What max speed for highway driving do you think is safe ?

[chrisc9]

In the right conditions I've naturally settled out at 130 kph. I don't see any reason to limit L or P platers to less, providing part of their training and test includes joining and driving on freeways.

[westy73]

Originally Posted by FPV+fteT3

130 seems realistic for freeways / highways. I do 120 now on the F3 no problems and still get passed by the occasional car.

Yes same here and that's my main reason for posting this question. At 120 km'hr it seems fast enough to get where you need to on good highways and allows you that time needed if 'something' crops up from your surroundings. Fast enough to keep one alert as well. And also fuel economy is perfect at that speed for me anyway.

[westy73]

I probably should have added another twist to the question and asked what sort of speeds do you do now ? Me I stick to 120 on 110 kay zones as my max. Sometimes a little higher but that's about my limit. Everyone so far seems to think around 130 but is that what you all do already or just on your wish list to do if speed limits are upped ??

[my_gxl]

Originally Posted by zilo

140 maximum with three lanes, 130 in the middle and 110 in the left.

Originally Posted by Stefan

Not sure that will work, you simply set the speed limit at whatever and enforce the 'keep left unless overtaking'

Stefan, that is the current system and does not work. I like Zilo's idea.

[tezxr8man]

I think 140kph on freeways with a slow lane for heavy vehicles and 120 on most regional highways, but it all comes down to training and licencing, I would like to see a 3 step licencing setup without restrictions on the car but where you can drive
1. would be local area driving up to 80kph
2. would be up to and including 100kph zones within 2 hours of home address
3. open licence with training for fatigue management high speed driving and how to get out of certain situations like losing control, high speed accident avoidance and braking etc

Because at the end of the day speed is better but only if people can handle it properly

[westy73]

Originally Posted by tezxr8man

I think 140kph on freeways with a slow lane for heavy vehicles and 120 on most regional highways, but it all comes down to training and licencing, I would like to see a 3 step licencing setup without restrictions on the car but where you can drive
1. would be local area driving up to 80kph
2. would be up to and including 100kph zones within 2 hours of home address
3. open licence with training for fatigue management high speed driving and how to get out of certain situations like losing control, high speed accident avoidance and braking etc

Because at the end of the day speed is better but only if people can handle it properly

Kinda agree with a bit of your comment. Licensing for speed and better driver training which incorporates defensive driver techniques can only be a good thing too. Not bad comments mate.

[blackf6]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

Heavy vehicles are limited first ive heard I've never seen one doing under 100

Really? ppffftt, got proof? Or just making false claims? I have proof to dispute your claim.

[Yellow_Festiva]

130 gets my vote.

[Stefan]

One of the more interesting issues with higher speed limits ( well in Germany anyway) is that all cars go over the pits with the "TUF" every year, so that is like going over the the pits at the RTA now RMS. My understanding is zero mods on cars, zero rust, accident damage. Most cars that are over 10 years old simply fail and are sold as scrap.

This ensures the cars are actually safe to drive at the greater speeds.

I was only kid when I left Germany but my dad use to tell me about this sort of thing, when my older brother was modifying his car, that this would not be allowed in Germany, so someone else maybe able to confirm how it is now.

[futura97]

I recently went to Darwin for a holiday. Rented a car and did all the tourist thingy's, and on the open highway sat on 130. I'd say this is a comfortable speed to sit on. Only thing is, I toned it back to 110 after the first fuel stop. Was driving a 79 series cruiser (v8 turbo diesel) and after that first stop, consumption worked out to be about 19-20ltrs/100ks. After sitting on 110 instead, we managed to drop it to the 10s.

This would be the only reason I don't care too much whether or not the speed limit got increased.

[mechanic]

" Speeding " is just another facet of human behaviour that the government finds convenient to raise revenue from.

Just like alcohol, drugs, guns,smoking, buying property, selling property and practically every move we make has become revenue raising.
If they lowered the speed limit to 50ks/hr we'd be accused of dangerous driving at 53 ks/hr and revenue would be raised accordingly.

