Speed Limits - An Expert says 'Raise them'

[XUV]

One idea he recommended, and was backed up by research from the US Federal Highway Administration is that speed limits should be set at the 85th percentile of traffic speed.

That means, only around 15 per cent of cars should be driving faster than the speed limit — any faster than that the speed limit should be raised.
It’s not only direct safety on highways Professor Boyles believes will be improved.

He adds that important speed limits like school zones and those in the CBD would be respected more if highway speed limits had more credibility.

Why we need faster speed limits

1km/h over? Better get a lawyer son, better get a real good one. Source: Supplied

Relations with police will also improve, he believes,

saying, “rather than having to reflexively brake when seeing a police car, or worrying about selective enforcement of speed laws when everybody is travelling over the speed limit, rational speed limits mean that average drivers can simply go about their business.”

In Australia, outside of the Northern Territory (where they have an unlimted max speed limit), our highest speed limit allowed is 110km/h, which it has been since the 1970s.

Why speed limits in Australia need to be raised

The bit about 'relations with police is so true, as so many people base there hate solely on an interaction with a traffic cop.


Also the NT have just completed their 12 month 'Open Limit trial' and found that

NT Government plan to expand open speed limit stretches | NT News

“Before the open speed limits, the average punter that drove on those roads drove between 130-140 km/h.


“What they find today, after the open speed limit trial is completed, the average punter still drives between 130-140km/h. To me that demonstrates quite clearly that the average person out there is driving the road responsibly.”

And that should be an indication, just liker if they looked at highway fines the most given fine would be the same.

 

[Rajesh Koothrappali]

*yawn* this again.

Nothing will change. Stupid people think speed kills. It's not speed that kills. It's not having skills enough to drive safely.

 

[XUV]

*yawn* this again.

Nothing will change. Stupid people think speed kills. It's not speed that kills. It's not having skills enough to drive safely.

that's what they want you to say, like a beat down, except the norm and then the changes restricting you ''For the greater good''

 

[Troy711]

Most of our major highways are built to such a decent standard that doing 130 wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Hoska91]

*yawn* this again.

Nothing will change. Stupid people think speed kills. It's not speed that kills. It's not having skills enough to drive safely.

Have to agree with Raj here, it would take a lot of man power and money to employ this, everyone should have to do a test to see if they're allowed such speed limits and then a lot of signs would need to be changed.

 

[mpower]

raise the limits and the states lose millions in lazy revenue.

 

[Trennaa]

It's not speed that kills.

Correct, it's the sudden impact with a stationary object!

 

[edals]

Seeing as people struggle to drive at 110 in a straight line without crashing, it won't be raised until driver skills training is tested. Not oh congratulations you stop at a stop sign, have a licence. And then they fail to follow a simple 4 letter instruction after the test.

Besides what's the hurry for every day driving, I can understand the long dead roads in the outback, but day to day just sit back, relax and enjoy the drive.

 

[hi_ryder]

lol raise speed limits? to a politician thats throwing away free money....

 

[mpower]

Seeing as people struggle to drive at 110 in a straight line without crashing, it won't be raised until driver skills training is tested.

what an absolute load of crap.

I remember pre-110 we were all told that the sky would fall if we raised the limit to 110, the limits went up - let me check, sky is still there.