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Increase open road speed limits?

Posted by: 2UE | 30 October, 2009 - 10:39 AM

Steve Price: Time to lift the speed limit on open highways?

Is the 110km/h limit on open highways too low? Steve Price cites the Newell Highway as an example where limits could be lifted. Speed versus driver capability, would it make sense to be traveling at 130km/h?

Blog comments

I used to live on the Newell. I think the falling asleep problem is a big factor on that road. I also think we are a joke internationally in that we have poor roads and huge distances. As a group we have decided not to fix the problem. I now live on the Bruce highway which is a national disaster. Speed limits are coming down along this road because it cannot handle the growth. It would be great if we simply fixed the problem and created better roads. The flow from improved commerce would likely pay for the road building in a few short years.

Malcolm Saturday 31 October, 2009 - 4:29 PM
The time to increase speeds is when we have the same quality roads as Europe and not before. A major problem on freeways is a large speed difference between cars. It was a problem at Bathurst years ago with GT Falcons and XU1 Toranas sharing the track with Minis, Corollas ets. It was the huge speed difference between an Austin Healey and a Mercedes that resulted in the death of over 80 people at Le Mans in 1955. My wife and I (both mid 60s) drive a 2003 Hilux 4wd non turbo diesel that we use extensively for club outings and camping. The owners's handbook says the top speed is only 138 kph. The thing feels like it is flying at around 95 to 100 kph and 3000 RPM. Many cars towing vans don't even go that fast. The last thing we need is people coming up behind us at better than 130. There is also the problem of drivers. Fighter plans have to be designed for squadron pilots, not aces. Family cars are designed to be maintained by dealer mechanics, not F1 mechanics. It was Alan Moffat who said on TV that a Ferrari owner is not always a Ferrari driver after four were killed a few years ago during a motoring event down the centre of the Northern Territoy. Our roads and overcrowded freeways are for all drivers with all levels of skill in all types of cars and trucks. The laws have to cater for the lot, not just the few in fast cars.

Greg Friday 30 October, 2009 - 7:57 PM
You do have a few good ideas,but this one is daft!
It is one notwithstanding of a petrol head.

Erika Wehner Friday 30 October, 2009 - 6:21 PM
Why is it that common sense and great ideas are alway on this show but the pollies dont do.. I have been saying that the cars are safer, stop faster, cushion the crash more, and the speed limits are going down. I near fall asleep due to the boring slow speed limits. In europe I drove with an average just over 205km as the car wouldnt go any faster for hours and not at all once during these trips was tired, but eyes like a kangeroo in headlights and alert. I makes sense. But yes driver training is also needed.

sean Friday 30 October, 2009 - 2:31 PM