13 April 2011

Glenloch Morons

| pbissett
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I’m calling for permanent traffic monitoring in roadwork zones.

A woman who tailgated me through the Glenloch roadworks today was so furious that I was doing the speed limit she pulled up next to me on Parkes Way after the roadwork zone, leaned out her window and hurled abuse whilst driving at 90 km/h.

I wanted to move into the left lane and she deliberately blocked me, speeding up and slowing down.

One woman driving recklessly, endangering me and others because I was doing the speed limit.

Things like this happen every day and I’m sick of it.

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colourful sydney racing identity4:16 pm 19 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

No, pick any figure you want, it doesn’t matter.

Did you just make it up to further your argument?

shadow boxer said :

lol, you are a normal road user and you regularly speed because you think you know better than the posted limit and are a better driver than everyone else so you can make your own rules, there’s a bloke in this thread ready to whip some vigilante justice on your ass.

My guess is you regard getting a speeding ticket when you get caught as bad luck rather than a heinous crime. My point is until we get speed limits that a normal rational person like yourself considerd reasonable and sticks to, enforcing the status quo with a heavy hand will have little effect.

Some options include variable speed limits like on the M7 (even though they set them to low) or the German model of reasonable speed for the conditions as determined by the police officer.

Your “gunning it” in town to get away from other drivers may be considered unreasonable if observed out of context though.

I’ve said it a few times now and I think it’s boring people so i’ll be quiet now.

(sigh) Not entirely accurate, I’m afraid. I am not a ‘normal’ road user in the context of ‘one of the herd’. Nor do I regularly speed. When I do speed it is because I adjudge — with the benefit of my experience — the conditions safe to do so, not because I ‘think I know better than the posted limit’ (in those circumstances I regard the posted limits as ‘advisory’. Shoot me for having enjoyed the German experience. Be aware that I continue to drive the road as I see it, with a high level of concentration). Nor do I ‘think’ that I am a better driver than most. I know I am in some criteria (level of car control skill / road reading / road craft generally) But, I can make small mistakes in other areas.

Your guess is wrong in that I don’t regard getting pinged as ‘bad luck’ (I actually did get caught by a red light / speed camera for the first time in 20 years recently . . . only a tiddle over and within speedo error . . . couldn’t be stuffed fighting it). Rather, I wear it as a fair cop (or a complete lack of observation on my behalf if on the highway). In some instances, I would regard it as a heinous crime (I’d consider hanging up the gloves if I ever got done in a school zone for example).

It is my assertion that the speed limits set ARE appropriate for the NORMAL driver. In fact, in many instances, they ARE too high. While I’d happily support the German approach, I would only be prepared to do so when you (and my mum) can explain to me the dynamics of tri-axial roll understeer and / or shut-throttle oversteer (and have performed an emergency brake procedure from 220 km/hr . . . in the wet).

My ‘gunning it’ in town has been the subject of police attention in the past (as have occasions of anticipating light changes so as to arrive at fresh green lights rolling at 40 km/hr, thereby enabling me to glide past the stationary patrol car, that guns past me, only to need to brake and stop — way up the road from me — at the red light that then freshly changes to green, thereby allowing me to glide through at 40 km / hr past the patrol car etc etc). But, I do not do so in a manner so as to create undue noise or attention, or to operate vehicle in a reckless manner. It has never raised a ticket: ever.

I once had a NSW highway patrol car sit on my tail for 15 or so km at ‘a speed we don’t talk about in public’. He only overtook me 10 km outside of a major NSW country town. His ‘message lights’ on the car’s roof tapped out ‘check speed’. The patrol car bolted off as I rolled off the throttle. I stopped at the same road house in that town to refuel as the patrol car had also stopped. I thanked the officer for cutting me some slack. He explained that, in following me, he could see that I posed no harm. His exact words were “lovely road placement . . . you’ve ridden motorbikes, too, haven’t you?” He then pointed out where the radars and other patrols were for the remainder of my route. I would anticipate (and hope) that very same officer, had he come up behind some muppet P plater, devoid of skill, travelling at my pace, to have taken his licence off him and cut it up on the spot.

Still not QED (LOL)

shadow boxer3:51 pm 19 Apr 11

No, pick any figure you want, it doesn’t matter.

colourful sydney racing identity3:15 pm 19 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

lol, you are a normal road user and you regularly speed because you think you know better than the posted limit and are a better driver than everyone else so you can make your own rules, there’s a bloke in this thread ready to whip some vigilante justice on your ass.

My guess is you regard getting a speeding ticket when you get caught as bad luck rather than a heinous crime. My point is until we get speed limits that a normal rational person like yourself considerd reasonable and sticks to, enforcing the status quo with a heavy hand will have little effect.

