RTA police cars??

[Jim Goose]

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/LBU_V...rningLamps.pdf

In WA it says about green:

Green
Command Centre
This is a very restricted use lamp.
A green flashing lamp identifies the location/
presence of an “Emergency Site Command”
post or “Casualty Clearing Post”. This situation
normally involves a stationary operational fire
brigade, bush fire brigade, ambulance, WASES
or police vehicle that has been set up
specifically to co-ordinate operations at a major
emergency site.
Green flashing lamps are unique under this
policy in that they are used as an identification
device rather than a warning. they shall not be
fitted to any other vehicle and should not be
operated while the vehicle is in motion.
Operational fire brigade, bush fire brigade,
ambulance, WASES and police emergency site
command vehicles may only display lamps
relevant to the situation while in motion.

In NSW:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati...__nov_2010.pdf

Green
A green flashing light warns road users of the presence of a stationary operational fire brigade, accredited NSW Rural Fire Service, ambulance or police emergency site command vehicle. They should not be operated while a vehicle is in motion.

QLD seems hard to find!
But i have seen a large number of Park Rangers using green and yellow here.

[AWD Chaser]

http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/xr...3D522&nohits=y

Any such light must be capable of displaying:

(a) in the case of a police vehicle, an ambulance, a fire fighting vehicle, a vehicle used by a Traffic Commander or Traffic Emergency Patroller (appointed or employed by the Authority), a State Emergency Service vehicle or a vehicle used by an accredited rescue unit (within the meaning of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989)—a blue or red light, or

(b) in the case of a Red Cross vehicle, a mines rescue or other rescue vehicle or an emergency vehicle within the meaning of the Road Rules 2008 (other than a vehicle referred to in paragraph (a))—a red light, or

(c) in the case of a vehicle used by the Authority or a vehicle used by a council of a local government area for the purposes of enforcing excess weight limits legislation—a crimson light, or

(d) in the case of a fire brigade emergency site command vehicle—a green light, or

(e) in the case of any other vehicle—a yellow light unless otherwise approved by the Authority.

[FgNewbie]

Deleted. Didn't see the above posts before posting.

[BlueyXR6]

Sorry to go off topic but are marked police cars allowed to be stopped in a no stopping zone while using their radar? I have been past a blue highway patrol car several times in the past few weeks at the intersection of Railway and Church st Lidcombe, just after the rail underpass. The people comming around the corner down a slight hill dont stand a chance!!!

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by BlueyXR6

Sorry to go off topic but are marked police cars allowed to be stopped in a no stopping zone while using their radar? I have been past a blue highway patrol car several times in the past few weeks at the intersection of Railway and Church st Lidcombe, just after the rail underpass. The people comming around the corner down a slight hill dont stand a chance!!!

as i understand police are allowed to break road rules if deemed necessary to do their job.

same as the speed camera vans that seem to park illegally.

[BlueyXR6]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

as i understand police are allowed to break road rules if deemed necessary to do their job.

same as the speed camera vans that seem to park illegally.

Oh yeah like talking on their phones while driving
Fair enough if its an emergency but deliberately breaking the law just to squeeze off your quota of tickets for the day is a bit much....

[uranium_death]

I wish I could have pulled over the Highway Patrol car driving at 70km/h on Waverley Road this evening...
What's this about wiping off 5, let alone 10..

[hawker]

Police are meant to abide by the same laws as us, unless it's an emergency, or in the performance of their duties. Basically, if you see them doing something dodgy, you can report them. But they just have to say they were working and they'll get the benefit of the doubt. So basically, good luck!

As for pulling over for purple lights (what a load of crap for a start), especially an unmarked car, you have the right to ask to see a warrant card, if they don't provide one, you have the right to either call the police and ask for verifcation before dealing with them, or even drive off.

As far as I'm aware, RTA don't have warrant cards, soooooo?

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by hawker

Police are meant to abide by the same laws as us, unless it's an emergency, or in the performance of their duties. Basically, if you see them doing something dodgy, you can report them. But they just have to say they were working and they'll get the benefit of the doubt. So basically, good luck!

