book about the highway patrol?

[carniruss]

Hi there.
My name is Russell Brown and I am thinking of putting together a book which is all about the NSW highway patrol, how their radars work, how to avoid getting a ticket, drink driving and many other offences.  I'm just wondering at this stage if anyone out there might be interested in something like that.
I am an ex highway patrol officer myself, but now I wish to help any disgruntled motorists out there by giving practical information on this topic.
I would really appreciate any feedback.
Kind regards
Russ

[FC-V8]

Hi Russ
      Everyone wants to try & avoid getting speeding fines but as far as drink driving is concerned if you do the crime then you do the time. You just have to look at the damage to lives & property that is caused by drink drivers.  (you as a former highway patrol officer should know better that most) As for me i know i would be very pissed off to see a book showing drink drivers how to get off on a technicality.
       I know some of the highway patrol officers think they are GOD but i must admitt that every fine that I have got i did the crime so i paid the fine.
Cheers
Glenn

[Ed]

Hi Russ,

Although I agree with FC-V8 about DUI etc.

As a motorcyclist, I'd be interested in the book.

Can you email me please, as I dont think your thread will last very long on this website, as the FE/FC clubs do not condone this sort of behaviour.

ed-ho@ihug.com.au


Cheers

Ed

[RET]

Hey Slim,

That's not a generalisation, is it?  Don't ever buy beer in a pub - plenty of publicans are ex-coppers you know!

I work for the Police (although only as a contractor), and they're like everyone else - most of them are all right.  I do wonder if it takes a certain type of officer to gravitate to HP duty, though (no offence Russell).   Just as it takes a certain type of person to want to work Parking Patrol, and a very different type of person to work in Domestic Violence liaison (for example).  I know at least two cops who own FE/FCs, so they must be all right

By the same token I know some people who own FEs and FCs, even belong to a club, and still I wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire.  So it takes all kinds I guess.

But I'm not about to ping this thread - it's all fair enough discussion.  The only time I've done that was when some bloke was trying to sell radar detectors on our site, because they are illegal, and it is an offence to offer them for sale.

cheers
RET

[4hammers]

Hmmm.
A book about how to get away with taking your life & everyone elses on the road, in your hands, sounds to me like a BAD, BAD idea.
I have been a naughty boy on a few occassions & have been busted. But, like the others say, "Do the crime, Do the time".   :-/
I have seen people who have had family lost because some dickhead who was pissed, decided they would drive home faster than Brockie, just because they are too tight to pay for a cab. TRAGIC!!

But what about the cops being Non human? Not true. Sure, some of them are right F$%^WITS, but most are cool. They are doing there job.
You do occasionally get a scumbag. Like the fella who whacked a ticket on my ute the other day, because I parked it on the street, in front of my house, for 2 hours. The car isn't registered, but is spot on. He nabbed me & gave me an early Xmas present of a $150 fine. But again, I DID THE CRIME.

The book??
BAD IDEA!!!
It will get into the wrong hands.
Rob  

[RET]

Slim,

I'm sure I could find a hose for putting you out if it came to it.

Rob,

That truly sucks.  I'd be writing a letter or have the matter heard before paying that - that's just vindictive.  As I said before, just like I can't for the life of me understand why someone would want to become a parking cop, and spend their day ruining other people's, I think it takes a certain type of person to be a successful highway patrol officer.

cheers
RET

[sgo]

I think we all agree on drink-driving and blatant dangerous driving, but....
We also have one law that says our speedos can have a tolerance of 10% and at least in Vic. the police/government enforce a tolerance of 3% at 100kmh, or 3kmh at any other speed. I dont know how accurate the speedo is on a 40 year old holden, let alone one that has had
engine,gearbox,diff,wheels,tyres or other mods but I wouldnt bet my life on its accuracy! In melbourne you can drive to the airport and back and go through over 20 fixed speed cameras as well as the usual random ones and general police patrols.
The point is that the playing field is not level and any book that may give you a better understanding of how one side plays might make it easier for you to avoid offending in the first place or better defending yourself if you think you have been unfairly charged.

