Speed Limits Tomorrow....NT Speed Limits

[CaRtZ]

i think 160-180 would have been good. i have been up that way n the roads i went on werent all that wide and some not all that smooth and stable (in a bus at 100km).... dunno if we went on any of the highways mentioned... think about it, u comin over a rise at 180 n u got a road train doin 100 n u pull out to go round n theres somthin there (i know its unlikely) u aint got alota time to stop.... but like i said 160-180 would have been more appropriate...
wallet less 2 cents

[rodderz]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

She has gone on record and said that any future CLP government will scrap the 130 and re introduce the good old (//). She prefers a 110 zone being introduced into proven black spots. Usually a few k's around places like Aileron and ti tree and the likes. This is where the accidents are focussed, booze and indiginous mixed areas. I think that this is reasonable, I already slow down around these area's because of drunk drivers.

There is still a candle on the horizon.

That does seem fair, to introduce the limits to areas which require them, but for the long roads between one town and another a few 100km's up the road have the current system. As long as people are educated as to how to be sensible about how fast they are travelling, some of the people wouldnt think about other factors like tyre speed ratings etc. If this 130km limit comes in forever though, it will be interesting to look into the future to see crash data from people falling asleep at the wheel.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by rodderz

That does seem fair, to introduce the limits to areas which require them, but for the long roads between one town and another a few 100km's up the road have the current system. As long as people are educated as to how to be sensible about how fast they are travelling, some of the people wouldnt think about other factors like tyre speed ratings etc. If this 130km limit comes in forever though, it will be interesting to look into the future to see crash data from people falling asleep at the wheel.

Very true, but the only stats that we will see from the government will be to make things look like it was speed and only speed again. But the way I see it, I can still sit at 140. Even if I get pinged, its only a $100 fine. But it is the demerit points that really suck. As far as tyre ratings go, I dont think that has been an issue before, but it is an interesting point. I work with a guy that has a factory standard BA XT. He always cruises at 160. I wonder what his tyres are rated for??

[rodderz]

I spose the other thing is whether or not the police force will have the budget to enforce the limits across the state with so many long roads and highways

Unless the government learns a lot from Vic and lobs up speed camera's all over the place, then they'll certainly have a budget. Their only problem will be how long the cameras will still be upright

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by rodderz

I spose the other thing is whether or not the police force will have the budget to enforce the limits across the state with so many long roads and highways

Unless the government learns a lot from Vic and lobs up speed camera's all over the place, then they'll certainly have a budget. Their only problem will be how long the cameras will still be upright

Clare has already eluded to the fact that red light and speed camera's will provide enough revenue to maintain two police groups based in Alice Springs and Katherine I cant wait to see what happens to the first stationary speed camera set up on a remote road. Half a stick of jelly should do it. And there lots of people out here with the products and the knowledge to make it happen. :gren:

[rodderz]

I'll be waiting to see the footage on YouTube!

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by rodderz

I'll be waiting to see the footage on YouTube!

Actually, my boy is a talented Archer. He could put a hunting barb through the lense no problem at all, just wear gloves and wipe the arrow down with alchohol. Doesn't make any loud sounds either. Should be fun.....

[new2ford]

I've only just tuned into this thread. Sorry to hear the news for you NT people. The stupid thing is 130kph on an open road is a meaningless figure. Are they trying to save lives in a crash? Anything over 80 or 90 (or far less in a head-on with another vehicle) and you're going to be dead anyway. So if its 100, 110, 130, 160 or 180 it isn't going to make any difference. It will effect stopping distances or maintaining control but the delimit allowed people to use their own judgement. Speed limit conditioning may well increase accidents as people doze off mesmerised or try to keep driving up to the limit when circumstances dictate they shouldn't.

