30 August 2012

190 distracted drivers busted by the dog hating police

| johnboy
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In a month where ACT Policing focussed its attention on the issue of driver distraction, 138 motorists were issued with Traffic Infringement Notices and another 52 were cautioned for these and related traffic offences.

Of the 138 drivers issued with TINs, 129 were fined for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Eight others were issued with a TIN for failing to drive without proper control of their vehicle and in one particular case, a 32-year-old man from Chifley was caught driving with a dog – a white Maltese terrier – on his lap in contravention of Section 297 (1A) of the Australian Road Rules.

ACT Policing has revealed that a driver travelling in an 80km/h zone who is distracted from the road ahead for three seconds is effectively driving a distance of 60 metres blindfolded.

Officer-in-Charge of Traffic Operations Sergeant Rod Anderson said that alarming scenario highlighted the importance that driving is a skill that requires your full attention.

“Anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road could result in a collision and the potential for loss of life,” Sergeant Rod Anderson said.

“Three seconds (such as checking a mobile text message, dealing with the kids in the back seat, or applying make-up) whereby a driver’s attention is taken away from the road could have fatal consequences.”

ACT Policing targeted driver distraction throughout the month of August as part of its multi-agency road safety strategy. As part of this strategy, the target for September will shift to seatbelts and the proper use of child restraints.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]

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LSWCHP said :

poetix said :

LSWCHP said :

poetix said :

Section 297 (1A): A male driver possessing a dog that might be seen as a threat to masculinity is an offence.

Interesting that they had to mention the type of dog.

Oh Poetix…stereotypes? I’m nearly 2 meters tall, weigh nearly a hundred kilos and spent a few years as an infantry soldier when I was young and foolish. But our family dog is a tiny little silky white furball of Maltese extraction. My wife tells me that I make an interesting picture when I take her for a walk. I believe that such dogs aren’t a threat to masculinity, they are an affirmation of true manliness, as only the brave would be prepared to be seen in public with such a critter.

At least, this is what I keep telling myself.

Yes, I totally agree. I found it weird that the type of dog was named. I suspect if it was what is seen as a ‘normal’ dog for a man, such as a staffie or even, perhaps, a kelpie, we might not have been told. And perhaps we would only have heard if a woman driver had a pitbull or a mastiff? This is what I was trying to bring out, in an amusing way. It was actually meant to be a commentary on rigid gender roles. But not tediously, like this. I set my staffie on stereotypes, though usually those about women.

You usually like the funnies! You should write a poem about walking your dog. (-:

I actually had my tongue planted ever so slightly in my cheek there. I think I should’ve added a smiley. 🙂

Anyway, never one to refuse a challenge, here’s the first stanza of The Ballad of LSWCHP and His Devilish Hound…

He was two hundred pounds of hard muscled man
(Or so he kept trying to claim)
When one day he strode out with his white Maltese dog
He had only himself to blame…

You get the picture. 🙂

Through the jungles of mirth
and the fields of bad jokes –
His dog may be fluffy:
he’s still ‘one of the blokes’.
So if you see him,
don’t point and tease;
there’s no meaner dog
than a pint-size Maltese.

Doggerel!

c_c said :

Pity they didn’t get the idiot on Drakeford this morning. Some ditz driving along while texting. Slammed on the brakes in a round about, almost went off the road twice. Didn’t help she looked half asleep too. Would rather they put the money they’re spending on P-P speed camera into ore visible policing. P-P cameras don’t catch 90% of the stupidity on the roads.

I wonder if she was the same driver I saw this morning, who went through a red light while texting.

wildturkeycanoe6:01 am 31 Aug 12

I see the figures do not include any infringements for “music too loud”. I guess I can keep blasting my ear drums away.

poetix said :

Interesting that they had to mention the type of dog.

The size is the reason. A natural lapdog like a Rhodesian Ridgeback is obviously going to be a problem, but some people will think a little dog is ok.

poetix said :

LSWCHP said :

poetix said :

Section 297 (1A): A male driver possessing a dog that might be seen as a threat to masculinity is an offence.

Interesting that they had to mention the type of dog.

Oh Poetix…stereotypes? I’m nearly 2 meters tall, weigh nearly a hundred kilos and spent a few years as an infantry soldier when I was young and foolish. But our family dog is a tiny little silky white furball of Maltese extraction. My wife tells me that I make an interesting picture when I take her for a walk. I believe that such dogs aren’t a threat to masculinity, they are an affirmation of true manliness, as only the brave would be prepared to be seen in public with such a critter.

