Skaife calls for Speed limit increases on Victorian Freeways...

[zdcol71]

Originally Posted by Digger77

I sometimes wonder why a single-issue Drivers Party has not been set up, especially in NSW, where election to the Upper House is the easiest in Australia.

The idea would be in general to support the government of the day, of whatever complexion, but to bargain its vote to get progress on a small number issues of interest to drivers.

You need only 4.55 per cent of the vote to win a seat in the NSW Upper House, the Legislative Council.

(Here's how you work it out. Of the 42 seats, 21 come up for election every 4 years. So the quota for election to a single seat is 100/(21+1)=4.545. Like the Senate)

I guess digger77, it's far easier to get on here and complain about what everybody else is not doing.Particularly when those people who are "not doing anything" are the very people we voted in to do "nothing", and whom we couldn't be bothered voting out and replacing with someone who will do something.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Jeez how fast are you driving down eastlink....

Just noticed that ..... and I thought everyone else was just damn slow!!! Good pick up :P

[ltd]

The first step to allowing our roads to take a higher speed limit would be to get everyone who drives a camry, echo, Yaris, Aurion or a corolla, and stick them straight away into driver training for 6 months. Doesn't matter who they are, their cars tell us volumes about their mediocrity in life. Means they're mediocre drivers, and the very people who will not handle a higher speed limit.
What about the cost?
Well, that can be mitigated by taking videos of these people learning how to drive, then stick it on the internet. Oh, and add the Benny Hill theme to every video; sure to get maximum laughs then.

[zdcol71]

Originally Posted by ltd

The first step to allowing our roads to take a higher speed limit would be to get everyone who drives a camry, echo, Yaris, Aurion or a corolla, and stick them straight away into driver training for 6 months. Doesn't matter who they are, their cars tell us volumes about their mediocrity in life. Means they're mediocre drivers, and the very people who will not handle a higher speed limit.
What about the cost?
Well, that can be mitigated by taking videos of these people learning how to drive, then stick it on the internet. Oh, and add the Benny Hill theme to every video; sure to get maximum laughs then.

I wanted to just insert , but the message was too short, so ??

[flappist]

Originally Posted by ltd

The first step to allowing our roads to take a higher speed limit would be to get everyone who drives a camry, echo, Yaris, Aurion or a corolla, and stick them straight away into driver training for 6 months. Doesn't matter who they are, their cars tell us volumes about their mediocrity in life. Means they're mediocre drivers, and the very people who will not handle a higher speed limit.
What about the cost?
Well, that can be mitigated by taking videos of these people learning how to drive, then stick it on the internet. Oh, and add the Benny Hill theme to every video; sure to get maximum laughs then.

This from someone who drives a dugong.......

I am very impressed in Holden and their ground breaking approach to road safety with the new SIDI commodores. In the current issue of WHEELS Holden have demonstrated a new and very clever methodology to prevent future generations of fully sick P platers from hurting themselves by making the SIDI Berlina 0.3 seconds slower over 0-400m than a Camry Hybrid.

[Brazen]

I recently thought a good idea would be to create signed entrances to 130-140kmh zones so it would make people wake-up and take seriously. Have a massive sign at the start which says:

Entering 130kmh zone
Keep left unless overtaking - heavy fines apply
Headlights on 24hrs: See and be seen


Even without these signs I honestly think that the higher speeds will make people keep left more and drive more aware of the surroundings. In Malaysia which I hear doesnt have a stringent license system the city roads are pretty messy, but as soon as you get on the highway and some people are doing 160kmh (or much much more) driver attitudes improve immediately as the higher speeds force people to be aware - slow cars keep left out of the way, people use indicators properly.

Hearing that driver attitudes need to change in Australia is a real cop-out as its the low speed limits which cause the current attitudes to begin with! And it is a lame excuse to avoid re-think of the speed limit strategy on our highways.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Brazen

I recently thought a good idea would be to create signed entrances to 130-140kmh zones so it would make people wake-up and take seriously. Have a massive sign at the start which says:

Entering 130kmh zone
Keep left unless overtaking - heavy fines apply
Headlights on 24hrs: See and be seen


Even without these signs I honestly think that the higher speeds will make people keep left more and drive more aware of the surroundings. In Malaysia which I hear doesnt have a stringent license system the city roads are pretty messy, but as soon as you get on the highway and some people are doing 160kmh (or much much more) driver attitudes improve immediately as the higher speeds force people to be aware - slow cars keep left out of the way, people use indicators properly.

