Mutter mutter, now the Czechs want 160km/h!

[Keepleft]

Behind UAE, Austria, Italy and Hungary's 150km/h, comes another nations Transport Ministry intending to pass a speed restriction higher than the EU norm of 130km/h for motorway class networks, one of 160km/h.

My advice, in writing, is that they really would be better off going for (//) to reduce the bunching-up effect, but anyhow:-)

In the meantime, 'safety advocates' seek to reduce the existing signposted 110km/h on Vic's true freeway class roads to 100km/h, and Scruby will soon start his campaign after the election to remove NSW's three X fixed speed camera warning signs, so NSW will be like VIC, (forget it).

http://www.radio.cz/en/news/88758#4

[Piotr]

Someone need to get rid of scruby

[Danny]

Everybody Hates Harold

[[Tonko]]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

In the meantime, 'safety advocates' seek to reduce the existing signposted 110km/h on Vic's true freeway class roads to 100km/h, and Scruby will soon start his campaign after the election to remove NSW's three X fixed speed camera warning signs, so NSW will be like VIC, (forget it).

at least this will stop the ''dont speed and you wont get caught'' crap we get from those on the other side of the Murray

[LTDHO]

But how can they drive at 160kph without dieing?[/sarcasm]

[Charliewool]

Having worked and travelled in the Czech Republic, I can understand reasons behind this "commonsense" approach to higher speed limits. The vast improvement & modernisation of their road system is really quite staggering since communism fell. (see attached link)
The new motorway (they're called "Speedways" over there!!) from Kalovy Vary to the German border and over the mountains will be breathtaking when complete.

Whether their rattly old Skodas can get up to & maintain 160kmhs is another question though!! :eclipsee_

http://www.rsd.cz/rsd/rsd.nsf/Edit/I...service&lng=EN

[Scott]

The three sign rule is all that has kept me on the road, if anything, removal of the signs will result in higher average speeds......... and more revenue :(

[GXL078]

Will a Skoda do 160Km/h? This is what the average car in CZ looks like:
http://modely.unas.cz/pictures/105a_01.jpg
And there are many much worse.

[wulos]

Keepleft - may I ask why you did not reply to my 2 emails & pm's (I sent 5-6 weeks ago) regarding the installation of a speed camera at Wallarah Creek Charmhaven, that would appear to be in clear breach of RTA's own guidelines for instalation of such equipment?

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by Piotr

Someone need to get rid of scruby

Without putting too fine a point, Harold Scruby is an idiot. Always has been always will be. I hope he comes for a visit to the Territory one day. He will need a police escort, thats for sure.

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by wulos

Keepleft - may I ask why you did not reply to my 2 emails & pm's (I sent 5-6 weeks ago) regarding the installation of a speed camera at Wallarah Creek Charmhaven, that would appear to be in clear breach of RTA's own guidelines for instalation of such equipment?

I received an email and forwarded this onto an RTA contact. I am still awaiting feedback on circumstances.

The decision to expand fixed speed cameras was more a political one, with direction for this arising from a directive from the AG's department.

It is the AG's department of each state that 'predicts' revenue.

Those in RTA who had faith in the system, applied as close to known blackspots, would seem uncomfortable with the desire for more and more of the devices, the fear being a reduction in their acceptability. More the reason to ensure the three warning signs do not get removed in policy.

One really should approach the ALP sitting member, who in turn will rely on 'instruction' from RTA who in turn accept directive from the AG's dept:-)

Once I have the 'facts' I'll get back to you, probably on here since the topic is public record. Please understand I can only deal with facts and not opinion, be that opinion right or wrong, fully or in part.

An option would be to vote the other way.

[wulos]

Thanx for the (belated)reply keepleft, I wait to hear more on this...

[XRQTR]

I dare say that all of your efforts will be in vain folks, as some of the WA members have also noted that more fixed speed cameras like the ones we have here in Vic are to be put into action.

I have a strange feeling that the other states have seen the revenue base that is available from such devices, this along with the predictability of speeding drivers will serve them well in there budget forecasts, as seen recently in Victorias budget forecasts.

I wonder what figure they would have had if it had not been for these devices.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by xcgxl

Will a Skoda do 160Km/h? This is what the average car in CZ looks like:
http://modely.unas.cz/pictures/105a_01.jpg
And there are many much worse.

Originally Posted by charliewool

Whether their rattly old Skodas can get up to & maintain 160kmhs is another question though!!

Ha! Wait til Skoda is finally released in Australia later this year. This is now the best manufacturer in the world alongside Lexus (see for example: http://www.topgear.com/content/carsurvey/2006/). Good quality, good design at affordable prices. The Roomster MPV to be sold here has top speed of 180kph. Like to see a Kia or Toyota MPV do that safely (if at all).

Czech Republic has been going through 15 years of structural/economic change so there are many locals still who can't afford a new car at full EC prices but its changing rapidly. However I didn't notice the vehicle fleet looking anything like that xcgal, quite the opposite.

