Are speeding limits necessary?

[dermite]

People that drive in the right line who are L platers and people who drive too slow.

Like god damn it  10km under the limit on a sunny day.

( yes I know speeding is bad, but so is being a slowpoke as you block the traffic)

when i was on my Ls i always drove in the right lane, 10km ABOVE the speed limit cus i was told that speedos are deliberately inaccurate and display a faster speed to keep you from speeding. 

#i_didnt_choose_the_thug_life,_the_thug_life_chose_me


Mod edit: Topic has been split from 'Things That Shit Me'. --Calebark

[S200]

when i was on my Ls i always drove in the right lane, 10km ABOVE the speed limit cus i was told that speedos are deliberately inaccurate and display a faster speed to keep you from speeding. 

#i_didnt_choose_the_thug_life,_the_thug_life_chose_me

And also that the Cop's (except cameras) don't bother ya if you're less than 10kmh over the limit.

I am still on L's, and I do this...

[Calebark]

I feel like you're missing the point here. The speed limit isn't some pointless rule to stop you having fun on the road. It's especially important when you're on your L's, because you have little driving experience/skill and probably overestimate your ability (being young and all -- we all do it), which is a pretty dangerous combination. Not just for you, but for others on the road, and I don't think anyone has a right to put others in danger just because they don't like driving slow.

[Joseph41]

I feel like you're missing the point here. The speed limit isn't some pointless rule to stop you having fun on the road. It's especially important when you're on your L's, because you have little driving experience/skill and probably overestimate your ability (being young and all -- we all do it), which is a pretty dangerous combination. Not just for you, but for others on the road, and I don't think anyone has a right to put others in danger just because they don't like driving slow.

100% my sentiment. Driving is a privilege - not a right.

[Sine]

when i was on my Ls i always drove in the right lane, 10km ABOVE the speed limit cus i was told that speedos are deliberately inaccurate and display a faster speed to keep you from speeding. 

#i_didnt_choose_the_thug_life,_the_thug_life_chose_me

And also that the Cop's (except cameras) don't bother ya if you're less than 10kmh over the limit.

I am still on L's, and I do this...

y tho? I don't think speeding is something to be proud of, you are not only putting yourself at risk but most importantly others who are safely following all the road rules. Also not sure what supervisor driver would allow the L plater to knowingly speed.

Just because you know you won't get caught doesn't make something ok.

I think the vast majority of road users are happy with Learners going a tad slowly because they are still learning and for all you know it could literally be the first time they are driving a car.

If you have a 100km journey and you go 100km/h it takes you 1 hr
If you go 110km/h it takes you 55 mins.

[Lear]

On the point of speed limits, there’s a view that speed limits should be increased as we have progressed past driving in metal boxes with no safety features. The current speed laws were likely made for those type of cars and can be argued to be out of date. I believe that at least on major freeways that go interstate the speed limit should be increased to 130-150.

[Joseph41]

On the point of speed limits, there’s a view that speed limits should be increased as we have progressed past driving in metal boxes with no safety features. The current speed laws were likely made for those type of cars and can be argued to be out of date. I believe that at least on major freeways that go interstate the speed limit should be increased to 130-150.

That's a different topic entirely, though. Maybe it's worth a thread in the rants and debates board, haha.

[K888]

On the point of speed limits, there’s a view that speed limits should be increased as we have progressed past driving in metal boxes with no safety features. The current speed laws were likely made for those type of cars and can be argued to be out of date. I believe that at least on major freeways that go interstate the speed limit should be increased to 130-150.

I've read that speed limits hit their max at 110 here because past that speed any accident that occurs is usually not survivable (believe that this was in an RACV magazine or on the conversation...will try to find it) - doctors and surgeons particularly are big advocates for not having unrestricted speed limits due to the impact on fatalities. Imagine the extra trauma that happens if you're travelling at 140km/h and you're hit by someone else also going 140km/h. Airbags and safety features don't make you invincible.

[S200]

I've read that speed limits hit their max at 110 here because past that speed any accident that occurs is usually not survivable (believe that this was in an RACV magazine or on the conversation...will try to find it) - doctors and surgeons particularly are big advocates for not having unrestricted speed limits due to the impact on fatalities. Imagine the extra trauma that happens if you're travelling at 140km/h and you're hit by someone else also going 140km/h. Airbags and safety features don't make you invincible.

Well, with higher speed limits should come greater training for the Drivers.
We had a few family friends over from Germany this time last year, and they literally would not drive on our roads when they learnt that all we had to do to get a licence was to sit in front of a computer...

I feel like you're missing the point here. The speed limit isn't some pointless rule to stop you having fun on the road. It's especially important when you're on your L's, because you have little driving experience/skill and probably overestimate your ability (being young and all -- we all do it), which is a pretty dangerous combination. Not just for you, but for others on the road, and I don't think anyone has a right to put others in danger just because they don't like driving slow.

