6 August 2009

Police Prius - humph

| LlamaFrog
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Not saying anything but a Prius?

Lets look at the stats

Holden Commodore VN (the choice for the charnwood crowd)
V6 3.8L 3800(125 kW), 63 litres of fuel, 5 speed manual, 0-100 kms/h 7.7 seconds

Toyota Prius (the choice of people who have their heads up their own *#$)
V4 1.5L 110(82 kW), 1-speed planetary gear, 0-60 kms/h 10.5 seconds

But then again I just got a $220 fine in adelaide for doing 6km over the limit so I might be a tad biased at the moment.

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caf said :

But don’t come the raw prawn.

Just thought I would highlight, rudd would be proud

In addition to this, police must sometimes just accidentally slip above the limit slightly, while concentrating on other things, just like normal people…

No probs, Al. I know there are some cops who do speed “just because they can” and they give the rest of the force a bad name. The ability to go over the speed limit should not be abused, especially by the people who enforce it: that is just blatant hypocrisy.

However, due to the unique nature of Police work, there are times where it is warranted, with or without sirens.

Gungahlin Al9:57 am 07 Aug 09

Thank you for this reasoned and non-abusive explanation Ozi. You make a good point.

astrojax said :

and tooks, if the are going to a job they’d have the dance party on, wouldn’t they? or else they’re obliged to travel at the posted limit, no? (i know, some very rare circumstances might necessitate approaching a scene with a little less pre-announcing, but they are rare and i’d hazard a guess these sighted were simply breaking the law)

Hmm some good posts here from both Al and vg… It is a complex issue. Often it is simply safer not to use lights and sirens, as Canberran drivers will typically slam on the brakes in front of the cop car/pull into the right hand lane/try and merge out of the way INTO a car directly next to them etc etc etc. So there are many times when it reasonable not to use lights and sirens.

Some police do exceed the speed limit when not invoking 305, but this is generally going to a job which COULD turn to shit, and where having extra Police near by is important for reasons of officer safety and urgent response. In normal patrol circumstances, however, it is completely unacceptable for a cop to drive over the speed limit “just because she/he can”. While there are no doubt some who do this, they will be caught in time, either by fixed or mobile cameras, police bosses seeing them doing this or members of the public complaining.

cheers al, you made the point about [role] modeling behaviour which i neglected to do.

what al said… ; )

Gungahlin Al7:46 am 07 Aug 09

Spideydog said :

astrojax said :

and tooks, if the are going to a job they’d have the dance party on, wouldn’t they? or else they’re obliged to travel at the posted limit, no? (i know, some very rare circumstances might necessitate approaching a scene with a little less pre-announcing, but they are rare and i’d hazard a guess these sighted were simply breaking the law)

No. Your hazard a guess, is simply that. A guess.

In some circumstances it actually causes more distractions/obstructions/panic to have lights and/or sirens going in traffic, it can be safer to make your way through without them on. This is just one example. If you think hard enough, I think you could come up with more common sense examples of your own.

It is not just restricted to “attending offenders on premises and frightening them off with sirens going before getting there”

Again, refer above to rule 305 “(2) Subrule (1) (b) does not apply to the driver if, in the circumstances, it is reasonable:

(a) not to display the light or sound the alarm.

And of course this is the response I was expecting, and the expected abuse from VG. Not embarrassing at all VG, because I was there and the ‘circumstances’ very much did not appear to warrant.

So let me explain this one incident, then recall that I have seen a number of very similar ones over the last few months. It is not a one-off.

Following a marked car up Northbourne all the way from the city, it pulled away from me every time, well above the 60kph limit that I was doing. I just kept catching up with it at the next lights. And immediately after the Antill St lights at Dickson, straight up to 80, even though the 80 limit starts well up the road. Caught up again near Flemington. They were behind other traffic at the speed limit until the dual lanes at Mitchell (no-one speeds with a police car in their mirrors), then immediately took off, even though its now posted 60 right through past Harrison due to roadworks. Caught up again at Wells Station Drv lights. They immediately took off well above limit again. Turned into Harrison, sped up the 60kph Nullarbor Ave. Last I saw of them was when they turned off at Katoomba.

So, if it was an emergency, they could have used lights all up Northbourne etc without “spooking the offenders at the other end”. So clearly not an emergency – a regular job. So VG where is the line on this ability to ignore the rules? Any and every time they are called out?

