Oxley Hwy Signage

IS there anyone on here who travels the Oxley Hwy between Walcha and
Wauchope?
I have been booked for neg driving after having an incident with a
kangaroo, I'd like to know if there is any signage specific to
kangaroos on that stretch of the highway. When I had the accident it
was the first time on that road and I can't recall if I saw any signs
that day.
Any help much appreciated
docherty

 

You're way out bush and you expect signs to have to tell you there's
likely to be wildlife about?

 

Neg driving is a generic "we can't find any other specific fine to match
your offence but we need to issue you with an infringement for having a
single vehicle accident". Probably your best chance to avoid the
penalty is to write a letter to the office of infringements (or whatever
they're called in NSW) and plead common sense. If you've had any other
traffic infringements in the past few years you're probably out of luck.
I'd suggest pointing out that a kangaroo is unpredictable and despite
you taking due care you can't predict the actions of an animal which can
make it's own poor decisions, has poor judgement and no road sense.
Good luck.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

Havent been up for a year or so but recollect signage similar to "Kangaroos
next 150bloody kays".

I always take it easy around dawn/dusk especially.

 

Yeah - great stretch of road, but you guessed it - you have to be aware of
the animals. I'm pretty certain there are signs.

It's my understanding that the law is a bit lenient on incidents with
animals - perhaps a bit more so than the insurers.

So what happened? Are you looking to sue for lack of signage??

Cheers,
Dave E (Sydney, from Wauchope originally)

 

My guess is skippy was nowhere to be found and the copper just shook his
head as he wrote out yet another ticket for a motorcycle crashing with no
apparent cause except for loss of control by the pilot.

 

I don't think so, more like he's pissed with the fact he's got done for neg
driving when Skippy jumped out of feckin no where in front of him. It
happens ...

 

No, I think he's attempting to establish that there was little or no
warning. Imagine if you'd been slapped with a neg driving charge for
collecting a roo on your way to the Unaugural a couple of years ago,
even after you'd been warned about the proliferation of roos in the area.

In a car it's an inconvenience and maybe an expensive lesson, but you
usually continue on your way and get the car repaired at your
convenience, no injury to vehicle occupants, no accident report. On a
bike it's probably the end of your ride and the return trip is in an
ambulance. The circumstances remain the same, it's only the results
which differ. Imagine if an infringement notice was issued for every
dead roo you saw on the side of the road. Interstate truckies would be
clocking up 12 demerit points per hour.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

I can attest to that.

Theo

 

No, I'm aware of the wildlife though not when I didn't have time to
react. I'm not interested in suing for lack of signage, just looking at
everything possible to have the charge dropped. I spent 3 weeks in
hospital and lost my bike, I think that is punishment enough for an
accident that in no way I could have avoided, apart from staying home
that day.

 

rooshit.

-----sharks

 

Heading up that way (16 of us) later in September

Can you tell me where on the Oxley it happened and what time of day it was?

Thanks

ck

 

Yep, just like you Pete, I shake my head at these immoral types who exceed
our speed limits.

It's not as if the Oxley is fun or anything.... faaaaarrrrkkkkk!!

Cheers,
Dave E (Sydney)
(May be heading up that way on Fri 22 Sept. Keen maaate???)

 

As said before Neg driving is a cover all charge if they cant find anything
specific to charge you with. If they have some proof you were actually
riding in a negligent manner, it could be another matter.

Have you written a letter outlining why you think you werent negligent and
asked them to review it? If you record is fairly clean, it could be worth a
chance. Otherwise you have to decide whether to contest it in court or pay
the fine.

Al

 

I would agree - but I'd also look into taking it to court. Neg driving
requires you to have failed to take appropriate or due care. Have a
think about it and if you reckon you can front an argument that you had
done everything a reasonable person would have done then you should be a
fighting chance of getting off (of course you also run the risk of not
getting off AND copping costs).

JL

 

The only downside to that is that he would probably have to attend a
local court (first time on the Oxley probably means he lives nowhere
near there) and the associated costs of attending court probably won't
match the reward - avoiding a <$200 fine and a few demerit points.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

Please pay attention Smee, the emu was the next trip.

Theo

 

Happened at around 3 in the afternoon, early for roos I thought, near
Ginger's Creek

 

Or late.. depends on your point of view. I think you could present a
very good argument that a reasonable person would not expect a roo to
appear at that time of day. Last time I rode the Oxley I left Port
Macquarie at 7:30am, stopped at Ginger's Creek at about 9am and Walcha
at about 10am. I saw a couple of lyrebirds... but no roos.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

yeah, earlier than i woulda thought too - maybe time of year

I remember a few years ago heading from Broke back out to the Putty at 3 in
the arvo and seeing a wombat walking along the edge of the road - wierd

would also have expected it a little further out from Gingers where the road
and surroundings are a little flatter.

ck