The fallacy in applying this speed limit example to Australia however is that, while Czech drivers are pretty vigorous (to put it politely!), their attention is firmly focussed on the road and conditions around them - like most Europeans. There are none of the Vague Daves and plain incompetents you find en masse here. Just saw on the news recently also apparently one in 10 of the drivers out there on our roads are unlicensed! The thought of some of these doing 160 is pretty unnerving.

Massive re-education and attitudinal changes need here first, plus chemical injections to remove aggression and vagueness hormones. Ah Australia - gotta love it!

[sprjenkins]

Originally Posted by new2ford

The fallacy in applying this speed limit example to Australia however is that, while Czech drivers are pretty vigorous (to put it politely!), their attention is firmly focussed on the road and conditions around them - like most Europeans. There are none of the Vague Daves and plain incompetents you find en masse here.
Massive re-education and attitudinal changes need here first,

I gotta say I agree, its a lot harder to get your license in most parts of Europe, people usually keep out of the fast lane, thats right move out of the right lane you ***$%les. People over there just generally pay more attention and drive better. I've almost had a real bad accident 2 days ago when some idiot pulled out of a side street right in front of me, that was close, just hours after I saw a motorbike rider get cleaned up by some girl on her P plates on dorset rd, and that was just before I saw another P plate girl pull out straight in front of a 4wd and almost got killed. I like going fast but there are some real idiots out there.

[Mongoose]

I dont understand, why do the Euros get to hae to much speed and we have like 50 times the amount of open space and were stuck at 110kmh? and we dont even have to worry about mountains to go around were on the flattest continent in the world and were not allowed (legally) to go over a stupidly slow limit? how retarded

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by new2ford

while Czech drivers are pretty vigorous (to put it politely!), their attention is firmly focussed on the road and conditions around them -

Not bloody wrong there new2ford!
I travelled in a late model skoda taxi from Prague airport to Nejdek (about 200kms) through the Krusne mountains. It was -26 degrees, ice covered roads and snowing. The maniac driver who could not speak one word of english, got up to 160kph on some of the straight bits, and fairdinkum had it sideways around some corners.
But.. I spose he "knew" the road?

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by Mongoose10

I dont understand, why do the Euros get to hae to much speed and we have like 50 times the amount of open space and were stuck at 110kmh? and we dont even have to worry about mountains to go around were on the flattest continent in the world and were not allowed (legally) to go over a stupidly slow limit? how retarded

This situation has come about because we have d1ckh3ads like Harold Scruby that have too much say in our societies. Also we polititions that can only think about getting their 6 years up and getting their fat ugly faces into the tax payer funded super scheme.

[merlin]

M2 speedlimit of 100km/h has been now dropped to 70km/h for a moderate section of it. What a joke.

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by merlin

M2 speedlimit of 100km/h has been now dropped to 70km/h for a moderate section of it. What a joke.

Uh... since when? As far as I know its only like that where the night roadworks are (around the tunnel)....

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by charliewool

Not bloody wrong there new2ford!
I travelled in a late model skoda taxi from Prague airport to Nejdek (about 200kms) through the Krusne mountains. It was -26 degrees, ice covered roads and snowing. The maniac driver who could not speak one word of english, got up to 160kph on some of the straight bits, and fairdinkum had it sideways around some corners.
But.. I spose he "knew" the road?

Glad you're still with us charliewool! And how did you go on the pedestrian crossings in Prague (now come to think of it there's a good spot to drop Mr Scruby).

[GXL078]

Originally Posted by charliewool

Not bloody wrong there new2ford!
I travelled in a late model skoda taxi from Prague airport to Nejdek (about 200kms) through the Krusne mountains. It was -26 degrees, ice covered roads and snowing. The maniac driver who could not speak one word of english, got up to 160kph on some of the straight bits, and fairdinkum had it sideways around some corners.
But.. I spose he "knew" the road?

Train would have been a safer option. One thing I remember about Prague drivers is that they park nose to nose on the street corner when there is nowhere else to park.

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by wulos

Thanx for the (belated)reply keepleft, I wait to hear more on this...

Got tired of waiting so contacted the person who has direct personal knowledge.

Basically in a nutshell, the camera was is placed at the spot owing "high speeds measured, and an unacceptable crash rate *in the immediate area*, so studied over a 5 year period'.

This involved stealthed speed surveys and whatnot.

* The immediate area can of course mean a kilometer or two eaither side. I personally attended once such crash in that spot in that RTA timeframe involving a Diahatsu Charade and another in an offset collision that resulted in serious injury. Chap states the crash figure for the length of road is much higher than two, and the descision to install was made some time ago, the delay to install was owing funding levels.

I personally can live with this one owing the nearby narrow bridge. I'd be seeking determination however regarding removal of the system once the bridge is replaced in a few years time.

[merlin]

Originally Posted by Steffo

Uh... since when? As far as I know its only like that where the night roadworks are (around the tunnel)....

