Elder abuse can take various forms such as physical, psychological or emotional, sexual and financial abuse.

It can also be the result of intentional or unintentional neglect.

We have a duty of care for the elderly members of our family to ensure that their latter years are free from any of the above negative influences and situations.

It is not just physical violence that can harm our elderly.

I urge everyone in our community to get onto the internet and educate themselves in relation to elder abuse.

There are organisations that can help if you require further information or guidance.

If you believe you know someone who is suffering from elder abuse, please report it to police. You can also follow the link on the NSW police Website, just type in "Elder Abuse". The elder abuse hotline is 1800 628 221

Lane filtering - Picture this. You're sitting in a line of traffic for what seems to be hours.

The sun is beating down and you are getting sweaty and frustrated. You are wasting fuel as well as time.

You look in your rear-view mirror and see a motorbike coming up between the lines of cars and soon after, it has gone between you and the car next to you and disappeared into the endless line of vehicles in front of you, presumably on a quest for the stop line and a forward position at the intersection.

You ask yourself, "How can this be. Is it legal?"

The answer is "Yes it is'. What you have just witnessed is what we call in the trade, "lane filtering.

This is where a motorcycle rider moves past stationary or slow-moving vehicles safely at a speed of 30km/h or less.

Lane filtering is legal in NSW.

Lane splitting is where a motorcycle rider moves past vehicles at an unsafe speed of more than 30km/h.

Lane splitting is illegal.

If you don't believe me, look up the Road Rules 2014 - REG 313-2 or you could just read the following;

NSW rule: exemption for lane filtering by riders of motor bikes

313-2 NSW rule: exemption for lane filtering by riders of motor bikes

(1) Rule 146 does not apply to the rider of a motorbike while the rider is lane filtering if:

(a) the rider is the holder of an unrestricted motorbike rider's licence, and

(b) the motorbike is being ridden at a speed not exceeding 30 kilometres per hour, and

(c) the length of road on which the motorbike is being ridden is not in a school zone, and

(d) it is safe to do so.

Example of when lane filtering is not safe - A rider lane filtering between vehicles in a manner that does not seek to avoid collisions (including lane filtering between vehicles when there is insufficient clearance between those vehicles).

Please take note that you must be the holder of an unrestricted motorbike rider's licence to be able to lane filter. You cannot be the holder of a provisional licence or learner licence (bike rider).

So next time you are sitting in traffic getting frustrated, do not take it out on the motorcycle rider coming up beside you.

It is legal in NSW to do so as long as the aforementioned rules are followed.

As always, in case of an emergency call 000. In non-emergencies call the Policelink on 131 444 or your local police station. To provide anonymous information call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. For domestic and family violence information, visit www.police.nsw.gov.au. For Shoalhaven Domestic Violence officers call 4421 9666 or 4421 9665 or email shoaldvlo@police.nsw.gov.au.

Don't forget, cops are tops.

Read more: Crime/Court