Yellow Stickers

[Misadventure]

I know a few people have been having issues with receiving defect notices on their bikes, which generally have no defects, me being one of them. Seems like the cops enjoy screwing us around, and have quotas for their revenue raising.

Anyway, I was chatting to a friend at the CCC today about this (ex cop) and he gave me some advice about what to do if they try this on.

1. If you have a camera/video camera on your phone, ask them to point out the defect on camera stating it is a record for yourself when having repairs done. (If you tell them you are trying to stitch them up they may get a little pissed)
2. Ensure the timestamp on you camera/phone is correct.

This way, they may be less likely to attach a defect notice to a vehicle which doesn't have a defect. This also leaved the avenue open to dispute the notice, providing evidence of the condition of the vehicle at the time the notice was written.

If this is a widespread problem it will also provide ongoing evidence to suggest police are targeting bikes unjustly. One fo the definitions of misconduct in the public sector relates to action which causes detriment to a person i.e. the time and cost involved in taking a vehicle over the pits.

It may not get you off, but doesn't hurt to try, and having evidence is essential if you want to dispute.

[g0zer]

make a complaint they asked you for $50 to avoid the yellow sticker

[Misadventure]

Haha, nice, but where's the evidence? I like how u think tho

[Melchior]

I know a few people have been having issues with receiving defect notices on their bikes, which generally have no defects, me being one of them.

Power Commander, Hiflo air filter and after market exhaust, braided lines.

I believe any modifcation from stock is defectable...

[g0zer]

evidence is that the bike was stock and the yellow sticker was for the purposes of exasperating and causing nuisance rather than for road safety

[Misadventure]

No, it just need to be compliant with Australian standards from my understanding. My bike passed the pits with no problem.

[nath]

I'd yellow sticker you..

[Reid]

^ Thats right, as long as it is ADR compliant they cannot refuse you the right to use that item. Imagine buying something like braided lines, a safety bonus, and being told you cant use them.

[g0zer]

would probably land you in jail though, since police integrity in WA is above question

I'd yellow sticker you..

hey, did you drop $50?

[Melchior]

TBH Ive never had a yellow sticker, so Im not 100% sure, but I did think it was the case (any mods from stock). Thought I read it somewhere.

Here's some interesting reading, at any rate.

[Breyten]

Nope, there are two rulebooks, not just ADRs.
Browncow made a thread about it. In the How-to section I think.

[Melkor]

Ahhhh bush lawyerism at it's best.

A yellow sticker (or defect notice) is an order to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified (supposedly) mechanic or professional because the police offcier or DOT (or whatever they call themselves now) officers believes that there MAY be a defect.

A friend of mine still in the job said to me once "we target those that draw attention to themselves". Do you really think WA coppers in general woke up one day and thought "hey I hate motorcyclists, I'm going to get them".

Or do you think in general we often bring it upon ourselves (myself included) with the way we often ride, and the modifications we do on our bikes.

With modifications there was usually a simple way coppers used to consider modifications, at least this was true back in my day.

If the vehicle doesn't come out of the factory like that then it could potentially be contrary to the vehicle standard regulations (WA) and therefore it is possible to issue the vehicle with a defect notice.

If you mod your bike, or wear the tyres to the bar (or the canvas ) then expect that you may one day run foul of a yellow sticker. Make sure you keep your stock parts just in case.

[Misadventure]

But they should be trained in what is compliant and what is not. You can't justify costing an individual time and money because you don't know your job properly. And this comes from someone high up in the CCC, not me, just so you know. The guy who gave me a defect notice was a bike cop, and should have had enough knowledge to know what constitutes a defect.

[Lefty]

So you've got modification permits for every change you've made to your bike?

Seriously, PM browncow. He'll set you straight.

EDIT

Fuck it.

Here. Read this.

After that, read this. Or, in summary, UT(F)SE.

[Melchior]

So you've got modification permits for every change you've made to your bike?

Modifications you can make without approval include:
Tyre size and aspect ratio

Additional lighting

Single tone air horns

Air conditioners

Air shock absorbers

Alarm systems

Badge bars

Gearbox (pre 1976)

Mud spats and pebble guards

mesh stone shields for wind screens and lamps Body markings and speed striping

Rear-view mirrors

Roof racks

Radio and stereo systems

Sunvisors

Optional manufacturer seating

seat belts for pre 1969 cars (no full harness types)

Stabilise bars

Torque rods and traction bars (not semi-tramp types)

Venetian blinds and other internal screening systems are allowed subject to a clear view to the rear

Presumably, everything else needs a permit.

[barfridge]

But they should be trained in what is compliant and what is not. You can't justify costing an individual time and money because you don't know your job properly. And this comes from someone high up in the CCC, not me, just so you know. The guy who gave me a defect notice was a bike cop, and should have had enough knowledge to know what constitutes a defect.

You're missing the main point of a defect notice. The name is deceiving, but they have absolutely nothing to do with vehicle defects, most of the time.

They are used as a tool to punish bad attitudes. So if a cop doesn't like you, it's an easy way for them to give you a hard time and cost you money, without it being able to come back on them.

[Melkor]

But they should be trained in what is compliant and what is not. You can't justify costing an individual time and money because you don't know your job properly. And this comes from someone high up in the CCC, not me, just so you know. The guy who gave me a defect notice was a bike cop, and should have had enough knowledge to know what constitutes a defect.

Why should they be mechanics when they have mechanics to call on?

Police officers get rudimentary training on what's safe and what isn't, and hopefully pick the rest up on the job. That you believe there is some great conspiracy to yellow sticker bikes is ridiculous.

Sure there are cops out there that are overly aggressive in their policing we've beaten that dead horse many a time on this forum. If you think you're being unfairly targetted then you are free to make a complaint about it, but if you choose a complaint about a yellow sticker as a salvation from persecution be set for disappointment.

It is, in essence, an order for the vehicle to be inspected by a qualified person, nothing more.

[Misadventure]

The guy at Transport said all the mods were fine, and didn't require a permit. And I'm not just talking about mods, this happens with factory standard also. I'm just passing along some info I received... I don't really care about mine, was taken care of ages ago. I've seen other people commenting in it so it's not just me.

[Misadventure]

And you're missing the point, it's about ensuring the police justify their actions at the time. Don't want their power to go to their heads

[xphread]

Interesting thought, but watch the reaction of a copper who wants to give you a yellow over something stupid when you pull out a camera.
There has been a number of cases of "accidentally" smashed phones fall victum to the process of keeping the streets safe. (from evidence)