We as a community are no longer given any credit for having common sense or a conception of what is appropriate behaviour.
Instead we are treated like morons and penalised by even bigger morons who have assumed the right to confine our everyday activities to very narrow, easily monitored limits.

States will soon be stridently calling for a 20% GST to manufacture even more income from our activities.

Recent court case of a driver who drove his car into an old peoples home and killed an old lady is a classic case of the authorites not really caring about bad dangerous driving. He was acquitted and walked free from the court, no penalty.

Drive a few ks over the limit and you'll be paying as though you're a serial killer.

[irish2]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

Heavy vehicles are limited first ive heard I've never seen one doing under 100

Something wrong with your speedo mate. I haven't seen one crack 110km/h yet. By the way I traveled 40, 000km's on Aussie roads last year.

[irish2]

Originally Posted by Stefan

One of the more interesting issues with higher speed limits ( well in Germany anyway) is that all cars go over the pits with the "TUF" every year, so that is like going over the the pits at the RTA now RMS. My understanding is zero mods on cars, zero rust, accident damage. Most cars that are over 10 years old simply fail and are sold as scrap.

This ensures the cars are actually safe to drive at the greater speeds.

I was only kid when I left Germany but my dad use to tell me about this sort of thing, when my older brother was modifying his car, that this would not be allowed in Germany, so someone else maybe able to confirm how it is now.

Or drive in France, Italy, Greece, or Croatia, where cars are 1.2litre bombs, everyone drives 150+ and it flows well.

[kiwiinaus]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

Heavy vehicles are limited first ive heard I've never seen one doing under 100

truck speeds are calculated to be correct by the set up at the time. a simple tyre size change can alter this

[b0son]

130-140 on dual carriageway isn't unreasonable. Though TBH, in good weather and no traffic, 160kmh on the Hay plain isn't exactly taxing either.

[castellan]

Well i remember driving in the 80's in NSW going from the QLD border to Sydney all the trucks sat on 140 KM/H even going up hills. i could not believe it as back in QLD they were slow as.
I remember my dad always drove about 80 MPH on the highway just cruising along taking it easy back in the 1960's to 80's and that was on what was called the highway and you would have get your left wheels go onto the dirt if a car was coming the other way, as the road was only wide enought for one.
You see all them bridgers now that are one lane only now, well they were made for two you know, as back in the day it was not a problem. but today the standard of driver is a shockingly hopeless.

If you really knew how many hopeless drivers there are you would not even leave the house and even your house is not safe.

[ebv8]

i found this video interesting as this is my trip to work

back in 1971 we drove very unsafe slow cars and we drove them way too fast for the conditions
now we have safe fast cars and speed limits have not changed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcx8OX_yrd8

[T-Pak Addict]

The biggest problem with speed limits and the constant enforcing hitting the back pocket is we are most times watching the speedo constantly instead of what we are supposed to be doing DRIVING!

They should only consider raising the limit on multi lane highways and if the driver is licenced to do so. How many people would get the extra training (advanced driving course) to have that stamped on their licence and then be able to go the higher limits? I think drivers need to have more education on driving to conditions/higher speed etc before higher limits are done.

Mark Skaife would like to do higher limits and they bought someone from a European country to do the Wheels speed run, both are used to driving at high speed. Now get your favourite neighbourhood hoon (I'm invincible) to do the run in his clapped out commodore... Now that's a scary thought

[T-Pak Addict]

Originally Posted by ebv8

i found this video interesting as this is my trip to work

back in 1971 we drove very unsafe slow cars and we drove them way too fast for the conditions
now we have safe fast cars and speed limits have not changed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcx8OX_yrd8

Back then most people could actually drive....
Try driving a 60's/70's car fast.... Its a real handful

Looks like a HD or HR being driven in the clip... Having owned a HD Holden only a couple years ago, going 110kmh (70mph) was just about ringing it ears off... Mine was a 3 on the tree with 186 6cyl and drum brakes all round, suspension like a boat... It was great fun to drive, nothing like a modern car that could just cruise at 110kmh with ease. My first car was a HK Holden and that was no better but at least have disc brakes at the front... Max that could do was the old ton (160) and only just barely at that and that had extractors and some mild mods done to it.

