Speed limit raised to 120 km/h...

[theasxgorilla]

Those sensible Swedes are increasing their speed limits to 120 km/h.

http://www.thelocal.se/6630/20070308/

 

[watsonc]

We need a 120km/h speed limit on our freeways here in Australia!

 

[sam76]

I'm a big fan of increasing the speed limit on country roads.

On a 4hr drive (which I do quite regularly) you find yourself staring out the window at 100kmh. Looking at the sheep, looking at that dam, daydreaming about a better life etc... This increases you chance of an accident.

If the speed limit were raised to 120 -130 kmh you concentration levels increase expodentially. You don't have time to daydream. you're DRIVING the car not simply pointing it.

 

[Kruegs]

Unfortunately for us Northern Territorians, we recently lost our Open speed limit.. with 130km/h signs being flashed up all over the place.

The Territory opposition (CLP) has vowed to remove the speed limit if they are voted in this year.

Source: Jodeen Carney

The Territory Opposition and the Keep NT Limit Free group will today join forces to launch a petition calling on the Martin Government to overturn its misguided open road speed limits.

“There is enormous community resentment about the Government’s imposition of speed limits on the open road and we are going to harness people’s justifiable anger,” says Jodeen Carney, Leader of the Opposition.

“People power can and does force Governments to overturn misguided and unpopular decisions.

“I’m confident Territorians can hound the Martin Government into restoring one of their most cherished freedoms.

“The petition calling on the Martin Government to repeal the open road speed limits will be just one step in an ongoing campaign.”

“I’m appalled that the Martin Government has the hide to impose an open road speed limit without a scrap of evidence to back up its claims,” says Wendy Georgetti, spokesperson for Keep NT Limit Free and a professional road train driver.

“At no time has the Government been able to demonstrate a valid link between imposing a 130km/h speed limit on the open road and reducing road fatalities.

“Indeed my experience on the open road since the introduction of speed limits suggests just the opposite.

“The Government’s own statistics point the finger at people failing to wear seat belts and driving drunk.

“For no good reason the Martin Government has taken away an important freedom in one of the freest places on erth,” says Ms Georgetti.

 

[silence]

Are there really going to be any police 600 km out of timbucktu to arrest you anyway, if you know what I'm saying?

 

[Techbuy]

I'm a big fan of increasing the speed limit on country roads.

On a 4hr drive (which I do quite regularly) you find yourself staring out the window at 100kmh. Looking at the sheep, looking at that dam, daydreaming about a better life etc... This increases you chance of an accident.

If the speed limit were raised to 120 -130 kmh you concentration levels increase expodentially. You don't have time to daydream. you're DRIVING the car not simply pointing it.

Agreed 100% ++++ if you drive any distance in a modern car 100kmh is right in our relaxation band not surprised we have more accidents. You cannot help but daydream and micro sleep where as 120-130 you concentrate... Good one SAM76

 

[Realist]

Australia is the emptiest country in the world.

Why on earth you can't drive 120K + on the open road in non-built up areas is beyond me.

The most dangerous thing on theose roads is fatigue.

Increasing the speed limit will probably reduce deaths.

 

[money tree]

look at how conditions have changed since 30 years ago.

- roads are better
- less drink driving
- cars are safer
- better driver education

accordingly, speed limits SHOULD be increased

 

[Struzball]

I find myself going 120-130 on country roads anyway. I find I concentrate way too much making sure my speed is at 100km/hr rather than on the road!!

 

[The Mint Man]

I agree 100%.
I think it should be AT LEAST 120kmh on our free ways! though I would like to see it like in germany
But seriously, I think they should increase the speed limit and then enforce a law that states that if you want to be a slow coach then you MUST use the left lanes. not sit in the right scared of overtaking trucks
That way all us 'crazy kids' doing 120kmh plus can travel in the middle and right lanes with little fuss.

