Driver shocked by arrival of $600 worth of fines

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#354531 21-Jul-2010 16:28

^Can you imagine being a newbie in town driving in conditions such as this? This is when lane guidance in a GPS comes in handy.

Still, I agree with the above. Too many buses can clog up the left turning lane.

Bung

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#354537 21-Jul-2010 16:36

tristanb:
You can see the council enforcers with their video camera on the right of the picture. I took this photo with my cellphone on the intersection corner - 50 meters is a short distance. In this case the camera is at 70 metres.

What is the point of enforcement like that? The cameras should be for people moving into the bus lane and not turning ie site the camera just past a corner.

tristanb

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#354546 21-Jul-2010 16:57

Bung:
What is the point of enforcement like that? The cameras should be for people moving into the bus lane and not turning ie site the camera just past a corner.

The prevailing thought is that the point is revenue gathering. I agree with that believe, considering the fines (which don't improve safety) are higher than you'd get for speeding. If they moved the camera to the other side of the intersection, and only prosecuted those going straight through, they'd lose out on hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The AA has mooted the idea of bus cameras, which would only fine those obstructing buses (I do see people loading in the lanes outside the businesses on Anzac Ave).

According to the council they are merely enforcing the law, which states 50 metres - no exceptions. The council states that it's not allowed to give exceptions, but is just doing its job. Of course, it's the council that gets the money!

See here for the law:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2004/0427/latest/DLM303043.html

heavenlywild

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#354547 21-Jul-2010 17:00

So on a busy road, the council expects everyone to wait until they are within 50m, then get into the bus lane to turn left. Wouldn't this cause more congestion? Just thinking out-loud here.

Edit: potentially, you could be blocking the lane you came from too, so how does this improve anything?

tristanb

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#354554 21-Jul-2010 17:12

heavenlywild: So on a busy road, the council expects everyone to wait until they are within 50m, then get into the bus lane to turn left.

The council expects people not to do this, and then gets $150. It's punishing sensible driving.

Wouldn't this cause more congestion? Just thinking out-loud here.

Edit: potentially, you could be blocking the lane you came from too, so how does this improve anything?

Yep, anecdotally it does cause more congestion and sillier driving. It improves council income, allowing more to be spent on flowers, banquets and booze - I think that's it in terms of improving things.

manta

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#354603 21-Jul-2010 20:17

Personally I like the bus lanes nice and clear so I can ride my moped in them without being held up at all by cars. Get rid of the buses too.

richms

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#354688 21-Jul-2010 23:36

So what is supposed to happen when the lane is full of buses? Cars go in the middle lane, stop at 49m from the front and turn their left indicator on? Guess so, that will piss anyone wanting to go straight thru off, but its the law so do it.

Richard rich.ms

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heavenlywild

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#354696 21-Jul-2010 23:57

^Let's face it guys, it is a lose-lose situation for everyone but the council.

richms

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#354701 22-Jul-2010 00:41

Wonder how many of their cameras have been stolen by someone grabbing it and jumping into the back of a car etc...

Richard rich.ms

heavenlywild

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#354702 22-Jul-2010 00:46

richms: Wonder how many of their cameras have been stolen by someone grabbing it and jumping into the back of a car etc...

Very difficult to do considering the traffic congestion

Sole

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#354714 22-Jul-2010 01:44

Agreed wiv NonprayingMantis, common sense!.

tristanb

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#355497 23-Jul-2010 18:26

Sole: Agreed wiv NonprayingMantis, common sense!.

Tell me common sense, in the photo on page 1. What should the white van do if he needs to turn left and the straight traffic light is green?

richms

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#355504 23-Jul-2010 18:35

Turn on the left indicator, push infront of the bus.

Do you even have to give way to the bus? Its not a real lane afterall....

Richard rich.ms

tristanb

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#355854 24-Jul-2010 17:22

richms: Turn on the left indicator, push infront of the bus.

Do you even have to give way to the bus? Its not a real lane afterall....

Within seconds after this picture was taken, the bus was tailgating the red car. (Their high viewpoint and large windscreen makes them drive about 50cm behind the next car). And have you seen how fast they motor down these lanes?

tristanb

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#355858 24-Jul-2010 17:30

Haha, I just read that Simon Prast is saying he will refund bus lane fines if elected.

I'm not normally in favour of "celebrity" politicians, but this was exactly what John Banks was, and it's only the mayoralty. So I might vote for the guy.

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