Speed Limits Tomorrow....NT Speed Limits

[rodderz]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

Hi all, thanks to a very clever AFF member, I am getting bumper stickers made up. They will read "Wake us up when we get there, Clare.
They will also have a 130 with a red cross over it. What do you all reckon.

They wil be about 3 bucks each.

Ripper slogan mate, exactly the point that she doesnt get

[fmc351]

Ill take one, I dont drive in NT (maybe someday), but I just want one.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by fmc351

Ill take one, I dont drive in NT (maybe someday), but I just want one.

You get yours for free Dude. Thanks for the idea!!!!!

[Keepleft]

Take this PRINTABLE link regarding national highway (AUSROADS) 'design speed' and note NT's Planning Department view on the matter:-)

http://www.ntnews.news.com.au/printp...707308,00.html

I've had feedback from a chap putting together campaign stickers for the return of (//) on NT's key highways. I'll advise developments and cost.


AND to let NSW residents know; the 'speed derestriction' will remain in our RTA signage inventory for "potential-use" for on-road application one day, somewhere:-) It will remain on our inventory. What will 'allow' its use in this jurisdiction will be changes to the NSW Speed Zone Guidelines.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/trafficinf...s/r4/r4-2.html

[outback_ute]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

Hi all, for those that are interested here is a map of all fatal accdents in the NT over the last FIVE years. This is what they used to tell us we need speed limits. There is absolutely no other data regarding each accident. Notice that the most dots are gathered around towns and comunities. There are already speed limits in those areas.

http://www.saferroaduse.nt.gov.au/ma..._CabSub_A4.pdf

Now I dont believe in conspiracies, but if I didn't want the public to see this info I would put it on the slowest computer I could find. Jeeeez it is slow to load. Be patient.

There aren't 300 dots on that map, so why can't they show where the multiple fatalities have occured - the number on the Stuart Hwy would look a lot smaller then.

MO, the stats you asked about on the 4th are (well at a glance anyway) in the report Outbackjack posted very early in the thread. I suspect they confirm what you would expect.

Interesting that in 2004 there were ~35 deaths compared to over 50 for the other 5 years, yet this is ignored as a "statistical anomaly". It will be very interesting to see if this new speed limit produces a noticable effect on the road toll, if it lasts.

A question for those closer to the issue - given a lot more deaths occur as a result of drink driving, have the penalties for that risen commensurately? (I can guess the answer)

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

There aren't 300 dots on that map, so why can't they show where the multiple fatalities have occured - the number on the Stuart Hwy would look a lot smaller then.

MO, the stats you asked about on the 4th are (well at a glance anyway) in the report Outbackjack posted very early in the thread. I suspect they confirm what you would expect.

Interesting that in 2004 there were ~35 deaths compared to over 50 for the other 5 years, yet this is ignored as a "statistical anomaly". It will be very interesting to see if this new speed limit produces a noticable effect on the road toll, if it lasts.

A question for those closer to the issue - given a lot more deaths occur as a result of drink driving, have the penalties for that risen commensurately? (I can guess the answer)

I guess that is part of the reason Martin has lost credability on the road safety issue. If you get caught driving with a BAC of between 0.05 and 0.08 the only punishment is an on the spot fine of $200. She doubled it from $100. She doesn't want to upset her voter base in the north. There is a URL with all the changes, I will try and find it and post.

Found it http://www.saferroaduse.nt.gov.au/fulllist.html these are not the actions of a cheif minister that is serious about getting drunks off our roads.

[Aussie Falcon]

An interesting article in todays Australian newspaper:

Testers retreat from NT speed limits
Robert Wilson

SPEED limits to be introduced on Northern Territory roads next year will slam the brakes on an international car testing industry estimated to be worth $9 million.

Car-makers from all over the world flock to the NT for its combination of unrestricted roads and hot weather, but many will abandon their testing programs when the 130km/h speed limit comes into effect from January.

Holden, Toyota and Ford Performance Vehicles will cease or prune their NT testing programs, and sportscar specialist Porsche is expected to relocate to South Africa.

