SE QLD Speed limit

[flappist]

Well the nutcases have done it again. The stretch of the Bruce Highway (1) between Cooroy and Curra has been the site of several bad accidents in the last few years. Anyone who travels on this road can tell you why. It goes from a 110km/h 4 lane freeway to a single lane windy goat track with very few overtaking areas.

The nett result is that the constant stream of non country drivers tend to panic, drive slow and cause huge delays, except of course on the overtakng areas where they speed up because it is nice safe dual lane like they are used to preventing overtaking then of course they slow down again.

Almost all of the prangs involve head on or near miss head on followed by loss of control.

People who are fatigued and frustrated often do silly things to overtake which can lead to tragedy.

The correct solution for this problem? More overtaking areas and better roads or even extend the freeway like it was promised in the 70s, and again in the 80s and the 90s and again in 2002.

The problem? This is where the Traveston Dam is going and half of the existing road will be flooded if the unelected dropkick in charge has her way so if they fix the road and the dam is built it will be a waste.
Why not move the road like they have everywhere else? Well it is a Federal road (Highway 1) and Comrade Kev won't pay for that unless the Traveston Dam is built which after all the investigations, impact studies and academic crap may or may not be sometime in the late 21st or early 22nd century.

So what do they do? The textbook answer to everything. They lower the speed limit of this 50km stretch of heavily used highway so people will get more frustrated and fatigued and do more silly things. Bloody brilliant.

http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008...mit-cut-90kmh/

I drive this road several times most weeks and it is always the same. They reckon a few seconds but due the the cascade effect it will increase the duration by 10-20 minutes.

Now if the road toll here drops they will jump for joy and then lower it everywhere, if not the will lower it even more everywhere.

Only 10 months to go. C'arn the Borg.......

/not that I am upset about it at all....

[phillyc]

I'm not familiar with that stretch of road, but the move is typical of governments and their one size fits dumb approach.

Keep up the fight and chat to your local member(s).

[Zed7fiddy]

Indeed its typical, they did the same on a stretch of the motorway infront of the ettamogah pub, instead of fixing a dangerous entry onto the highway, they lowered the limit, so people can crash at a lower speed

i frigging hate band aid fixes!

[flappist]

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en...,0.607681&z=11

This is it, from Cooroy to Bells Bridge

[Hunter]

You can't legislate against stupidity... widening the road or lowering the limit won't prevent people from doing stupid things and not thinking their actions through before doing them.

A few years back when I did a trip up to Hervey Bay I had some numbnut in a commonwhore who thought he was allowed to arbit the speed on that part of the road so on the single lane sections he would do 10-20 km under the limit and as soon as the overtaking lanes appeared he would accelerate up to 120-130 so nobody could pass him. Eventually someone did pass him, presumably at a speed well above the limit and indeed well above what they should do on such a windy road.

Putting more overtaking lanes in or widening won't necessarily prevent idiots like our friend in the commodore from doing what he was doing.

[Daymoe]

Lol, reminds me of the 4 deaths we had around my area recently, first off, all caused by driver stupidity.

A stupid old woman, driving a toyota corolla tried to overtake and sideswiped the car in front she was trying to overtake, spun the other car around and had a head on with another, they all died. Then the very next week, overtaking in the same spot there was an accident. The news papers were filled with people going "That road needs to be widened and fixed blah blah"... The roads perfectly fine, PEOPLE JUST NEED TO LEARN THE DAMN ROAD RULES AND LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!

Honestly, if I was in a position of power, everyone who is 50+ has to wear an S plate for senior so we know who is who and once you turn 65, the licence gets handed in and you are to never drive again.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Honestly, if I was in a position of power, everyone who is 50+ has to wear an S plate for senior so we know who is who and once you turn 65, the licence gets handed in and you are to never drive again.

OK superhero, here is a challenge. I will race you, 20 laps of any circuit you like, time trial in the same car. The prize is $10,000.

Are you game? Come on, you have got to be a better driver than all us oldies....or are you just yet another play station hero.

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by flappist

OK superhero, here is a challenge. I will race you, 20 laps of any circuit you like, time trial in the same car. The prize is $10,000.

Are you game? Come on, you have got to be a better driver than all us oldies....or are you just yet another play station hero.

In case you can't make it, I'll be your back-up driver Tony.

[Daymoe]

Originally Posted by flappist

OK superhero, here is a challenge. I will race you, 20 laps of any circuit you like, time trial in the same car. The prize is $10,000.

Are you game? Come on, you have got to be a better driver than all us oldies....or are you just yet another play station hero.

Ding ding! Here comes the old people brigade! Where did I say that I was the better driver than all the oldies?

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Lol, reminds me of the 4 deaths we had around my area recently, first off, all caused by driver stupidity.

A stupid old woman, driving a toyota corolla tried to overtake and sideswiped the car in front she was trying to overtake, spun the other car around and had a head on with another, they all died. Then the very next week, overtaking in the same spot there was an accident. The news papers were filled with people going "That road needs to be widened and fixed blah blah"... The roads perfectly fine, PEOPLE JUST NEED TO LEARN THE DAMN ROAD RULES AND LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!

Honestly, if I was in a position of power, everyone who is 50+ has to wear an S plate for senior so we know who is who and once you turn 65, the licence gets handed in and you are to never drive again.

I mentioned that the road being perfectly fine and that people need to learn the road rules/learn how to drive. No where in there does it say I'm the super hero elite driver that you thought I did?

You old people thing you're gods gift to society, the reality is that you're a bunch of useless redundant people leeching off the government to keep you alive. What benefit do you have to society, besides keeping some nurses and other people in medical services in jobs? You can about us in experienced drivers all you like, I can easily fight back about some of the old drivers you see getting around. Heh, don't forget you were once a P plater too.

Keep the $10,000 for your retirement if you already haven't retired, you'll need it once you're on a nice lowly $14,000 a year (Or $23,000 if you're married!) struggling to buy food to survive ;)

P.S - Its "Playstation", not "play station". Being the all old experienced person you are, you should know that.

Originally Posted by xbgs351

I'm thinking there is a very low risk of someone with your intellect ever getting into such a position of power.

Its not what you know, its who you know, buddy.

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

That's a big call from someone with how much driving experience ?

Post history says you are doing VCE next year, do you even have a licence yet ?

Starting year 12 next year, been on the road for just over 1 year (Nothing compared to most/all) but I know my local roads better than all you do.

Originally Posted by nugget378

The you can come back on here and winge and moan about how unfair it is when you turn 65..

Haha, going by whats happening now, the internet would most likely be censored, so I wouldn't be able to to anyone, besides the 4 walls of my nursing home/house.

Yep, flame me all you like but you ain't changing my opinion.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by Daymoe

You old people thing you're gods gift to society, the reality is that you're a bunch of useless redundant people leeching off the government to keep you alive. What benefit do you have to society, besides keeping some nurses and other people in medical services in jobs? You can about us in experienced drivers all you like, I can easily fight back about some of the old drivers you see getting around. Heh, don't forget you were once a P plater too.

You need a little more practice on how to flame successfully, but you are young, that's your fault, there's so much you have know.

Truth is that us oldies think young people are God's gift, that's why we resist the nanny state from taking away your freedoms of youth that we enjoyed. By the time you're in your twenties and thirties you will no doubt be a very sobre person who thinks there should be more controls, but fortunately there will always be an over fifties crowd who have got over themselves to balance things up.

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by Wally

but you are young, that's your fault, there's so much you have know.

i take it you are old but happy

[BIGJB]

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Ding ding! Here comes the old people brigade! Where did I say that I was the better driver than all the oldies?

**EDITED** With any luck his parents will ground him
and he'll have to play his Play Station instaed of comin on here and maybe learning something
from all us OLDER AND WISER people.

Originally Posted by Daymoe

You old people thing you're gods gift to society, the reality is that you're a bunch of useless redundant people leeching off the government to keep you alive.

Hey jerk the elderly paid taxes for yrs millions of dollars worth so they deserve every bloody cent they get.
Oh and might I ad ya parents prob got family assistance at some point
in your life to help feed you and keep you alive you ungrateful germ.
Where did that money come from......the elderlies taxes.

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Keep the $10,000 for your retirement if you already haven't retired, you'll need it once you're on a nice lowly $14,000 a year (Or $23,000 if you're married!) struggling to buy food to survive

There is this wonderful thing called superanuation but as a CHILD you wouldn't know what that is.

[2fishingdogs]

The captian Bligh ship will lower the speed and then double the speed cameras along that stretch so to raise the funds for the dam, Or someother stupid thing, other than fixing what needs to be fix.
Daymoe, Heavens for bid that you financial assistance from the government in the future. Yes the older generation gets help but 40 years ago there was no super, cost of living was a lot lower. And they had there wages drained with taxes. Do you get Austudy or similair payments? Will you get a job straight away when you finish school or need the dole? Will you go Uni and need to use the Hecs scheme if so you are you leeching off the government to keep you alive.
Sorry to everyone else for getting of topic

[RG]

Daymoe, you are a clown. I'm not old but I am grumpy.

Enough of that, let's get back on topic from here on in.

[xbgs351]

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Honestly, if I was in a position of power, everyone who is 50+ has to wear an S plate for senior so we know who is who and once you turn 65, the licence gets handed in and you are to never drive again.

I'm thinking there is a very low risk of someone with your intellect ever getting into such a position of power.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by xbgs351

I'm thinking there is a very low risk of someone with your intellect ever getting into such a position of power.

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Honestly, if I was in a position of power, everyone who is 50+ has to wear an S plate for senior so we know who is who and once you turn 65, the licence gets handed in and you are to never drive again.

The you can come back on here and winge and moan about how unfair it is when you turn 65..

[noosacuda]

It's a band-aid fix and revenue raising!
Yes,it is a pathetic exuse for a major hi-way,but i find the biggest problem with it is the numb-nuts drivers who speed up in the over taking lanes, whilst previously travelling at 80kp/h in the single lane, 100k zone (And yes,my wife and I reguarlly use the road as we quite often go from Bundy to the Sunshine Coast)

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Honestly, if I was in a position of power, everyone who is 50+ has to wear an S plate for senior so we know who is who and once you turn 65, the licence gets handed in and you are to never drive again.

That's highly irrational Daymoe.

An old friend of mine (deceased), his great grandmother was still driving safely at 96. She eventually stopped driving because some young tool ran into her.

As a driver, it is your responsibility to ensure that not only you do the right thing and handle your car properly, but that in all possible situations, you account for the mistakes of others to avoid an accident.

Although people over 65 are involved in more accidents, they aren't fatal (as often, as the cause), and more important, they don't kill anybody else (as often).

Males 18-24 are involved in the most deaths.
I think it almost makes far more sense to strip all within this demographic of their licenses; not because their death particular matters, but to ensure they don't kill somebody else which unfortunately happens all too often.

Of course, that statement is just crap, but it goes to show that your suggestion is practically not possible, nor is it fair.

[Green X]

[QUOTE=Daymoe

Honestly, if I was in a position of power, everyone who is 50+ has to wear an S plate for senior so we know who is who and once you turn 65, the licence gets handed in and you are to never drive again.[/QUOTE]


Haha I like that, bet you will change your tune when you turn 65 mate!

My grandfather's 78 and he's been driving since he was 15, I believe he's had one minor accident in that time, He even drives my XR6 Turbo around on occasions aswell as my uncles 6 Liter V8 Statesman! Aside from that he owns 2 cars that don't have a scratch on them.

[mowog]

Last time I went North I avoided that road. I went inland to Rocky. The roads may not be as good but there are a lot less cars out there.

[2fishingdogs]

I followed the same route to rocky on the way to FNQ in Sept but came backdown the bruce hwy to brisbane, the inland way was so much easier

[mowog]

Originally Posted by 2fishingdogs

I followed the same route to rocky on the way to FNQ in Sept but came backdown the bruce hwy to brisbane, the inland way was so much easier

Yep... not many Police out there not to many small towns to slow down for. And if you come across a caravan there isn't 10 cars behind it waiting to pass. And some good driving roads to sweeten the trip as well.

[vanman_75]

its been a bottle neck for 20 years the road more than justifies upgrading . 2 lanes into 1 dont go .obeying the road rules i do agree with you on that ,but changing that spot back to 90 will / should increase accidents and potential .cities keep getting their loopty loop roads and bridges ,and we cant get high death rate roads repaired .and to the above post 50 is not senior ,and they have way more experience than most .

[Hunter]

Originally Posted by vanman_75

its been a bottle neck for 20 years the road more than justifies upgrading . 2 lanes into 1 dont go .obeying the road rules i do agree with you on that ,but changing that spot back to 90 will / should increase accidents and potential .cities keep getting their loopty loop roads and bridges ,and we cant get high death rate roads repaired .and to the above post 50 is not senior ,and they have way more experience than most .

Contrary to what a lot of 'country people' think, us 'city people' don't have good roads either. The surfaces of roads in and around Brisbane are terrible. Most rural fatalities are the result of fatigue, alcohol or excess speed. Go look at the stats, in few cases the road itself is to blame.

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by Hunter

Contrary to what a lot of 'country people' think, us 'city people' don't have good roads either. The surfaces of roads in and around Brisbane are terrible. Most rural fatalities are the result of fatigue, alcohol or excess speed. Go look at the stats, in few cases the road itself is to blame.

As a former 'country person' turned 'city person' i have driven on both types of roads. You are right, both are rubbish. When i came to brisbane i remember thinking these roads are great, yeah till i got into the suburbs and discovered they were just as bad RE potholes etc. Also the main roads are rutted and of uneven surface with excessive wear on some.

BUT, the big difference is the speed involved RE the road surface. While most brisbane roads that handle lots of traffic at high speeds (motorways etc.) are semi decent, in FNQ (where i grew up) the national highway is a local joke. There are holes 4 inches deep and 2 foot wide, i'm not kidding, in the Bruce Highway. This is 100km/h dual carriageway that gets plenty of traffic in sometimes attrocious weather conditions. While fatigue and alcohol are present, i can tell you from personal experience that city drivers struggle to even maintain the posted limit in the dry. I'm amazed at how i used to drive at the speed limit in light rain on those roads. They are also poorly designed with too sharp bends and inadequate signposting. Don't get me started on the back roads at the rural limit of 100 clicks too.....

