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26-12-2006, 08:25am
Here's my take on this:
Most people only deal with the cops [esp Hwy Patrol] when they've been pulled over for breaking the law, even if it is only a minor infraction. How they treat you greatly depends on your attitude and mannerism. You only get one chance to make a first impression and in this case it counts for a lot. I got let off doing 96 in a 60 zone once coz I didn't f*** the guy around. I pulled over straight away, had the helmet and gloves off and license out before he'd even done his U-turn and pulled up behind me [I was on a 250- I wasn't gunna run!]
I've had other dealings with the cops, when my younger sister had drug-related mental illness problems over a period of time and eventually took her own life 2yrs ago. The cops were fantastic. My niece was the one who found her mother's body and I can tell you no 8yr old should have to see the f*&^ing mess that she walked into. Much worse than anything I've seen on CSI. The Senior Detective who'd been on the force for 27yrs said it was the worst scene he'd ever walked into. The young Proby only 6weeks out of the Academy was still getting counselling over a year later, and probably still is.
I've met other cops including Hwy guys when I wasn't getting busted and most of them are ok. Most Hwy guys are petrol-heads, whether they be into cars or bikes. The thing is as most of you know, there's no substitute for good training, and these guys see the result of people without good training wrapping themselves around trees or other vehicles full of innocent bystanders all the time. They're just doing a job, and quite often when trying to do their job, they get given attitude.
Motor vehicles can be lethal weapons and I guess when you attend regular fatalities on the roads it's gunna change your perspective a bit. Don't get me wrong- I hate the quota system, but the guy with the radar gun isn't the guy who made the rules. Personally I reckon all fixed speed cameras should be removed. There should be a shitload more red-light cameras. The penalties for running the red should be doubled and an extensive ad campaign run to make people aware of it. Double the number of marked Hwy cars patrolling the Hwy as was the original intention of the Hwy Patrol. I don't care if there's a plethora of unmarked cars on the road as well. If you ain't doing the wrong thing, you don't have any worries.
No, I'm not a cop, and I don't have any mates that are cops. I drive a ute as a courier for a living and every day I see countless morons on the road with no idea. I've done just over 230,000km in the last 3.5yrs [and am still running on the original brake pads and clutch!].
Every day I see over a dozen cars run red lights. Every day I see P-platers exceeding their speed limits by a considerable amount. Every day I see non P-platers as well doing really stupid shit. Jeezus, I once got overtaken by a Learner driver on the M4 and I was doing 120!! And no, the plates hadn't just been left on the car. Junior was at the wheel with Mum quite happily sitting in the silly seat waiting to die. The other thing is tailgating- 3seconds? Some folks don't leave 1/3rd of a second! And I'll bet they're the exact same people who don't know how to use a brake pedal properly to avoid locking it all up. I can sympathize with the cops when they catch people doing crazy shit on the roads, that's all. Wazza.
I've stared death in the face....he turned and walked away.Edited by: highwaybruiser at: 26/12/06 9:41
Most people only deal with the cops [esp Hwy Patrol] when they've been pulled over for breaking the law, even if it is only a minor infraction. How they treat you greatly depends on your attitude and mannerism. You only get one chance to make a first impression and in this case it counts for a lot. I got let off doing 96 in a 60 zone once coz I didn't f*** the guy around. I pulled over straight away, had the helmet and gloves off and license out before he'd even done his U-turn and pulled up behind me [I was on a 250- I wasn't gunna run!]
I've had other dealings with the cops, when my younger sister had drug-related mental illness problems over a period of time and eventually took her own life 2yrs ago. The cops were fantastic. My niece was the one who found her mother's body and I can tell you no 8yr old should have to see the f*&^ing mess that she walked into. Much worse than anything I've seen on CSI. The Senior Detective who'd been on the force for 27yrs said it was the worst scene he'd ever walked into. The young Proby only 6weeks out of the Academy was still getting counselling over a year later, and probably still is.
I've met other cops including Hwy guys when I wasn't getting busted and most of them are ok. Most Hwy guys are petrol-heads, whether they be into cars or bikes. The thing is as most of you know, there's no substitute for good training, and these guys see the result of people without good training wrapping themselves around trees or other vehicles full of innocent bystanders all the time. They're just doing a job, and quite often when trying to do their job, they get given attitude.
Motor vehicles can be lethal weapons and I guess when you attend regular fatalities on the roads it's gunna change your perspective a bit. Don't get me wrong- I hate the quota system, but the guy with the radar gun isn't the guy who made the rules. Personally I reckon all fixed speed cameras should be removed. There should be a shitload more red-light cameras. The penalties for running the red should be doubled and an extensive ad campaign run to make people aware of it. Double the number of marked Hwy cars patrolling the Hwy as was the original intention of the Hwy Patrol. I don't care if there's a plethora of unmarked cars on the road as well. If you ain't doing the wrong thing, you don't have any worries.
No, I'm not a cop, and I don't have any mates that are cops. I drive a ute as a courier for a living and every day I see countless morons on the road with no idea. I've done just over 230,000km in the last 3.5yrs [and am still running on the original brake pads and clutch!].
Every day I see over a dozen cars run red lights. Every day I see P-platers exceeding their speed limits by a considerable amount. Every day I see non P-platers as well doing really stupid shit. Jeezus, I once got overtaken by a Learner driver on the M4 and I was doing 120!! And no, the plates hadn't just been left on the car. Junior was at the wheel with Mum quite happily sitting in the silly seat waiting to die. The other thing is tailgating- 3seconds? Some folks don't leave 1/3rd of a second! And I'll bet they're the exact same people who don't know how to use a brake pedal properly to avoid locking it all up. I can sympathize with the cops when they catch people doing crazy shit on the roads, that's all. Wazza.
I've stared death in the face....he turned and walked away.Edited by: highwaybruiser at: 26/12/06 9:41