New police plane can detect speeding, issue fines (NSW)

[jettapilot]

No money to be made training people.. F*cking wankers.

How about stopping the problem before it happens? What about the fact that some people quite simply cannot drive a car correctly (because they've never been taught how..) and are a hazard on a dry road in the middle of the day in little to no traffic?

This crap really burrs me up.

If they were to target incompetent driving, training would be the thing to do.

When they're targeting speeding, then detecting and discouraging speeding drivers is the thing to do.

Excessive speed increases the risk of accidents.

At a time when we hear of the death of one of our members, I'd have thought any measure to discourage speeding, by young drivers especially, would be welcome.

[Manaz]

They've used planes for years in SA/NT/WA on the highways through the desert.

I don't think anyone agrees that excessive speeding is safe per se, but given that the NSW government has focused on speeding for years and yet the death toll keeps rising, it's rather obvious that the single minded focus on speeding is not working (except to continue to raise revenue). Many people are injured killed whilst speeding, that is true - but the actual issue in such accidents is often loss of control - better trained drivers could potentially not lose control in some of the situations currently causing accidents, and surely that's a better outcome than scraping them off trees/poles/roads...

[gregozedobe]

Excessive speed increases the risk of accidents.

It is easy to get cause and effect mixed up, particularly with complex situations where a number of different factors have an influence.

I think a lot of the time the real explanation isn't simply the excessive speed, but the sort of person likely to drive way too fast is also far more likely to take greater risks and therefore more likely to get in a situation where they can no longer maintain control of their car.

A similar thing is happening with people who won't wear seat belts - they are way over-represented in fatal accidents. The factors are their belief in their invulnerability and "it won't happen to me", again these people are more likely to take greater risks (with predictable results). I am constantly amazed to read of how often occupants are "thrown from the vehicle" in a crash. When you read in more detail it is obvious that most weren't wearing a seat belt (or worse, not wearing it properly, which is totally incomprehensible to me)

Same deal with drunk drivers - it isn't just their slower reaction times and inability to think clearly. The alcohol also dulls their sense of danger so they will try things they would never attempt when they are sober.

This is also why they have curfews on P platers and restrict the number of passengers they can carry - when they have a car full of mates the temptation to show off is too strong for some to resist - then the risky behaviour happens, which increases the chances of a crash..

[Blitzen]

This is old news. They tried this out in NSW in the late 80's, and cut it away as being to expensive. I dare say they will do the same again.

[team_v]

They've used planes for years in SA/NT/WA on the highways through the desert.

I don't think anyone agrees that excessive speeding is safe per se, but given that the NSW government has focused on speeding for years and yet the death toll keeps rising, it's rather obvious that the single minded focus on speeding is not working (except to continue to raise revenue). Many people are injured killed whilst speeding, that is true - but the actual issue in such accidents is often loss of control - better trained drivers could potentially not lose control in some of the situations currently causing accidents, and surely that's a better outcome than scraping them off trees/poles/roads...

The only problem is the other end of the spectrum who think they are now capable WRC/WTCC drivers becasue of their few hours of driver training and put themselves into a high density stationary object (pole/tree etc).

Unfortunately as usual, the few spoil it for the many.

[Mr Messy]

The new bit is that the plane can apparently fly above you, take pictures of you speeding, and mail fines to your home.

I reckon its a furphy

[static1800]

They need to get your plate to mail the fine to you though, so it would require ground units getting info also. The whole thing is such a waste of money can you imagine the cost of keeping a plane in the air patrolling? a helicopter is something like $9000 and hour isn't it? would have to be pretty damn effective to return the cost in some way.

The only problem is the other end of the spectrum who think they are now capable WRC/WTCC drivers becasue of their few hours of driver training and put themselves into a high density stationary object (pole/tree etc).
Unfortunately as usual, the few spoil it for the many.

A lot of training is actual theory not going out on a track, it's a mindset thing to try and drum in the info etc. chucking people out on the skidpan wouldn't hurt either.

[mikinoz]

the sooner that point to point speed measurement devices are installed around the country the better in my opinion. there really are no questions when it comes to covering a distance between two points in a set time.

[Rocket36]

Travelled up to Sydney from Canberra over the weekend for the Green Day concert and was wondering what the new lines were for.

[schoona]

the sooner that point to point speed measurement devices are installed around the country the better in my opinion. there really are no questions when it comes to covering a distance between two points in a set time.

I'll agree. I think that it nees to be coupled with sensibility though. If it is done with an incrase in speed limit that would be beneficial.
Ie. You can reduce the risk of micro sleeps etc.
Plus you can get more cars off the road quicker also.

As long as its a measured control...