Originally Posted by
Clincher
Yesterday, as a back seat passenger (not the driver or front seat) I received a NZ $150 ticket for not wearing a seat belt. Honestly I did not know there was a law requiring a seat belt in the rear seats. No warning, no signs (who looks at signs when are not driving anyway), no leniency just a ticket for $150. NY has no such law for back seat passengers.
Others have already covered all the fail in that first paragraph, although I would mention that it was my impression that the driver, not the passenger, got the fine for passengers failing to wear seatbelts. Could well have changed in the last few years as I haven't lived in NZ for almost a decade now.
Sort of a entrapment operation; plain clothes,policeman standing at light watches for those not wearing a seat belt and radio ahead to police officers waiting to pull you over.
You don't appear to know what the word "entrapment" means.
Anyway I guess it makes the most sense just to pay the fine. I feel the need to complain although I am sure no one will care.
You have the right to contest the fine and request a Court hearing. From what you've said here, you would also lose. Why should they (or anyone) care that you didn't know the law and broke it and got fined for it?
I also am tempted not to pay since it will be a long time until I return, of course that may not be the right thing to do either.
Ya think?
Any suggestions? Anyone else had this happen to you?
Only been here two days and this happens, sort of spoils the vacation and I feel the need to warn others if this happens to be a new trend to enforce this law on tourist.
New trend on tourists? You think the police officer, upon seeing you not wearing a seatbelt at a distance, could tell that you were a tourist? Paranoid often?
The officers have discretion in issuing fines. The fact that you
are a tourist and they
did give you the fine, based on my experience of NZ police and the way you've phrased things here, probably means you "earned" your ticket: IME, NZ police tend to be quite good with discretionary fines.
Maybe this is how they are planning on paying for all the earthquake damage.
Classy.