NT to get unlimited speeds again

[Tusker]

Territory puts pedal to metal in need for speed - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-15/open-speed-limit-trial-alice-christmas/5022962)

Gotta say, even 130 kph on cruise control is a weird experience. There are a few sweepers on that road where it gets interesting!

No mention of the semis, B doubles etc. They're hard enough to get past at 130.

But good to see speed limits being reviewed purely on evidence, and not pandering to the lobby groups. When can we abolish 40 kph limits near schools, if there's been no change to the casualty rate before & after?

Regards
Max P

[lewy]

interesting that it is a trial[starting with a trial of unlimited speeds on a section of the Stuart Highway.] what justifies a failed trial???
looking forward to having cars coming up behind me at unlimited speeds and then trying to stop to avoid a head on with oncoming traffic.

[Racing Sardine]

When can we abolish 40 kph limits near schools, if there's been no change to the casualty rate before & after?

Regards
Max P[/quote]

Why would you want to do that ? Children young and old can and do silly things, just to save drivers a few seconds and "potentially" take a life?

Rob

[bigdog]

I'm looking forward to the hysteria and sensationalising on this topic!

Average Jo 'hoon' will not be travelling that far to give his ToyNizmo a workout; I suspect he will stick with the Great Western Highway and its interstate equivalents. However every motoring journo in the land will be heading that way in the not-too-distant future.

BTW, I am all for unrestricted speed limits where apopropriate, and also in favour of 40kmh restrictions in school zones. This is a big country we live in, and young lives are precious.

[VM_Motori]

Not UNLIMITED it's UN-RESTRICTED.

And there are laws that come with that definition

12 yrs in Alice with open speed's of experience.

[bigdog]

Not UNLIMITED it's UN-RESTRICTED.

And there are laws that come with that definition

12 yrs in Alice with open speed's of experience.

I guess average Joe doesn't care whether the definition is UNLIMITED or UN-RESTRICTED. He just wants to go faster. However the article makes reference to "open speed limits" which is where I derived UNLIMITED from, rightly or wrongly ;)

Pedants, please go to town with your definitions and analysis.

[PTC]

I've got a few mates who work up in Darwin. I asked them about the open speed limit a few years back and if it was still around. They said to me that even with a speed limit of 130kph on the road. They rarely travel at more than 110kph. Sometimes they go fast to have some fun, though slower saves them more fuel and can react to animals crossing the road and broken roads faster.

[solmanic]

...When can we abolish 40 kph limits near schools, if there's been no change to the casualty rate before & after?

Mate, the number of times I've been passing through school zones and some grommet has stepped off the kerb in front of me whilst looking in the other direction... your heart goes into your mouth and the slower you're going the better. The 40 school zone speed limit will not and should not ever be raised.

However, they do need to get their act together and install the flashing warning lights on the signs as the current, non-illuminated ones are ridiculous. Some start at 2pm, some 2:30pm and without having kids of my own, how do I know if it's a "school day" or not?

[Pickles2]

I've got a few mates who work up in Darwin. I asked them about the open speed limit a few years back and if it was still around. They said to me that even with a speed limit of 130kph on the road. They rarely travel at more than 110kph. Sometimes they go fast to have some fun, though slower saves them more fuel and can react to animals crossing the road and broken roads faster.
EXACTLY. I don't travel at 100Ks all the time either. Nor would I travel at 130/160 or whatever all the time, but it would be nice just to put a bit of variety into my driving, get past B Doubles & Triples, & generally enjoy my driving & my car.
I don't have a problem with 40k limits at school crossings, but nor do I believe they are necessary in all cases. I also have a problem where there are 40k limits on some roads for no apparent reason, other than someone thinks it would be "safer". And I'll give you an example:... Nepean Highway Chelsea...40k limit..EVEN IN PEAK HOUR....WHY?....It's interesting to note that Station St, another fairly major road, running parallel to the aforementioned Nepean Highway, simply on the other side of the Railway line, with more intersections/side streets etc, and not nearly as good a road,......has a 60K limit???!!!
Cheers, Pickles.

[VM_Motori]

I guess average Joe doesn't care whether the definition is UNLIMITED or UN-RESTRICTED. He just wants to go faster. However the article makes reference to "open speed limits" which is where I derived UNLIMITED from, rightly or wrongly ;)

Pedants, please go to town with your definitions and analysis.

Take more note of this
And there are laws that come with that definition More so then the rest ;)

You can still be booked in these zones.

Cheers

[Gerokent]

I reckon it shows good common sense thinking. Not like some uninformed pollies in W.A that want 100km/h speed limits. Obviously they don't drive long distances.

[Rohan]

I've long held the view that the speed in school zones should be a mandatory 120km/hr. The little buggers would soon learn to concentrate when crossing the road wouldn't they?

[sheerluck]

I've long held the view that the speed in school zones should be a mandatory 120km/hr. The little buggers would soon learn to concentrate when crossing the road wouldn't they?

