140km/h Off-peak Speed Limit

[PENGUYEN]

As Mark Skaife proposes an off-peak speed limit on Victoria's main freeways of 140km/h, he also tries to persuade that speed wasn't the main factor of our death tolls. Instead, making it harder for people to get their licence will help. Thoughts?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mark-skai...o-1225878944536

[teK--]

It's about time someone with some real world experience on good driving skills, has brought out such a well publicised story.

When I finished my driving exam I said to the testing offier "Is that it?" Which pretty much sums up how inadequate our licensing system is.

[bluejeans]

positive changes with this government / police force arnt going to occur at any time.

[teK--]

I'd agree, that any major change is probably going to take a decade to implement/produce results. No government invests in a 10 year plan. It's all about short term plans to win the next election...

[PENGUYEN]

I'm just hoping they don't make licencing laws worse for P Platers. I'm only on my first 6 months on L's ):

[FrangaR33]

As Mark Skaife proposes an off-peak speed limit on Victoria's main freeways of 140km/h, he also tries to persuade that speed wasn't the main factor of our death tolls. Instead, making it harder for people to get their licence will help. Thoughts?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mark-skai...o-1225878944536

I couldnt agree more with Skaife, most European freeways are 130km/h and their per capita road toll is lower than ours. The problem is no government is going to invest in driving training, it wont win them many votes so its politically pointless. Also it doesnt solve the current problem, most drivers are absolutely useless so upping the speed limit with the current calibre of drivers will probably result in more accidents because people are idiots.

I'm far from the greatest driver, but I still to road rules like glue because my license is far too precious for me to lose. More people need to have that same mentality, make the penalties for bad driving 5x worse, 5x the points and 5x the fines, things would change very quickly drivers would become more alert and generally better. Its the only way to convert the current useless crop of road users to reasonable drivers. Obviously reforms would also have remove the stupid 0-10km/h over the speed limit bullshit and a few other things but I think given time it could work. But in doing that you would K.O a massive source of government revenue, if you get done for 25km/h you lose your license as opposed to being able to pay 4 fines, you only pay 1, so its doubtful something like that would ever be implemented.

I will never understand why the coppers target the import and modified car community and not the old bombs you see every day driving to work on bald tyres with blue smoke coming out the exhaust.

[HEKT1K]

I will never understand why the coppers target the import and modified car community and not the old bombs you see every day driving to work on bald tyres with blue smoke coming out the exhaust.

$$$$$

who do you think has a greater capacity to pay fines.. the guy with the $1k car or the guy with the $1k exhaust?

[dezz]

Saw Skaife's report on 'Sunday Night' or whatever it's called, good report...Shame no one that matters will listen...

[FrangaR33]

$$

who do you think has a greater capacity to pay fines.. the guy with the $1k car or the guy with the $1k exhaust?

Good call, I didnt really think of it like that. I suppose i'm not some revenue hungry politician or a copper so it didnt really enter my thought process, in my mind its get the fine, pay the fine, problem solved.

I wish someone with some real clout could stand up and finally say the police are being used for revenue raising not fighting crime. Its not the coppers place to be the revenue collectors for politicians, its their job to lock up crims.

Edited June 13, 2010 by FrangaR33

[HEKT1K]

Good call, I didnt really think of it like that. I suppose i'm not some revenue hungry politician or a copper so I didnt really enter my thought process, in my mind its get the fine, pay the fine, problem solved.

I wish someone with some real clout could stand up and finally say the police are being used for revenue raising not fighting crime. Its not the coppers place to be the revenue collectors for politicians, its their job to lock up crims.

where did my extra $ signs go? lol

in many other people's minds (although not mine), the thought process is: get the fine, swear profusely, struggle to pay said fine

sadly i don't think the revenue raising strategies of VicPol are ever going to be sufficiently criticised.

[JEPPE]

Definitely license tests shout be more strict. I believe it should be compulsory to take an advanced driving course before you even get your license. When I did my L's on my bike a girl got through even though she crashed in the test! They just let people through.