Btw re the post above on how cars fare in the heat/speed. Wheels magazine did a good piece a while ago on how good Australian cars were compared to the imports. They referred to I think a Honda or Nissan where the A/C simply shuts down at 160kph or less leaving you to stew. Maybe these manufacturers got in the ear of the NT govt? Nah - that's a conspiracy theory!

[Van D]

I can see a lot of backlash from this sort of stuff.. hmm.

[fmc351]

Given the wide open spaces, dont be surprised to see the radar being a fair distance away and a crew waiting for radio confirmation, youll be pulled over before you even get to the radar. Reckon they cant given current practices and technology, keep watching.

[FLYXR6]

Just read in the paper that from jan 2007, there will be a posted speed limit of 110km in the N.T. highways. :

There goes our own little free drag strip and high speed testing facility in Australia. :

[FLYXR6]

Unlimited speeds in NT axed
Friday Nov 3 06:40 AEDT
For drivers on Northern Territory roads, the days of hitting the accelerator and forgetting the speedometer are over.

Clare Martin's Labor government announced it would introduce a 110kph speed limit on all open roads, following the release of damning statistics by an expert taskforce.

The NT is the only place in Australia, and one of the few places left in the world, which has no speed limits and no demerit points, introduced in most Australian states in 1969.

But now the territory will toe the line.


Along with speed limits, the government will introduce a demerit system, heftier fines, a gradual roll-out of red light cameras and a greater police presence.

"We've taken the tough decisions needed to reduce the number of people killed," Ms Martin told reporters in Darwin, citing figures released to the public two weeks ago.

A road safety taskforce found three times as many people were killed on NT roads than elsewhere in Australia, per capita, with one person dying and nine seriously injured every week.

It also found 48 per cent of fatal crashes in NT were alcohol-related, and a study of eleven Darwin intersections during one month last year showed that 2,613 cars ran red lights in a single day.

While the government said it had adopted all 21 of the report's recommendations, there is one concession.

Four main highways - the Stuart, Arnhem, Barkly and Victoria - will have limits of 130kph.

"I believe this is sensible and workable," Ms Martin said.

"We do have long roads to travel in the territory and we must do it safely ... (but) open ended speed limits for the territory will end."

The CLP tried to introduce a 130kph speed limit and demerit points a decade ago but were forced to drop the plan because of widespread public opposition.

It was now time to "create a safer territory", Ms Martin said, as she avoided questions about a potential political fall-out.

"I can't accept a situation where one territorian dies every week on our road," she said.

"What we want in the territory is a safe culture on the road and we don't have that ... and I won't make any apologies."

Punters aren't happy.

Talkback radio was flooded with calls from irate drivers, who see unlimited speed restrictions as the hallmark of a relaxed life in the Top End.

"Bureaucrats imported from draconian southern states are trying to destroy the Northern Territory's unique lifestyle and heritage," protest group No Speed Limits says on its website.

Opposition leader Jodeen Carney said she would scrap the changes if elected.

"Broad measures like introducing a speed limit and demerit points for traffic offences fails to deal with the root causes of road fatalities in the Territory," she said.

Speed limits will be introduced in January. The demerit system will be introduced mid-way through 2007.

[Keepleft]

Any signposted limit in the order 140, 150 - 180km/h is pointless, either will lead to "speed limit conditoning". Speed derestriction, if applied to NT's safest "lengths of road" is a safer option over higher 'absolutes' suggested.

Yes, the other roads off to the side should have a (rural) default, since those roads in the majority geographical area are not up to standard and one cannot typically do 100km/h in relative safety in any case.

(//) - DIVORCES TRAFFIC.

(130) - MARRIES IT. (Tailgating, leading to human behavioural errors).


Its funny, but to those outside NT, stuck with 100 and 110km/h maximums, 130km/h would seem like heaven, and in some respects would indeed be appropriate for certain freeway category roads between heavily trafficked urban areas, ONCE median barriers are in place.

[Quicklier]

And now the deaths from Car-->Animal will increase.

