Utah Trialling 80mph ! 80mph!!!

[EASYBOSS]

Originally Posted by csv8

EASYBOSS... the roadwork fines in UTAH are double..I did set the cruise control on 85mph and the Highway Patrol ignored me!! Here..would have given chase!!!

Yea 85 is cool and what I normally sit on, I did not want to mislead you, as many other have said, you can not just go over the limit to much, so dont get mislead, I work with a lot of US guys, they know. Having said this, it is pretty cool crusing past a state troper on the side of the road doing 85.

The double fines in work zones, I think thats standard in all states, from memory the huge fines were in Illinois.

Have fun, and next time get a Camaro or mustang, not an Impala, the Impala name just does not suit the the currect model, bit like mustanges in the 90's

[Trevor 57]

800 mph = 129 km/h, same as the NT speed limit

[EASYBOSS]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

800 mph = 129 km/h, same as the NT speed limit

Haha 800 mph actually = 1,287 kmh

What were you thinking

And was in NT, not anymore

[Trevor 57]

Sorry my bad, 80mph = 129 kmh, nearly the same as NT, NT is 130 kmh.

[EASYBOSS]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

Sorry my bad, 80mph = 129 kmh, nearly the same as NT, NT is 130 kmh.

Yea, forgot NT is 130, got confused with it used to being open. How would I know for sure, I'm just a Kiwi that has never been their, so my bad.

But driving in the US, thats another story. The free turn right against a red light is really good, Aust and NZ should do this, of course it would be a free turn left in Aust and NZ, after you stop and check all clear, makes the traffic flow heaps better.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by cartaa100

I think that Australia really needs some iproving to its roads with brandnew completly straight motorways with speed limits of 140 or 150 maybe even higher,

especially given the distance between australia's major centers...

[Ben73]

So if driving overseas we obviously need a International Licence. Can I just see the local RTA about that?

[ebxr8240]

Na just pay extra insurance.. Be VERY careful at intersections...
ALSO be careful when you come back home !!! Sheesh scary...

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Ben73

So if driving overseas we obviously need a International Licence. Can I just see the local RTA about that?

No most countries recognise our licenses.

If you are low on experience be VERY careful in LHD countries as everything is backwards and your first reaction to an emergency situation is usually wrong.

This is actually a significant factor in vehicle deaths and serious accidents on Fraser Island as the majority of backpackers come from Europe.

[EASYBOSS]

Originally Posted by flappist

No most countries recognise our licenses.

If you are low on experience be VERY careful in LHD countries as everything is backwards and your first reaction to an emergency situation is usually wrong.

This is actually a significant factor in vehicle deaths and serious accidents on Fraser Island as the majority of backpackers come from Europe.

Easy way I found was, always remember, driver to the center, meaning drivers side to the center line of the road. And yes, always take all the insurance options, it does cost.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by EASYBOSS

Easy way I found was, always remember, driver to the center, meaning drivers side to the center line of the road. And yes, always take all the insurance options, it does cost.

The only times I have had a bit of stress were (in USA)

1) turning left from a multi lane multi segmented road into another similar road with no other cars around to give you a "hint".

2) travelling on a single lane hilly road and having an oncoming vehicle pop over the rise in front. Immediate reaction.......keep left....WRONG........

The craziest places I have ever driven were Mexico, Quebec, Tahiti and PRC....they are all homicidal/suicidal loonies....

[warpsp33d]

Originally Posted by mik

that`s a good cruising speed, i reckon even 90 mph is pretty comfortable cruising speed on a long run, good on them for trialing it.

I was cruising with other traffic down hill into LA last year in a shiny new Ford Edge SUV Limited (rental that only had 1000 miles on the clock). We were all doing 90-95mph. Sat on 75 most of the way from Vegas. It was awesome.

[warpsp33d]

Originally Posted by EASYBOSS

Easy way I found was, always remember, driver to the center, meaning drivers side to the center line of the road. And yes, always take all the insurance options, it does cost.