It'd certainly improve the fitness levels of the "Playstation Generation". Finding it difficult to sprint across the road clutching your Maccas you wobbly little ratbag? Lose a few kilos. :)

[Eevo]

I've long held the view that the speed in school zones should be a mandatory 120km/hr. The little buggers would soon learn to concentrate when crossing the road wouldn't they?

+one

[bigdog]

Take more note of this More so then the rest ;)

You can still be booked in these zones.

Cheers

I won't be anywhere near the place so I won't be getting booked anytime soon......perhaps you should write an article in the local tabloids to let the locals know......

[Ancient Mariner]

I've long held the view that the speed in school zones should be a mandatory 120km/hr. The little buggers would soon learn to concentrate when crossing the road wouldn't they?
120 Yeah

[101RRS]

Unlimited, unrestricted, derestricted etc - all terms from the past. As the NT Govt have not made any announcements on what the terms of driving at speed will be it is all assumption at this stage on what the conditions will be.

Garry

[lewy]

Its a political decision,the clp govt promised to reintroduce unlimited speeds if they were elected,this checked that box,They will wait until there is an accident and then put the limit back on when the outcry starts:mad:

[Sidewinder76]

The worst thing on that road is coming around a bend to find a grey nomad or a backpacker cruising along at 60kph. That let's you know that you're alive! Even when traveling under the 130 limit they come up pretty quickly but when you have experience of that road you are more prepared for it.
I have seen people travel way over the 130 limit and 130 isn't a bad speed to travel really. I guess that it would be handy at times to be able to go a little faster but it will obviously chew the fuel. To be fair most people probably won't travel too fast along there, especially in the wet season when the surface is falling off and it is full of pot holes. Hit one of those and you know about it! And there's a lot to dodge! Oh and then there are the times when you're doing 130 and a brahman mianders across in front of you not to mention the wallabys.
Let's see how the trial goes and see what happens.
Sadly, and I hope that I am wrong, we may well be reading the worst news as a result of this.

[Chops]

Territory puts pedal to metal in need for speed - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-15/open-speed-limit-trial-alice-christmas/5022962)

Gotta say, even 130 kph on cruise control is a weird experience. There are a few sweepers on that road where it gets interesting!

No mention of the semis, B doubles etc. They're hard enough to get past at 130.

But good to see speed limits being reviewed purely on evidence, and not pandering to the lobby groups. When can we abolish 40 kph limits near schools, if there's been no change to the casualty rate before & after?

Regards
Max P

All the "Go Hards" from the Hume Hwy will have somewhere to vent their frustration soon,, :wasntme:

As for 40K zones,,, what ever happened to general discipline? Kids don't seem to be encouraged to do anything when it comes to road safety. I can distinctly remember getting a clip behind the ear for being stupid near a road. They are our most precious commodity, therefore IMO the parents and teachers should be harder on them to keep them "wanting" to stay off the road.
Having said that, I've been glad I've obeyed the 40 zone a few times. Kids do the damnedest things,,, :eek:

[Ralph1Malph]

However, they do need to get their act together and install the flashing warning lights on the signs as the current, non-illuminated ones are ridiculous. Some start at 2pm, some 2:30pm and without having kids of my own, how do I know if it's a "school day" or not?

One has to ask...Why in the world are schools plonked on main roads? I know parents have to park and pick up but on main arterials? They should be in the burbs or at the very least their own dedicated service roads.
Best of both worlds.

One school ours went to in western melbourne was not only on a divided dual carriageway, it had two crossings on each side of road divide strip and the surrounding burban roads were forced one way during aftenoon pickup!:eek: But not at the same time as the school zone! Add in some lollipoppers (luv em actually), speed coppers and one way zealots and it was an experience.
Ralph

[Fatso]

Dosnt matter what speed limit is posted on any road, if you cant stop in the distance seen ahead to be clear then you are driving to fast :eek: , not rocket science .

[boa]

Other people who will go to the NT is car makers as a testdriver for Ford we use to go there at least twice a year spent many days and hoursat 220 KPH . The more dangerous time was when testing under the speed most carswere driving at. Why do we test at that speed is another thing but we did. Andguess what I am still alive and able to post this, the crazy thing is 99.9% ofpeople overestimate there driving ability. People will say they a dud root before they will admit to being a bad driver. As for 40KPH limits again usedata not emotional crap to decide this stuff.

[Basil135]

...

[Eevo]

:censored:

Spot the ****ing idiots that obviously don't have kids, and have obviously never had to treat a child for injuries after been hit by a car.

Do us all a favor and go and play in the traffic.

:nazilock:

as a kid i used to play chasey in the traffic. sharpen your skills right up.

[bigdog]

Why do all of these so called friendly forums end up with antagonism and trolling after the second and third posts.........................................???

Read a topic, pick a small item that is relatively minor and insignificant and laud your knowledge on that particular point to show how clever you are and elevate your status and stats .....???

Or pick a comment that is obviously tongue-in-cheek and harangue the poster portyraying him as irresponsible and some blight on society.....???

I'm f*******g over this forum sometimes........get your hands off it boys and girls and lighten up ............

