.
Did you see, btw, there's talk of bringing in zero alcohol limits for motorcyclists up here, but not for car drivers?
Any comments from our American friends on that little gem? :y14:
I say zero alcohol for ALL vehicles whether land, sea or air.
Don't get us wrong, all cops in the US aren't bad. I know several and I wouldn't put them in a group that would include the bad apples. I also know a few I wouldn't leave a quarter (25 cent piece) laying around them, they would pocket it and swear they never saw it.
The cops I trust the least are the Feds, they don't have a very good track record. Three incidents come to mind that points out the way they think, Ruby Ridge, Waco and Fast & Furious.
I ride with a couple cops and you should hear some of their comments on other cops in the area.
Don't get us wrong, all cops in the US aren't bad. I know several and I wouldn't put them in a group that would include the bad apples. I also know a few I wouldn't leave a quarter (25 cent piece) laying around them, they would pocket it and swear they never saw it.
The cops I trust the least are the Feds, they don't have a very good track record. Three incidents come to mind that points out the way they think, Ruby Ridge, Waco and Fast & Furious.
I ride with a couple cops and you should hear some of their comments on other cops in the area.
That part quote from your last post is the actual issue.
We don't have a "police force" in NSW we have a "police service".
They are two small words but the culture between the two, miles apart. I don't want to live in a police state, I want to be served by an efficient police service.
I agree with Tony's assessment on all points. In the US, a law that discriminates against one class or group of motor vehicle operators would not stand up in court. I defintely agree with the zero tolerance for all motor vehicle operators.
One question, is zero tolerance only punishing the innocent ??? I am pretty sure that drunk drivers would still get behind the wheel or handlebars as they don't give a 
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One question, is zero tolerance only punishing the innocent ??? I am pretty sure that drunk drivers would still get behind the wheel or handlebars as they don't give a
In what way? If you've been drinking and you are now driving you are guilty. If you're not drinking then you have no problem. You only punish the innocent when you stop them for no reason. YMMV
I am still of the opinion that they can stop me 100 times a day if that is what it takes to stop one DIU driver from killing some innocent person
Zero tolerance for bikers only is ridiculous......it's more often the case that a cager will be the cause of a biker's accident.
And stopping me when I'm sober is like judging me guilty first and making me prove my innocence.....the opposite of the way the law is supposed to work. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
And stopping me when I'm sober is like judging me guilty first and making me prove my innocence.....the opposite of the way the law is supposed to work. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
What I am saying is, if I have a drink after work or at a social occasion I want to be able to ride/ drive home. Not be forced to have to arrange a ride because they want to stop idiots over the limit from drinking and driving. Here we do have a zero tolerance for under 20's by the way which I think is great.
These things vary from State to State in the USA. But here in Pennsylvania, we too have a zero tolerance for ANY amount of alcohol for drivers under 21. 21 is the legal drinking age.
