Higher speed limits in U.S. experiment a success

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hmmm, good on the yanks. All we need to do is send Anna Bligh and Julia Gillard over there and we'll have it in no time too!

Seriously though, it's all a joke. "Ever K over is a killer" - what an insult to our intelligence! They flip speeds all over the place at a whim.

Traveling the Bruce Highway between Bris and Sunshine Coast, I reckon 50% drive at 110 (speed limit), 10% drive at 100, and the other 40% sit on 110-140. The thing that they all know is that the traffic can travel quite safely and comfortably at least at 130 without any problems along that stretch of road. Of course the other interesting thing is while there are accidents, most I come across are single vehicle and I bet are due to lack of concentration but are reported as speeding. And just as they always do report as speeding for the stats to justify increased surveillance and fines to guarantee a now massive income stream, it has absolutely nothing to do with safety - you only have to look at where QLD positions it's fixed camera's. High speeding potential (= high revenue), but often low accident risk - go figure! It's just so easy for the government to jack up the fines and improve the technology in order to increase the chance of getting fined, because it's such an emotive issue and so easy to sell to the generally lame population (present company excluded).

sorry - end of rant.

[gregozedobe]

it has absolutely nothing to do with safety - you only have to look at where QLD positions it's fixed camera's. High speeding potential (= high revenue), but often low accident risk - go figure!

I have to agree re the placement of fixed and mobile speed detectors. Here in the ACT they are invariably set up where it is more likely that quite a few people will speed because it is a good piece of road with no side streets. I can't recall ever seeing one on a dangerous piece of road where only a few idiots would ever speed - but these are the people who really do need catching. I guess they wouldn't catch enough people speeding to justify their "investment".

At least the ACT mobile units are consistent and predictable - everyone knows where their favourite spots are because that is where they always set up. The police in western Vic are also very predictable, they favour the long downhill runs.

And it is slightly amusing to see many red P platers slow down from their 120+ to 95 or so just for the 100kmh fixed cameras, then immediately speed up again as soon as they are past.

[gareth_oau]

the authorities and bureacrats continuously attempt to brainwash us into believing that exceeding the speed limit is deadly.

I have an excellent, simple solution!

if we increase all the speed limits to say 400kph, I can just about guarantee that very few (if any) people will die whilst exceeding the speed limit!