KEY POINTS:
Jason David Forlong described a 19km dash from police during which he reached speeds of over 165km/h on his wife's motorbike with her on the back as a "bad judgment call", in the Tauranga District Court.
Forlong, 38, overtook numerous vehicles during the chase from Te Maunga to Te Puke on Sunday before he eventually stopped for police.
Tauranga District Court was told yesterday the chase began about 9.40pm after Forlong, who was riding his wife's 1000cc motorbike east on State Highway 2 at Te Maunga, was clocked by radar at 139km/h in the 100km/h area.
When signalled to stop by police, Forlong initially slowed but then sped off towards Te Maunga rail crossing.
He then turned towards Te Puke and overtook vehicles between Te Maunga and Domain Rd, Papamoa.
The motorcycle turned on to Domain Rd, then Tara Rd, where the speed limit is 80km/h. Forlong rode at more than 165km/h. He turned on to Parton Rd, into Bell Rd, back on to SH2 before turning towards Te Puke.
A patrol car got in front of him to slow him down but Forlong suddenly turned across traffic, narrowing missing a car travelling west, into Manoeka Rd. Ignoring the patrol car behind him, Forlong turned down Quarry Rd, slowed down and stopped. His wife on the back of the bike was very shaken.
When asked by Community Magistrate Robyn Paterson why he ignored the police signal to stop, Forlong said he'd made a "bad judgment call". "I just wasn't thinking at time."
Mrs Paterson told Forlong his behaviour was far more than simply a bad judgment call. "So you put your life, your wife's life and everyone else around you in grave danger rather than stop, that's just defies logic."
Forlong, 38, pleaded guilty to one charge each of reckless driving and failing to stop for police. He was fined $1300 plus $260 costs and lost his licence for six months.
- BOP Times
