Got Defected - A couple of Questions...

[unwritten law]

I was on my way up to Brisbane last night. I got pulled over on the freeway at Springwood by an unmarked falcon.

They got me for my headlights which were turned off because they are stuck on highbeam (not sure what is wrong with them), and I have been using my driving lights (which are underneath them) as headlights until I get them fixed. I explained and showed them what the problem was and they were okay with it.

Then the other officer walked around the back of the car and looked at the the exhaust tip, to see that it was black (as usual). He said you must be blowing too much smoke, and I explained to him that it is running a tad on the rich side (afr's are around 11:1 when on full boost high revs, but all good around low revs) and that most turbo jap imports have the same black tip from running a bit rich. He said becuase I have modified it, that is what is causing the smoke and I explained that I had it dyno'd before and after the exhaust (on the same day) and that the AFR's were on the rich side on both runs. I also explained that I installed a new cat converter when I did the exhaust, so therefore should be okay for emissions as well. He then asked me to lift the bonnet which I did without hesitation. They looked around underneath, not too many mods there (I still have factory airbox filter and factory BOV). They looked at the 2 stage boost controller for a few seconds but I dont think they knew what they were looking at. All good there luckily.

He then issued me with a defect notice for the headlights (fair enuf) and for the emissions and that I need a roadworthy cert once I get them fixed. I did not loose any points or get fined which I am very grateful for.

Now a couple of questions to sort this out. I have no worries in fixing the headlights (I will figure them out myself hopefully), but on the emissions part:

Where can I go to get the 'sniffer' to check the emissions of the vehicle?

How is the test carried out. ie, is the car sat at idle and the sniffer put up the exhaust pipe, or is it done under no load (neutral) at a certain RPM (say 2500RPM) ???

I figure I should be okay just to get the test if it is done without the turbo spooling (no load, low rpm and therefore not fueling the engine up to produce a bit of black smoke).....

Any productive comments would be greatly appreciated.

This is not a whinge thread about the police. I know that they were just doing their job and that I was in the wrong in the first place for having fuct headlights.

[666DAN]

They can't tell you to go and get emissions tested because of a blackened exhaust...ALL cars have black on the inside of the exhaust???

As far as I know the only department even able to comment on emmisions in QLD are the Transport Department...and they will test on the spot at 4,000 rpm...with no load though you should be running fairly lean.

If they were really interested in emmisions they'd pull over every other car in the Logan district.

Ring a Department of Transport testing centre, they'll probably dismiss it, as it wan't an authorised officer that issued the ticket, and the fact they didn't see smoke and just inferred that it *probably* is running rich.

The general police can't comment on anything that is beyond their professional knowledge, that includes emmsions and quite a few other things...that's why the Transport Department exist, they know the rules backwards, but you don't see them arresting people...it's not *their* job

[Bobjones]

On a side note you do not have to lift your bonnet unless a QLD Transport officer is present. Know the laws otherwise they make you explain everything so that next time they pull someone over that has even less of an idea...

Smoke, what smoke...ask him to show his falcon's black tip...all internal combustion engines has a black tip...unless your burning oil...

Too many cops think they know everything...I think some of tem have been watchng too many NYPD blue episodes and think they are above the law...

[B's R33 GTS25T]

Is there a website / apge which shows us our rights in these cases? I had no idea that we didn't have to lift our bonnet, etc.

Brendon.

On a side note you do not have to lift your bonnet unless a QLD Transport officer is present.  Know the laws otherwise they make you explain everything so that next time they pull someone over that has even less of an idea...

Smoke, what smoke...ask him to show his falcon's black tip...all internal combustion engines has a black tip...unless your burning oil...

Too many cops think they know everything...I think some of tem have been watchng too many NYPD blue episodes and think they are above the law...

[The Dan]

I have to full document which describes police powers.

It tells you eveything they are and are not allowed to do.

Under the automotive section, they are allowed to search your car for just about any reason they want. They can search any part of it or anything in it. And anyone in it. They have to have a valid reason for pulling you over though. But this can be something simple like an RBT and once they have you pulled over they can do whatever they like. It is in the legislation for everyone to read.

Is there a website / apge which shows us our rights in these cases? I had no idea that we didn't have to lift our bonnet, etc.

Brendon.

[The Dan]

On another note, if you absolutely must get a sniffer test. Bring it up to brissy on saturday and I'll do one for ya for free. We knock off work at twelve and I'll be doing some stuff on my brother's car so any time around then. It'll only take about 10 mins and I can even record the values for proof. I can also give you a written pass for the headlights too if you want. You don't need a RWC, just an inspection and report.

[unwritten law]

On another note, if you absolutely must get a sniffer test. Bring it up to brissy on saturday and I'll do one for ya for free. We knock off work at twelve and I'll be doing some stuff on my brother's car so any time around then. It'll only take about 10 mins and I can even record the values for proof. I can also give you a written pass for the headlights too if you want. You don't need a RWC, just an inspection and report.

Cheers for that mate, that will be excellent

I will try and get the headlights fixed this week, not exactly sure where to start. Maybe a relay switch?

What part of brisbane are you from? I am from the Gold Coast, but I have no worries getting up there. I was prefering to sort this out on a weekend (to aviod time off work). Will PM you soon....

Thanks for the feedback guys. I didnt really wanna stuff the coppas around because I was running late to get to the rugby at Ballymore, so I just agreed with whatever they wanted to do, and get them off my back as soon as. If I had more time I would have reasoned with them a bit more about the exhaust...

[The Dan]

Work is at Woolloongabba.

PM me if you want it done.

[BBQ]

I have to full document which describes police powers.

It tells you eveything they are and are not allowed to do.

Under the automotive section, they are allowed to search your car for just about any reason they want. They can search any part of it or anything in it. And anyone in it. They have to have a valid reason for pulling you over though. But this can be something simple like an RBT and once they have you pulled over they can do whatever they like. It is in the legislation for everyone to read.

Are you able to post that document up on forum ?

would like to check it out.

[The Dan]

I'll see what I can do

[The Dan]

I dunno if this will work. The file is 1.8mb so I'll post the link to download instead.

www.legislation.qld.gov.au/ LEGISLTN/CURRENT/P/PolicePowResA00.pdf

[Ska]

HTTP 404 - File not found

[new32]

HTTP 404 - File not found

http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/Legislation.htm

go here then look under P.

[The Dan]

Hehehe.....^ :newbie: