Is Speed Enforcement in Australia Absurd?

Lspeedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 17:39
Last edited 21/03/2023 - 17:53 by 1 other user

Just recently got back from a trip to California, USA and one thing I noticed is that despite the speed limit being technically 65 mph on the freeways, most drivers did around 80-85 mph, even straight past cops and they didn't care one bit. Whereas in Australia, doing such speeds would usually result in a heavy fine and licence suspension in some states.

Every year more and more hidden speed cameras are being used in Australia, yet the road toll is around the same. Other countries, for instance the UK, has a road toll substantially lower than ours, despite it being common (haven't driven there but from friends who have driven there) it's also common to do 80-85 mph in the 70 mph motorways. Australian governments and police are hell bent on speed being the biggest killer in road accidents, when we only need to look at our European counterparts to see it's not the case.

Automotive

Comments

  • Aleigh123 on 21/03/2023 - 17:41
    +119

    Name checks out.

    • gilly24 on 22/03/2023 - 08:41
      +84

      With an L Plate to top it off

      • Aleigh123 on 22/03/2023 - 08:43
        +16

        Yeah, they made the account specifically for this question.

        • rumblytangara on 22/03/2023 - 08:55
          +35

          Presumably because it's too embarrassing a post to have associated with his main account.

          • mlburnian on 22/03/2023 - 21:13
            -8

            @rumblytangara: How is it embarrassing. Bet you love being fined for going 44 in a 40 zone

            • bakemon0 on 23/03/2023 - 01:17
              +24

              @mlburnian: i wonder why it's a 40 zone huh, bet you love running kids over lmao

              • mlburnian on 23/03/2023 - 13:28
                +2

                @bakemon0: Going at 30 reduces risk of death significantly compared to 40, why not make it 30? Point is slower is not safer, would prefer a faster more alert driver than what I see on the rd

                • Zilch on 23/03/2023 - 23:46
                  +1

                  @mlburnian:

                  would prefer a faster more alert driver than > what I see on the rd

                  and how shall this be enforced?

                  • Leadfoot6 on 24/03/2023 - 00:16
                    +1

                    @Zilch: Just raise the limits all over to something sensible, to reflect 21 century developments & then enforce those.

                    Simples.

                    • johndoh89 on 24/03/2023 - 23:54

                      @Leadfoot6: The current quality of 21st century roads have lowered the speed limit. So many 60 and 40 zones on the 100kmh roads due to unsafe surfaces.

                      Couple of permanent 80 zones chucked in as well when they've decided they can't keep it fixed.

            • rumblytangara on 23/03/2023 - 09:35
              +2

              @mlburnian: Read the thread. OP's level of cluelessness isn't something I'd want following my account around. He's never been to most the places he's talking about, much less driven in any of them. And he's arguing with people who have lived in those places.

              This has nothing to do with speed limits, so much as the OP just being a total embarrassment to himself. It's cringey AF.

              • Leadfoot6 on 23/03/2023 - 13:45
                +2

                @rumblytangara: Other people than just the OP are advocating for sensible increases.
                Surely, that would have registered with you by now?

                • rumblytangara on 23/03/2023 - 13:54
                  +1

                  @Leadfoot6: Sure, I agree that there could be sensible increases.

                  Just that OP himself hasn't successfully made any points in that direction and knows nothing about the examples he cites. He's just… well, making stuff up and ignoring people with first hand knowledge.

                  • rumblytangara on 24/03/2023 - 10:32
                    +1

                    @rumblytangara: Eh, looking at how this thread has progressed and the new account, this was clearly just a troll thread.

                    I'm new to this forum. Live and learn, I guess.

    • johnno07 on 23/03/2023 - 17:18
      +5

      OP has been Penalty Boxed - presumably for speeding.

    • SuperGeek on 25/03/2023 - 11:48

      Its noteworthy that OP hasn't shared any crash and accident data.

      • Aleigh123 on 25/03/2023 - 11:49

        What are you talking about? This is the internet, people don't argue using facts and data here xD

        • SuperGeek on 25/03/2023 - 20:09

          lol. my bad.

  • smoothymcmellow on 21/03/2023 - 17:42
    +61

    How does the number of road fatalities compare in the US? When i lived in Philly and drove 1hr to work each day I got caught in the aftermath of many catastrophic accidents as people drove at stupid speeds and had too many pints after work and knew they wouldn't get breath tested. Not sure I want their rules applied here.

      • Hybroid on 21/03/2023 - 18:05
        +15

        Only on major motorways in the UK. No difference here, tons of people going 140 on the road from Sydney to Goulburn and Canberra.

        • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 18:06
          +10

          except getting caught at 140 in the uk is a slap on the wrist, here it's several demerit points, hefty fine and license suspension

          • Hybroid on 21/03/2023 - 18:11
            +17

            @speedingftw: It's definitely not just a slap on the wrist if caught. You gain points on your license that stay for 4 years and could be referred to court if it's more than a certain speed threshold or considered dangerous driving which attracts loss of license and up to £1,000 (£2,500 motorway) fines.

            Sure many people still choose to take the risk. No different here.

            California and particularly Los Angeles are a very different scenario with regard to speeding and mobile phone use while driving. Their penalty system is far more relaxed. Unless a cop chooses to mess with you.

        • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 18:12
          +15

          and goulburn hwp are notorious on speeding
          don't know where you're getting the idea that people do 140 from sydney to goulburn and canberra

          • fantombloo on 21/03/2023 - 19:51
            +8

            @speedingftw: Yeah I'm usually overtaking 99% of people with my cruise set to 115, actual speed probably around 112 or so.

            • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 21:51

              @fantombloo: it's odd really
              some saying people do 140, other saying they overtake everyone only doing 112
              I wonder why the large disparity XD

          • Sporange on 21/03/2023 - 22:05

            @speedingftw: Lol "don't know where you're getting that idea". Mate set up a chair in the middle of the Hume and just watch people. I drive up the east coast at least once a year and I'm privvy to plenty of people doing near or over 140 on the roads.

            The cops can't patrol every inch of the highway and people if people want to speed, they will do it.

            • Pertuan on 22/03/2023 - 05:49
              +6

              @Sporange: I drive the Hume from Sydney to Canberra every weekend. My cruise control is set to 115 and I'm passing the vast majority of people. I might get half a dozen cars go past me at 140 but its certainly not plenty.

            • speedingftw on 22/03/2023 - 09:08

              @Sporange: Is this the federal of Hume highway? Where you see people zooming at 140
              And do you drive in non peak times? Might explain why more speeders
              As opposed to driving in peak times

        • boomramada on 24/03/2023 - 08:21

          on the road from Sydney to Goulburn and Canberra

          What a stupid place to speed, highway cops luv that area. There are few that escape but I have seen more getting cought than speeding.

        • JDMcarfan on 24/03/2023 - 16:55
          +2

          agreed on the hume/federal.

          At any time you can go at 120 and be certain to not get pulled over, the only thing you need to do is look for mobile speed cameras and slow down between the 2 Goulburn exits as that's where you'll see a cop if there are any.
          Anywhere else, can cruise at 130 or so and have no issues. I see it being better for traffic flow as an overtake is completed in 20 seconds vs 2 mins.

          If you travel on Friday night, Sunday night (i.e. the times weekly commuters go between family home and work in either city) the flow of traffic will be 130-140 or 40 depending on traffic/accidents. Have done this trips many times and will be overtaken in the right lane whilst at 130.

          Lol even followed an official looking car (number plate first digit was red, so assume an MP) and the police vehicle attached to it for nearly the whole way and didn't dip below 130. I don't condone it but I was very proud of the sub 2hr commute that day.

      • cashews on 22/03/2023 - 11:15
        +7

        Now I haven't driven in the uk, but as stated above, hearing from friends over in the uk, many drive at 80-85 mph in the 70 mph zone, with the outside line pushing 90+ at times

        Relying on anecdotal evidence as evidence for an argument is a terrible idea.

      • pilotg2 on 22/03/2023 - 17:07

        Not sure now, but 10 years ago the leeway was in a 70 you could sit on 80 mph and not get a fine - hence why it appears most are speeding on motorways.

        I agree you do see loads more people speeding in the UK compared to here. In suburbs too as locals know where the fixed cameras are and only slowdown for them. In the 10 years of commuting into London City i never saw one mobile speed camera or RBT.

        Different country, different enforcement.

      • CalmLemons on 23/03/2023 - 11:44

        Speed kills quite simply because people are retarded and cannot be trusted.

        Financial penalties are a disincentive to speed - apart from going the corporal punishment way.

        Don't speed, no problem.

        People in America also drive stupidly large cars stupidly fast which just ads to the chaos.

        • Leadfoot6 on 24/03/2023 - 22:55

          I am the embodiment of the falsehood that "speed kills".

          Excess speed, in the wrong place, kills.

          Otherwise, no.

          I have been driving, purposely over the limit, for 40 years without an at fault accident.

      • johnno07 on 23/03/2023 - 16:54
        +1

        Now I haven't driven in the uk, but as stated above, hearing from friends over in the uk, many drive at 80-85 mph in the 70 mph zone, with the outside line pushing 90+ at times

        I'm in awe of the the scientific rigour applied to this research.

    • nottodaysunshine on 25/03/2023 - 06:27

      You should be more careful where you drive in future.

  • Drakesy on 21/03/2023 - 17:44
    +35

    I think the lack of speed enforcement in America is absurd

    The number of youtubers in their lamborghinis/ferraris doing 150-180kph on public roads, get pulled over by a cop only to get a warning/slap on the wrist is frightening.
    They even gloat about it.

    • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 17:45
      +16

      150-180 is probably a bit much, but 130-140 is a fairly normal travel speed in many countries

      • Drakesy on 21/03/2023 - 17:46
        +4

        Admittedly there was a study i remember that slowing roads down is only safe up until a point. Like signposting 20% below the comfortable travelling speed resulted in users checking their speedos more often and hence were distracted resulting in increased crashes.

        Australia is also covered in kangaroos - hitting a kangaroo at 100 vs hitting a kangaroo at 140 can have slightly different consequences.

        • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 17:47
          +18

          this happens all the time here in Melbourne, too much focus on people driving 105 in a 100 zone in good conditions, than people doing 90 in a 100 zone on their phones

        • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 17:48
          +8

          europe had wildlife too, but they seem to manage with higher speeds

          • Drakesy on 21/03/2023 - 17:50
            +1

            @speedingftw: Not really, standard speeds are still in the realm of 110kph .
            Autobahns work (to a degree) because they have sizeable barriers that keep traffic on the road and wildlife off it.

            If we installed huge barriers on every road, sure go derestrict roads, however we don't as it would be obscenely expensive

            • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 17:59
              +2

              @Drakesy: most countries in europe have speed limits of 120-130
              and it's common to drive 10-20 km over the limit

              • Drakesy on 21/03/2023 - 18:19
                +1

                @speedingftw: I think it might also have something to do with the number of lifted 4WD's on the roads that would roll if they hit a corner at 130kph. This coupled with a fair few single lane highways and trucks capped at 100kph (with no overtaking lanes) leads the relevant road authority to take a conservative approach.

                • CurlCurl on 21/03/2023 - 18:26
                  +6

                  @Drakesy:

                  I think it might also have something to do with the number of lifted 4WD's on the roads that would roll if they hit a corner at 130kph.

                  Absolutely nothing to do with the above.

                  • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 18:27
                    +3

                    @CurlCurl: bingo
                    it's all about revenue here in Australia

                    • fantombloo on 21/03/2023 - 19:54
                      +3

                      @speedingftw:

                      Australia is also covered in kangaroos apologetics and excuses.

                      Truth is we suck in this department.

                    • banana365 on 22/03/2023 - 18:03
                      +4

                      @speedingftw: Revenue for whom? Throughout Australia, the funds are used for projects that could generally be described as "improving road safety" (including protecting road users from those who speed) https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/where-speeding-fine-revenue…

                      It does not go to the police forces, so it's not like they are gaining any direct benefit from it.

                      If people struggle with the concept of speeding fines being a significant risk when they speed and not having control over how their fines are spent then it sucks to be them. Maybe they'll learn eventually.

                    • juki on 22/03/2023 - 23:58
                      +1

                      @speedingftw: even if the limits are a little low for my liking, again aussies have no idea how lucky they are, there aren;t that many speedtraps and cameras in comparison with Europe, there are even radars that work in pairs to calculate your average speed on a portion of the road (usually motorways)

          • rumblytangara on 21/03/2023 - 21:08
            +12

            @speedingftw: Wildlife like what? There is bugger all sizable unless you go into Scandinavia.

            Have you driven in Europe? Have you in fact driven anywhere outside this single holiday in one state in the US?

            You seem to be just wildly inventing stuff in your quest against speed limits.

          • Drakesy on 24/03/2023 - 14:35

            @speedingftw: Out of interest what wildlife is this?
            There's next to nothing until you get to a couple of countries, hence why they can get away with higher speeds.

        • md333 on 22/03/2023 - 12:22

          Whereas deer are nice and squishy and actually protect cars from damage?