Territory businesses say accommodation, transport and security services will suffer.

``From our point of view speed limits will have a huge effect on the testing business and our members stand to lose millions,'' NT chamber of commerce chief executive Chris Young said.

The testing season from October to April coincides with the low point for tourist numbers, Mr Young said, and the regulation would cost $6 million to $9 million a year in lost revenue.

``There can be up to 15 engineering teams testing out between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek during the summer and the wet,'' he said. ``When they arrive they need accommodation for up to 20 people in each team, warehouse facilities, rental cars and secure car transporters.

``They provide very welcome business at a time when the wet season in the Top End and the summer in the centre keeps most of the tourists away.''

Central Australian Tourism Industry Association general manager Craig Catchlove said the limit could cost businesses in Alice Springs alone about $1 million over the summer.

``We don't believe the speed limit will reduce the number of tourist accidents, but we do think it will have a significant economic impact,'' he said. ``Our best estimate is about $1 million, which is significant in a place the size of Alice Springs.''

Porsche spokesman Paul Ellis said the German maker had used the Territory's roads for more than 20 years, but management was evaluating the change and future testing in the NT was unlikely.

``We would comply with all regulations and if driving faster than 130km/h was prohibited we wouldn't do it,'' he said. South Africa was favourite to pick up the business.

Toyota manager of vehicle evaluation Mina Rezk said high-speed testing might now be conducted in the Middle East.

``A major market for Camry is the Gulf region which is a high-speed, high temperature environment,'' he said. ``One requirement in testing Camry was to maintain high speeds in high temperatures with the airconditioning on, to put a full load on the cooling system. We will not be able to do that as we used to, but we have to respect the law.''

Mr Rezk said the company would still use the Territory for dust and off-road testing.

Ford Performance Vehicles spokesman Steve Colquhoun said FPV would be ``impacted by the NT Government's decision'' and would ``reassess our test procedures''.

Holden spokeswoman Maya Donevska said Territory highways had been invaluable for high-speed hot weather testing the new VE Commodore, but the company would look elsewhere. ``Holden will explore alternative locations for testing, and in the interim will use the proving ground facility at Lang Lang.''

Mercedes-Benz spokesman David McCarthy said the NT had made Australia attractive for testing and local buyers had benefited. ``When German engineers came to the Northern Territory they left with an understanding of Australian conditions,'' he said.

Ford spokesman Andrew Ellis said the company's recent decision to expand its testing facilities in Victoria meant it could minimise the effect of the speed limit.

A new laboratory at Ford's Victorian testing ground could replicate conditions ranging from -40C to +55C and generate wind speeds up to 250km/h, he said.

``The new environmental facility will go online sometime next year, eliminating the need to travel to the NT for high-speed hot weather testing.''

[kyro_02]

wow everything is moving off shore

[Keepleft]

Hopeless, typical.

Bring on that election.

[Outbackjack]

Another sad but relevant story. One more addition to the NT road toll. Today, a single car roll over, commodore, 15 klms west of hermansberg, gravel road, driver OK, passenger dead. Day light hours, both occupants under 20 YO. These are the kind of stats that Clare used to impose limits on the Stuart and other highways....
My assumption, probably indiginous, poorly maintained vehicle, no seat belt (passenger) speeding, inexperience. Booze, a possibility.

[pecker73]

Originally Posted by Aussie Falcon

An interesting article in todays Australian newspaper:

Testers retreat from NT speed limits
Robert Wilson

SPEED limits to be introduced on Northern Territory roads next year will slam the brakes on an international car testing industry estimated to be worth $9 million.

Car-makers from all over the world flock to the NT for its combination of unrestricted roads and hot weather, but many will abandon their testing programs when the 130km/h speed limit comes into effect from January.

Holden, Toyota and Ford Performance Vehicles will cease or prune their NT testing programs, and sportscar specialist Porsche is expected to relocate to South Africa.

