Avoiding fines

Most of us ride to enjoy the freedom and the lifestyle. Every day, once a week or once a month – its always enjoyable. The freedom and joy can be quickly destroyed through Police fines and licence demerit points.

Most of the time we attract Police attention when we have made a simple mistake, lost concentration for a moment, or forgotten the speed limit. Many Highway Patrol Police are riders so they know why you ride and where you ride to get the thrills.

Here are a few tips on avoiding Police attention so you can keep the cash in your pocket, keep your license and enjoy your riding. To stay “under the radar” consider these items:

• Tyres – maintain correct tyre pressures and no bald tyres.
• Noise – try and keep the noise levels down – it may sound good and it does attract attention in traffic but it also attracts the Police.
• Lights – fit legal turn indicators and tail-lights and make sure they work – carry a spare light bulb.
• Lights – use your indicators when changing lanes and turning.
• Gear – wear protective gear – it suggests that you look out for yourself.
• Speed – many riders are stopped because they were just 5-10kph over the limit.
• Traffic – stay in the one lane and flow with the traffic – filter when the traffic stops.

Police can issue up to four separate fines when they stop you. This often depends on whether you pass the “attitude test”. Police prefer to deal with people who admit they have done something wrong and are polite when accepting the fine.

We may not like it but the Police are just doing their job. If you are stopped, co-operate, be polite and you may be surprised when you only get the one ticket when you know it could have been much worse.

Can’t Pay the Fines?

Be warned – if you don’t pay your fines by the due date, the NSW State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO) can register you as a bad debt and tell the RTA to cancel your license and registration. The RTA will then refuse to reissue your license and rego until the SDRO advise that the fines are paid The SDRO can also garnish your wages and sell your car and other possessions to get the money.

Think about what you are doing and how you are riding – ride in a manner appropriate for the conditions and you will have a better chance of avoiding having a chat to the Police.