A friend gave me a good rule to remember when approaching intersections.

Left Long, Right Short.

That helped me a lot in the states.

...and the other is, drive with your inside leg in the middle of the lane.

Took me about 5-6 hours of constant driving to start having to not concentrate so much. Definitely an interesting experience.

My personal tip is just to slow everything down. Don't rush, take your time, make sure you've got a GPS. When you indicate to change lanes, do it slowly, leave yourself an extra large gap, think before you do ANYTHING, eyes open, watch the other traffic.

[cartaa100]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

especially given the distance between australia's major centers...

we should just swap roads with germany, hahah :P

[2011G6E]

Just got back from a trip down to Brisbane, in Bundaberg at the moment.
Driving on the 110 divided four lane in the Celica was a treat...smooth, wide, safe, the limit could have just as safely been 130.
Then came the downer...the 60-odd kilometers from near Cooroy to north of Gympie, set at 90kph, with a "modified median strip" and no overtaking allowed, big signs everywhere saying "high accident area, decreased speed limit, increased police presence"...even though the "accidents" some years back were morons overtaking trucks in the rain and turning out onto the highway in front of traffic. I also didn't see one police car.
Then there were the millions of dollars worth of massive electronic signs over the highway every few K's, flashing slogans like "YOU are tailgating...BACK OFF" (even when there isn't another car for a kilometer in front or behind you), and "YOU are speeding...slow down!"...once again, even if you are below the limit by a fair bit. Moronic.

The "90kph and no overtaking" merely imposes "lowest common denominator road safety"...if some numpty up front decides he feels "safe" driving at 70, then everyone has to drive at 70 in a kilometer long conga line behind him...as happened to me twice today.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...in Australia their only "solution" to road safety is to LOWER speed limits to allow for bad drivers...anyone thinking they will ever RAISE limits is living in dream land...

[tex]

I enjoyed flinging around Merica last year in the Coyote.

One big day in the silver car saw us drive Vegas - to the Grand Canyon return. 700 odd miles if memory serves.

Was comfortable travelling at speeds that kept your mind focussed, kept you alert, kept you moving with safety and purpose. Moving with TRaffic resulted in 80 -90mph cruise.

The drive a few days later from vegas to LA was more subdued, and heavily laden with damn near bumper to bumper traffic moving at 'only' 70 odd. Quite bizarre moving at that speed with cars only a few car lengths behind you, but seemed to work.

Nevada and Arizona were great for swift travelling and coppers were visible but not concerned with appropriate speed in open sections.

Florida and California on the other hand...... very different story.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by tex

Florida and California on the other hand...... very different story.

Care to elaborate? Will be heading there in a month for the first time. I'm hoping to get a mustang rental, and hope it won't be anything like driving on Victorian highways.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Care to elaborate? Will be heading there in a month for the first time. I'm hoping to get a mustang rental, and hope it won't be anything like driving on Victorian highways.

For those states, It'll be along the lines of "stick to the speed limit or there will be a reaming with a pineapple using Dencorub as a lubricant...they've got no tolerance and the Highway Patrol enforces it with an iron fist"...

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

For those states, It'll be along the lines of "stick to the speed limit or there will be a reaming with a pineapple using Dencorub as a lubricant...they've got no tolerance and the Highway Patrol enforces it with an iron fist"...

Well dammit, I'll feel right at home over there. Sounds a lot like Pricktoria, Prickroads and Prictoria Police. Might get a Prius instead

[csv8]

It would be good if we could turn left at red traffic lights, if it is safe to do so. In America you can turn right,on red ,if safe to do so. No problems with Troopers driving from LA>San Diego>Vegas>Salt Lake City. Roundabouts are fun !! gotta remember to go right !!.
Easyboss..I needed a big car..'stang didn't fit the bill....
Its fun driving in other countries..see how bad the Aus Gov treats motorists...