Thing is mate, when you jump straight to the defence of this driver, you fail to recognise that unnecessary breaking of such basic laws helps in little ways to undermine people’s faith in and respect for the force, and encourages other people to “do as they do”. You should be trying to stamp it out rather than immediately diving in to defend them.

All of this said, I was following a paddy wagon a couple of weeks ago up the same road. Speed limit all the way. Then in the 60 zone at Mitchell with the cars in front pulling away from it (it was dark), they blipped the lights and everyone slowed down. The wagon then pulled off towards Bimberi – a prisoner transport perhaps. That was a very cool action from that driver.

You’re all undoubtedly correct about rule 305, and they may well have been “going to a job” in this case.

But don’t come the raw prawn.

It’s an undoubted truth that being able to get away with a bit of minor speeding is a perk of the job. I’ve heard cops say this quite candidly, and it also only needs a tiny amount of nous to see that this is an obvious state of affairs.

I don’t particularly have a problem with it, though. I also don’t think the disingenous denials are very becoming.

astrojax said :

TP 3000 said :

The Police have a wide range over unmarked vechiles. They have a new new Toyota Camry’s & a flash Holden SS Ute. The ute is dual exhaust & the flashing lights are along the metal bar behind the cab.

The Prius is just there to catch speeding Grannies

oi, lay off – leave poor granny out of this… ; )

and tooks, if the are going to a job they’d have the dance party on, wouldn’t they? or else they’re obliged to travel at the posted limit, no? (i know, some very rare circumstances might necessitate approaching a scene with a little less pre-announcing, but they are rare and i’d hazard a guess these sighted were simply breaking the law)

Again quite naive. Having the lights/sirens on can sometimes cause more trouble than what it is worth. As Spidey says, a million examples of why can be found if you put your mind to it

astrojax said :

and tooks, if the are going to a job they’d have the dance party on, wouldn’t they? or else they’re obliged to travel at the posted limit, no? (i know, some very rare circumstances might necessitate approaching a scene with a little less pre-announcing, but they are rare and i’d hazard a guess these sighted were simply breaking the law)

No. Your hazard a guess, is simply that. A guess.

In some circumstances it actually causes more distractions/obstructions/panic to have lights and/or sirens going in traffic, it can be safer to make your way through without them on. This is just one example. If you think hard enough, I think you could come up with more common sense examples of your own.

It is not just restricted to “attending offenders on premises and frightening them off with sirens going before getting there”

Again, refer above to rule 305 “(2) Subrule (1) (b) does not apply to the driver if, in the circumstances, it is reasonable:

(a) not to display the light or sound the alarm.

TP 3000 said :

The Police have a wide range over unmarked vechiles. They have a new new Toyota Camry’s & a flash Holden SS Ute. The ute is dual exhaust & the flashing lights are along the metal bar behind the cab.

The Prius is just there to catch speeding Grannies

oi, lay off – leave poor granny out of this… ; )

and tooks, if the are going to a job they’d have the dance party on, wouldn’t they? or else they’re obliged to travel at the posted limit, no? (i know, some very rare circumstances might necessitate approaching a scene with a little less pre-announcing, but they are rare and i’d hazard a guess these sighted were simply breaking the law)

Only emaphasises the naivety twice anyway…..well done

Sorry for double up post, vg posted while I was typing.

Gungahlin Al said :

Danman said :

… and they travel from A to B in the course of their job as well..

And they all speed as they do it.

Was rather cheesed orf to see wallopers on Flemington Road at Mitchell in the stupid 60kph zone, when I watched one of their own doing 80 through there the previous night. Rego plate ending 02Z.

One rule for us, one for them.

Your right, it’s called rule 305 ARR. (if appropriate)

Tooks said :

How do you know they weren’t going to a job?

Exactly.

Gungahlin Al said :

Danman said :

… and they travel from A to B in the course of their job as well..

And they all speed as they do it.

Was rather cheesed orf to see wallopers on Flemington Road at Mitchell in the stupid 60kph zone, when I watched one of their own doing 80 through there the previous night. Rego plate ending 02Z.

One rule for us, one for them.