Territory businesses say accommodation, transport and security services will suffer.

``From our point of view speed limits will have a huge effect on the testing business and our members stand to lose millions,'' NT chamber of commerce chief executive Chris Young said.

The testing season from October to April coincides with the low point for tourist numbers, Mr Young said, and the regulation would cost $6 million to $9 million a year in lost revenue.

``There can be up to 15 engineering teams testing out between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek during the summer and the wet,'' he said. ``When they arrive they need accommodation for up to 20 people in each team, warehouse facilities, rental cars and secure car transporters.

``They provide very welcome business at a time when the wet season in the Top End and the summer in the centre keeps most of the tourists away.''

Insane : : :

Watch..by end of next year the f\/ckers will be complaining about the reduction in the tourist dollar as the locals get screwed to the wall, yet again !

[Tealglow]

I am jumping in late but I have a vested interest living in Alice

I don't think it has been mentioned the 1/2 dozen or so a year that are run over sleeping on the highways and main roads

47% of fatalities were indigenous and 27% were tourists. The major factors contributing to the stats were drinking and not wearing seatbelts

My profession brings me in contact with the non-law abiding part of the equation and it is not unusual to see the same faces for the fifth, six or even tenth time for the trifecta - DUI, unlicenced, unreg

My work commute used to be a 20km run of which 10km was unrestricted to clear the cobwebs - The signs were shifted last year pre-empting the 130km decision

Outback - I'm sure I have seen you around the traps.
I have a Mandarin XR8 - one of three mandarin/ blodd orange XR's in my street!
I would like a sticker and I am sure a number of guys from work would too -

[MO]

The ALP WILL NOT be back after the next election...the gnome has just killed them.

[Outbackjack]

I have had some feed back from Darwin based freinds. There is just as much anger up there. They are getting the speed camera's and red light camera's. And they can see that the "toughend up" DUI laws are a joke.

The Martin Labor govt thinks it is horrific that our road toll is (Third World) 3 times the national average.

This same govt is silent on the (Third World)NT 12 times national average murder/homicide rate.
Oh and what about the (Third World) NT 20 times national average violence/sexual assault rate.

road regulations are just a smoke screen for much larger problems that are out of control in the NT. Largely the Third World is the problem. Fix the Third World and you fix all the problems.

The bold is taken from another forum...... I just thought that it was worth presenting here. SHAKER888, it sound like you could probably relate to this??

[Keepleft]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47052425@N00/298704164/

ZZZZzzzzzzz *^%&!#$!#.
Spare me the academics.

[Outbackjack]

It has gone to the top!!! This is from the NO speed limits for the NT forum.

Submitted by 'Senator Nigel Scullion'
As many of you are aware, I have been a vocal opponent to the changes announced by the government - and no, it's not because I'm a petrolhead who likes to drive fast (I do, but that's not the point).

I have to say from the outset that I am appalled by the Territory road toll and firmly believe that everything must be done to save every possible life we can.

However, having monitored both the debate and the Northern Territory Government's approach, I believe the entire process has been flawed from the beginning and a number of valid questions need to be asked.

Very little of the research appears to have been conducted on Territory history or conditions. As a result, none of the changes target the major causes of Territory road fatalities.

Indigenous Territorians are grossly over-represented every year. Pedestrian fatalities in the Territory are statistically one of the highest in the world.

A vast majority of the fatalities where speed is a factor (and historically, that's only in 16 per cent of the fatality accidents in the Territory) occur in speed limited zones - and most include alcohol and/or drugs. More than 80 per cent occur between 6pm and 6am. Crashes on unsealed roads are also over-represented.

Last year, for the first time, not wearing a seat belt exceeded drink driving as the major cause of Territory road fatalities. The new legislation suggests increasing fines - in the case of fatalities, that's shutting the door after the horse has bolted.

Given the report recently that suggests a lot of people don't bother paying their fines anyway and the Fines Recovery Unit is understaffed and overloaded, one must wonder whether this isn't just window-dressing.

