Skaife calls for Speed limit increases on Victorian Freeways... - Page 3

**Tucool** · 13-06-2010, 08:56 PM

Long over due....Go Skaife (Never thought I would ever say that)

Fireblade · 13-06-2010, 09:03 PM

Well presented report by Mark Skaife and I actually agreed with everything he said. Don't think it will make much difference but well done Skaifey.

g220ba · 13-06-2010, 09:09 PM

The design of the westgate is its biggest flaw, At them moment the constant roadworks are a major traffic haslel which will hopefully result in a more freely flowing road (highly doubtful). The biggest problem section is outbound where you have the road from the domain tunnel to the bridge going from 4 lanes to 3 then 2, then back to 3 then 4 within a kilometre. Add to that the montague st onramp, follwowed by the citylink onramp then right at the foot of the bridge the todd rd onramp. It'll never be resolved and with a growing population will only get worse.

The ring road is getting a much needed improvement, to what extent i'm unsure but it appears to be in the process of being widened to 3 lanes in most sections. The lack of forward planning has been exposed severly on these 2 sections of road, which in the long run has probably cost more than if they'd done the job properly the first time.

My feeling is anything past 30-50km out of the city where traffic is less prevelant is where the speed should be increased (where the roads are suitable). As mentioned earlier the monash shouldn't really be 80km/h from the burnley tunnel to high st, It's 4 lanes wide and free flowing. In OFF peak times they should consider a speed limit of 100.

Keepleft · 13-06-2010, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

"If" his proposal was ever to come to fruition there MUST be a far greater emphasis on "Keep left"....

Yeah, ta sport thanks.

Move ^ = years off, infrastructure updates underway - median barrier, U-Turn gatelock.

Vehicle gear - etc and so on.

Patience needed.

** I note a Swiss campaign to raise their 120km/h autobahn limit, proposal is for 140km/h.

Strange place the world.

Auslandau · 13-06-2010, 09:25 PM

Yes it was a very good and an 'about time' segment.

BUT

Problem is prevention costs money ..... there is a good profit in enforcement.

'Speed kills' is just such a hugely successful campaign raking in billions every year. Thats $1,000,000,000,000 ..... or is that too many naughts? No way is that going to change .... only up wards. Amazing really ....

AND THOSE DRIVING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON EAST LINK AT 97mph ...... MOVE OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Falc'man · 13-06-2010, 09:28 PM

One Billion = one thousand million. So $1,000,000,000.

Skaife for PM!!

pauljh74 · 13-06-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

With the amount of congestion and variations in speed of cars on our inner city freeways i cant see any sense in changing the limits, the tunnel to the westgate is a bottle neck that rarely see's the posted limit anyway, the ringroad is a nightmare and to be honest dangerous even at 100.
Its only the arterials leading away from the broader melb like the hume area that can safely tolerate higher speed limits.

Off peak the inner city freeways/tollways could cope with 100km/h. A bit over 20 years ago what is now Citylink on the east side was 2 lanes with a 100 km/h limit 24/7. It used to end at Warrigal road and start again at Toorak Rd. Now, the road is better, the cars are better, but the speed is lower. 80km/h on a 4 lane motorway is a joke. The Hume fwy from the ring road out could be considered for an increase - 120km/h in the country on the freeway section would be fair. The 100km/h highways should stay as is.

Brumby has already rejected calls for limits to be increased - too busy dropping speed limits and installing fixed cameras on those same roads

SVTVNM · 13-06-2010, 09:50 PM

Never thought I would agree with Skaife, see him in totally different light now, The biggest point I took note off , and that also is the reason it will never happen here is that most drivers don't now what is goin on around them were as over there it's different. Also I beleive Driving should be seen as a priviledege not as a given, getting over that one obstacle would make a differencs in it's self.

g220ba · 13-06-2010, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTVNM

Never thought I would agree with Skaife, see him in totally different light now, The biggest point I took note off , and that also is the reason it will never happen here is that most drivers don't now what is goin on around them were as over there it's different. Also I beleive Driving should be seen as a priviledege not as a given, getting over that one obstacle would make a differencs in it's self.