Actually you are correct Al. There is one rule for them and one for ‘us’. Its called Section 305 of the Australian Road Rules. Fell free to check it ouyt before you make such uninformed statements….but I’ll help you out

AUSTRALIAN ROAD RULES – REG 305

305—Exemption for drivers of police vehicles

(1) A provision of the Australian Road Rules does not apply to the driver of a police vehicle if:

(a) in the circumstances:

(i) the driver is taking reasonable care; and

(ii) it is reasonable that the provision should not apply; and

(b) if the vehicle is a motor vehicle that is moving—the vehicle is displaying a blue or red flashing light or sounding an alarm.

Note—

“Motor vehicle” and “police vehicle” are defined in the dictionary.

(2) Subrule (1) (b) does not apply to the driver if, in the circumstances, it is reasonable:

(a) not to display the light or sound the alarm; or

(b) for the vehicle not to be fitted or equipped with a blue or red flashing light or an alarm.

Embarrassing, isn’t it

TP 3000 said :

The Police have a wide range over unmarked vechiles. They have a new new Toyota Camry’s & a flash Holden SS Ute. The ute is dual exhaust & the flashing lights are along the metal bar behind the cab.

The Prius is just there to catch speeding Grannies

They’ve had those vehicles for ages, the ute has been around for at least the past couple of years. The Prius’ home has been the compound of the Civic police station for at least the last 6 months, normally parked next to Kenny’s Hyundai Accent.

How do you know they weren’t going to a job?

Gungahlin Al7:45 pm 06 Aug 09

Danman said :

… and they travel from A to B in the course of their job as well..

And they all speed as they do it.

Was rather cheesed orf to see wallopers on Flemington Road at Mitchell in the stupid 60kph zone, when I watched one of their own doing 80 through there the previous night. Rego plate ending 02Z.

One rule for us, one for them.

Pelican Lini5:49 pm 06 Aug 09

Blokes talking about cars.
Truly, is there anything more fascinating on God’s Green Earth?

flag_elation_fanatic2:51 pm 06 Aug 09

Hey thoroughly smashed

Read it again. Not the bit about 10.5 seconds, but the bit about 0-60. At least I can read and pass a comprehension test 1 second later.

Shame the NSW cops weren’t driving on of those last night, I might still have my licence.

michcon said :

… you’d attract the attention of a dozen suitably equipped pursuit cars within seconds.

Do we have that many on the road at a time?

I welcome the idea – there are many, many roles in policing that don’t require a fast & fuel hungry car.

Aside from that, when the lights and sirens go on, 99.8% of people would pull-over. And for the .2% who accept the challenge, you’d attract the attention of a dozen suitably equipped pursuit cars within seconds.

They must fill it up on police-issue electricity.

Special G said :

Must have that Police chip in it. Add some nitrous for extra boost.

*snickers* I had an image of a Prius doing 200km/h, overtaking cars, with a blue nitrous flame out the exhaust…

Hells_Bells74 said :

My bf, his dad and ex workmate were doing 90 on the GDE near Mitchell and one of those Prius’ flew by them with little room on the left. No sirens, just in a hurry. But they assumed it had had some ‘work’ done to it.

Their collective opinion on the day as caryard workers having driven many Prius’ was they just don’t go like that.

Must have that Police chip in it. Add some nitrous for extra boost.

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA wish they tried to pull me over in that.

flag_elation_fanatic said :

Tell ya what LlamaFrog, howsabout you try driving one before you open your mouth and show your foot. I have driven a Prius and I can tell you the 0-100km/hr performance you’ve quoted here is totally wrong. Actually from 0-60km/hr the Prius would only be a car length or so behind the gas-guzzler, as it uses both the electric and the petrol motor to get off the line.

Anyway that aside, I would never buy one, not because there’s anything wrong with the performance, which is more than adequate unless your willy needs a boost, rather the huge forward pillars give the car a bad blind spot, and that’s something I consider dangerous.

A closed mouth gathers no foot.

Thoroughly Smashed11:30 am 06 Aug 09

flag_elation_fanatic said :

I have driven a Prius and I can tell you the 0-100km/hr performance you’ve quoted here is totally wrong.

10.9s is quite correct for the Prius.

H1NG0 said :

0-100 in 7.7 seconds for a VN is possible. The Buick V6 in the VN can almost do it in 7 seconds. The VN is still the quickest V6 commodore ever thanks to its good power to weight ratio and its torque. Thats why it is the car of choice for P platers everywhere.

I had a VR commodore which has the same chassis and engine as the VN and that thig would hoot! It was quicker off the mark than my 2006 VZ.

