Fined by police for passing cyclists, hell from boy racers every night

Tuesday, 15 October 2019

Rosie Belton is questioning the ticket she was given for passing cyclists on Christchurch's Dyers Pass Rd, while boy racers drive recklessly in the area with limited police intervention.

A road safety advocate urging police to crack down on boy racers on Christchurch's Dyers Pass Rd has found herself on the wrong side of the law for a driving manoeuvre that may not be illegal.

Rosie Belton, a Governors Bay resident for about 42 years, crossed yellow lines to pass two cyclists on the same stretch of road about 10.45am on Sunday.

She was stopped a short time after by police, who had been monitoring Dyers Pass Rd throughout the morning.

Rosie Belton, an advocate for improved road safety on Christchurch's Port Hills, is shocked police pulled her over for passing cyclists on yellow lines - legally - rather than stopping boy racers.

The officer issued a ticket, but Belton said she passed the cyclists safely and under the speed limit.

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Belton says police should be visibly policing Dyers Pass Rd to stop boy racers and other reckless drivers, who are skidding and speeding on it every night.

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Motorists are allowed to pass cyclists on double yellow lines as long as there is good forward visibility of oncoming traffic.

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'I'm just gobsmacked. I've been pulled over for what I do every day.'

Residents have been calling for a solution for years, frequently citing boy racers speeding, skidding, yelling abuse and throwing glass bottles out windows.

According to NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) rules, a driver 'must not pass or attempt to pass a motor vehicle or an animal-drawn vehicle … [where a] no-passing line is marked'.

However, because a cyclist is not a motor vehicle, motorists are allowed to pass the cyclist as long as there is good forward visibility of oncoming traffic.

Belton has repeatedly advocated alongside local councillors and police to reduce the speed limit and implement other safety measures on the road in a bid to reduce boy racer activity, which has been an ongoing issue in the area.

She said she would accept the ticket if in the wrong, but believed police should be doing more to stop late-night reckless drivers, instead of pulling over locals on Sunday and Monday mornings – the only times she has seen them actively policing the area.

'We want visible activity like that [officer] was [on Sunday]. He was perfect, except he was there at quarter to eleven in the morning and he caught a granny, who was law-abiding.

'If he stayed there at the right time, he could catch people there breaking the law.'

The reckless driving on Dyers Pass Rd was 'anarchic', Belton said.

Residents have been calling for a solution for years, frequently citing boy racers speeding, skidding, yelling abuse and throwing glass bottles out windows.

Proposals to implement a cruising ban on the road and a night-time vehicle ban were both unsuccessful.

In 2018, the city council approved changing the speed limit along the non-residential stretch of the road from 70kmh and 100kmh to 60kmh.

Councillor Tim Scandrett said issues with reckless driving and boy racers in the Cashmere area remained a major issue that was repeatedly raised by residents.

He said while the council had been in 'limbo' on the issue because of the local body elections, he would meet with police, council engineers and community members to address it.

Increased signage and adding speed cameras were specific options being looked at, Scandrett said.

'There's no question there are issues there and whether you're on a pushbike or a car, idiots are idiots and that's a real shame.

'I just urge cyclists and motorists to be respectful and careful.'

According to NZTA data, there have been 39 serious and five fatal crashes on the road since January 1, 2000.

Stuff sought police comment on Monday, but has not received a response.

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