Which is why you should be made to earn that priveledge not just given to you on silver platter.

How easy is it to transfer an international license to a victorian license?

Also were my eyes decieving me or was Mark seen to be driving a G6?

Romulus · 13-06-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

"If" his proposal was ever to come to fruition there MUST be a far greater emphasis on "Keep left".... Its already a massive issue when on many of our 100k roads you have to merge left on a regular basis just to maintain the posted limits to pass slower moving traffic in the right lane..... Its a HUGE issue, especially on Eastlink, the Monash, Westgate/Geelong and Ring road...

I agree wholeheartedly. Having driven in Holland and Germany many times over the last 10 years I struggle to get back into the 'swing' of things when returning here.

This issue will take a generation to change. What is plainly obvious is the lack of direction from our current policies in reducing the road toll.

I watched the article. My respect for Skaify has increased 100 fold.

Romulus · 13-06-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Unfortunately the Autobahn isnt what some people think it is..
The costs and prerequesites for its use would exclude most people in Australia from it if the same system was set-up here..

I agree entirely. Further to that take a sample of say 1000 drivers from Australia, put them on the Autobahn, and watch the fatality rate spike until they are all dead or are arrested and sent back here.

platinumXR · 13-06-2010, 10:28 PM

Wishful thinking I am afraid.

Australian Drivers will never change. "We" are far to selfish, bad mannered and confrontational to allow any change for the better; let alone allow for any of HRH Skaife's proposals that by the way - other people have been spruiking for years however have gone unnoticed due to the fact they are not Go Kart drivers...

...would be nice to be able to drive down the road and feel a little more at ease that the person in the lane next to me actually knew what they were doing.

**Full Noise** · 13-06-2010, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zdcol71

Still would hate to think that all the effort I had put into my test was determined by the fact that what I was being tested on(legislation/ road rules) was dictacted and determined by the fact that my watch was set correct and the testers was wrong.

When I was 18, I failed my first licence test before I even got into the car. Back in 1987 they started doing licence tests on every second Saturday at the Vicroads branch at Greensborough. I was first up at 8:00 AM on my 18th birthday and struck some pr!#k with an attitude problem even bigger than mine, which I didn’t think was possible.

Anyway, while we were doing the paperwork, he asked me if I had a criminal record or any other convictions. I asked him “what’s that got to do with my licence?” he said with an angry voice, yes or no. I said no but knew that I wasn’t going to pass my test that day.

I was also informed that if I wanted to pass next time, make sure those studs in your ear are gone before you come back.

Franco Cozzo · 13-06-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full Noise

When I was 18, I failed my first licence test before I even got into the car. Back in 1987 they started doing licence tests on every second Saturday at the Vicroads branch at Greensborough. I was first up at 8:00 AM on my 18th birthday and struck some pr!#k with an attitude problem even bigger than mine, which I didn’t think was possible.

Anyway, while we were doing the paperwork, he asked me if I had a criminal record or any other convictions. I asked him “what’s that got to do with my licence?” he said with an angry voice, yes or no. I said no but knew that I wasn’t going to pass my test that day.

I was also informed that if I wanted to pass next time, make sure those studs in your ear are gone before you come back.

2 month waiting list to sit my test, another 2 months if you failed. If they can't handle all the L platers going for Ps, how the hell are they going to handle, say retesting every year if that ever came in?