Actually the Buick 3.8 is embarrassingly lacking in torque, even in 2004 when it ended it only had as much torque as you’d get from a modern 3L engine. The engine is revered more for its reliability than its performance. But yes, the VN weighs surprisingly little.

Charnwood crowd now drive compact SUV’s. The VN’s moved out when the school moved out

Ozi said :

Llamafrog, maybe check your facts before posting such tripe.

Why should I start a trend. Looks like a cop car, assume would pull me over for speeding like a cop car, so most likely a cop car.

Unfortunately due to the terrible live axle rear end it tends to spend as much time going sideways as forward.

0-100 in 7.7 seconds for a VN is possible. The Buick V6 in the VN can almost do it in 7 seconds. The VN is still the quickest V6 commodore ever thanks to its good power to weight ratio and its torque. Thats why it is the car of choice for P platers everywhere.

I had a VR commodore which has the same chassis and engine as the VN and that thig would hoot! It was quicker off the mark than my 2006 VZ.

Holden Caulfield10:13 am 06 Aug 09

Ozi said :

Llamafrog, maybe check your facts before posting such tripe.

Agreed, there’s no way a VN could still do 0-100 in under 8 seconds, and that’s if it ever could.

Hells_Bells7410:05 am 06 Aug 09

My bf, his dad and ex workmate were doing 90 on the GDE near Mitchell and one of those Prius’ flew by them with little room on the left. No sirens, just in a hurry. But they assumed it had had some ‘work’ done to it.

Their collective opinion on the day as caryard workers having driven many Prius’ was they just don’t go like that.

Prius’ are also super quiet, maybe they are taking a stealth approach… they just forgot about the paintjob and sirens.

Interesting how many posters on this site will shoot their mouths off totally uninformed.

As “artuoui” stated, this Prius is one of a kind and used for Community Relations work. It is not used for Traffic Operations or General Duties patrols. Kenny tends to drive around in a Hyundai Accent, not this car; either way, neither of them are used for GDs.

Llamafrog, maybe check your facts before posting such tripe.

artuoui said :

I think you’ll Contsable Kenny Koala driving that one. I’ve always been bit wary of speeding past him – being pulled over by a copper in a Koala suit would be embarrassing all round.

More a koala with a man’s hand up its jaxie. Which is possibly even more embarrassing.

Can’t wait for the fist car chase in this one, will be hilarious, at least you will be able to follow the pursuing officer with ease to watch the proceedings.

Kenny would be so angry about it, he may pump 59 rounds into you.

I think you’ll Contsable Kenny Koala driving that one. I’ve always been bit wary of speeding past him – being pulled over by a copper in a Koala suit would be embarrassing all round.

I can’t see the problem, not like it is advertised as a high speed pursuit car.
Not all police are traffic police, and they travel from A to B in the course of their job as well.. May as well economise at the same time.

flag_elation_fanatic said :

Tell ya what LlamaFrog, howsabout you try driving one before you open your mouth and show your foot. I have driven a Prius and I can tell you the 0-100km/hr performance you’ve quoted here is totally wrong. Actually from 0-60km/hr the Prius would only be a car length or so behind the gas-guzzler, as it uses both the electric and the petrol motor to get off the line.

Have a look at how the batteries are made & then tell us how environmentally friendly they are……

The Police have a wide range over unmarked vechiles. They have a new new Toyota Camry’s & a flash Holden SS Ute. The ute is dual exhaust & the flashing lights are along the metal bar behind the cab.

The Prius is just there to catch speeding Grannies

flag_elation_fanatic9:16 am 06 Aug 09

Tell ya what LlamaFrog, howsabout you try driving one before you open your mouth and show your foot. I have driven a Prius and I can tell you the 0-100km/hr performance you’ve quoted here is totally wrong. Actually from 0-60km/hr the Prius would only be a car length or so behind the gas-guzzler, as it uses both the electric and the petrol motor to get off the line.

Anyway that aside, I would never buy one, not because there’s anything wrong with the performance, which is more than adequate unless your willy needs a boost, rather the huge forward pillars give the car a bad blind spot, and that’s something I consider dangerous.

Holden Caulfield9:09 am 06 Aug 09

Oh, I thought I might find the Raiders v Balmain YouTube clip here. 😛

We need a Noddy car

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