Thread: Road Safety or Revenue?

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

I was booked a few weeks ago coming out of a country town.

I was in a 60 zone and the 100km sign was perhaps 50m from me and I was slowly accelerating.

I got done at 73 but it was the cop annoyed me.

He was coming from opposite direction on a motorcycle and put his lights on and signalled me to pull over.

He obviously knew the 60-100 zone quite well or how would he have known to put his radar on me.

He was being very provocative and he smelled bad and and looked grubby and wasn't happy to just write the e-ticket without a confrontation , which I purposely avoided , which I'm sure aggravated him.

But he couldn't do any more and he ran out of provocations and left.

In Vic, you can’t get booked within 200 metres either side of a sign where the speed limit changes but I know other states are killer on this. SA will book people as the hit the 60 sign - they love it. Never been done like that though myself. That’s a bit stiff IMO.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

Oh Lord it is hard to be Humble when you are Perfect in Everyway.

Put that quote in with out the song- CRIMINAL sir
1980 OMG plus



Back on topic. In the right hand lane on two lanes each way this morning, I needed to turn in abut 2km. Twenty odd cars in front. One at the Front was turning right so we all stopped. The Garbage Truck behind me let rip. BEEP Stressed or in a hurry I guess. Car turning right turned right and we all moved. Another car about 10 in front was also turning right and we all got to stop again. Stopping with Garbo on the horn and fist out shaking like a

Not a high stress moment as I considered my 10 year old Disco's backside mm from the grumpy type. I could have braked just that little bit harder to make his day? Considered calling the company to suggest anger management course for the driver then recalled the last try at that via VICPOL and felt my stress level today would be better served by a long bike ride The reluctant officer did have a quiet chat over that issue on a pedestrian crossing where a driver felt my right to life was less than his requirments to give way- my pet hate now.

Above and two red light runners today I nearly cleaned up had me wondering just how much revenue the grumpy garbologist pays speed and red light cameras with a big smile on my face I assume a lot for which if true I thank every single speed and red light camera in Australia for.

A very tough day with other little issues. Take above with a laugh I hope and excuse me if it just seems grumpy- Forgive me all for the MAMIL I am about to pretend to be while not being allowed to run for a few week.

Originally Posted by trout1105

Would you also agree many areas are signposted significantly below a sensible/rational speed.

No
In the Vast majority of occasions the posted speed limit is there for a Very good reason.

Would you also agree the standard of driver training is abhorrent.

Yes

Would you also agree the tolerance on fines is too small - for example a 2-3km/h excursion above the limit is not solid grounds for a fine.

No.
Speed "Limits" are just that a LIMIT and Not a Target and if you are driving over the limit you have broken the law, End of story.
To say that well officer I was only doing 2/3 kph over the limit is like a woman saying that she is only a little bit pregnant.
What is so wrong with driving 3/3kph BELOW the speed limit??

The ADRs say that a speedo must be accurate to within 10% + or -. They can't fine you for obeying the limit according to your speedo.

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

The ADRs say that a speedo must be accurate to within 10% + or -. They can't fine you for obeying the limit according to your speedo.

Not correct - used to be but changed around 2000 - now speedo cannot under read but must not over read by more that 10%. But in theory you point is valid for cars built prior to the ADR change as long as they are still original but certainly Vic ignore that.

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

The ADRs say that a speedo must be accurate to within 10% + or -. They can't fine you for obeying the limit according to your speedo.

That excuse hasn't worked in Vic for more than a decade AFAIR.

GPS reading got a few off, so long as it was in current (certified 3rd party) calibration.

Dunno if that still works.

I bought my 2 door to lope across the countryside in the 90's, coz I was filling up my scrapbook with pics of earlier cars (all taken by Sgt Glenn Ritchie) and it has largely worked............. only 2 camera fines since.

cheers, DL

Originally Posted by 350RRC

That excuse hasn't worked in Vic for more than a decade AFAIR.

That is true but complainants have not taken the issue far enough through the court system. If a driver had a car pre the ADR change and proved the vehicle was within the correct build specs that the ASDRs applied too (eg same size tyres and no mods to speedo drive etc) then logically they driver will not know they were say- doing 110kph with the speedo showing 100kph in a 100kph speed zone.

Just need more money than sense and hasn't happened as yet - but then cars that are older than the ADR change are getting fewer on the road.

Garry

Originally Posted by Homestar

In Vic, you can’t get booked within 200 metres either side of a sign where the speed limit changes but I know other states are killer on this. SA will book people as the hit the 60 sign - they love it. Never been done like that though myself. That’s a bit stiff IMO.

SA is 50m grace. they are not allowed to place camera's within 50m and must be facing away from the sign. from a mate who sets up the cameras. unsure if this applies to a policeperson on patrol.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

Oh Lord it is hard to be Humble when you are Perfect in Everyway.

I am NOT "Perfect" in any way But a fair cop is a fair cop, So stop being such a smart arse Old Mate.
IF you stuff up and get caught then take it sweet and try and learn from that mistake, Whining about a coppers body odour or his attitude after being stupid on the road generates absolutely NO sympathy from this little black duck whatsoever.