Apparantly it is now always going to be 70 through that section because morons can't drive through a 30 metre "tunnel" where changing lanes is banned without crashing into each other (every second day this week I have been delayed due to acco's in the "tunnel").

I also heard through the rumour mill that Westbound is being made to 3 general traffic lanes (great) except that it will incur a lower speed limit on the entire motorway as the lanes will then be narrower.

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by Steffo

Uh... since when? As far as I know its only like that where the night roadworks are (around the tunnel)....

The 70km/h mentioned by Merlin is not permanent.

Remember also, that the left emergency shoulder, for a longish length of the M2, will re-worked as an additional traffic lane in due course. This action IS NOT PERMANENT but could apply a year or three.

The intention is that the M2 will again have an emergency wide left shoulder with time. Construction of the third lane is a stop gap measure until funding arrangements can be made for a full re-construction. $$$$.

This will all start soon and means 'serious trouble' if a vehicle should falter and fail>>hazards/triangle/vest.


ON FUTURE SPEED MANAGEMENT NSW. I *know* that this state, (the state roads authority, not Councils) *will* once again post (//) to selected lengths of rural, 'two traffic laned' NSW key highways. I expect at this stage these to be placed as I say, more remote roads. The speed derestriction sign is catalogued as R4-2 in AS1742.4 of 1999 as ceasing speed limits on the length of road. (L and P plate driver remain speed-limited under (//) owing Conditions of License). I'd expect action on this in about 4-5 years, it IS on the cards for NSW, but will be used sparingly.

ALSO TO BE USED with greater effect is the R4-12 "End Speed Limit Sign", used to signal caution in a driver for the road length ahead, this sign signals to you 'hazards' - which might be rail crossings, poor camber, ditches, soft-edges, hidden driveways, gravel-road etc and so on, if you see one, beware. Under the ARR AND AS; the speed maximum that applies for this sign is the 'rural default', 100km/h, NOT that you'd do it owing potential safety issues. RTA is -redesigning this particular sign to be more "size manageable".

In regards the speed derestriction sign, RTA senior speed managers will shortly take a more active role over the next 2-3 years at having Councils remove the existing speed derestriction signs, - which Council road traffic people place, typically on crappy rural roads, and based on an OLD RTA Speed Zonining Guideline. The Authority for Councils to use the speed derestriction sign has been removed, permanently.

The idea in NSW is that the derestriction sign will ONLY be used on high-standard, 'key' rural roads AND placed ONLY by RTA. Speed restriction signs (R4-1's) AND the above END Speed-Limit signs (R4-12's) will be used on other rural roads not meeting high-standard.

BOTH sides of parliament will support RTA. RTA as the 'NSW roads authority' can set any speed limit it desires, now parliament, if it decides, can legislate removal of a particular speed limit/allowance. A Transport Minister always works with the agency.

It is appropriate that political parties and MP's not be seen to be setting speed-limits or allowances, this is best left with the road authority. A wise party or MP will simply adopt improved road tranport policy to better the lot of consumers and national productivity.

I cannot determine at this very early stage IF NSW freeways can or would be posted with a speed limit (or derestriction) higher than the current 110km/h.

Personally I'd like to do so, BUT, UNLIKE our European friends, our freeway/motorway designs do not have full-length median barrier, and have Emergency U-Turn bays that are abused by drivers daily. Much crash danger here and this must first be rectified before any increase OR allowance.

An issue also relates to rural non-freeway dual carriageway roads, such as the Hume highway for great lengths; "intersections". Much danger under a high speed allowance also. "Interchanges" are safer, and here, - after median barrier install, gatelock for the U-Turn bays, we could see eventual higher speed limits or derestriction.

To apply a higher limit now on these roads would impact overall road safety negatively. Patience is required and so are dollars to bring the network up to world standard.

[wulos]

Thanx for the reply on this one Keepleft.
I am still of the belief that this site in particular was targeted for no other reason then for revenue creation. Surely investing in road / bridge improvements, would have returned a safer motoring environment, although a cynic would suspect that they need to source the revenue to make safer roads from somewhere....
I digress though - and shouldn't take this thread further off topic.

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by wulos

Thanx for the reply on this one Keepleft.
I am still of the belief that this site in particular was targeted for no other reason then for revenue creation. Surely investing in road / bridge improvements, would have returned a safer motoring environment, although a cynic would suspect that they need to source the revenue to make safer roads from somewhere....
I digress though - and shouldn't take this thread further off topic.

Sure, but remember to build a brdige costs XX millions and afterall a camera can pay for itself within xx time, and have the desired effect of slowing-down attention paying traffic at point of install.

I know I know, I can live without them. Patience:-)

[The G6ET Spot]

Originally Posted by Danny

Everybody Hates Harold

He better hope that someone from the shooters party doesn't get elected to office in the elections tomorrow.He could be in trouble. : _2:

[Outbackjack]

: :

Originally Posted by RAPID XR8

He better hope that someone from the shooters party doesn't get elected to office in the elections tomorrow.He could be in trouble. : _2:

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