Well, yeah, but the speed limit is actually incredibly slow. and when you are driving for long periods a touch extra speed does make a difference, both in travel time and concentration. The risk of being caught helps my concentration, as I focus more on the road ahead and less on what's happening in the car.

Whilst that's said, my family does have a tendency to drive faster than most, mainly because we are horrible at punctuality. With practice at it, and having grown up always travelling faster than the speed limit, it becomes incredibly easy to just drive to the limits of your skill rather than the limits imposed by signs. Obviously, under changed conditions like heavy rain, I slow down, but unless I am on a very unfamiliar roads (unusual experience), I will normally just do what I'm used to.

It helps to keep the drive exciting...
And in reality, being on your phone, or driving under foreign influence are FAR more dangerous to other drivers than speeding is.

[Calebark]

Well, yeah, but the speed limit is actually incredibly slow. and when you are driving for long periods a touch extra speed does make a difference, both in travel time and concentration. The risk of being caught helps my concentration, as I focus more on the road ahead and less on what's happening in the car.

Incredibly slow? Well yeah, compared to the speed of a plane. Compared to the safe speed required for somebody to not have their organs turned into paste? No.

If you need risk to make you concentrate, then your driving skill is poor, and this is even more reason for you to slow down. Most people don't need this in order to drive safe.

Whilst that's said, my family does have a tendency to drive faster than most, mainly because we are horrible at punctuality. With practice at it, and having grown up always travelling faster than the speed limit, it becomes incredibly easy to just drive to the limits of your skill rather than the limits imposed by signs. Obviously, under changed conditions like heavy rain, I slow down, but unless I am on a very unfamiliar roads (unusual experience), I will normally just do what I'm used to.

Then you can leave earlier rather than speeding. Hell, all my family speed, and growing up I always went faster than the speed limit. This doesn't make it right -- it just makes it normalised. I think you've got a bit of selection bias going on here. Sure, your family and yourself have managed to break the law without hurting someone, but many people haven't.

It helps to keep the drive exciting...
And in reality, being on your phone, or driving under foreign influence are FAR more dangerous to other drivers than speeding is.

I'd think driving a few-tonne mass of metal powered by miniature explosions is exciting enough. If not, I don't think you're mature enough to be driving -- again, it's putting others at risk.

That doesn't make speeding okay. Snorting meth and injecting heroin are worse than taking pingers, but this doesn't make taking pingers okay. These aren't affected by each other -- they're dangerous in their own right.

[napkin101]

Then you can leave earlier rather than speeding.

Well said. Seriously, you're hardly gonna save any time at all by speeding. On a 25 min drive, you're gonna save 3-4 minutes MAX by speeding here and there, and I'm pretty sure that a life is much more valuable than cutting down a 25 min drive by 3-4 minutes.

That doesn't make speeding okay. Snorting meth and injecting heroin are worse than taking pingers, but this doesn't make taking pingers okay. These aren't affected by each other -- they're dangerous in their own right.

Calebark is right, they're dangerous in their own right. Just because speeding may be 'less dangerous' than the other stuff you mentioned, it doesn't take away from the fact that it can still take lives, and it takes thousands every year. I don't think saying that it's 'less dangerous' than other stuff is a good excuse for driving faster than you should, and not getting caught doesn't make it right either.

[EEEEEEP]

On busy roads like places near schools and city centres, yes.

If it's a highway or country road , where there won't be much pedestrians, I am a fan of what they do on German highways (which is no speed limits). So no, to speed limits on highways.

If anyone has ever been to route 66 or the German Autobahn, it is VERY safe with common sense driving =). Germany has one of the lowest car deaths per 1 million km.

I honestly think that speeding limits don't go far enough. They should also implement minimum speeds too of some kind (e.g. you must do a minimum speed of 15 below the set speed limit)

I'm glad you bought that point up!

If people drive too slow, there will be more bottle necks, causing more car build ups and more car accidents!

[Aaron]

I honestly think that speeding limits don't go far enough. They should also implement minimum speeds too of some kind (e.g. you must do a minimum speed of 15 below the set speed limit)

I have started a new job and driving on a road when somebody is doing 40 infront of you in a 70 zone really imo is dangerous as well.

Eh, you can't win either way but I definitely am starting to feel the irritation of slow drivers. Most of the time forcing me to overtake.

Most speed limits are reasonable and set for good reason (e.g. school zone = 40, built-up area = 50). Once you have driven on your own for a while, you can start to see that speeding and extremely unreasonable slow speed both contribute to road accidents. Speeding more so than the slow driving. Don't speed - if you don't know how to do a reasonable speed on a road, please get off it and don't put yourself and other road users at risk due to your stupidity and selfishness.

Also think all drivers should be tested either in a car or a digital road rule test every 5 years (or upon license renewal), regardless of whether they are 21 or 81 to ensure they have an understanding of road rules, speed signs, etc.... but that's a different discussion Driving on dangerous roads for the past few years has definitely opened my eyes.