Auturbo6 · 13-06-2010, 10:58 PM

Only an idiot would increase the speed limit on Aust roads. Our drivers don't have the skills or intellegence to handle such an undertaking. Imagine the results when joe average pulls out in front of someone traveling 120kph or more doing 80 or less. Happens to me twice or more a week at 100kph, and i only drive 120 km's on a sunday every week to visit my family, let alone if i were to drive on the highway every day. We have a 4 lane highway in brisbane that goes to the gold coast and u'll find all 4 lanes doing 90km\h, all 4 lanes. I won't tell u how i overcome this, but to say having a big turbo hanging off the side of one's engine is an advantage when carrying out not so legal overtaking manouvers. Keep left unless overtaking. PLEASE I BEG EVERYONE....................

flappist · 13-06-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auturbo6

Only an idiot would increase the speed limit on Aust roads. Our drivers don't have the skills or intellegence to handle such an undertaking. Imagine the results when joe average pulls out in front of someone traveling 120kph or more doing 80 or less. Happens to me twice or more a week at 100kph, and i only drive 120 km's on a sunday every week to visit my family, let alone if i were to drive on the highway every day. We have a 4 lane highway in brisbane that goes to the gold coast and u'll find all 4 lanes doing 90km\h, all 4 lanes. I won't tell u how i overcome this, but to say having a big turbo hanging off the side of one's engine is an advantage when carrying out not so legal overtaking manouvers. Keep left unless overtaking. PLEASE I BEG EVERYONE....................

Our drivers don't have the skills or intelligence?

OR

You don't have the skills or intelligence so therefore no one else could have. Part of the plan is driver training............

There were no speed limits in NT up until 2007 and even now it is 130. How could anyone still be alive up there?

Auturbo6 · 13-06-2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Our drivers don't have the skills or intelligence?

OR

You don't have the skills or intelligence so therefore no one else could have. Part of the plan is driver training............

There were no speed limits in NT up until 2007 and even now it is 130. How could anyone still be alive up there?

What's the difference in population. Question answered. And with reguard to driver training, we all know that those with no intellegence can't be trained. And yet transport still gives out licences willy nilly. That's life i guess. Im trying to become more tollerant of those beneith me....... LOL...... little hope.......... Later.........

Dodge · 13-06-2010, 11:32 PM

they should look at it this way, 15 years ago our cars had poor brake, susspension, tyres and roads, today we have improved on all these things but our driving mannor i still the same, we all drive to get there first. no matter if we are doing 50 or 120 kph our minds are not on the roads or the person trying to merge onto the road. we are all guilty of this. the only time we are considerate is when someone has crashed or driving a rare car.

Tray · 13-06-2010, 11:35 PM

im a p-plater and have to say i dont agree with skaife, increasing major roads to 140 would cause many accidents-old/slow people making accidents anyways. slow people doing 80km on a 100km/h would have a difference in 20km/h and people get frustrated with them. imagine if them slow people were doing 80km in a 140km/h zone-nightmare trying to take over them as the people in the right hand lane would be doing 60km faster than you which gives you no chance in overtaking without causing an accident.

upping the limit will cause problems-mainly because our licensing system is s***, we need advanced courses for everyone appling for a license (they miles well just sell licenses on ebay and receive it in the mail in a couple of days).most people i'd expect they would be too confident in them selves but loosing control of your car at 140km/h is much more dangerous than doing 100km/h. and incomming traffic it would be like 280km/h if you were to hit someone- which im sure you will be dead instantly.

if we had advanced driving courses as compulsery i would probably support skaife.

well that's my piont of view anyways.

Auturbo6 · 13-06-2010, 11:37 PM

Damn your avatar Dodge, its hard to read ure post because i find myself starring.
However now wearing eye patch on left eye. I wonder if u consider considerate meaning causing unnessasary traffic jams. IE rubber neckers

CFOUR · 13-06-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mar...-1225878944536

Some good common sense ideas....

Skaife is good at common sence.

SVD · 14-06-2010, 12:19 AM

i don't see where Skaife said he wants 140km/hr...he was saying our roads could handle it...which in my mind is different to want...
I also don't get the comments of people saying they don't like Skaife etc...just because he was a Holden driver? that's just childish, he is a damn good driver and a damn good bloke regardless of the car you drive.