Hearing that driver attitudes need to change in Australia is a real cop-out as its the low speed limits which cause the current attitudes to begin with! And it is a lame excuse to avoid re-think of the speed limit strategy on our highways.

All good except the mandatory headlights.

While this is mostly a good idea it is extremely dangerous at sunrise and sunset if you are travelling towards the sun.
It is hard enough to keep a track of the road with the sun shining in your eyes without the silouette of an oncoming vehicle being hidden by headlights.

[JMO]

Originally Posted by flappist

All good except the mandatory headlights.

While this is mostly a good idea it is extremely dangerous at sunrise and sunset if you are travelling towards the sun.
It is hard enough to keep a track of the road with the sun shining in your eyes without the silouette of an oncoming vehicle being hidden by headlights.

Not to mention that there will be morons driving around with their high beams, which might not be an issue out in the open country but if it is anything like the freeways atm then it can be VERY annoying/distracting/dangerous.

[castellan]

I think most peoples level of attention when driving is very low. they are half a sleep thinking of something other then concentrating on driving. and i am sure they are only looking as far as the car in front or maybe 50 m down the road at best. there brain must work that slow, it's like 1 sec 2 sec 3 and then some sort of dam fool pathetic incompetent reaction is displayed to avoid a collision.
And when you tell someone of the keep left on the highway rule. you get why should we. and they just can't work it out.
And how many time have i seen some old goat sit on 70 to 80 in the 100 zone and then when ya come in to a 60 zone you see the goat caching up to ya or trying to pass, blissfully unaware of everything around them.

Or like last night some schmuck blocks me from passing him and a wobble box in the right hand merging lane. i think it was because he thought because he would not attempt it in his gutless car no one else could have a go. and i had a truck behind me wanting to go as well. and the ones that speed up when you are overtaking!

[tapeworm]

When this was brought up with Brumby for the 1st time he dismissed it instantly, no questions asked and went into a rant about speed kills etc..

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by tapeworm

When this was brought up with Brumby for the 1st time he dismissed it instantly, no questions asked and went into a rant about speed kills etc..

I hate that dismissive crap. Cant we have an intelligent debate on the merits of an alternative way of doing things without sprouting buzz words and populist rubbish.

I have never been so political or anti-government until a certain political party started to run all the states. Growing up I couldnt care less what a government did or did not do as to me it didnt really change anything - not any more.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by tapeworm

When this was brought up with Brumby for the 1st time he dismissed it instantly, no questions asked and went into a rant about speed kills etc..

Of course he did......

Ever tried convince a Holden bogan that Ford make good cars?

Anything that does not agree with your religion is a lie and the Government's religion is TAX......

[ltd]

Originally Posted by zdcol71

I wanted to just insert , but the message was too short, so ??

Try driving in Sydney around suburban streets and see the common theme of moving road blocks and bad driving. Then you may not be as dismissive of my equally brilliant and practical plan.

[Nikked]

I agree with skaife 100%

[rodderz]

Seems it may be gathering a bit more interest than just the speeding part. On the radio today a few coppers expressed their interest in developing a new driver training program and how what we currently have is inadequate

Nice to see some people look past only one aspect of the story and skip the rest

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/70446/ma...-on-deaf-ears/

Mark Skaife’s European approach to road safety falls on deaf ears
By George Skentzos | June 15th, 2010



Mark Skaife, Australian V8 Supercar driver and Holden Ambassador, has come under fire from Victorian Premier John Brumby after presenting a proposal to make Australia’s roads safer by employing a more European approach to speed and driver training – a view long held by CarAdvice.

In his proposal, Skaife highlights the fundamental flaws of Australia’s current road system including the desperate need for improved young driver training and increasing the number of safer cars on our roads.

Unfortunately with the demonization of speeding engrained in the minds of Australian motorists and politicians, Skaife’s suggestion to bump the national speed limit up to 140km/h has become the sole focus of the proposal with Premier Brumby saying that it would have a “catastrophic impact” by sending the death toll soaring.

“We have no plans to change the speed limit,” Premier John Brumby said. “You will never lower your road toll if you have a top speed limit of 140km/h — indeed, if you drive at that speed in Victoria you will lose your licence. It is a hoon driving offence.”

Following years of road safety campaigns convincing the Australian public that “every kay over is a killer”, the proposal is struggling to gain momentum in parliament with Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) Ken Lay backing Premier Brumby in rejecting the plan.