While the road surface almost never causes accidents by itself, it is a contributing factor in many cases. Make a mistake on the M1 and you might get away with it, on a single lane goat track they call roads in rural QLD, your stuffed.....

[vanman_75]

Originally Posted by Hunter

Contrary to what a lot of 'country people' think, us 'city people' don't have good roads either. The surfaces of roads in and around Brisbane are terrible. Most rural fatalities are the result of fatigue, alcohol or excess speed. Go look at the stats, in few cases the road itself is to blame.

yep you are right on the back road thing but most of your majors are great ,our major sees exhausts ripped off ,buckled rims anything over 18s ,and riding my motorbike to work airbourne several times .and i dont agree with ya on the speed thing but the others i do fatigue is a serious issue ,and drink driving stupid .but craming 2 lanes into a very ordinary 1 is silly our road systems are a joke .

[Jastel]

Swordsman have you driven Cairns to Townsville lately?

They have fixed the problem by having almost continuous roadworks all the way down, most of it is 80kmh. They should have signs saying "NO ROAD WORKS NEXT 5 KM". 5 to 6 hours is the norm for a trip these days, with stop/go men, detours, caravans, trucks etc and the speed cameras love all the roadworks too.

When they finish the (cough) floodproofing of the road, it will no doubt be a major improvement but I bet it won't be a 110kmh limit either.
You can use a new section and bridge over the Tully River now and the new bridge at Gordonvale is going up fast.

Another part of the Bruce Hwy that needs work is around the hilly Gin Gin area, you get some overtaking lanes but everytime I found one I had to stop to let a wide load heading north by. Very annoying but safer I guess.

You can see why everyone speeds up when they get to the motorway

Then they come to a stop near Caboolture with all the roadworks there?
Are they still going on?

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by Jastel

Swordsman have you driven Cairns to Townsville lately?

They have fixed the problem by having almost continuous roadworks all the way down, most of it is 80kmh. They should have signs saying "NO ROAD WORKS NEXT 5 KM". 5 to 6 hours is the norm for a trip these days, with stop/go men, detours, caravans, trucks etc and the speed cameras love all the roadworks too.

When they finish the (cough) floodproofing of the road, it will no doubt be a major improvement but I bet it won't be a 110kmh limit either.
You can use a new section and bridge over the Tully River now and the new bridge at Gordonvale is going up fast.

Another part of the Bruce Hwy that needs work is around the hilly Gin Gin area, you get some overtaking lanes but everytime I found one I had to stop to let a wide load heading north by. Very annoying but safer I guess.

You can see why everyone speeds up when they get to the motorway

Then they come to a stop near Caboolture with all the roadworks there?
Are they still going on?

Hey Jastel, i see you are a regular of the FNQ roads!!! Yes i was aware of the upgrades on the Cairns-Townsville highway. THis makes sense as it was the most disgraceful of all the national highway in australia in a survey not long ago. I haven't travelled since all that started (beena while) but my sister recently did so i will ask her - i will be up that way for holidays in a week or so. 5-6 hours Cairns-Townsville is a bit long, i used to do it in 3.5 hours on a bad day

The 'floodproofing' at tully is such a joke, it is so overdue!!! They should never have built the road where they did anyway, and certainly not leave it for so long. It was a metre above a floodplain in some parts, that is just stupid in one of the wettest parts of australia. I am quite familiar with the gordonvale bridge upgrade though, heard about that already, damn they made it a bit high didn't they?? Water never got that high, must of just been easier to build it that way.

I'm all for spending money where it is needed for population growth etc. (SE qld has some major traffic flow problems) but enough is enough. The national highway needs to be of decent quality to support proper highway speeds, otherwise it will take an eon to get anywhere and it not safe RE fatigue etc. I think if they upgrade all the highway to properly support 100-110km/h and make most of the current 110km/h sections (moranbah etc.) 120-130 it is the way to go. Some of that stuff is just boring as hell, but very straight and wide, with little traffic, and so fatigue becomes a major factor. I'll see how rubbish it is up that way next week LOL!

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by flappist

So what do they do? The textbook answer to everything. They lower the speed limit of this 50km stretch of heavily used highway so people will get more frustrated and fatigued and do more silly things. Bloody brilliant.

But Tony if they take 10kmh from this road maybe they'll give it to the Maryborough/Hervey Bay Rd

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Honestly, if I was in a position of power, everyone who is 50+ has to wear an S plate for senior so we know who is who and once you turn 65, the licence gets handed in and you are to never drive again.

Ah. Spoken by one who is yet to reach 25 ?