[Ancient Mariner]

Why do all of these so called friendly forums end up with antagonism and trolling after the second and third posts.........................................???

Read a topic, pick a small item that is relatively minor and insignificant and laud your knowledge on that particular point to show how clever you are and elevate your status and stats .....???

Or pick a comment that is obviously tongue-in-cheek and harangue the poster portyraying him as irresponsible and some blight on society.....???

I'm f*******g over this forum sometimes........get your hands off it boys and girls and lighten up ............
Well said

[Redback]

:censored:

Spot the ****ing idiots that obviously don't have kids, and have obviously never had to treat a child for injuries after been hit by a car.

Do us all a favor and go and play in the traffic.

:nazilock:

Actually a lot of the parents are dropkicks as well, double parking stopping in the middle of the road, parking in your driveway, doing U-turns, also, you'd think they would load all the kids from the passenger, nah, loading the kids in the car on the drivers side is heaps better:twisted:

And just because they have kids, doesn't mean they don't speed in school zones, I've seen them pick up there kids and tear off down the road at more than 60kph, how do I know, well I live on the edge of a school zone and with me doing 40, they pull away from me, some aren't even buckled in:eek:

I think the 40 school zone is a good idea, they just need to adjust/refine it a tad, shorten the times, don't put school zones on 100kph roads, if unavoidable then raise the speed to 60kph, I've seen this in South Aust, so it has been done.

Baz.

[Treads]

I think the 40 school zone is a good idea, they just need to adjust/refine it a tad, shorten the times

It's only in place for 1.5hrs and that's because it's fairer to drivers to have uniform operating times to suit all school start/end hours.




In general, it appears that people these days don't have much patience when their super-important lives are being held up for more that 30 seconds....

[vnx205]

The problem is it isn't uniform. There is a school on the Central Coast near Bateau Bay where the times are half an hour earlier.

Before they added the flashing light, the camera at that site was apparently the most lucrative speed camera in NSW. I wonder why?

[newhue]

all a bit of a first world problem isn't it.

to hard to slow down to 40. To hard to read the sign before the school zone. Need a light to tell me. To hard to discipline the kids.......we were all kids once. I'm sure we did't get road sense the first time, or maybe the second.

I once used to ride road bikes. Good luck to anyone interested in doing more than 120 and think they are going to swerve a roo, break for an unexpected incident, or keep control on a blown tyre. Still I can understand the desire to rattle along at such speeds. The old 130 isn't interested in it, and I'm sure not with the fuel bill. Just hope ol mate in his club sport doesn't plough up my ass when he realises I'm only doing 95 and he cant pull it up from the tone.

[frantic]

Open speed limits in certain areas of the NT(and the rest of Aus) are a good idea, as the stats:angel:(yes those evil things) showed deaths increased after limits where introduced. Now as a majority of those deaths where in urban areas with a majority of those urban deaths either / or a combo of alcohol, drugs and unregistered cars, it raises questions to where the cops where or where their focus was?
As to 40kph in school zones:censored: forget changing it, but you need better organisation in and around the schools for drop-offs and pickups, as another poster said, dedicated areas or roads to do it safely.
Perfect example is Bulli public primary, used to be a drop zone on the east side of the highway with traffic lights, parents heading south would drop kids off they would cross when the lights changed, till a pensioner ignored the red light and killed a kid. Suddenly the old coal train bridge 50m away was changed to a pedestrian crossing and a fence built along the entire middle of the road for 200m. There is still a 40zone.
But another example of stupid 40k zoning is Berkley high. The back field is up against the main road, but there is no need for any student to cross it as the other side is the park foreshore of the lake, no homes to go to 200m either side of the 40kph zone, only a fish shop.
What needs to be remembered is a lot of the inner city/town centre schools where first built before or at the same time as cars started to become common, but getting the govt to spend 100's of millions buying up the required land to provide safe drop off zones will never happen.
And even with 5 kids 1-13 I still need to double check sometimes if a school zone is still active:D Drop oldest at high school bus stop , put next 2 on bus then have a coffee, hop in the car with wife and 2 youngest to go out and not sure if its 925 or 935 till I see the signs and check watch.

[Debacle]

Not long ago I was coming home from work. I live close to a school so am used to the speed limits and the times.

This particular time it was 345 pm and limits are from 2 to 4 pm, so I was doing the right thing sitting on 40kph when all of a sudden a dual cab ute, Triton I think appeared behind me and sat about 10cm off my bumper, almost close enough for me to read his vin number in my rear view mirror. I stuck to my guns and sat on 40 kph, wondering what this dickhead was on and even lifted my arm up pointing to my watch to point out the time to him that it was in the times for the restricted speed, he still sat on my bumper.

Time came to turn into my street, so I put on my right hand indicator on and he decides to roar past me at a great rate of knots on the right hand side.

Got home fuming about what an idiot this guy was for speeding in a school zone and then about an hour later thought, wait a minute, it's school holidays, whoops.

My turn to feel like a dickhead.