 

[Uncle Festivus]

It sounds like you mob are the turkeys that drive like ratbags on the week-ends through the country-side. Just be aware that when you do eventually hit a kangaroo, wombat, herd of cows, or somebody riding a horse, after rounding that blind corner doing 120k's that you will end up the road kill, not the poor animal. Our country roads are just not maintained to any reasonable standard for save driving at 90k's. People are not responsible enough now to stick to 90k's let alone 120. I think generally there is increasingly less respect on our roads now than ever before.

I agree that there should be more stringent use of existing laws re keeping to the left lane. Does this already apply to trucks?.

 

[scotto]

The French have the right idea - 130kph on motorways but reducing to 110kph if its wet.

 

[theasxgorilla]

The French have the right idea - 130kph on motorways but reducing to 110kph if its wet.

Hehe, I love driving in France...when women my mum's age impatiently tailgate you at 130km/h in the outside lane on the motorway, you realise that it all comes down to conditioning. Having said that, I think Australia probably has more larrikins and old bombs per capita than most countries in western Europe.

 

[Realist]

Just be aware that when you do eventually hit a kangaroo, wombat, herd of cows, or somebody riding a horse, after rounding that blind corner doing 120k's that you will end up the road kill, not the poor animal.

No one is suggesting you drive 120km around a blind corner.

On an open straight yes!!

I agree with the 'wet rule' as well. 120km when it is dry is safer than 100 in the wet.

 

[The Mint Man]

The French have the right idea - 130kph on motorways but reducing to 110kph if its wet.

what a great Idea!!
They sort of do this on the freeway around the Hawkesbury area... It goes from 110k to 90k when wet, and with the speed camera you want to stick to it.

Uncle Festivus, I agree with what your saying with country roads, However I think were mostly talking about well maintained freeways and the like, these roads are, for the best part, straight.

 

[Techbuy]

Uncle Festivus, I agree with what your saying with country roads, However I think were mostly talking about well maintained freeways and the like, these roads are, for the best part, straight.

You would have to be a turkey to drive at 120 on the ordinary counry roads but the newer upgraded motorway types of road are Ok for this speeds.

I do drive all over the state on all sorts of roads highway to dirt and would not agree to these ideas unless I had that experience under my belt to comment.

The trouble is poeple do not think the laws and rules apply to them and will not keep left or keep to the limits (wet/dry limits)

 

[thidoan]

120km/h sounds good, especially on hume hwy :

but no one does 110km/h on hume hwy anyways lol.

 

[Rob_ee]

We need a 120km/h speed limit on our freeways here in Australia!

WHAT ... and deprive our government out of all that extra revenue in speed fines .... After 6 years they finally punished me the other day ... got a surprise in the mail ... $ 128 donation for the crime of doing 76 in a 70 zone...

just got of the freeway ... snaped 14 seconds later down a slight dip in the road (great camera positioning) ... there was however litterature enclosed with the fine reminding me that this is for my own protection because excessive speed kills... blah blah etc...

So don't hold your breath guys for a sensible speed limit

Rob

 

[GreatPig]

An interesting concept, that depriving someone of their hard-earned is somehow protecting them.

Protecting them from the decadence of excessive wealth perhaps.

GP

 

[insider]

Australia is the emptiest country in the world.

Why on earth you can't drive 120K + on the open road in non-built up areas is beyond me.

The most dangerous thing on theose roads is fatigue.

Increasing the speed limit will probably reduce deaths.

Actually a study in the united states showed that the major cause of accidents is not speeding but variance of speed... As in 80 zone, 60 zone 40 zone 70 zone So I'm driving 70 while the moron in front is driving is still driving 40 and then he merges in front... or maybe people in the freeway slowed down to 40 and then a car traveling 100 comes from behind and collects them... The fact is if all cars travelled say 100 kiliometers per hour on a road then relatively to each other we are all traveling 0 kilometers per hour towards every car... There is no chance of a collision then... what I'm saying here is that people who drive too slow should be booked as well as they contribute to the risk of accidents...