[ebv8]

driving my VH with new 15in tyres is a handfull
i'm yet to take it over 110kmh but don't think i want to

[MercurySilver]

130 maybe even 140 on main freeways multiple lane
120 on highways duel lane

in response to the second question i sit on about 111 using cruise control in our 110 zone on the new bypass in sa
cant afford to lose the licence for work

[SB076]

Originally Posted by ebv8

driving my VH with new 15in tyres is a handfull
i'm yet to take it over 110kmh but don't think i want to

Keep in mind its a limit though, you don't have to drive to the limit. If the limit is increased to 130, you can continue to travel at 110 if you wish.

[Itsme]

A speed that all vehicles can do consistently & safely, bit pointless if you have too many slow vehicles slowing down the fast ones.

[SB076]

Originally Posted by trublu

A speed that all vehicles can do consistently & safely, bit pointless if you have too many slow vehicles slowing down the fast ones.

Not if lane etiquette is good, Germany lot of cars travel at 120 k's on Autobahns, trucks are limited to 80 k's and its not a problem.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by SB076

Not if lane etiquette is good, Germany lot of cars travel at 120 k's on Autobahns, trucks are limited to 80 k's and its not a problem.

Very true but unfortunately here in Australia driver etiquette is something else.

Cheers

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by Stefan

One of the more interesting issues with higher speed limits ( well in Germany anyway) is that all cars go over the pits with the "TUF" every year, so that is like going over the the pits at the RTA now RMS. My understanding is zero mods on cars, zero rust, accident damage. Most cars that are over 10 years old simply fail and are sold as scrap.

http://sycamorestirrings.blogspot.co...erence-23.html

Originally Posted by zilo

140 maximum with three lanes, 130 in the middle and 110 in the left.

NO nation on earth does this, its dangerous and unworkable. What we require of countries at international law (via The UN Convention on Road Traffic),- is for those countries to have "keep-left" legislation (for RHD countries), (and "keep-right" for LHD). So, lane discipline is_the_answer, and if practiced correctly - is a perfect response:-
UN Convention on Road Traffic 1949 (Even more detailed lane discipline items re motorway in the 68 version, and its amendments to date):-
Article 7:- Requires you to take all care, be you a pedestrian, or driver, and to not obstruct traffic.
Article 9:-

(1) All vehicular traffic proceeding in the same direction on any road shall keep to the same side of the road, which shall be uniform in each country for all roads. Domestic regulations concerning one-way traffic shall not be affected.

In ARR, we reference this as 'keep-left' - generally.

(2) As a general rule, and whenever the provisions of article 7 so require, every driver shall:
a) On two-lane carriageways intended for two-way traffic, keep his vehicle in the lane appropriate for the direction in which he is travelling.
b) On carriageways with more than two lanes, keep his vehicle in the lane nearest to the edge of the carriageway appropriate to the direction which he is travelling.

Other rules relate to overtaking - to not speed up when being passed, etc and so on. We might tighten ARR and create a 'motorway' specific rule, mirroring GB's Highway Code - to bring greater conformity with the Convention, to tidy-up motorway driving here.

Originally Posted by my_gxl

Stefan, that is the current system and does not work. I like Zilo's idea.

Keeping left (or right in LHD nations) does work - it simply has to be TAUGHT and ENFORCED. This is something required of all countries who are contracted to this international and domestically binding law. Our driver-ed handbooks try and do so, particularly NSW's Road Users Handbook, where we tell drivers basically - to get out of the middle-lane (of three traffic lanes) for motorway class, when the LL is clear.

UK action on motorway keep-middle brigade:-
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...s-drivers.html

[my_gxl]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

Keeping left (or right in LHD nations) does work - it simply has to be TAUGHT and ENFORCED. This is something required of all countries who are contracted to this international and domestically binding law. Our driver-ed handbooks try and do so, particularly NSW's Road Users Handbook, where we tell drivers basically - to get out of the middle-lane (of three traffic lanes) for motorway class, when the LL is clear.