As for increasing fines for speeding and demerit points, that's great - provided everybody driving has a valid licence and is driving a registered vehicle. For those reasons alone, the measures they are introducing will not effectively reach the targets.

Have a look at how many people face Darwin Magistrates Court every day for driving unlicenced. Go and listen - many are repeat offenders. They get the licence they don't have suspended for a while longer and what amounts to a slap on the wrist fine.

Alcohol continues to be a contributing factor in a majority of fatalities on Territory roads. The current legislation patently isn't a deterent, nor is it anywhere near tough enough. Given that drink driving education has been going on in Australia for more than 30 years, can anyone explain why a drink driver who kills someone else invariably gets a relatively minor sentence?

In 2004, the Territory road toll was its lowest since records have been kept - 35. Most years, the toll has been in the 50s and 60s - and some years, into the 70s. The toll has since gone straight back up to previous levels. Has there been any research into why the toll dropped so much that year - and if not, why not?

Surely that year, police were doing something right. What has changed? Are there fewer random testing stations now? Is there a greater reliance on revenue raising?

Creation of a traffic branch, while a recommendation of the O'Sullivan Report into Territory Policing, can only be seen as more window-dressing. Apparently, the branch is going to have 17 members. When the original traffic branch was closed - admittedly, by a CLP Government - the branch had 46 members.

And given the recent reports that the police's recruitment campaign is only just keeping pace with those leaving the force, where are they going to get the officers to staff the new branch? If it is simply rebadging the exisiting road safety section, then it's purely the government being misleading.

Interstate and overseas tourists are also grossly over-represented in the toll every year, many of them in hire cars. The idea of speed limiting those vehicles would be worthy of discussion.

To me, the keys to lowering our road toll are education and engagement with those who are statistically greatest at risk. Tackling the road toll should be based on saving lives, not raising revenue - and whichever way you look at it, it is hard to argue that is exactly what the Northern Territory Government is doing.

If I believed the Northern Territory Government was serious about tackling the road toll, I would be applauding them. Instead, I only see it as desperate money-grabbing by a cash-strapped government.

To the many who have e-mailed me (senator.scullion@aph.gov.au) or contacted my office in regards to the current debate, thank you. Rest assured I am as concerned as anyone about protecting Territory values and will do everything I can to protect them.

[s2_hyundai_s2]

I have lived in the N.T all my life,
I jsut recently moved to QLD about 8 months ago, since then N.T has gone to total crap XD

this is just bs, it is impossible to stick on 100km/h on that road if you actually wanna get somewhere
up until present, this year there have been 39 deaths on N.T roads compared to the 47 last year at the same time

peopel die every day, more peopel die of heart attacks and other lame things why dont they put a restriction on fatty foods? ,... you have to look deeper at the circumstances and understand what caused their death or what happened

I rekon that there would be quite a number of drunk aboriginals near Alice springs which have died in rollovers and contributed to their statistics, fixing them up
look at who has died, and where, then work things out- dun cripple the N.T with these laws... people visit the N.T so that they can drive heaps fast :S

meh, N.T is gay now, I feel ripped off to be a territorian
it is becoming more aligned with thee eastern states, before it was way more free...

:(

[flappist]

Go Nigel, Go Nigel......

For the sake of all drivers in Australia I hope they back down and set a precedent.

[nobbystang]

Originally Posted by s2_hyundai_s2

peopel die every day, more peopel die of heart attacks and other lame things why dont they put a restriction on fatty foods? ,... you have to look deeper at the circumstances and understand what caused their death or what happened
(

I'm guessing that NT has finally found out how much the states are making out of cameras and decided to follow suit. With the states crying poor, they don't believe they get their fair share of $$$$ federally, we are yet again asked to bend over and cop it with new taxes and fines. Come to think of it, councils are just as bad.

If the states were interested in road safety they would look hard into these things, not offer band aid solutions and restrictions for the majority due to the minorities lack of brain cells or luck. With cars and roads improving, our open road speeds should be increasing, not decreasing.