What would it take to get higher speed limits in Australia?

[hademall]

australian drivers are among the best in the world

All except the Melbournians.

 

[Tatiana]

you'll notice that drivers are much better overseas than they're here...

Yup, the drivers overseas are more courteous and considerate drivers overseas, and yes this is from my personal experience.

It's a well-known fact that is joked about in Australia that drivers will deliberately bunch up to stop someone merging in. Tailgating is a regular occurrence on the roads. It is also become more frequent with the use of dash cams to have news reports of road rage attacks by impatient and angry drivers. Just look at the roads around you, how many black tyre marks are added frequently by people ripping skids? Every time it rains you hear and see idiots deliberately sliding out on wet roads.

When it comes to increasing speed limits, you need safe roads and we have lots of major roads in need of repair, if you want quality highways then taxes need to increase to accommodate this and we need to overhaul the testing to get a licence, perhaps have mandatory defensive driving and how to control a vehicle in certain situations before we even consider this. I just researched and in Sweden for instance you must be 18 years old and as part of the driving test pass a risk test:

• Part 1 concerns alcohol, other drugs, fatigue and other high risk behaviour.
• Part 2 concerns speed, safety and driving in certain conditions.

This would be a first start. Too many people out there (of all ages and sex) think they are skilled drivers and push their limits, take risks and jeopardise their safety and other road users. Not saying this doesn't happen overseas, but I wonder if it's as prevalent as it is here.

 

[Immortality]

The other primary reason speed is the focus of police is because it is easily quantifiable and measured where as failing to give way or not paying attention are subjective and changes from person to person.

 

[Tatiana]

In Germany it takes 120 hours to get a license, in Victoria it takes 120, so how exactly is it easier to get a license in Australia?

Have you researched how to get a driver's licence in Germany? For a start you have to be 18 before you can drive alone, 17 if your parent will be with you whenever you drive. All learners must attend classes for theory and then the practical is with instructors in specially labelled and fitted vehicles, not your parent's or mates driving you to Maccas then entering fake hours to get your licence like here.

They also have to complete 9 x 45 minute First Aid modules and have an eye test.

Here at 16 yrs and 6 months you can be let loose in your fully sick commodore ripping skids in the back roads with no formal training, defensive driving skills or how to control a car when you lose control.

That is the difference that shows it is way easier to get licenced here at a younger age.

 

[Immortality]

Lets not forget the driving lessons from registered driving schools which if I'm not mistaken is common in most European countries. It can cost a small fortunate getting a drivers license in the EU.

 

[AirStrike]

Have you researched how to get a driver's licence in Germany? For a start you have to be 18 before you can drive alone, 17 if your parent will be with you whenever you drive. All learners must attend classes for theory and then the practical is with instructors in specially labelled and fitted vehicles, not your parent's or mates driving you to Maccas then entering fake hours to get your licence like here.

They also have to complete 9 x 45 minute First Aid modules and have an eye test.

Here at 16 yrs and 6 months you can be let loose in your fully sick commodore ripping skids in the back roads with no formal training, defensive driving skills or how to control a car when you lose control.

That is the difference that shows it is way easier to get licenced here at a younger age.

It does vary by state. Victoria requires you to be 18 before you can sit for your probationary licence to drive unaccompanied.

 

[VS 5.0]

It does vary by state. Victoria requires you to be 18 before you can sit for your probationary licence to drive unaccompanied.

17 in WA.

Learners at 16.

 

[greenacc]

All except the Melbournians.

Don't forget Brisvegas. Lane markings are only a guide up there

 

[justcommodores1]

The other primary reason speed is the focus of police is because it is easily quantifiable and measured where as failing to give way or not paying attention are subjective and changes from person to person.

part of the reason australia is a nanny state is due to people like yourself supporting the nanny state speed limits and enforcement

 

[J_D 2.0]

Don't forget Brisvegas. Lane markings are only a guide up there

Can confirm. I’ve copped a few stars on my windscreen over the years from muppets throwing up flotsam on the side of the road because they can’t stay between the white lines!