SIMPLY has not worked so far.
I am originally from NSW. It used to be better down there, but on recent trips south the newer generations are getting worse.
Here in QLD-its across all generations-and its TERRIBLE.

New ideas might actually bring about new outcomes.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

Heavy vehicles are limited first ive heard I've never seen one doing under 100

You really need to get out more.

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by my_gxl

SIMPLY has not worked so far.
I am originally from NSW. It used to be better down there, but on recent trips south the newer generations are getting worse.
Here in QLD-its across all generations-and its TERRIBLE.

New ideas might actually bring about new outcomes.

Agree, QLD M1 lane behaviour is terrible.

Any 'new idea' (insofar lane speed-limits) we use - must mean we take it to the international community of experts, who deal with the Convention. They'd then pass an amendment to the Convention requiring or permitting states parties to post speed limits on a per lane basis. In Australia, once this is done, we then need to adjust AS1742.4 (speed signs), and various MUTCD and 'speed zoining guidelines'.

Won't happen, its unworkable and forces both a sudden speed increase and decrease, - in order to comply with lane-based speed limit. What we will do in the decade ahead, is to do better with the importance of lane discipline and keeping-left.

It takes effort to get a positive cultural change in driving, just see that UK penalties link above. Lane discipline, and its importance, was recognised by Hon. Jim Loyd as federal roads minister back in 2004, and Anderson as Deputy PM - where each had experienced German autobahn lane discipline. Loyd wanted the same behaviour here, but lamented to the gallery it'd probably take generations to achieve.

The NSW Road Users Handbook text under the heading 'Driving on the motorway' I wrote back in 1994. Some do-gooders had tried to remove the text, but have failed review. I'll make sure, now we have state conservative governments, who increasingly desire higher limits on some roads, to get the NSW text into the QLD driver manual, SA and WA.

VIC has to date been dogged in their refusal to spell-out 'keeping-left' for motorway with three or more traffic lanes. They see 'keeping left' as a low priority, and I'd suggest, as way of keeping speeds down - via a process of 'blocking' of faster traffic - by some in the population.

NSW Text: Driving on the motorway

Once on the motorway, stay in the left lane unless overtaking.

If there are three lanes and the left lane has many vehicles travelling at a slower speed than you, stay in the middle lane. After you have passed them, you should return to the left lane. The right lane is generally reserved for overtaking so move out of it as soon as it is safe to do so.

ALL other state driver-ed books: "keep-left". We have a situation where a sizeable portion of the driving public, particularly outside NSW, including those who complain of right-hand-lane hogs, take the middle-lane to be the left-lane. It is not, and certainy not under International law which we are required to follow.

BTW; One of the NSW roads that could goto 130kmh would be the unopened M15 that runs from the M1 (old F3) to Branxton, where it becomes the A15 New England. This new road has U-Turn bay treatments to deter idiots doing U-Turns on the motorway, and has median barrier for most sections of the run.

M31 Cambelltown South Interchange - to Berrimah Interchange is another. The rest of the NSW Hume has dangerous 'intersections' combined with the much safer 'interchanges' of motorway standard. Ditto the Federal highway. Some lengths, in order to achieve a 'safe' 130kmh posting, simply need cheap U-Turn bay treatment/Gatelock installs, and some additonal lengths of median barrier - to prevent and reduce cross-over crash potentials.

M1 (old F3) could goto 120km/h north of Gosford Interchange by about 2017, as 2014 see's funding to add the missing third traffic lane from Gosford north to the mad mile hill - before dropping into Ourimbah, AND for Wyong Interchange to the Doyalson motorway link road Interchange. Old RTA had proposed this limit a few years ago - Labor (Scully's watch) said 'no'.

[kiwiinaus]

had a rental car in unzud last week and they have keep left stickers on the dash and the side of the windscreen