As for pulling over for purple lights (what a load of crap for a start), especially an unmarked car, you have the right to ask to see a warrant card, if they don't provide one, you have the right to either call the police and ask for verifcation before dealing with them, or even drive off.

As far as I'm aware, RTA don't have warrant cards, soooooo?

RTA officers are "authorised officers" of the state.... they all have badges..
I really dont understand how many times does it need to be explained?
You are required by law to pull over when directed by them.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/n...9373/s229.html

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

same as the speed camera vans that seem to park illegally.

In Victoria, these are operated by Contractors to the Police and are NOT allowed to park illegally while operating the speed camera's.

[cobramania]

Originally Posted by BlueyXR6

Sorry to go off topic but are marked police cars allowed to be stopped in a no stopping zone while using their radar? I have been past a blue highway patrol car several times in the past few weeks at the intersection of Railway and Church st Lidcombe, just after the rail underpass. The people coming around the corner down a slight hill don't stand a chance!!!

No Police have to obey the same rules as everyone else unless stopped at an emergency situation (& generally have control of the area/traffic) or are on their way to an emergency/chasing someone.

I haven't seen this spot (or not that I remember), but from your description, it seems as though this is a No Stopping zone for a safety reason (coming round a corner & can't see). If they are stopped here & don't have control of the traffic (warnings ahead, round the corner), they are creating a dangerous situation & should anyone come round the corner & collect them, well need I go here.
Next time you see them, get the car number (not rego. actual car number will have a sticker on the boot & sides), will be something like LC28, report it to the nearest police station as one of their cars stopped in a dangerous position doing radar checks, may not get you anywhere though. Or just ring up the radio & warn others of not only radar but car stopped in dangerous spot in No Stopping Zone.

Police or otherwise speed camera operators aren't supposed to park on the footpath either, pretty sure the local council ranger has a right to issue them a ticket, if they're blocking the footpath & a person, (seeing or blind) has to walk onto the road to get past & gets hit by a car, they're in deep do do.

[kaniSS]

Unless I see a cop car behind me I'm not stopping for these ******.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

RTA officers are "authorised officers" of the state.... they all have badges..
I really dont understand how many times does it need to be explained?
You are required by law to pull over when directed by them.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/n...9373/s229.html

the rta only have the power for buisness related vehicles truck's, taxi's, trade's..

not private vehicles..

[AMGC63]

Originally Posted by burnz

the rta only have the power for buisness related vehicles truck's, taxi's, trade's..

not private vehicles..

Wrong.... They have full authority over ANY vehicle on the roads, they simply focus on commercial vehicles.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by burnz

the rta only have the power for buisness related vehicles truck's, taxi's, trade's..

not private vehicles..

Better re-read the link i put up to state legislation in NSW... in all states its pretty much the same. They are Authorised Officers and can pull anyone over.

Their primary function is yes, heavy vehicles, but they can pull over and inspect any private vehicle they want.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Better re-read the link i put up to state legislation in NSW... in all states its pretty much the same. They are Authorised Officers and can pull anyone over.

Their primary function is yes, heavy vehicles, but they can pull over and inspect any private vehicle they want.

Originally Posted by AMGC63

Wrong.... They have full authority over ANY vehicle on the roads, they simply focus on commercial vehicles.

i know you will find that i'm right..
never will you see a RTA vehicle inforcing speed in roadworks, only police..
the RTA website clearly states "comercial regoed vehicle's"..

most importantly it was beaten down by the motorist backed by the police union..
when the RTA and brown bomber tried to defect cars when parked, NSW state canned that as i was not to go to state coffers..only the police have the power..

[AMGC63]

Originally Posted by burnz

i know you will find that i'm right..
never will you see a RTA vehicle inforcing speed in roadworks, only police..
the RTA website clearly states "comercial regoed vehicle's"..

most importantly it was beaten down by the motorist backed by the police union..
when the RTA and brown bomber tried to defect cars when parked, NSW state canned that as i was not to go to state coffers..only the police have the power..

Don't be fooled by what they focus on as part of their daily duties, they still can enforce road laws on any vehicle.

