NSW police, RTA and EPA owned me last night

[Tex]

Guys, I'll admit right now I haven't read the whole thread, so my apologies if I'm re-hashing something that's already been said. What I write below I believe to be 100% correct, if anyone spots any glaring inaccuracies, please correct me.

Firstly, the only way to stop this kind of crap from happening is to ARM YOURSELF with the KNOWLEDGE that many of the Police don't even have. That is to say learn the rules of the game, and learn what does and what does not constitute a breach of the rules.

XCUZME posted a link to www.ajc13b.com and suggested you read the law section. DO THIS. Steve (AJC13B from Performance Forums) has gone to a lot of effort to gather the relevant parts of the legislation on his website for use by other modified car owners. It is a good suggestion that you read this and familiarise yourself with it, and print a copy out and keep it in your glovebox for those "special occasions".

He has just updated the site recently with (I believe) a full copy of the Australian Design Rules!!! This is something most of us have never seen, because in order to obtain a copy of the ADRs to even see what is legal and what is not, you have to pay (about $70 for a copy). Let's face it, not many people are going to fork out that money to see the ADRs.

A lot of the defects that many Police officers dole out are NOT really defects at all. They are relying on the "offender" not knowing all the rules of the game, or not being tough enough to stand up to them. Using the stuff on ajc13b.com, you will see that the rules state that a defect can be removed from a vehicle by the issuing officer.

If you are issued a defect you believe to be issued in error, and after (politely yet firmly) discussing it with the officer at the time of the defect being issued they insist on issuing it, this is when you get their name, badge number, and find out which station they are from. You then go to the station, politely ask to see the senior officer on duty, and coolly explain the situation. If you are right, and the defect is not incorrect, this is hopefully the part where that senior officer calls the officer who issued the defect in to explain himself, and often remove the defect. Anyway, read the site, it's a goldmine for modified car enthusiasts.

Sweyn, as far as your aftermarket intercooler goes, I don't really see how that affects your mixtures. [EDIT: I took part out here as I realised later I had got something wrong - but I can't figure out how the intercooler would have any bearing - anyone??]. I wouldn't put it past the EPA to be pulling the same tricks as many Police. If your car is MAP-sensed, then this doesn't matter at all, as the car meters fuel depending on your manifold pressure. Beautiful.

Pod filters should still be legal, if boxed. Spend a bit of dough, get the pod put in an aluminium box, with a nice cold air feed. If you don't have your pod shielded from the underboonet hot air, and not fed with cold air anyway, there's really not a hell of a lot of point having it, as it's injesting hot air to begin with.

Exhaust-wise, my understanding is that there are many mufflers on the market which have very good noise-attenuation properties, but do not harm flow significantly. Sure, chances are they'll cost more, but if we're all serious about our hobby, then we should really not baulk at spending more money to get performance, and be within the law. Fair enough, if you drive a rotary-powered vehicle, then the above may not apply - I'm no expert but the concensus seems to be that a rotor must have as little restriction as possible, full stop, or they lose power.

It goes without saying, of course, that no matter how much you know about the law, or how bogus a defect is, you won't get anywhere if you get in the cop's face about it - although I won't insult anyone's intelligence here by assuming they would do so. The key is to be polite, and matter-of-fact, if you're sure about what you're saying.

I'd also like to say that I think the cops do a top job, and something many of us wouldn't be game to do - but at the same time there are some out there clearly to make life hard for car enthusiasts, or at least some who don't know what they're talking about and perhaps inadvertently issue defects incorrectly. We all know the behaviour of some of our own peers has also caused this to be the case. At the end of the day, the Police do what the Government tells them to do. The Government does what Joe Public tells them to do (in other words, whatever they have to do to stay in power). Until we make Joe Public understand we are not all evil idiots who drive like maniacs through suburban streets, then the Governments will have no reason to listen to us, as it won't really benefit them.

Make no mistake, those of us who insist on doing stupid things on our roads are causing most of the problems. Any personal thoughts of mine on these things aside - be it driving erratically, participating in street racing, making noise late at night by fanging around when people are trying to sleep, driving through restaurant strips with Nelly cranking through your system so everyone can hear it whether they like it or not (and they probably actually hate it ), as long as this continues, we will cop flak from all over the place. The sooner everyone realises this and acts accordingly, the quicker we'll get some respect.

[springer]

Until next time, take care of yourselves, and each other.

[/springer]

Oh, and thank God I drive a pre-emissions vehicle!