Some options include variable speed limits like on the M7 (even though they set them to low) or the German model of reasonable speed for the conditions as determined by the police officer.

Your “gunning it” in town to get away from other drivers may be considered unreasonable if observed out of context though.

I’ve said it a few times now and I think it’s boring people so i’ll be quiet now.

Beofre you go can you please, please point to the evidence of the 80% of people that admit to ‘regularly speeding’?

shadow boxer2:38 pm 19 Apr 11

lol, you are a normal road user and you regularly speed because you think you know better than the posted limit and are a better driver than everyone else so you can make your own rules, there’s a bloke in this thread ready to whip some vigilante justice on your ass.

My guess is you regard getting a speeding ticket when you get caught as bad luck rather than a heinous crime. My point is until we get speed limits that a normal rational person like yourself considerd reasonable and sticks to, enforcing the status quo with a heavy hand will have little effect.

Some options include variable speed limits like on the M7 (even though they set them to low) or the German model of reasonable speed for the conditions as determined by the police officer.

Your “gunning it” in town to get away from other drivers may be considered unreasonable if observed out of context though.

I’ve said it a few times now and I think it’s boring people so i’ll be quiet now.

shadow boxer said :

Exhibit A, I rest my case.

Not so fast, sport. I’m not even remotely advocating:

shadow boxer said :

40 kmh, fair dinkum, what a stupid speed limit, should just get a bloke with a flag to walk in front of you.

OR

shadow boxer said :

Why ? They are all good people, I dont usually judge people on sunglass choice.

Some people in this thread need to realise that 80% of people speed because the limits are stupid and we have lives and places to be.

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

Rather, what I am saying is that the 80 percent quoted is meaningless without context. I could, or could not, suit ‘the frame’ depending on the context. My reasons for being ‘Hector’ around town are to make an allowance on road for people who think that, ” . . . the limits are stupid and we have lives and places to be.” (but who, as far as I see demonstrated daily, can’t drive for sh*t). I occasionally hammer it on the highway ‘cos I safely can, my car(s) can, I pose no risk to others and it is safer for me to do so.

Rather, what I am saying is (as someone who can, in all likelihood, call themselves qualified to make an assessment) that speed limits AREN’T stoopid when the calibre of vehicle operation — in the broad — is considered. It’s got nothing to do with road standards . . . make them all gravel for all I care.

The ’80 percent’ you have relied upon in that context is meaningless, especially when 99.99999 percent of that 80 percent couldn’t drive a greasy stick . . .er, couldn’t drive out of sight on a dark night with their lights off (as many of them do). It’s not clear to me that my assertion assists in placing you in the ‘QED’ seat just yet.

shadow boxer1:07 pm 19 Apr 11

triffid said :

shadow boxer said :

Well from the first link

“Motorists are breaking the law,” according to car insurance provider Budget Direct, who say “29 per cent of drivers admit to speeding in residential areas while a further 60 per cent exceed the speed limit on highways, motorways or freeways.” With the help of market research company footprints, Budget Directasked residents across Australia to anonymously reveal their driving habits when it comes to speeding and the results are of grave concern.

Again, the concept requires some thought, not just sound bites out of context.

If I had responded to that survey I would have likely indicated that, yes, I speed on highways (but probably not motorways or freeways). When I do, it is invariably when there’s A) bugger all other traffic around (‘cos it’s sometime between 2400 hrs and 0500 hrs) and B) I’m the only one in the car. And, yes, I will sometimes drop the hammer in an urban environment for a short burst to improve my safety (by thereby having fewer cars around me).

But (and here’s a bit of a critical perspective) I more usually creep around like Hector the Safety Cat around town and rarel go over any posted limits.

Driving around me, you’d swear I have a wardrobe full of beige cardies (I don’t). AND, the reason I do that is as a simple defence against the f-stick hammering along Limestone at 90 k because “speed limits are stopid and I have a life to lead and places to be”. I am every bit capable of getting from Canberra to Brisbane in well under 12 hours safely and without any impact on others, or by placing anyone, including myself, at any risk of harm (done it plenty of times). But, I make the allowance for you, the f-stick, around town, because my skills and experience enables me to watch your roadcraft, your road placement, the way you ‘balance’ the car and transfer its mass as you pilot it around and I can instantly tell you haven’t got the slightest clue what you are doing. That you’ve either got your fog lights on, or that your car is grey, the street lights are on and you haven’t got even parkers on is another giveaway (or that you have oversize sunnies on and drive a Lancer).

So, in my mind, it’s more lies, damn lies and statistics . . . numbers that are meaningless without context.