[S200]

Incredibly slow? Well yeah, compared to the speed of a plane. Compared to the safe speed required for somebody to not have their organs turned into paste? No.

Well, two completely different vehicles, but yes, when you compare them it seems small. But just look at what cars CAN actually do. We are literally travelling at a quarter of the speed that we could be travelling. Although I don't suggest that everyone could travel at over 450 Km h, I seriously believe that we should be travelling faster. Clearly some training would be required. Compare the number of accidents in Australia with the number of accidents in Germany. Because of their higher training, they have just a percentage of our crashes. Regrettably, they do have a higher chance of death if they crash, but this is a major driver in automotive design and manufacturing. Germany is still safer than us though. Germany has 4.3 deaths per 100000 people in 2014 compared with Australia's 5.6.

If you need risk to make you concentrate, then your driving skill is poor, and this is even more reason for you to slow down. Most people don't need this in order to drive safe.

Well, at risk of bragging, I actually believe that I drive better than 70% of others. This is only my opinion, and based off a small survey of my class. Again, though this may just be a learner driver talking, and "probably overestimat[ing] your my ability (being young and all)...".

But the only reason that I said that concentration thing is that my average driving time would be well over an hour. I routinely do trips to to rural areas like Swan Hill, and with only short halfway breaks. Thus, I am continually driving with a smidgen of fatigue, which is eliminated by this risk-taking strategy.

Then you can leave earlier rather than speeding. Hell, all my family speed, and growing up I always went faster than the speed limit. This doesn't make it right -- it just makes it normalised. I think you've got a bit of selection bias going on here. Sure, your family and yourself have managed to break the law without hurting someone, but many people haven't.

This I do agree with, and I am always trying to leave earlier. But as you said, it's "normalized" now, and it's like a heroin habit.... It's not something you can just stop.

Seriously, you're hardly gonna save any time at all by speeding. On a 25 min drive, you're gonna save 3-4 minutes MAX by speeding here and there, and I'm pretty sure that a life is much more valuable than cutting down a 25 min drive by 3-4 minutes.

You would actually be surprised how much time you can make up... Particularly on longer trips. I agree though, that it is limited on shorter trips. And of course, I can't morally argue with the bolded part, so I agree there. But I still think that a safe speed is a speed that the driver is routinely comfortable with, and that is safe for the road. For instance, from Bacchus Marsh to Ballarat, you don't need to slow down below 160 anywhere. That is fact. The road is safe enough to keep that speed continuously.

I'd think driving a few-tonne mass of metal powered by miniature explosions is exciting enough. If not, I don't think you're mature enough to be driving -- again, it's putting others at risk.

Well, I personally don't find it exciting to be running on explosions. I personally like electric cars. So yeah, not sure how that reflects on my maturity...

It helps to keep the drive exciting...
And in reality, being on your phone, or driving under foreign influence are FAR more dangerous to other drivers than speeding is.

Snorting meth and injecting heroin are worse than taking pingers, but this doesn't make taking pingers okay. These aren't affected by each other -- they're dangerous in their own right.

Well, yes, but I from my personal experience, I've been put in more danger from others on their phones than I have from my speeding.

On busy roads like places near schools and city centres, yes.

If it's a highway or country road , where there won't be much pedestrians, I am a fan of what they do on German highways (which is no speed limits). So no, to speed limits on highways.

If anyone has ever been to route 66 or the German Autobahn, it is VERY safe with common sense driving =). Germany has one of the lowest car deaths per 1 million km.
I'm glad you bought that point up!

If people drive too slow, there will be more bottle necks, causing more car build ups and more car accidents!

100% agree with this comment.  And slow drivers are extremely dangerous. I agree with Aaron that minimum speeds should also exist.

And just a disclaimer.. I pay minute attention to the speed limit in town and in school-zones etc.
On highways and freeways though, it's open season.

[Aaron]

On highways and freeways though, it's open season.

Don't agree, sorry.

If anything, you are potentially putting yourself in harms way. If you're doing say 150 and you lose control of your car, even for a second.... your car will end up being a write-off and you and passengers in a fatal/critical condition. It is not difficult to lose control of a car. And tbh if you disagree with this... I would challenge you to come back and support your own views again after you've had a few years of solo driving experience.

If you're on your own and want to do that... sure. If you have passengers in your car and want to do that still, then that's just absolutely selfish.

I've been driving solo for nearly 6 years now and I still can't look away for more than a second without starting to steer off the road. I can refocus as I'm usually only doing 50-60 in most cases... can't imagine having that opportunity if it was higher.

What freeways/highways do you drive on? I used to drive from Melbs to Geelong regularly and that's probs got moderate traffic? Wouldn't imagine doing any more than the speed limit on that. Putting yourself and others at risk, again.