        • Sxio on 23/03/2023 - 15:16
          +1

          Can confirm. Hit a kangaroo doing 100 recently and almost wrote off 2 cars. 140 doesn't even bear to think about. Would be catastrophic.

      • Gunnar on 24/03/2023 - 14:23

        Username does not check out

      • nottodaysunshine on 25/03/2023 - 06:30
        +1

        Exactly. the speed limit in Australia is a joke.I only came for the sun and I love it and Uber:)))

    • Ocker on 21/03/2023 - 18:00
      +6

      There are State Police and County Police and I can assure you you will not always just get a "slap on the wrist".
      I had my cruise control set on 70mph in the 55mph zone of the I94 traveling from home to Wisconsin. Copper nabbed me, escorted me to town where the judge was called, and I copped at US$250 fine - pay up or spend a few days in jail.
      The County Police are employed by the County and it is their job to raise as much revenue as possible to fund the County services (Schools, Fire Brigade, Police etc). Speed limit all around where I lived was 25mph and if you dared venture over the limit you were guaranteed to be caught.

      • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 18:00
        +3

        you don't get demerit points for low level speeding in the USA though
        in many states, you wouldn't get demerit points until 10 mph (16 km/h) over the limit

        • Ocker on 21/03/2023 - 18:19

          You can also challenge the copper and go to court to contest the fine. However, if the judge finds you guilty (which is most likely), you will get a moving violation recorded on your license and your car insurance will double-triple at next renewal.

          • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 18:20
            +1

            @Ocker: but you don't get demerit points until a certain amount over the speed limit
            and the speeding fines are super cheap in the states

            • Ocker on 21/03/2023 - 18:25
              +1

              @speedingftw: Varies by state, but in Illinois you cop demerit points for speeding, regardless of how far over the limit

                • Ocker on 21/03/2023 - 19:15
                  +23

                  @speedingftw: You are debating someone that lived in 3 states in the USA for about 6 years, believe me I can speak from experience, and not wild assumptions.

                • Hardlyworkin on 21/03/2023 - 20:48
                  +11

                  @speedingftw: Ohhhh that poor dead horse you keep flogging!

            • hawkshead on 24/03/2023 - 16:36

              @speedingftw: Most people in America live in poverty. Please let us know you're a rich kid more.

        • hawkshead on 24/03/2023 - 16:35

          Old friend I lived in america. I didn't visit. All those people driving scooters on the side of the highway arent allowed to drive. Enjoy freezing your ass off on a scooter in the snow.

    • Sinnerator on 22/03/2023 - 07:51

      youtubers wouldn't lie and cheat in order to get their $2000/mil-vews would they?
      Not like their mate dressed as a cop in a auction bought police vehicle is giving them a fake ticket on camera doing 3000mph inside the school cafeteria?

    • afah0447 on 22/03/2023 - 09:07
      +1

      The police in the US have real crime to deal with and if they pull over some rich guy in a Lambo speeding who doesn't have a gun, well I can see why they wouldn't care.

  • mbck on 21/03/2023 - 17:44
    +12

    Ok then, pack your bags

  • djkelly69 on 21/03/2023 - 17:46
    +62

    You weren't happy with the responses on Whirlpool?

  • AustriaBargain on 21/03/2023 - 17:47
    +1

    How about just don't speed. We all love to speed but you can't complain when you get caught. Listen to some music or audiobook while driving and chill out.

    • juki on 23/03/2023 - 00:02
      +2

      yep the number of flowers on crossings in some suburbs seem to be very present lately

    • nottodaysunshine on 25/03/2023 - 06:33

      How about bend the rules a little in a safe environment instead of overreacting?

      • AustriaBargain on 25/03/2023 - 06:45

        Sure, but still don't complain if you get caught by a hidden camera or unmarked/unnoticed police car.

  • Nugs on 21/03/2023 - 17:49
    +11

    no
    where's the poll?
    .

  • KangaDrew on 21/03/2023 - 17:51
    +13

    Is speed enforcement in Australia absurd?

    No. Hope this helps.

  • Cheapshots on 21/03/2023 - 17:54
    +17

    I disagree, I was in the uk for 6 months. None of them sped on the motorways.. and they have speed/average cameras every km so it’s not worth it.
    They were actually pretty slow.

    • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 18:00
      +2

      which motorways were you on? might make a difference

      • Cheapshots on 22/03/2023 - 07:58

        Whatever south of Birmingham.
        Driving up north to Scotland was less cameras. Still slow AF. Also they like to put the big overhead signs on to make you slow down to 40/60 for now reason.