Exhibit A, I rest my case.

shadow boxer said :

Well from the first link

“Motorists are breaking the law,” according to car insurance provider Budget Direct, who say “29 per cent of drivers admit to speeding in residential areas while a further 60 per cent exceed the speed limit on highways, motorways or freeways.” With the help of market research company footprints, Budget Directasked residents across Australia to anonymously reveal their driving habits when it comes to speeding and the results are of grave concern.

Again, the concept requires some thought, not just sound bites out of context.

If I had responded to that survey I would have likely indicated that, yes, I speed on highways (but probably not motorways or freeways). When I do, it is invariably when there’s A) bugger all other traffic around (‘cos it’s sometime between 2400 hrs and 0500 hrs) and B) I’m the only one in the car. And, yes, I will sometimes drop the hammer in an urban environment for a short burst to improve my safety (by thereby having fewer cars around me).

But (and here’s a bit of a critical perspective) I more usually creep around like Hector the Safety Cat around town and rarel go over any posted limits. Driving around me, you’d swear I have a wardrobe full of beige cardies (I don’t). AND, the reason I do that is as a simple defence against the f-stick hammering along Limestone at 90 k because “speed limits are stopid and I have a life to lead and places to be”. I am every bit capable of getting from Canberra to Brisbane in well under 12 hours safely and without any impact on others, or by placing anyone, including myself, at any risk of harm (done it plenty of times). But, I make the allowance for you, the f-stick, around town, because my skills and experience enables me to watch your roadcraft, your road placement, the way you ‘balance’ the car and transfer its mass as you pilot it around and I can instantly tell you haven’t got the slightest clue what you are doing. That you’ve either got your fog lights on, or that your car is grey, the street lights are on and you haven’t got even parkers on is another giveaway (or that you have oversize sunnies on and drive a Lancer).

So, in my mind, it’s more lies, damn lies and statistics . . . numbers that are meaningless without context.

WOW what a hot topic!
Well I’m female, I drive a ford, and I don’t wear sunglasses. I drive past the road works every day and when I see that 60 or 40kph sign I slow down and do exactly that. It doesn’t matter what the other cars are doing behind or infront of me, if by any chance there’s a radar check – and I have seen them on the odd occasion – I’m not going to be the one to get booked!

Just let the P platers and big sunglass ladies just fly by and don’t give them a second thought.

colourful sydney racing identity11:26 am 19 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

Well from the first link

“Motorists are breaking the law,” according to car insurance provider Budget Direct, who say “29 per cent of drivers admit to speeding in residential areas while a further 60 per cent exceed the speed limit on highways, motorways or freeways.” With the help of market research company footprints, Budget Directasked residents across Australia to anonymously reveal their driving habits when it comes to speeding and the results are of grave concern.

Again, the concept requires some thought, not just sound bites out of context.

Funny that you make that comment about soundbites – if you go back and look at the first link, the quote you have used is contradicted later with the following:

‘In residential areas 25% admit to exceeding the speed limit by up to 10km/h and a reckless 4% admitted to 11km/h and over.’ (ie a total of 29%)

‘50% speed up to 10km/h over and a further 10% exceed the limit by 11km/h’ (ie a total of 60%)

You also include a Federally funded reoport that states:

‘A majority of drivers said they commonly drive at or below the speed limit in both 60km/hr
urban and 100km/hr rural zones. Just over half (54%) said they normally drive at the speed
limit in a 60km/hr urban zone, and a further 28% said they drive below the limit. Similar
proportions said they commonly drive at (45%) or below (25%) the limit in 100km/hr rural
zones.’

So it is ‘all over the internet’ yet you can provide no evidence of 80% of people that admit to ‘regularly speeding’ – and these are your words.

shadow boxer11:09 am 19 Apr 11

Well from the first link

“Motorists are breaking the law,” according to car insurance provider Budget Direct, who say “29 per cent of drivers admit to speeding in residential areas while a further 60 per cent exceed the speed limit on highways, motorways or freeways.” With the help of market research company footprints, Budget Directasked residents across Australia to anonymously reveal their driving habits when it comes to speeding and the results are of grave concern.

Again, the concept requires some thought, not just sound bites out of context.

colourful sydney racing identity10:39 am 19 Apr 11

colourful sydney racing identity said :

shadow boxer said :

@CSRI

It’s all over the Internet, the actual figure varies according to survey but you have to remember these are the people actually admitting to it.

http://quotesonline.com.au/blog/?tag=motoring-survey

http://rac.com.au/About-Us/RAC-eNews/2010/February-10/Almost-three-quarters-of-motorists-speeding.aspx

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2003/pdf/Speed_Risk_4.pdf

Thanks for the links. Where did you get the 80% figure from?