[FCwagon]

I think you've all jumped the gun a little.
As I read the original message, Russell doesn't seem to be planning a book on how to get off speeding or drink driving offences. There is a comma after "how to avoid getting a ticket" and avoiding getting a ticket would surely include not speeding and not dui. Who knows some of his tips might even include safe driving methods. I'm sure after spending his time as a HWP cop he'd not want to see any more of us scraped of the road.
... and no, I'm not an ex copper or anything like that, I just know there are some decent ones mixed in with the mongrels.
I've also been pinged twice for speeding in the FC and as we all agree about paying the fine if you do the crime, I had to coff up the hard earned. (crappy photos weren't even good enough to frame as proof it went fast)
cheers,
Leigh

[4hammers]

Here guys,
I will  write a book for you all.

HOW NOT TO GET BUSTED BY THE HWY PATROL
Page 1;
Don't drink & drive!!!!
Page 2:
Don't speed!!!! Always drive at, or under the limit!!
Page 3:
Make sure your car is fully roadworthy!! This includes getting the speedo calibrated to take into account, tyres, gearbox & diff ratios.
Page 4:
THE END!!!!

Any publishers out there want to pick that up???
100% accurate & informative.

The other book may be great for law abiding drivers, but if some hoon gets hold of it, they will drive like dickheads, because they assume they will ba able to beat the rap.

I haven't had a speeding fine, or any other driving offence for the last 10 years (apart from the ticket on the ute the other day). Before that, I had HEAPS!!! The reason being, I thought I was the best. NEVER thought I would get caught. Then I got busted & walked for 18 months. Since then, I have followed ALL the rules. I have driven everything from my FC's right up to a new SS Commodore. In a one month period, I clocked 6,000klm on a trip through 4 states & the ACT. No tickets. You may think I am a fuddy duddy, but I can assure you, I drive at the limit, but it is the LEGAL limit.

Please Ed. Go easy on the bike. I have lost 2 good mates who could ride well on their bikes, but someone in a car has cleaned them up. The excuse. "I didn't see them". The reason being, both of them were doing OVER (this is what the police reports said) 180klms!!! NO one can see a bike that comes up that fast!
This not only killed 2 top blokes, but ruined the lives of the people that they hit. These drivers (and their families) will carry the guilt for a long time.

Drive safe.
4hammers

[RET]

Rob,

I'm with you on the motorbike thing.  I reckon if the damn things were invented today, you wouldn't be allowed to sell 'em.

And like you, it took a few months of walking and catching trains to get the message into my head.  That was nearly 15 years ago, and I've not had a single ticket since.  And no-one's ever accused me of driving like a fuddy-duddy.  In fact, (here's a nice segue back to the motorcycles), a good mate of mine says: "If you want to see Glenmore Park on two wheels, go for a ride with RET in his jalopy"

You're right about the book though: it would be easy for young and foolish blokes to think they had a "get out of jail free" card in such a publication, whether or not that was how it was intended.

cheers
RET

[FEHOLDEN]

gidday everybody

now it's my turn. is it just me or hasn't russell been able to get a word in edgeways on this topic? i have noticed that since his initial posting way back on 12/12 there has been much correspondence and no reply from him.

perhaps its just a joke designed to excite some comment. admittedly upon first reading this string i thought it to be more along the lines of perhaps informing people on the pitfalls of doing the wrong thing. it was not until i read other reactions that it occoured to me that  maybe it could be taken another way.

surely somebody who has been a highway patrolman has had some experience of the potential result of those idiots who choose, rather stupidly, to either speed or to drink and drive. why would he be trying to encourage this potentially lethal stupidity?
am i being naieve?[i think i spelled that right]

maybe we ought to give him a chance to clarify before we condemn? i know my opinions on what to do with these fools might be considered draconian by some[ it involves a cat-o-nine tails ] and anybody seemingly aiding and abbetting them i would consider in the same light, but i would like to hear more about the context of the book and if in fact this bloke is serious before i form a definate opinion.

in closing, yes i have a brother who is a copper and i have also had the opportunity to work with as a civilian, with the transit police and as a result i have met some very commited people. i have also met some complete idiots. lets hope russell is one of the former rather than the latter. otherwise 4hammers, i'm with you 100%.


denis

[Ed]

Thanks for the tip 4hammers.

I try to take it easy on the bike, and I also have friends and family who have been lost in accidents.

My need for speed is satisified by regular trips to Eastern Creek.  After a few offs, you soon realise the street is NOT the place to go fast.

I still would like a book with this info, however can see it being misinterpreted as a license to break rules.

I would like to see drivers undergo the same level of training a rider must undergo before being let loose on a public road.

better still.. get a push bike!

Ed

[customFC]

I remember a guy who was an ex cop doing the rounds of the talk shows promoting a book just like the one you propose. This was about 3-5 months ago. He was explaining how radars work and what to say when you get pulled over etc. I think someone beat you to the idea.
Regards
Alex

[Russell Brown]

Hello,
i must apologise for the length of time it has taken me to reply - i'm a little new to this chat room thing (in fact i was receiving your replies, read the first one and after this assumed that all the rest of the replies were the same one - ie i assumed there was a malfunction - silly me.)
anyway, thank you for your comments.  the book i have written is actually almost completed and i would like to clarify a couple of things.  yes, i have seen my fair share of death and prangs being in the cops for ten years.  the book would have a controversial title to sell more copies.  i am by no means attempting to encourage drivers to speed or disobey the law.  fundamentally i am trying to give drivers who are a little disgruntled a chance to understand what a highway officer is legally required to do when issuing a ticket.  i'm sure i'm not telling you anything you don't already know when i say that not all traffic infringement notices are issued legitimately.  i have heard so much feedback from people whilst being in the cops and after getting out that they just wanted to know more about how they were actually caught speeding, or whatever the offence might have been.  the book is more of an informative description of radars, lasers, camera cars, speed checks etc so that motorists can be a little more educated.  drink driving is in the book, however it is not a chapter on how to drink drive and get away with it, more just general information and what's involved.
i hope i have clarrified a few things.
happy and safe driving,
kind regards,
russell

[FCwagon]

There ya go then.
I think a few apologies might be in order!!

[4hammers]

Hmmm, NO,
I don't think there are ANY apologies to be made. Russel has asked the question regarding our thoughts on his planned book. I gave my thoughts & stick by them. If you take the time to READ the posts, you will note that I am NOT bagging Russel, I just don't think it is a good idea, no matter what the intended use. If you give someone the idea, that there is a way to beat the rap, they will go out a try & prove a point. Take for example,the scenario I have invented below.
(All names & places are fiction, if they bear any resemblence to anyone, that is their problem!!)

Dickhead A, reads the book & gets an idea. He tells his mate (Dickhead B), that if you speed & drive like a moron & get caught, the copper HAS to do This & That. If he doesn't, you get off!
WOOOOOO HOOOO they say. Lets give it a go. They do, get cought, get off because the copper might not have followed the exact procedure. (does that make it OK to speed?).
Next week, both Dickheads go for a hoon, (because now they are "Untouchable"), they prang the car, kill themselves.
Do you think they might have thought about it first, if they had been charged the week before? Probably!

Like I said, Not bagging Russell, he has a right to do whatever he wants (legally of course), but I don't like the idea.
My view!
4hammers

[FC-V8]

G,DAY ALL
        I agree with 4hammers that NO apologies are needed as Russell asked for our input & views & thats what he got.
I have read the comments & views of everyone who replied & no one has disrespected Russell in thier comments they have just stated their opinion to his idea. As for me i stand by the comments that i made.
Glenn

[slim]

Some people are awfully touchy about some subjects, I wouldnt like to have to apologize for having my own opinion, and until such time as we are oppressed so badly that I have to . ****ooo""""###    Slim

[FCwagon]

I concede.  Maybe I MIGHT have been the one who was wrong.
Who wants a stoopid book if it doesn't have anything about Holdens anyway

[RET]

Who wants a stoopid book if it doesn't have anything about Holdens anyway

But it is about Holdens, by inference.  Holdens go faster, that's why the book's being discussed here and not on Fastlane's Ford Forum  

cheers
RET