Ask The Copper

[fabz]

Yeah i have for you Sir Mr Nice Police Man ...........
Is it illegal to drink a can of drink while driving even if its not booze? i once got pulled up for drinkin a can ok cake and the copper told me it was illegal as it "obstrucked my view" true yes but he said i could get done drink driving?? Also whats the law on neon lights?? inside yes and out side no or vice versa??? Cheers think this will be a great thread!!

[rattattack1313]

A good thread...is now a Sticky......

[Wombat]

Something I've always wanted to know...
Now, let me start by saying I've ridden Harleys, I like Harleys, but would never actually own one myself...way too expensive and overpriced, even second hand...but it's got two wheels and a motor, so it must be interesting...

Here goes: Why is it illegal for cars, trucks, buses, forklifts, tractors, or just about anything else, to exceed decibel limits and modify exhaust systems to allow excess noise...it is even worse to remove completely an exhaust system.
However, why can almost eveyr Harley around ride around with impunity with absolutley NO exhaust system, simply straight pipes with no mufflers at all?
If I did that with my VS Berlina, my Rodeo ute, my BMW motorbike, I wouldn't get twenty meters, but if it was a Harley? Hey, go for it. Why why why? A hundred thousand guys riding other makes of bike than Harley Davidsons want to know!!!


Neons? They aren't illegal to fit to your car up here in Queensland, but they are illegal to use while driving. They come under the cover-all heading of distracting other drivers. I know of a guy some years back with a very nice HX ute with a polished wood tray, big mags, metal flake paint, and a pair of chrome exhaust stacks, one each side of the rear of the cab, like smaller versions of the chrome stacks with perforated covers you see on semi's. Looked fantastic, until he was ordered off the road because they posed a "distraction".

But please answer about the Harley pipes....the noise laws are pretty much the same everywhere, as are the Australian Design Rules regarding noise levels...

Though why you'd want to make a perfectly good bike sound like a fifty year old Massey Fergusen with a rusted out exhaust is beyond me....

[gopher]

However, why can almost eveyr Harley around ride around with impunity with absolutley NO exhaust system, simply straight pipes with no mufflers at all?

because they're the favoured mode of transport for bikie gangs & most of them are fearsome looking mother****ers
so better not to mess with them

[newo]

Yeah, was thinking that! They belong to Hell's Angels or something hey? :P From what my driving instructor told me two years ago, in Vic, that any lights, other than driving lights factory fitted (or some driving lights fitted otherwise) were the only legal thing allowed. Neons, as stated are illegal when turned on, but can be fitted so long as they are off while moving. I guess maybe now though police may see it as a waste of time fining people because many a people have them?

[Misaprop]

My question: I am a green P plater in NSW, my speed limit is 100 on NSW roads, but in Vic P platers are allowed to drive up to the speed limit... Does this mean that when I enter Victoria, I can drive at 110 on the freeway?

[camvyss]

Hey Spyper I'm going to hesitate a guess that you reside in NSW, seeing as I live in QLD I can't assure you this information is true for your state.

I'm not aware of any legal issues arising from owning a SS while on P plates, however I believe there was talk of introducing a clause regarding young drivers owning/driving high powered cars, but I don't beleive this is in yet.

Your main problem will possibly arise from Insurance premiums being rather high.

Again this information is probably not correct seeing as NSW has many laws that differ immensely from all other states.

[minux]

From some of the posts I've read up to this point I don't disagree with minux, but let's just see how helpful this guy can be before making harsh judgements.

Now for my question.. as far as power : weight ratio goes for P-Platers, what is the limit? Is a VY-SS legal for a P-Plater? Or am I gonna have to wait another 6 months til I have my full license (and enough cash)?

If you are in victoria, the SS is above power to weight ratio. Also, insurance in itself is a nightmare for drivers under 25

[fourstar82]

yeah but hes also on a NSW lisence meaning he can still drive that vehicle perfectly legally, as long as he got his P's before the new laws concerning Probationary Licencing (ie what they can and can't drive, they're a load of crap as far as I'm concerned) came into effect in NSW earlier this year.

[L8N]

Serving Police Member, is it true that if you are pulled over by a cop and you havnt done anything wrong that they cant ask to see your licence? they can ask if you have it on you but they cant actually ask to see it.

[9C1pack]

What cars are the prefered mount of the the Vic police officers?
Out of say the Commodore, Falcon in the patrol cars, and the SS, WRX V8 Falcon etc in the Highway cars and why? EG: comfort for long hours of duty or performance etc?
Do you all rush to get a favourite car or get told what car you are rostered with?

[tezron]

mate of mine in local TMU prefers the SS way above others. Doesnt like Falcons and not at all impressed with WRX.

[Spyper]

I am in Victoria and thanks that answers my question.. but what about say the sv6.. would that be over the p:w also? Is the power measured in KW etc?

[newo]

My sis, who is a big Ford fan and goes to all the V8's and should work for friggin Ford, said that the police prefer the Holdens due to the fact that they have a better electrical system to run all thier peripherals. She reckons when they had the Fords they were often waiting for a jump cause the battery would drain. Anyone feel free to correct this!

[fourstar82]

My sis, who is a big Ford fan and goes to all the V8's and should work for friggin Ford, said that the police prefer the Holdens due to the fact that they have a better electrical system to run all thier peripherals. She reckons when they had the Fords they were often waiting for a jump cause the battery would drain. Anyone feel free to correct this!

If they were having this problem, you think they may have installed a second battery to make sure this didn't happen (ie like people having a second battery to run a sound system, and similar setup with the battery on the boot all wired up etc...).

[Bax]

Can we get back on topic please?

I'd personally be checking the main roads legislations for your state. Most answers are able to be found in there and would be the most accurate up to date facts. If the answers aren't in there then I'd definately ask this guy. But I wouldn't be asking him whether the police prefer leather or velour seats.

One thing is for certain, noone is really safe depending on the cop that you get on the day, if he wants you, I'm sure he can be a big enough prick to find a problem with your car, and there are those type around. On the other hand theres the occassional nice cop that helps you out or lets you off with a warning.

So maybe we can keep it on track.

[StatOmaN]

just out driving last night saw a sh*t load of trucks on the highway, if it is illegal to have lights fitted to the out sideof your car while driving, y are they lit up like christmas trees?

[Bax]

Why are the trucks lit up like christmas trees.. Purely for visibility I'd imagine. So you can see where they start and finish.

As for the lights, I'm fairly sure you can have as many forward facing as you want so long as they are white. I think most trucks are amber now that I think of it. And the rear facing lights have to be red.

[9C1pack]

Yes, "lit up like Xmas trees", so you can see where they start and finish.
I came upon a train crossing once, on a back country road, when a very long slow moving freight train was crossing the road, if I had not seen the engines light first, it was difficult to see the grimy wagons in the dark misty rain. It only had a light on the engine and the last wagon. Perhaps they could fit them with neons

[matt69]

u probly cant help me but in wa the fines for offences particulary the monetary values seems to differ depending on personal preference of the issuing officer. like i was fined 600 for driving an unregistered vehicle. and a mate of mine same deal only 400. wats going on?

[newo]

If they were having this problem, you think they may have installed a second battery to make sure this didn't happen (ie like people having a second battery to run a sound system, and similar setup with the battery on the boot all wired up etc...).

Well according to the almighty (my sister as she likes to think she is) she claims that Ford saw it as uneconomical to equip the patrol cars with a better bus bar. They looked at it that it would only be a few thousand cars needing changes. Then again, how good does it look when it's YOUR car in pusuit of one braking the law?

[camvyss]

Matt69 - My understanding is that the little book of fines (not it's real name) that officers of the law carry around with them details information about offences and comes complete with a minimum and maximum fine. I believe it is at the officers discretion as to what value he places on the incident.

Example:

Bad Guy #1 is hooning around all night and is witnessed being an arse by the officer and gets done for driving recklessly, he gets the maximum because he's an idiot.

Bad Guy #2 is driving around all night but not being a hoon and accidentaly looses his vehicle around a corner, officer goes a little easier on him as he can see he's genuinely upset over the incident.

That's my understanding, some from personal experience, I've been done for the same thing a couple of times (minor stuff) and received varying figures.

[Just_Ice]

u probly cant help me but in wa the fines for offences particulary the monetary values seems to differ depending on personal preference of the issuing officer. like i was fined 600 for driving an unregistered vehicle. and a mate of mine same deal only 400. wats going on?

matt69 I can probably help you out with this one..... Although I don't deal alot with traffic side of policing. (I do know a little though)...

Did you go to the court for your offence of Unregistered motor vehicle..... If you did then the penalty is up to the Magistrate, a Police prosecutor will argue to go maximum penalty if you have had a few charges but final decission is with the magistrate....

As for your fines and even your mates fine, they both seem to excesive to be infringements and the last I knew, driving an unregistered vehicle could not be dealt with by way of infringement....................

There are only a few fines in WA that are up around the $600 mark and one of the is Contravene Compliance notice. (yellw sticker) get caught with an expired one and that will cost you $600 big ones......

Although I think this thread is great it should be mentioned that all states have different laws and there is no point asking this guy questions if you are from Melbourne when he's in NSW...........................

EDIT: all infringement penalties are set values, it is not up to the indiviual officer...........

[holden#1]

Serving Police Member,

always wondered;

when you get pulled up, why is it that you are asked 'is there any reason why you were speeding' etc??

is there a valid excuse??

is this in case your a plain clothes, unidentifiable secret police officer on a secret mission??

no, i'm not being smart, i seriously would like to know why you get asked this??

[Just_Ice]

Serving Police Member,

always wondered;

when you get pulled up, why is it that you are asked 'is there any reason why you were speeding' etc??

is there a valid excuse??

is this in case your a plain clothes, unidentifiable secret police officer on a secret mission??

no, i'm not being smart, i seriously would like to know why you get asked this??

You could be speeding for any particular reason.................. You would be asked this for any offence and it is not just related to traffic you get to have your say....

May be a doctor on the way to emergency surgery.... May be someone in your car who is having a baby....

Could possibly be someone who is shot in the back of your car and you are rushing them to hospital.....

Though it doesn't really give the the permission to speed,you have to look at each case on its merit......