Precisely the reason this rule is nonsense. Its one thing for a cop to hand out a ticket for breaking the road rules for poor driving. They have machines to calculate speeds, they have a rulebook for the road rules... but they have not all got the specification sheets for the cars that they are defecting. It is very much a system of 'Guilty until proven innocent' and that in itself is a problem - especially when you're handing out fines.
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Yes, get the dangerous bombs off the road. But that's it, they seem to target anything modified, rather than vehicles that do pose a threat.
And...
Do you all really expect everyone to have full respect for the police, when all they do is target modified cars? Oh of course!!!
Thats because these cars you spend so much money on modifying to get attention, get just that. Attention. Congratulations, you've now just made a cop inclined to look at your car. Cops will only pull you over if they notice you. People who drive bombs, wont be driving around showing it off. And people who do, get pulled over. The chemistry is simple.
For example, Someone spending hundreds or thousands on their car to make it look lower, sleeker, faster, louder, sportier, more exotic etc... do it to make their car demand attention. Then they go driving it around to show it off. Its not just bystanders checking out your car, I assure you. They WILL get more attention and possible defects (if its not road worthy) as a result. This is not something you should be arguing. The law can be printed out, go check it.
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Yeah if they were getting the deathtraps off the road instead of pinging people for exhausts 3 db over the limit or ridiculous **** like that I wouldn't have such a dim view of coppers with defect pads.
Where exactly do you draw the line? If the law says the limit is 100db, and someone comes in with a 103db car and he lets them off, but the next guy comes through with a 105db exhaust and doesnt get let off.. then is the limit 103db? Whats printed in the book they have to obey? They have every right to defect you - its your responsibility to make sure your car is legal. Not theirs, so please dont fight with that ammunition. It doesnt hold much weight.
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I fully support a graduated defect/fine scheme, but not a huge fine for something like a blown taillight for a first offence.
I do agree with that but am inclined to take it one step further and say that I dont think regular traffic cops should be the ones handing out the on the spot fines. Authorised personell with the correct tools, information and training should be the only ones able to hand out fines like this. Otherwise they're handing out fines on the 'suspicion' of something being wrong with the vehicle.
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Those good old days are gone because so are the attitudes of good old days.
Very true. And rightfully so tbh. Statistics will show whatever you want to say, we all know that... but given the volume increase in traffic and the relatively small number of deaths occuring on our streets... we've obviously done something right.
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If i get defected then clearly my car had problems. Unlike all the SA owners cars here who grizzle so often.
Just about every other state has a roadworthy certificate that is necessitated for registration. Something we dont have here in SA. Perhaps introducing it would be a good idea and then the police of whom some of which dont know so much as what make let alone model of car they're looking at can stop defecting them for being illegal. Yes?
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Clearly, ALL our cars are in TERRIBLE condition, and should STRICTLY not be on the road. Very dangerous indeed, especially if you have a brake light out. *rolls eyes
Haha
Larrikin.
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I believe there should be fines yes BUT... i do believe that they should bring in the annual safety checks first and a 1st warning on MINOR defects.
One of the most level headed responses all thread.
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So my point is, dont go around saying cops are all arseholes and pick on people for nothing, because it is so far untrue.
Very true, cops are humans too. People forget that.
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Seriously some people.....
:clap:
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WELLL Thats enough ranting for me.