[last fairlane]

Done it the other way
Try driving a RHD car in England
then catching the ferry to France
Im in a RHD car on the Right (wrong) side of the road
if you know what I mean
driving on the freeway @130 KPH is fine
but leave it and use back roads sheee
went through a round a bout
looked to the right all clear and nearly got cleaned up
by a car coming from the left
(must think all the time)
then for the thrill of a lifetime
try being a passenger on a back road
bloody scary
thats my go at driving on the wrong side of the road
thanks John

[flappist]

Ok, this is starting to wander a bit far off track.

The topic is 80MPH (130km/h) limits trialled.

[EASYBOSS]

Most of the interstate system in the US is already 80MPH, so trailing in on the I89 is no big deal. I think the topic is also about how good the roads are and the Interstate system

[mininote]

my experience in the USofA driving, is that everyone seemed courteous but moved along interstate highways quite rapidly, cruisers often on the side of the road, but no electronic policing, found the experience very good. Still remember everyone from LA to vegas sitting on 85mph in all 4 lanes, i guess when you have 20+ million people to move around on your roads things work a little different (and better!) their...

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by cartaa100

I think that Australia really needs some iproving to its roads with brandnew completly straight motorways with speed limits of 140 or 150 maybe even higher, SNIP

We cannot (safely) raise limits on our full-freeways UNTIL the central medians are fully barriered (to prevent crossovers), and the U-Turn bays GATELOCKED,- to prevent the many crazies who delight at doing U-turns in front of 110km/h closing traffic, sometimes with deadly result.
http://www.boostcruising.com.au/foru...owtopic=425650

REM, large parts of the VIC and NSW Hume Highway, whilst dual carriageway, are NOT freeway contruction. (Many "Intersections" vs a freeways more desired "Interchange").

NT will return (//) on many parts of its highway network currently signposted 130km/h. (IF CLP regain power). Get my way and they'll be mandating a couple of other 'safety' things for new market cars too.

[fangq]

Originally Posted by csv8

I am in Salt Lake City, before flying to Toronto. Driving from Vegas to Salt Lake City , there are sections of the I89 that are trialling 80mph !!! Impala liked it and so did I !! The difference is the roads are so superior to ours. Especially the goat track called the Bruce Highway. and no hidden speed cameras on those sections ,just Highway Patrol which you can see. Our Government needs to learn from American cousins how to build roads and control speeding. At 80mph, trip computer showed the Impala was doing 22.7mpg!!!

One of our staff just returned from a holiday in WA.
She commented that even in "woop woop " areas, the quality of the roads were better then the Bruce highway. The other week, I had the "pleasure" of driving Glasshouse -Mansfield-Toowoomba-north to Wandoan. 7 hours of traffic jams, good highway with crap limits, then crap Leichardt highway with ? limits, B doubles and OSize loads for the mines
Thank god for G6ET.
Steve

[jonnop1]

I was driving in Alabama on a major highway and I was pulled over for doing 69 in a 55 zone. Was told by the state trooper that I would not have been picked up if I was doing 4 mph slower. So the rule of thumb is they will not really bother you if you are within 10 mph over the speed limit unless its the end of the month..

The fine was 195 USD which converted back to approx 185 AUD when the dollar was at around 1.07.

One thing is when you do get pulled over dont make any fast movements. The state trooper had his hand over the gun the whole time..

Jonno

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

especially given the distance between australia's major centers...

Given that Australia's abilty to fund such a thing, it ain't gonna happen, 22 million people and probably half of that are taxpayers.

[2011G6E]

Not to mention the simply staggering number of drivers out there that I wouldn't trust driving around a carpark, much less at 100kph on the highway...even less if they suddenly told people "you can drive at 140"...it'd be carnage...

[flappist]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Not to mention the simply staggering number of drivers out there that I wouldn't trust driving around a carpark, much less at 100kph on the highway...even less if they suddenly told people "you can drive at 140"...it'd be carnage...

Well why was there not carnage in NT when it had open speed limits?