This is an opinion piece.

I have an opinion on many things.

My opinions are broad and well, opinionated. 

Poor MOD. 

My opinions cover many things, the reasons behind the sometimes questionable behaviour of people, the cost of products, particularly womens shoes in NZ, responsible parenting (thats a biggie), NZ TV, drivers in this country and seemingly lack of respect for road rules.

Today’s opinion happens to be about the latter. 

All 12 of my dedicated blog followers know that I don’t have a car here. Instead I am that person, the (non Lycra clad) cyclist. 

Rex and I ride everywhere, rail, hail or shine. 

Who would have thought. 

I had a bike in the garage in the Rat. Which was probably actually rat infested, given it hadn’t seen the light of day for nearly 30 years.

But here I am. 

In a city that is working hard to become one of the best environmental cities in the world, creating awesome and safe cycling tracks, providing electric share cars and encouraging electric bikes. 

I’m a cyclist. 

And I feel safe and maybe just a little pompous when cycling on those cycling tracks.

The intersections are a different story. 

Particularly those with actual traffic lights.

It appears there are a rather large number of CB PUDs in Christchurch.

That would be ‘Colour blind, phone using drivers’.  I would have added a W in there for wanker but it didn’t sound right. 

There isn’t a regard for the fact that actually the light has changed to red and actually I shouldn’t be driving through it.

And actually when I’m driving through that red light I also shouldn’t be texting or looking down at my phone.

Cause hey, that cyclist there, may be in my path and actually I don’t have time to stop.

They get ‘the look’. 

And just so you know, so do the drivers that drive in the bike lane.

Mind you, I have to be careful about ‘the look’. 

It’s gotten me into trouble a few times.

Like that time at the Royal Alfred hospital in Melbourne when a big something like 184cm tall guy, clearly on drugs, got the look. From my vantage point of 154 cm. 

‘The look’ looking up at him.

Happened when son number three was coming off tour with his band and one of the band had jammed his foot in the bus door. Don’t ask.

I met them at the hospital. 

Three of the band and I were discussing the injury with the triage noise when big tall guy started yelling and swearing and generally threatening our lives. 

He felt his condition warranted triaging before the blood soaked foot. 

Eyes forward, I silently prayed to the boys, don’t speak, don’t speak, eyes forward.

Obviously they weren’t telepathic I realised as one of them turned and told the offender to calm down.

Naturally said offender felt compelled to advance towards us threateningly.

I stepped out to defend my boys.

Whereupon he got ‘the look’ and maybe a ‘shut up and sit down’.

To which he looked downwards, probably trying to find where the noise was coming from, and demanded to know who the ‘f’ I thought I was.

I am the mother, now shut the ‘f’ up.

I like to think that was what made him retreat. Truth is it was probably the security guard advancing towards what was quickly becoming a potential crime scene. 

Nevertheless I had legendary status with the band for a moment of two after that.

I got your back boys.

Doesn’t matter who you are, what you’re doing, who you belong to.

If you’re with me, I have your back.

All 154cm of me. 

Since then, just the same, I have had to be a little careful about ‘the look’.

After all, when I’m on Rex I am a little vulnerable, and I don’t want him to get damaged. 

Naturally I still manage to give those CB PUD’s an albeit moderated version of ‘the look’. 

In my opinion they deserve it. 

Having said that, my opinion about their reckless driving extends to my opinion about the lack of pain a driver experiences here for not obeying the law. 

MY NZ road law research did not indicate any penalty for going through a red light.

There appears to be a distinct lack of red light cameras.

Along with a distinct lack of police presence. 

According to the NZ Police website, Wellington and Auckland have red light cameras.

Not Christchurch, where it would be the ultimate revenue raiser. 

There are speeding fines of course. 

Which don’t appear to hurt. 

A painless speeding fine. 

Son number three recently received an infringement when turning a corner with the flow of traffic  in the centre of Melbourne. At 6km over he was pinged $403. And a loss of 3 demerit points. 

Now that hurt.

Demerit points are different in NZ, you start with a clean slate and grow them with fines. If you get over 100 within 2 years your licence is suspended for 12 months. 

You would have to be a consistently irresponsible driver to have that happen.

Ummmm possibly it happens more than I care to think about?

Ho Hum

Speeding fines certainly don’t hurt here. 

If you drive 10kph over the limit, the fine is $30, and add 10 demerit points. 

Over 30kph, its $300, add 30 demerit points. 

Over 40kph you may loose your licence for 28 days. 

I hate to be that person who says, well in Australia…. but I will…..

In Australia….. drive 10kph over and its $322 plus you loose 3 demerit points (out of 12).

Over 30kph, it’s $524 and 3 months licence suspension.

Over 40kph, it’s $685 and 6 months licence suspension.

Now that hurts. 

Good incentive to stay within the limits. 

Good potential to reduce the road toll.

Good way to raise revenue for decent roads. 

And don’t get me started on lost opportunities to revenue raise for decent roads.

Which ultimately create safer roads. 

Registration here is about $200. 

I just paid nearly $900 for my Melbourne based car. 

Now that hurt. 

And that’s my opinion.

Which everyone naturally, is entitled too.   

https://www.ccc.govt.nz/transport/cycling/major-cycle-routes/