Finally, SKAIFE FOR ROADS MINISTER!

mik · 14-06-2010, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tray

im a p-plater and have to say i dont agree with skaife, increasing major roads to 140 would cause many accidents-old/slow people making accidents anyways. slow people doing 80km on a 100km/h would have a difference in 20km/h and people get frustrated with them. imagine if them slow people were doing 80km in a 140km/h zone-nightmare trying to take over them as the people in the right hand lane would be doing 60km faster than you which gives you no chance in overtaking without causing an accident.

upping the limit will cause problems-mainly because our licensing system is s***, we need advanced courses for everyone appling for a license (they miles well just sell licenses on ebay and receive it in the mail in a couple of days).most people i'd expect they would be too confident in them selves but loosing control of your car at 140km/h is much more dangerous than doing 100km/h. and incomming traffic it would be like 280km/h if you were to hit someone- which im sure you will be dead instantly.

if we had advanced driving courses as compulsery i would probably support skaife.

well that's my piont of view anyways.

i think Skaife said with improved skills and licenceing we could upgrade speed limits unless i read it wrong.

UNR8D · 14-06-2010, 02:04 AM

MIK - that's exactly how the article is written, and how it was stated, my respect for mark has improved 10fold, common sense and proactive rather than reactive solution.

3 below pics are from my 1800km travels this weekend around qld, out to roma/carnarvon and back to brisbane just to highlight the stupidity of the speed limits.

100km/h signposted section.

also 100km/h posted speed limit

yep... every speed limit follows the same strict rigorous guidelines...wait what?

UNR8D · 14-06-2010, 09:19 AM

really as for the argument about old or stupid people not being able to handle a car at 120-140km/h.. that's easy, its called bus or plane if you cant handle a car then you should have no licence. its a privilege not a right but its one that like skafe has addressed needs a big overhaul in the way licensing is done.

130 can be a walk in a park on some of our major highways, and this crap about closing speed and people doing under, well make it as much of an offence to be doing less than 100 in a 130 area, and as for the driver doing 130, its called being alert and driving to the conditions, id do 130+ on cruise ctrl for 90+% of my trip, slowing for towns and slowing for any road trains etc its not a 100kmh + closing speed, wake up to yourselves.

20focus05 · 14-06-2010, 10:05 AM

I had my "L"s for a week and in that week I did a intensive driver training course over weekend. the next week went for a drive with the locol copper, done deal.
He did know that I had been driving on the farm from the age of eight!!!
my mates and I did all had similar experiences and had been driving on the farm at an early age, we have done some very silly things in cars but we had respect for what our cars where and wernt capable of and our own capabilities too.
in 20+ years have not had an accident (avoided a few!) but have had a couple of speeding fines.
I think the driver training i did was invaluable, no defensive driving though. I still use the lessons taught to me way back then now.

I totally agree with More driver training and how to handle a car including sideways.
Also in reading traffic, like looking at the driver and the wheels of the car so to tell which way they are going to go if they dont use indicators etc.
Here in SA keeping left is one of my pet hates!!

I could go on for hours

4Vman · 14-06-2010, 10:10 AM

People do realise there is an endless plethora of driver training avaliable to everyone right now dont they??

20focus05 · 14-06-2010, 10:22 AM

Yes 4V but the problem is MOST people look for the easy(cheap) option to get licence. Needs to be part of the normal driver training program.

4Vman · 14-06-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20focus05

Yes 4V but the problem is MOST people look for the easy(cheap) option to get licence. Needs to be part of the normal driver training program.

Yes.. but then there will be a swarm of "Licence is too expensive" threads all over FF..
Its allot harder to get your licence today than it was when i got mine 24 years ago...

Fireblade · 14-06-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Yes.. but then there will be a swarm of "Licence is too expensive" threads all over FF..
Its allot harder to get your licence today than it was when i got mine 24 years ago...

To be honest this is where it should go, no learner driving with parents, there should be more intense driver training that is compulsory, and thirdly it should be more expensive. Remember your license is a privilege not a right, if you can't afford the licensing and a good safe car then you shouldn't be on the road.