Anyone who's driven on an NT road around dusk will understand. It's far safer to let the speed creep up to ensure you're off the road before the 'locals' take it over, we almost hit a camel the last time we were up!

And that's not even mentioning fatigue from the slower speed over the same distance.

[FLYXR6]

yeah i've been on that road a few times and it would be a killer to have to travel at 110km/h. The journey is long enough without making it longer!!!!

[new2ford]

Keepleft its good to see the sanctity of marriage upheld in at least one sector of society. Too little of it nowadays I say!

[BAFalconXT]

I guess all Northern Terriory police will be transferred to highway patrol and no real crime will be solved and everyones attention will be turned to hoon drivers. Crime rates will go down because the cops are to busy pulling people over for speeding to write reports like every other state.

[bencat]

Blah, has nothing to do with safety, running red lights and driving pi$$ed are a completely unrelated issue to speed, what it does mean though is that sppeding tickets will now fund the extra police needed to pursue the drunk drivers, the red light cameras are self funding and very proffitable..

Getting the drunk drivers off the road is priority 1, let the red light cameras pay for that :P

I ride a motorcycle and have done since I was 13, and let me tell you the Aussie gvt dosen't give a damn about safety, those low slung wire barracades they put in everywhere instead of armco shred riders and passengers, suffice to say the europeans and americans have banned there use because of that..

[VZSS250]

The Labor party has demonstrated that it will sink to any low to please the vocal minority. Meanwhile, the silent majority, who desperately need to travel through the territory in a reasonable time, must suffer for eternity because of Labor's stupidity.

We have seen what labor Governments can do in NSW and Victoria, where speed cameras and speeding fines issued have skyrocketed. For all those Labor party supporters out there I HOPE YOUR HAPPY.

[Stugots]

Originally Posted by bencat

I ride a motorcycle and have done since I was 13, and let me tell you the Aussie gvt dosen't give a damn about safety, those low slung wire barracades they put in everywhere instead of armco shred riders and passengers, suffice to say the europeans and americans have banned there use because of that..

those bread slicers (or cheese cutters) are a disgrace. They've erected them on The M4 near Penrith to "reduce damage to cars". :

[MRJUCY]

Originally Posted by FLYXR6

It also found 48 per cent of fatal crashes in NT were alcohol-related, and a study of eleven Darwin intersections during one month last year showed that 2,613 cars ran red lights in a single day.

And speed limits will fix this how?!?

[Kenster]

Originally Posted by MRJUCY

And speed limits will fix this how?!?

oh i know that answer by putting more money into Gov't pocket and waste it on something useless which we dont need

Is that correct? :P

[Dazza XLT]

Have spoken to a few mates up that way... Not real impressed with this move at all.

[FLYXR6]

sounds about right to me

[Dezza]

Ridiculous. They can't catch all the drink drivers so they put all their attention on speed. Speed doesn't kill, lack of attention kills

[Professor Farnsworth]

i drive up to albury and back once per week - that gets pretty boring and tiring as well at 110km/h. Granted it's only 3 hours one way, but it'd still be heaven at 130km/h ;p

[spoonage]

Originally Posted by bencat

Blah, has nothing to do with safety, running red lights and driving pi$$ed are a completely unrelated issue to speed, what it does mean though is that sppeding tickets will now fund the extra police needed to pursue the drunk drivers, the red light cameras are self funding and very proffitable..

Simon Cowell pays more tax then the UK makes from infringements in a single year. It's not revenue raising.

[05MkIIFutura]

Just curious, isnt 130km/h fast enough?? What speeds do average NT people do in their Futura's and Acclaims?? 150-160?? I have trouble believing that.

[Dazza XLT]

Between 140-160 most times.
Answer on the first page of the thread! :P

Cheers

[tabletennisman]

damn. It takes long enough to travel around NT doing 150km/h! Oh well, hopefully the new speed limits will reduce fatalities on NT roads.