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Thread ID: 130769	2013-04-15 07:00:00	Speeders through Roadworks	coldfront (15814)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1337060	2013-04-15 23:44:00	Civil defence? After working closely with the CD you are correct Jen! Often used by other Emergency Services.	lordnoddy (3645)
1337061	2013-04-16 00:02:00	You also could get some legal advice from a lawyer or citizens advice if you really want to push it. :)	Trev (427)
1337062	2013-04-16 00:21:00	Start of this year, council once again ok'd to rip up and tar seal Ohaupo road for the 5th time in as many days..... anyways, in the sweltering heat, daughter in car, moving at probably 1.3 km an hour due to massive traffic hold up and road covered in sticky tar everywhere.... one of the trucks with the gravel thought it was cool to do the 'hang loose' sign out his truck and speed past everyone. I had to replace my windscreen and get some paint work done as tar flew everywhere. One piece that hit the wind screen laded by my daughter. But can't find the filthy culprit. Maybe he disappeared intentionally because I got quite a few cars. Or maybe he just disappeared.	rob_on_guitar (4196)
1337063	2013-04-16 03:36:00	You should contact the council or someone in charge seeking repair costs, if they agree It's easier for everyone . If the insurance company gets involved they may well end up in small claims court which won't look good for an emergency service . I dont see how the police can refuse to log an incident even if they aren't interested in pursuing it, have you explained you require a number for you insurance? Also how much damage are we talking about? We have contacted the council they got contacted first thing monday morning after the incident with a letter . They have not responded in anyway that indicates they are going to repair the vehicle or discipline the driver . Hence the Police Complaint! The damage is less than the excess as its just a headlight so insurance company involvement minimal . However the real issue is the Police refusing to log the complaint because the coucil and driver claimed he was responding to an emergency . Bit background for you Horizons regional council (whose vehicle it is) contracts Emergency Mangement to Ruapehu District Council who in turn are responsible for Civil Defence and Rural Fire which are confusingly two seperate entities tied to the Emergency Manager who has a duel role of Principle Rural Fire Officer . The driver at the time was a duty Rural Fire Officer . Now lets not get confuese when we mention Fire because the big red trucks you see are differant and belong to New Zealand Fire Service . Once again Rural Fire and New Zealand Fire Service are two seperate identities . . . . . . . . . yes confusing . Point to make here is the Driver was not an Emergency Response Driver under the operational code that only applies to New Zealand Fire Service . He therfore had no authority to drive in excess speed of any posted speedlimit! Now that said even NZFS are not permitted to drive at excess speed through road works . Coincidentally I know the rules regarding this as I was a Firefighter hence my knowledge . Seems though the Police also have no clue on what either of the two arms of the fire service do but also is it a coincidence the Police area commander happens to be related to the Human resources person in the council region? Call that a conspiracy theory of why no action by the police .	coldfront (15814)
1337064	2013-04-16 03:38:00	You also could get some legal advice from a lawyer or citizens advice if you really want to push it. :) Oh I am going to push it and media attention will love it.	coldfront (15814)
1337065	2013-04-17 00:59:00	The Police said because it was an emergency vehicle and once again the police were put straight on the role of the vehicle they would not pursue the matter. Even though the insurance company wants a incident number before they will repair the cars damage. While from your description it sounds like the driver was being unsafe, it *is* still an emergency vehicle, and if it was responding to an emergency call - even one that in your opinion is not life threatening - the Police do not have much choice about their actions, or lack thereof. Did he have his emergency lights on (RFOs should at least still have flashing red lights on top)? If so, he can technically exceed the psoted speed limit - even if it is a temporary one. The matter is probably more suitably raised to the immediate management of the RFO in question in the first instance, imo, as that should be who he has to justify his decision to exceed the speed limit to.	inphinity (7274)
1337066	2013-05-06 06:25:00	Update to this Our vehicle repair tad over $300 and other than the letter of admisson to double the posted limit and the bit I missed of proceeding passed a red traffic light control . Nothing what so ever from the council! Second letter sent and got told passed on to the regional councils who they now are claiming whose vehicle it is . So buck passing! Obviously not putting to much on a public forum other than whats public in the local newspaper :) NOw what would happen if I with held the disputed amount from my council rates bill????	coldfront (15814)
1337067	2013-05-06 07:45:00	Good luck with it though, keep us in the loop, interested to hear how this pans out :)	Chilling_Silence (9)
1337068	2013-05-07 01:40:00	I uploaded the video footage to facebook since the Police say it can not be used as evidence and they will not pursue this matter. Less than two hours later its removed for a report of copyright violation... Oddly enough the driver of the vehicle and someone who works for the regional councils involved were posting on facebook in that time........bet I know who complained ;) Guilt complex to hide the facts.	coldfront (15814)
1337069	2013-05-07 02:00:00	Crazy situation really, if they were on a genuine emergency call and damaged your vehicle in the process it should just be considered part of the cost of the emergency and paid for. No need for drama or denial, all completely understandable and valid. If however the driver can't justify his actions it should all be on him to pay for the repairs, and we are not talking about a lot of money here. Councils and government departments seem willing to spend more money avoiding this sort of thing than it would cost to simply take responsibility and pay up. On a related note, I don't know if this is different between the various emergency services but I know from someone who worked there that St Johns ambulance drivers have no legal exemption from the road rules. They may well not get charged but they have no legal defense for exceeding speed limits or breaking the road rules. I don't know if that's because it's a volunteer service or if it's a general rule regarding emergency services but it's something to consider.	dugimodo (138)
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