This has left Skaife noticeably frustrated with the majority of his opposition misinterpreting the core initiatives of his proposal to improve the standard of safety on our roads.

“He’s missed some of the critical pillars of what I was saying — improved driver training, better roads and maintenance and encouraging people to drive safer cars,” Mark Skaife said.

“Don’t just focus on the one thing that is controversial, focus on the other items that are critical to road safety, the things we have to do to make a difference and then comment on whether the 140 limit is appropriate,” he said.

Skaife has cited the German approach to road safety as the benchmark for which Australia’s current system should be judged, pointing out that despite having no speed limits on parts of its freeway network Germany still remains at the forefront of road safety.

He also emphasised that the lack of driver training coupled with the fact that younger motorists are less likely to be able to afford newer, safer vehicles is the main reason why P-platers are still so well represented in Australia’s road toll.

Despite boasting the statistics to back the common-sense initiatives he proposes, Skaife’s words have fallen on deaf ears with the majority adhering to the ’speed kills’ mantra and immediately condemning his suggestions.

In contrast, the government has formulated its own campaign to stem the road toll in the form of the new Hoon laws which continue to punish and condemn offenders after the fact rather than instigating a proactive solution to save lives.

Source: Herald Sun

[mik]

that`s about the reaction expected from these blokes, don`t change anything , just keep promoting a system of high revenue, high road toll, low qaulity driver skills.

[mrbaxr6t]

in a decade I forsee it faster to get from place to place on a pushbike due to greater speed than in a car, speedlimits will never ever ever go up, they will tumble in an attempt to maintain the revenue they have now that will dwindle as the masses become programmed to travel at a given speed then the speed drops and the cycle repeats speed cameras save lives and all the other rhetoric they spew whilst they maintain/increase their revenues, the system is a smelly anus.

[sleek7]

Bah, to hell with our goverment.....I'm moving to Germany :P

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by JMO

Not to mention that there will be morons driving around with their high beams, which might not be an issue out in the open country but if it is anything like the freeways atm then it can be VERY annoying/distracting/dangerous.

High beams eh? At least they have some sort of lighting on..
So many drivers i see in the middle of the night with no lights on at all..

[BAxtER]

Originally Posted by flappist

Of course he did......

Ever tried convince a Holden bogan that Ford make good cars?

Anything that does not agree with your religion is a lie and the Government's religion is TAX......

spot on.

[steve.zissou]

You know what the most disgusting things is?

the state governments know this (like we do) but they are chosing revenue raising over saving lives. There is no doubt lives can be saved with better training and an emphasis on safty (not looking at your speedo as you go through a busy 4 way intersection because there is a chance you might be doing 67kmh not 60.)
If it was just incompitance on the governments behalf thats one thing - but to know and still choose $$$ over lives is basically criminal in my eyes.

I would love someone to blindside a politician at a debate and highlight this to the masses. How do people not get this?

[blueoval]

John Brumby is such a complete and total one eye bafoon. He totally missed the point of what Skaife was saying. It make me irate when people you expect to listen, DONT!.

[Bearman]

Originally Posted by blueoval

John Brumby is such a complete and total one eye bafoon. He totally missed the point of what Skaife was saying. It make me irate when people you expect to listen, DONT!.

Yep!! They will always stick to the speed kills mantra because it's easy money for the gov't. Nothing else matters.

Skaife is absolutely right but the pollies have almost demonized him. You'd thing Skaife wanted 140km/h limits on ALL roads the way Brumby is talking.

I know who I'd listen to........

Pfft.... Brumby and his team of muppets better enjoy it while it lasts, come November it's off to Centrelink for them!!

[Stealth00]

Vote 1 Mark Skaife

[Professor Farnsworth]

this thread has made its point, keep it on track as it's close to being closed

[SpoolMan]

Site T/C, Note 1.
http://www.fordforums.com.au/announc...nouncementid=2

[MO]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Site T/C, Note 1.
http://www.fordforums.com.au/announc...nouncementid=2

So really we should not be discussing..'speed..' as its a controversial subject since Skaife spoke about raising speed limits on some roads. Many have come out with the usual speed kills mantra.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by MO

So really we should not be discussing..'speed..' as its a controversial subject since Skaife spoke about raising speed limits on some roads. Many have come out with the usual speed kills mantra.

No Mo .... the discussion point is fine but its the way these threads drift towards a political discussion with the original point being lost ......



| [/url] |

[MO]

Ok,I was hoping that was spoolmans point its the usual grey area...step to far one way and ....lockwood.