They have a total mandate over the roads.

Police can issue parking tickets too, just because they normally dont doesn't mean they wont ever..

[Dave3911]

This thread is absolutely full of laughs... I'm loving all the people grand standing saying they wouldn't pull over and that they can "get stuffed".... good luck with that one when you challenge your infringement(s) in court.

In Victoria, some of the RTA cars are totally unmarked but the far majority are marked.... and totally unmistakeable.



I'd love to see someone try and argue why they didn't stop for a car marked like that, with a uniformed officer driving, during the middle of the day, in a busy area. Your argument of "I didn't know who they could possibly be..." isn't going to get you very far.

Oh and warrant cards? I wouldn't pull over for Reg Hollis in his panda car in this country either.....

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

RTA officers are "authorised officers" of the state.... they all have badges..
I really dont understand how many times does it need to be explained?
You are required by law to pull over when directed by them.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/n...9373/s229.html

All well and good Jim, but you also need to show the definition of an authorised officer for that piece of legislation. Nowhere does it state who an "authorised officer" is.

[FGII-XR6]

In NSW you're right as we have an anual roadworthy, but in QLD and VIC they don't so more random checks are reasonable

Originally Posted by Keepleft

Don't have a problem if our (NSW) inspectors do the occasional blitz WITH NSW HWP.

But, authority of the state or not, *only* NSW POL should have that power.

Once upon a time when AUS/NSW was 'free', POL could only stop you when you were going about your business IF you bought yourself under notice somehow. When the 'random' bit came in circa 84' (Thanks a lot GP of LAB) . .... mmm....

Slowly, year by year, bit by bit - things turn out of kilter - the promotion of mediocrity over the peoples/sheeples.

Damn, the older I get the more Libertarian I seem:-)

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by burnz

i know you will find that i'm right..
never will you see a RTA vehicle inforcing speed in roadworks, only police..
the RTA website clearly states "comercial regoed vehicle's"..

most importantly it was beaten down by the motorist backed by the police union..
when the RTA and brown bomber tried to defect cars when parked, NSW state canned that as i was not to go to state coffers..only the police have the power..

As someone who has spent the last 37 years being chased by most things with disco lights on the roof I think I can safely state that the NSW RTA CAN book car drivers for roadworthy type defects.

No, you wont see them enforcing speed limits or seat belt type offences, but if you have an unroadworthy car they can legally book you.
Most Inspectors wont because they cant be bothered, it's easier (and more lucrative) to book a Truck with a clearance light not working.

(I must be getting old, I'm agreeing with Mad Max's mate !!)

[2011G6E]

up here in Queensland they use just ordinary vans or Falcon wagons with some purple lights and a stripe up the side about three inches wide saying "Department Of Transport", and that's it...they could be anyone when they're behind you.

Interestingly, when the Transport Department first asked for these powers, they were going to be just guys in ordinary cars wearing ordinary shirts with flashing lights wanting cars to pull over. The interesting part is that womens groups advised women NOT to pull over for anything that wasn't obviously a marked or unmarked police car...some guy in a van or ordinary car with no blue lights, don't stop, drive to the nearest police station. I told my wife the same thing.
Also, the police union rep's came on the TV and actually gave the same advice to the public...if you were unsure what the vehicle was that was attempting to pull you over, don't stop, go to the police station.
Of course it's different if it's one of those roadside checkpoints that are quite obviously the Transport guys...it's a big setup.

Stuffed if I'm pulling over for some doodle in a plain white van or a Falcon wagon with anything other than blue lights flashing...

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Interestingly, when the Transport Department first asked for these powers, they were going to be just guys in ordinary cars wearing ordinary shirts with flashing lights wanting cars to pull over. The interesting part is that womens groups advised women NOT to pull over for anything that wasn't obviously a marked or unmarked police car...some guy in a van or ordinary car with no blue lights, don't stop, drive to the nearest police station. I told my wife the same thing.
Also, the police union rep's came on the TV and actually gave the same advice to the public...if you were unsure what the vehicle was that was attempting to pull you over, don't stop, go to the police station.
Of course it's different if it's one of those roadside checkpoints that are quite obviously the Transport guys...it's a big setup.

