Thread: Speed Limit Variations - a thought

G'day, just had a thought the other day driving home...I think this'll go against the usual line of complaint, but hear me out. I figure this forum's a good place to test out ideas - you can tear it to shreds or back me up. (Moderator, might want to move this to Rant, but I wanted to get it seen)

Every now and again I hear people complaining about the wide variation of speed limits in Australia. We go from 50kph up to 110 by 10kph increments.

The usual complaint is, 'It's too hard to remember what zone I'm in...', 'I couldn't see the speed limit sign, there are too many to look for...', 'Other countries (Germany), only have a few speed limits...', or stuff like that.

My new thought was, 'that's a crap excuse'.

A wide variety of speed limits caters to the wide variety of types of road and distance we have around our cities. Leave aside for the moment whether or not speed limits are appropriately set, I like the fact that the harbour bridge is 70kph, any faster and there'd probably be more accidents (lanes vary, there's lots of lane changing as people get to their exit), any slower and it'd take too long. Once onto the Waringah Freeway, 80kph is good - divided road, less chance of colison, may as well up the limit. Coming back into the city, 50kph is about right for the city - heaps of pedestrians, lots of lane changing.

So, it makes sense to have a variety of speed limits to suit a variety or road conditions - imagine being stuck at 60kph on a good road that used to be 90kph, but shouldn't be 110 and was dropped to 60 because some campaigners argued we should only have 2 speed limits.

Now,

For all the people who can't remember what speed zone they're in - what the heck is your problem. You're meant to be observing the road and the sides of the road - if you can't spot a speed limit sign, you're obviously not observant enough to be driving (you'd miss a pedestrian, or a car pulling out). If you can't remember the last number you saw - WHEN YOU KNOW YOU'RE MEANT TOO, then you mustn't have a great intellectual capacity and probably shouldn't be driving anyway. Esp School zones, they have several huge signs - if you don't notice them, you mustn't actually be attending to driving - in which case get off the road.

Driving isn't a right, it's a privilege granted to you by the government. Sure they might make stupid rules, and set up speed cameras in places obviously for revenue - but you sign 'YES' to the rules when you take the test and get your license - you can't complain later - they're not that hard to keep.

Idea over - what do you think....
(ducks)

my theory on speeds and driver conduct ie use of indicaters mobile phones ciggy butts and other rubbish tossed out of vehicles should be governed by a licencing fee. those who agree tothe rules and limits no fee, but those who insist on speeding etc can buy a licene to do as they feel of coarse their insurance premiums will rise to accomodate the potential for claims and to pay clean up crews for their rubbish. they could then proudly display a sign , similar to "p" plates which would identify them as being more important than the lesser mortals who accept and follow the rules. my rant.