At least, this is what I keep telling myself.

Yes, I totally agree. I found it weird that the type of dog was named. I suspect if it was what is seen as a ‘normal’ dog for a man, such as a staffie or even, perhaps, a kelpie, we might not have been told. And perhaps we would only have heard if a woman driver had a pitbull or a mastiff? This is what I was trying to bring out, in an amusing way. It was actually meant to be a commentary on rigid gender roles. But not tediously, like this. I set my staffie on stereotypes, though usually those about women.

You usually like the funnies! You should write a poem about walking your dog. (-:

I actually had my tongue planted ever so slightly in my cheek there. I think I should’ve added a smiley. 🙂

Anyway, never one to refuse a challenge, here’s the first stanza of The Ballad of LSWCHP and His Devilish Hound…

He was two hundred pounds of hard muscled man
(Or so he kept trying to claim)
When one day he strode out with his white Maltese dog
He had only himself to blame…

You get the picture. 🙂

LSWCHP said :

poetix said :

Section 297 (1A): A male driver possessing a dog that might be seen as a threat to masculinity is an offence.

Interesting that they had to mention the type of dog.

Oh Poetix…stereotypes? I’m nearly 2 meters tall, weigh nearly a hundred kilos and spent a few years as an infantry soldier when I was young and foolish. But our family dog is a tiny little silky white furball of Maltese extraction. My wife tells me that I make an interesting picture when I take her for a walk. I believe that such dogs aren’t a threat to masculinity, they are an affirmation of true manliness, as only the brave would be prepared to be seen in public with such a critter.

At least, this is what I keep telling myself.

Yes, I totally agree. I found it weird that the type of dog was named. I suspect if it was what is seen as a ‘normal’ dog for a man, such as a staffie or even, perhaps, a kelpie, we might not have been told. And perhaps we would only have heard if a woman driver had a pitbull or a mastiff? This is what I was trying to bring out, in an amusing way. It was actually meant to be a commentary on rigid gender roles. But not tediously, like this. I set my staffie on stereotypes, though usually those about women.

You usually like the funnies! You should write a poem about walking your dog. (-:

Eight others were issued with a TIN for failing to drive without proper control of their vehicle …

Hmm. So they were fined for driving with proper control of their vehicle? Good work, ACT Policing.

poetix said :

Section 297 (1A): A male driver possessing a dog that might be seen as a threat to masculinity is an offence.

Interesting that they had to mention the type of dog.

Oh Poetix…stereotypes? I’m nearly 2 meters tall, weigh nearly a hundred kilos and spent a few years as an infantry soldier when I was young and foolish. But our family dog is a tiny little silky white furball of Maltese extraction. My wife tells me that I make an interesting picture when I take her for a walk. I believe that such dogs aren’t a threat to masculinity, they are an affirmation of true manliness, as only the brave would be prepared to be seen in public with such a critter.

At least, this is what I keep telling myself.

hmm, I get it about the kids, but what about dealing with the passenger’s side bag, aka complaining wife?

Hoiwever, until recently, it would have been perfectly legal to have had sex with the dog.

Just saying.

c_c said :

Pity they didn’t get the idiot on Drakeford this morning. Some ditz driving along while texting. Slammed on the brakes in a round about, almost went off the road twice. Didn’t help she looked half asleep too. Would rather they put the money they’re spending on P-P speed camera into ore visible policing. P-P cameras don’t catch 90% of the stupidity on the roads.

Pity they didn’t get the absolute muppet P-plater bogan on Northborne Av today. Said muppet attempted a burnout in a puddle, completely lost it and skidded right off the road. Fortunately no-one else was caught up in it.

Idiot.

MonarchRepublic4:38 pm 30 Aug 12

poetix said :

Section 297 (1A): A male driver possessing a dog that might be seen as a threat to masculinity is an offence.

Interesting that they had to mention the type of dog.

Hahaha. Nice one.

Am surprised they only got 129 in the whole month for mobile phone offenses. I suppose though that in the time it takes the Cops to pull over and book someone, 10, 20, maybe more (?) people would pass by getting away with it…

colourful sydney racing identity4:08 pm 30 Aug 12

Mysteryman said :

DrKoresh said :

helium said :

a good start but this is only a minuscule number of those using phones,
still saw MANY people on the phone during the blitz ?? including a cement truck driver (Truck safety week, remember)

They should target tradies for mobile use, there seems to be a culture of thinking that because they taking/making calls related to work that they should be exempt from being pulled over for it.