Stuffed if I'm pulling over for some doodle in a plain white van or a Falcon wagon with anything other than blue lights flashing...

Agree. Heard too many times of people posing as police, so I'll happily just keep driving (not illegally) to a cop shop or similar.

If they try to pin me for not stopping, I'll just explain I had no way of knowing who they were or what their intentions were.

[Trevor 57]

It amazes me how many people are an "authority" on this subject, if they cared to do a search of their States legislation (which is free to download) then they might not put up the arguments they do.

My tip: do a google search BEFORE you post up your opinion.

When I have time I will put up the links to all the States Road Traffice legislation to make it a bit easier.

[Dave3911]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Stuffed if I'm pulling over for some doodle in a plain white van or a Falcon wagon with anything other than blue lights flashing...

So rapists, murders and all of society's other various ne'er-do-well's are incapble of getting ahold of a blue light?? Are you kidding me?? What has the colour of the light got to do with it.

The purchasing of flashing lights of any colour isn't restricted or illegal at all.... the fitting of them to a car and using them is. Yet for some reason this fact is escaping some in this thread and people are somehow linking the colour of the light to the legitimacy of it's useage?

[Scott]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

You are required by law to pull over when directed by them.

The trick is in not noticing them trying to pull you over. It aint a chase until it's a chase.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by Matty4

All well and good Jim, but you also need to show the definition of an authorised officer for that piece of legislation. Nowhere does it state who an "authorised officer" is.

Lordie...

Seemingly other posters on here have agreed and I have provided at least a few useful links to relevent legislation in a few states.

Authorised officers are a plenty... like RSPCA officers, Customs officers, Immigration Officers, Court Sheriff, Railway/ RailCorp Police Officers, Protective Services Officers, AQIS officers, Taxation officer, EPA officers, Child Protection officers, Road Transport authority Officers, Boating and fisheries Officers, CASA, Forrest Rangers, Dept of Environment and reasource Managment Officers......

The list is endless...

They are people employed by the state or federal government who have been given specific powers in order to see if a business, person etc is compliant with certain state and federal laws.

And RTA officer can legally show up at a trucking or car yard business and ask to see all relevent documants regarding their vehicles to carry out an inspection without needing a warrant or warning.

A CASA officer (civil aviation Safety Authority) can just show up at an airport and ask to see a pilots log book... or see an aircraft logbook without warrant etc...

A Fishery Officer can stop your boat to see if you have been fishing illegally... all without a warrant.

Is it clear enough now?

[SEZ213]

They have a collaborative approach up here (particularly around new residential estates). The police will have an RBT facility and the Department of Transport will be there checking vehicles as they go through, and usually at 7am or before to grab all those who've been on the turps the night before...the number of utes and vans pulled off the road in this approach is phenomenal. Unless there is something seriously wrong with your car the department of transport don't seem to say much (from what I saw anyway)...

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Sezzy

They have a collaborative approach up here (particularly around new residential estates). The police will have an RBT facility and the Department of Transport will be there checking vehicles as they go through, and usually at 7am or before to grab all those who've been on the turps the night before...the number of utes and vans pulled off the road in this approach is phenomenal. Unless there is something seriously wrong with your car the department of transport don't seem to say much (from what I saw anyway)...

Sounds like the sort of thing they do every now and then at Boggabilla (Newell Hwy. NSW/Qld border)

When they have their party time we often see... Highway Patrol. RTA. Drug Squad (dogs). EPA and at times have even had the Immigration dept there.

Needless to say this hampers the locals usual nocturnal activities, and most husbands there are home early and sober !

[Ducati888]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

RTA officers are "authorised officers" of the state.... they all have badges..
I really dont understand how many times does it need to be explained?
You are required by law to pull over when directed by them.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/n...9373/s229.html

Curious piece of legislation that. You only have to divulge your name and address to a copper, and otherwise remain silent if you wish, yet you have tell an Authorised Officer anything they want to know, and it's an offence not to?

Jesus, what have we let happen to our rights?