Tex

[Guest INASNT]

thats a good read tex

according to the ACT a cop can check your car anytime inside and out. I thought they had to have sum reason, eg similiar car was used in a car robbery, before they would make you get out of he car and check whatever they want!

[Tex]

I'm not sure of the exact laws where car searches/inspection is concerned, but I think people probably do need to lose the attitude that the cops can't do this and can't do that, to an extent. I think that sometimes we need to accept that the Police have their powers for a reason, and that is that if they didn't, they could not effectively do their job. Still, it may pay to look in to this side of things.

Tex

[Guest INASNT]

they have to much power in my opinion without enough brain power to match that power, which makes them turn into arrogant egotistical assholes

[Tex]

Now if that isn't a sweeping generalisation, I don't know what is. There are bad apples in every group, INASNT, but that's not necessarily a reason to take away these powers. To some extent, society has to accept a few drawbacks for the benefit of having a Police force that actually has the power to do their job effectively.

Tex

[Guest INASNT]

tex its from experiences with cops, which must have been the bad ones then (male, about mid to late 20's, thought they knew everything, had a big ego)!!

[Guest Nightsky]

Thanks Dallas,

This last week has taught an important lesson to me.

1. I must make sure that my car is completely legal and that I am very sure of the laws before disagreeing in any way with any judgment made by the relevant authority.

2. I must start going to eastern creek ONLY.

I'm sure it'd be better off in the long run this way. I just did not take it seriously enough and am deservedly wearing a giant dunce hat. (My rego is being cancelled due to the fact of me being too poor to fix the problems).

[cereal]

Originally posted by Nightsky

My rego is being cancelled due to the fact of me being too poor to fix the problems

NOOOOOOO.........

So you're only gonna be driving the charade?

That sux dude.....

[Guest Nightsky]

NOOOOOOO.........  

So you're only gonna be driving the charade?  

That sux dude.....

Big Time..... I'm without a ride as of midnight tonight. The little beast copped a blue slip today. And I cant afford to register it until next thursday. My green slip is worth one third of the price I bought the car for. around 560-70 bucks for a green slip.

[cereal]

FARK......I'm sorry to hear it Sweyn.

But you can't stop coming out with us........You'll just have to bring the charade or ride with Rhys......

[RAIDER]

i havent read the entire thread but i do know a few things to do

when you pull over, try park your car on private property

then go to engine and disconnect something so the car will not start again

then you cannot travel to the RTA station and the cop cannot really book you as it is on private property

dont open bonnet

thats what i have been told

who knows what the real story is

get everything in writing, get them to show you the ADRs, carry your own ADRs

the rest should be childs play

also always claim u have to get home to your sick mother and their delays could cause injury

also demand to speak to senior officer

you do have rights

[Guest Nightsky]

Thanks Dave,

This little (read fu**ing huge) problem wont stop me from doing and seeing the things I love.

I have a friend who has just signed up. So I might be with him or POPGUN. If all else fails I can follow you guys in the mighty nugget, but I promise to stay far back in the traffic.

EDIT: Thanks for the advice RAIDER. Also, I have been destroyed by S15's on many occasions. So yes S15 will destroy me.

[cereal]

Sweyn, just keep your head up & unleash the beast on the track as often as possible......

I'm sure Loz will be happy your car is off the road so you can't own his ass anymore :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Guest Nightsky]

I'm sure there is still a way for me to get a piece of Loz's ass. :shake:

[Tex]

There is always a way to get a piece of Loz's arse.

Most people just ask.

Tex

[Timmy G]

So if you have a cold air partition box for a pod it's then legal?

Originally posted by XCUZME

there is nothing in the ADRs to state pod filters are illegal.

there is however, a very clearly worded law stating that unboxed filters, atmosphere venting blow off valve etc attract a 200 dollar fine.  

[The Tool]

What I don't understand if things like filters and BOV's are illegal then why the heck allowed to be sold in the first place?

Hopefully someone can enlighten me...

[Timmy G]

and why are cone pieces sold at tobaconnists?

Originally posted by The Tool

What I don't understand if things like filters and BOV's are illegal then why the heck allowed to be sold in the first place?

Hopefully someone can enlighten me...

[88silhouette]

g'day sweyne

not good man. i won't hassle you anymore about taking our cars out for some circle work hehe

hope it all goes well for you.

cheers, MARK

[Guest Diabolik1]

yeh, and stop asking me to go to to your house when your parents arent home!