I see a lot of this too.

Ditto – more concerning for me is the number I see driving with one hand on the wheel and the other clutching a stubbie, or can of pre-mix spirits.

DrKoresh said :

helium said :

a good start but this is only a minuscule number of those using phones,
still saw MANY people on the phone during the blitz ?? including a cement truck driver (Truck safety week, remember)

They should target tradies for mobile use, there seems to be a culture of thinking that because they taking/making calls related to work that they should be exempt from being pulled over for it.

I see a lot of this too.

DrKoresh said :

helium said :

a good start but this is only a minuscule number of those using phones,
still saw MANY people on the phone during the blitz ?? including a cement truck driver (Truck safety week, remember)

They should target tradies for mobile use, there seems to be a culture of thinking that because they taking/making calls related to work that they should be exempt from being pulled over for it.

+1 Tradies seem have a different perception on safety (e.g also speeding), is this because they work in (relatively more) dangerous jobs. They are also in demand, so time poor.

So you might think that a Tradie that has taken the time+money to put their mobile number on a vehicle might also buy a $20 bluetooth headset ?? cos they might be expecting a call ?? maybe ??

helium said :

a good start but this is only a minuscule number of those using phones,
still saw MANY people on the phone during the blitz ?? including a cement truck driver (Truck safety week, remember)

Last week I saw a cement truck driver get pulled over by an opportunistic cop for being on his phone in Mitchell, just metres from returning to his depot. Warmed my heart.

helium said :

a good start but this is only a minuscule number of those using phones,
still saw MANY people on the phone during the blitz ?? including a cement truck driver (Truck safety week, remember)

They should target tradies for mobile use, there seems to be a culture of thinking that because they taking/making calls related to work that they should be exempt from being pulled over for it.

a good start but this is only a minuscule number of those using phones,
still saw MANY people on the phone during the blitz ?? including a cement truck driver (Truck safety week, remember)

Pity they didn’t get the idiot on Drakeford this morning. Some ditz driving along while texting. Slammed on the brakes in a round about, almost went off the road twice. Didn’t help she looked half asleep too. Would rather they put the money they’re spending on P-P speed camera into ore visible policing. P-P cameras don’t catch 90% of the stupidity on the roads.

Henry82 said :

(1A) A driver must not drive a vehicle if a person or an animal is in the driver’s lap.

for those who were wondering

Yeah, i was thinking it had to be something other than having an unrestrained dog in the car, i almost never see such restraints, and the ones i have seen would only work on small dogs. So it’s specifically having it sit on your lap that is the offence here, not having him in the car with you. I’ve seen so many dogs in cars that I can’t believe it’s a crime.

(1A) A driver must not drive a vehicle if a person or an animal is in the driver’s lap.

for those who were wondering

About bloody time.

Fining people for having Rover unrestrained in their car is not dog-hating; having Rover unrestrained in your care is human-hating, potentially suicidal as well as homicidal.

hmmm other than pulling over (which is sometimes not possible), how do they suggest we deal with the distraction of the kids – screaming ‘be quiet’ or something less pleasant works on some kids but not all.
Maybe :
police-issued gags ? 🙂
A police escort in the car with you to keep the kids quiet ? 🙂
Oh I know, a huge rottweiler in the front seat to scare them into submission – oh wait you aren’t allowed unrestrained dogs in the front seat are you?

Whining kids that go on for hours can be a major distraction to your driving.

I in no way intend to detract from the seriousness of sending a text message, applying make-up, or owning a white Maltese terrier – but three seconds is a *really* long time when you are driving a car. People who take their eyes right off the road for that long are not inattentive, they are crazy.

poetix said :

Section 297 (1A): A male driver possessing a dog that might be seen as a threat to masculinity is an offence.

Interesting that they had to mention the type of dog.

Even though I would imagine that driving round with a Bull Mastiff on your lap would be way more distracting.

colourful sydney racing identity1:37 pm 30 Aug 12

poetix said :

Section 297 (1A): A male driver possessing a dog that might be seen as a threat to masculinity is an offence.

Interesting that they had to mention the type of dog.

🙂

Section 297 (1A): A male driver possessing a dog that might be seen as a threat to masculinity is an offence.

Interesting that they had to mention the type of dog.

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