As for higher speed limits it would definitely be logical. Most of the freeways are built for more than 100 km/h, it could make a massive difference. Adjustable speed limits are the way to go, including lowering the limits in peak hour.

[bti_jet]

Please have your say in voting to increase speed limit to 140Km

link is below vote yes to help us all vote panel is in middle left panel

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mark-skai...o-1225878944536

[rs73]

even if the freeways are designed so well to support 130-140km/h speed limit...

but does your average P-plater Joe & Jane have gone enough training to tackle merging or freeway change lane at that speed?

the major difference between australian driving licensing system and those say, in Germany, is that here it is too easy to obtain a license with just a written test and a relatively slow speed test around suburban streets. in most other countries you won't pass your driving test unless you can prove to be able to merge into autobahn freeways at 160km/h

what i've seen around me is just gonna be more case of autobahn casualties where people from east germany who had never been exposed to those blistering speed got themselves killed within a few months of 'free germany' opened up to the easterners and free cross-border european union. at least until the licensing system and testing is changed to really aimed to build driver skill, not to lower insurance claim from parking spot reversing bingles.

[Curmi]

as if they will approve this and go ahead with it

[vic stagea mick]

how could i not vote for a higher speed limit it should be increased at certain times on GOOD ROADS(FREEWAYS) where there is free flowing traffic then they just have to teach the morons to KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING and fine the slower traffic just like they do for going over the limit

[interfooler]

20 years ago, our freeways speed limits were 100kph. Back then, most cars did not have air bags, ABS, VDC, BA etc etc..

Now 20 years ahead, our cars are much much much safer, and yet the speed is still the same at 100kph?!

[MUZT3K]

i couldnt agree anymore, speed doesnt kill people, inexperience does..and if you dont feel comfortable at 140km/h then go slower.. notice the votes 75% agree the limits should be raised. goverments fkd

[rs73]

unfortunately, mick, I've seen people driving with not enough skill to keep up with the rest of the average....

these are the first ones who're likely to go on the road toll statistics with the new limits, and you know the govt will use that statistics to just bring the limit back down or even lower than it was before...

i would love to have an autobahn style freeways here but if they ever do so, with these kind of uncompetent drivers I see everyday in the road, I am truly fearful of my own safety if I am zooming in right lane at 160km/h in a future 'australian autobahn' when these untrained drivers come onto my path just to sit at 90km/h with less than 30m for me to reduce speed and a Ferrari coming up my rearview mirror fast as it was doing 200km/h. I was told this is how most accident in Autobahn Germany happened, involving a local west german rear-ending an eastern germany new immigrants, ending up killing the eastern germans in their Lada while the western germans had a slightly better since they have airbags in their AMG.

the licensing system need to change, e.g. make advance driving course compulsory to get on L, 2nd level of advance driving compulsory to get on P, and another full rigorous test (or semi-motorsport course) required to get to Full license. An exercise that easily be around 6-7 years to get to full license instead of just 3 years. Then we can have an autobahn, and traffic will be flowing indeed. Oh, and to make sure everyone is safe, I'm sure the government will also want to mandate a compulsory annual RWC and go through everything (worn tyres, worn/modified suspension, illegal HID lights) to make sure all cars complied and capable of doing autobahn speed and come to a stop in less than 150m from 160km/h. England has annual MOT (similar to RWC) as well as Japan as a similar roadworthy inspection every 3 years.

oh and the annual RWC may mean you'll have to return all mods to stock to pass it.

I can see how this will only be possible, annual RWC (and probably EPA test), Compulsory Advance Driver Skill Course (repeatable every x year) to keep your license, then the autobahn. All 3 must be linked together. Just more money for the government. driving your car will just about to get a lot more expensive.

[R31Nismoid]

threads merged - both on the same topic/issue

[PENGUYEN]

i couldnt agree anymore, speed doesnt kill people, inexperience does..and if you dont feel comfortable at 140km/h then go slower.. notice the votes 75% agree the limits should be raised. goverments fkd

+1 Incorporate the fast and slow lane.