Forum Home
PC World Chat
Thread ID: 123642	2012-03-08 03:37:00	Sense from the Police Commissioner	WalOne (4202)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1263775	2012-03-08 03:37:00	Excerpt from the Police Website, a statement by the Commissioner: It has been another interesting and challenging fortnight for Police as an organisation and for me as Commissioner . On the one hand I've visited Police stations to meet our frontline officers, and on the other I've been questioned about Police budgets by a Parliamentary select committee . Firstly, something of great interest to motorists - particularly in Auckland . Starting on Sunday, Police in the three Auckland policing districts are piloting the implementation of written traffic warnings for low-level driving offences . The idea is to find a better way of dealing with minor infringements than prosecuting people, which adds to the pressure on our already hard-pressed court system, or handing out $150 tickets . It's suggested written traffic warnings might be a suitable way of dealing with infringements of the "give way" rule when it changes later this month, and for other occasions where driver education is more appropriate than punishment . We've already piloted this initiative in Wellington but the results were inconclusive and it was felt more work was needed . It's hoped the new trial, which runs in Auckland City, Counties Manukau and Waitemata until August, will give us the information we need . If the pilot is a success, written traffic warnings will be rolled out nationally . This initiative is the next stage of the Alternative Resolutions workstream of our Policing Excellence change programme . Written traffic warnings are the cousin of the pre-charge warnings we've been giving in place of charging and prosecuting people for minor offences . These have proved a great success, with 13,802 handed out in their first year . Each warning represents around an hour of officers' time saved, and a case diverted from the courts - in this case, a nationwide 8 percent reduction in minor cases being dealt with in court . It should be noted that someone dealt with by way of warning hasn't "got away with it" . Should they err again the fact that they have been warned already will be taken into account, so we hope these warnings will have the effect of reducing levels of reoffending . Full release: TRAFFIC WARNINGS TRIAL ( . police . govt . nz/blog/2012/03/08/traffic-warnings-trial/31025" target="_blank">www . police . govt . nz) Personally, I feel this to be a step in the right direction, however, it does not include West Auckland (unless it's part of Waitemata) . Westies, and Westy Chicks in particular already get away with too much and have reached their quota of official tolerance for at least way into the foreseeable future . :lol:	WalOne (4202)
1263776	2012-03-08 03:44:00	Personally, I feel this to be a step in the right direction, however, it does not include West Auckland (unless it's part of Waitemata) . Westies, and Westy Chicks in particular already get away with too much and have reached their quota of official tolerance for at least way into the foreseeable future . :lol: It's pathetic, no-one will care about a warning . Where do you think Waitemata is?? Of course it's West Auckland . As a Westie chick as you put it, I find your generalisations offensive, I do not receive driving warnings or tickets . No doubt you do which is why you're so pleased with this idea .	pctek (84)
1263777	2012-03-08 03:58:00	I do not receive driving warnings or tickets. No doubt you do which is why you're so pleased with this idea. On the contrary, I haven't had a moving infringement for probably over 20 years. But as someone often on the road (25 - 30K a year), I know what behaviours to expect by the time of day, and area. I'm afraid West Auckland just doesn't cut it for me. Any more than Remmers when school's out.	WalOne (4202)
1263778	2012-03-08 07:05:00	Good idea, but it's not new by any means. Long ago when I was young it was quite common for Traffic Officers to pull you over and give you a warning when you went through an amber light, parked too close to a fire plug etc. For too long the Police have not acted until the offence is serious. I reckon at least 50% of those warned will take heed. Sure, the other half will laugh it off, but it's worth it for the 50% who do take more care.	coldot (6847)
1263779	2012-03-08 08:22:00	A far more efficient Court system would seem to be the better solution. Warnings will only work on those that are inclined to heed the law anyway. For those that don't give a stuff, and commit the majority of the offences a warning will just give them even more leeway to take chances with OUR safety.	Paul.Cov (425)
1263780	2012-03-08 11:02:00	What used to happen before they brought in instant fines for crimes like speeding for instant? Way back in the 1950s did you have to go to court when you were caught speeding?	Bobh (5192)
1263781	2012-03-08 18:24:00	I dont agree with it, epic fail because the filth who speed on the road will just screw up the warning and continue to speed.	prefect (6291)
1263782	2012-03-08 21:02:00	Giving of warnings may be appropriate in certain circumstances at the discretion of the Police officer. The infringement system is perhaps unfair on lower income people who are not recidivist offenders. A multimillionaire or a low income person will be fined the same amounts. The multimillionaire will think nothing of paying the fine and will have the financial means to defend it in court if need be. The low income person will struggle to pay the fine and will avoid going to court because he cannot afford to. Research undertaken for the Department for Courts found that a significant number of people, especially those on lower incomes, have difficulty paying infringement penalties. Those who received tickets for not having a registration or warrant of fitness found that, by paying the infringement fee, they could no longer afford to have their car registered or warranted and fell into a cycle of re-offending (ACNielsen (NZ) Limited 2000). Read here. (www.msd.govt.nz)	Bobh (5192)
1263783	2012-03-09 00:16:00	What used to happen before they brought in instant fines for crimes like speeding for instant? Way back in the 1950s did you have to go to court when you were caught speeding? Think you did up until they introduced instant fines. I remember having to go to court back in 1967 for a over the limit by 5Kph speeding ticket..	paulw (1826)
1263784	2012-03-09 00:33:00	Think you did up until they introduced instant fines. I remember having to go to court back in 1967 for a over the limit by 5Kph speeding ticket.. This is what I thought. Instant fines were introduced to save court time. It appears that they have now introduced instant fines for other minor infringements. Recently I know of a young 16 year old who received an instant fine of $200 for under age drinking. The young lad involved may not have been too impressed about getting this infringement notice as he screwed it up and threw it on the floor.	Bobh (5192)
1