        Two weeks in Tucson AZ and yeah most people were flying past me.

        • banana365 on 22/03/2023 - 18:08

          They're pretty keen on unmarked traffic cars in the UK, particularly Scotland. Driving up the A9 north of Perth, you'd be pretty much guaranteed to see someone pulled over by the police, often only a few miles after the speeder had done some ridiculously ill-considered overtaking manoeuvre.

    • spackbace on 21/03/2023 - 19:55
      +19

      Shhh… OP isn't asking for real stories, they'd prefer to quote random other people rather than compare their own experiences…

      • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 19:57

        i've driven on california freeways and everyone drivers 80-85 in the 65 zone, even in front of highway patrol
        don't know what you're on about

        • spackbace on 21/03/2023 - 20:01
          +14

          You trying to reference the UK based on a 3rd party story

          Figured it was obvious when I was replying to a comment about UK driving

        • bobswinkle on 21/03/2023 - 21:38
          +4

          You like talking a lot about the country with a far far worse road toll than us, and not a lot about comparable jurisdictions. Everyone here has said your opinion about the UK is wrong, so you talk only about the US. Where the lax approach kills people.

          • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 21:41
            +7

            @bobswinkle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-r…
            hong kong, norway, sweden, switzerland, ireland, denmark, singapore, germany, spain, finland, iceland, netherlands, japan, czech republic
            in all these countries, speeding is the norm on freeways
            yet they have a lower road toll than australia

            clearly that proves that it's all just about money here in aus

            • bobswinkle on 21/03/2023 - 21:42
              +8

              @speedingftw: "speeding is the norm on freeways"

              Citation needed.

              • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 21:44
                -7

                @bobswinkle: common sense would tell us
                1: super low fines/penalties (and no points for low level to even mid level speeding in some cases)
                2. cops have more important stuff to attend to, than petty speeding
                3. they don't seem to make the news the way Australia does, with it's revenue raising fines (disguised as "road safety")

                • bobswinkle on 21/03/2023 - 21:51
                  +23

                  @speedingftw: Mate. Your entire argument is based on emotion and irrational anger.

                  I decided to look at one of your examples, Netherlands. In one Google I found this page: https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2022/03/31/over-8-mill…

                  Adjusting for the population of Netherlands versus Victoria, they fine people more than we do. We issued almost 2m traffic fines, they issued 8m with only just over double the population.

                  1. It's hilarious you listed Germany and Switzerland, both of which have the highest speeding fines in the world. Honestly just hilarious how little you know about this
                  2. Do our cops do it or speed cameras? Because if it's cameras they can do other stuff as well. Also: citation needed.
                  3. They just bitch about it less mate. It makes the news because people like you are massive whingers and the news panders to you.
                  • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 21:53
                    +1

                    @bobswinkle: in Germany it's about $50 for low level speeding
                    you don't get demerit points until 20+ km/h over the limit

                    • speedingftw on 21/03/2023 - 21:55
                      +2

                      @speedingftw: https://www.howtogermany.com/pages/traffic-violations.html
                      1-10 km/h over the limit in germany is only 15 euros within city (~$25 aud) and 10 euros outside city (~$15aud)
                      no points until 20+km over

                    • bobswinkle on 21/03/2023 - 21:57
                      +1

                      @speedingftw: I misspoke. I thought Germany had a similar system to Switzerland.

                      Nonetheless, you're engaging with one point. Why can't you accept that your entire perspective is emotional and not grounded in evidence.

                      We don't massively over fine relative to comparable jurisdictions. Just the US, which has a (profanity) terrible road toll. We don't have some of the highest fines in the world.

                      It's really really easy to not pay a fine in Australia. Just don't speed. Unless you're travelling hundreds of kilometres on a daily basis, it's not going to make a big difference to your life.

                • dr on 22/03/2023 - 07:52
                  +2

                  @speedingftw: Your comment makes no sense

            • gromit on 22/03/2023 - 00:59
              +3

              @speedingftw: You listed a heap of countries there, many of which have some of the strictest and heavily enforced speeding rules in tge world.

              • banana365 on 22/03/2023 - 18:14
                +4

                @gromit: Not only that, but many have considerably higher standards of driver education. Some, like Germany, also have far more law abiding behaviour and better attitudes to other road users. I took a while to get used to driving like a local on autobahns when I worked there, but it certainly made sense why both their written and unwritten rules helped make it safer.

        • kiwimex on 22/03/2023 - 08:20

          Rubbish

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