*555 infringement
Discussion
Well i had a lovely tourists welcome to NZ today. Driving a hired van on rural roads. Copper pulled me and says he's had a complaint about my driving. Waits for an elderly couple to arrive and take a statement from them. Then issued me with a ticket for failing to stay within my lane. Some would call that apexing. I of course say my driving was exemplory and i never left my lane except to safely overtake. The fact is the policeman wasn't there to see it and took other motorists word for it over mine. Anyway i need some practical advice on how to deal with this.
- I can write in to infringement bureau and try to explain but my friend tells me that they just send an automated reply saying we considered you explanation but no change.
- im pretty sure they would drop the case if i took it to court being their word against mine but im away to UK in 3 weeks so i can't do that. Could i request a court hearing and submit a letter to the court without attending?
- i don't want to just ignore it as i have ties to NZ and may come back for good. Maybe just pay my 150 and be glad they can't give me points.
There's nothing substantial missing from the story - only details. Only other bit is they said I overtook dangerously which I didn't get ticket for. And that I was speeding which I was genuinely not (maybe fast for the conditions but 1000% not speeding). I didn't slip and I insisted from the start I had done nothing wrong. There was no other corroboration.
The policeman said 'Nah they was old why would they lie'. I asked to talk to his boss (via radio) and the boss said 'Well they wouldn't have phoned us if you weren't driving badly' and 'I watch UK police shows on TV and they are pretty harsh on traffic offenses so you can consider yourself lucky'. I'm seriously pissed off over this.
Up until he gave me the ticket I was being super polite but feeling smug because I thought all he can do is tell me off.
When I say no points I'm meaning they won't be adding any to my licence as its a UK one.
The policeman said 'Nah they was old why would they lie'. I asked to talk to his boss (via radio) and the boss said 'Well they wouldn't have phoned us if you weren't driving badly' and 'I watch UK police shows on TV and they are pretty harsh on traffic offenses so you can consider yourself lucky'. I'm seriously pissed off over this.
Up until he gave me the ticket I was being super polite but feeling smug because I thought all he can do is tell me off.
When I say no points I'm meaning they won't be adding any to my licence as its a UK one.
Have sent a letter to the infringements bureau basically saying I know my driving was legal. Why did the cop believe the 3rd party despite there being no physical evidence. Maybe because of the bad press tourist drivers have received lately (good point dobly!). Finished by saying I'd like to request court hearing if necessary but hopefully it doesn't need to go that far.
Also sent a similar letter to independent police complaints authority.
Both letters have my UK address so until about this time next month when I go home, we will have to wait and see.
Also sent a similar letter to independent police complaints authority.
Both letters have my UK address so until about this time next month when I go home, we will have to wait and see.
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