Before you squib with the unsubstantiated ‘you and Jim Jones make things up’ rubbish, care to answer the question above? Or did you just make up the 80% figure?

shadow boxer said :

EvanJames said :

Has anyone else noticed how it’s always young women who are the rudest, most aggresive, inconsiderate and unco-operative drivers on Canberra’s roads? I’ve been subjected several times to finger flipping and mouth flapping from young women wearing massive fly-eye-like sunnies and driving some sporty red coupe 30kms over the limit right up my backside. Why the abuse? For the crime of having obeyed the road rules. Grow up for God’s sake.

I had to check the name of the poster of this to make sure it wasn’t me, posting in my sleep!

I call those giant sunglasses “bitch sunglasses”, worn by young and middle-aged rude, aggressive drivers of the female persuasion.

Their anger behind the wheel is only exceeded by their incompetence at controlling their car. The young ones drive Excels and Lancers, the older ones have shiny 4WDs.

Wow, what a sad old man you must be, every girl I know under 30 wears them.

Not for much longer, Paris isn’t under 30 any more. No longer a roll model for them.

shadow boxer6:06 pm 18 Apr 11

Nah, I dont think you do….but never mind, I’m not going to debate someone that just ignores what I say and makes things up. I’ve seen you and Jim do it in other threads as well.

colourful sydney racing identity4:23 pm 18 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

No I dont think so, but you may be right.

I am sure we will continue with the road safety strategy we currently have and watch the carnage that occurs over Easter with a shake of the head and a call for more speed cameras.

Unfortunately they will have no effect and we will do it again next year

Right, increasing the speed limit will reduce the road toll. I’ve got it now.

shadow boxer4:12 pm 18 Apr 11

No I dont think so, but you may be right.

I am sure we will continue with the road safety strategy we currently have and watch the carnage that occurs over Easter with a shake of the head and a call for more speed cameras.

Unfortunately they will have no effect and we will do it again next year

colourful sydney racing identity11:11 am 18 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

Sorry, maybe it is that difficult a concept for some.

For most, I would suggest.

shadow boxer10:49 am 18 Apr 11

Sorry, maybe it is that difficult a concept for some.

colourful sydney racing identity10:09 am 18 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

People are not stupid and blunt force rarely works, but carry on maybe you can bash people into submission eventually, but I doubt it, and lots of lives will be lost in the meantime.

Lives will be lost by enforcing speed limits? Are you stoned?

georgesgenitals said :

This is a good point. Regardless of speed limit changes, I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

Well driver testing seems pretty good (i cant comment on log book though).
Enforcement of rules on the road is a bigger concern imo. Anyone can “forget” what they’ve learnt during driver training, but proper policing covers all drivers

@OP, “failure to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you” will result with you being at fault in that situation.

shadow boxer7:47 am 16 Apr 11

Doc Dogg said :

shadow boxer said :

The thing is I could get behind a hang em high approach to speeders if the limits were set at what the 85th percentile considers a reasonable speed. Since they don’t people continue to ignore them and our young people continue to die in large numbers as they see a speeding fine as a bit of bad luck.

I’m having a bit of a hard time working out what you mean here…are you saying that young people are ignoring the speed limits (because getting a fine is just bad luck) and dying because of it? If so, that seems like a good argument to NOT increase speed limits.

There was also an earlier comment that the limit around schools and work sites is 40km/h throughout Australia. It isn’t, in SA it is 25km/h. The young folk still tail gate you and then speed at a dangerous 40km/h through work sites though 🙂 Guess the danger is all relative.

Is it really that difficult a concept ? what I am saying is that our young are reflecting a general comunity attitude that the limits are stupid and can be broken when the circumstances allow.

To change this perception we need to change the community attitude.

There are two ways to do this, blunt force enforcement of the status quo or an examination of what is acceptable to the communtiy and harsh penalties for those then breaching.

People are not stupid and blunt force rarely works, but carry on maybe you can bash people into submission eventually, but I doubt it, and lots of lives will be lost in the meantime.

The fixed point cameras coming on line on the GDE are a good example of where we have lost the plot, watch the rat running and manouvers going on when they come on line.

I drove down William Hovell, thru Glenloch and along Parkes Way today in both directions with out being killed or killing any one else [in my White Commodore] this morning.

Increase Speed Limits?

The roads are up to it. The drivers are not.

On my way, driving in the left lane, while doing the speed limit, inbound I passed one car sitting in the right lane at 80ks and two in similar circumstances on the way back. Mid-morning and bugger all traffic why be in the right lane ?

If drivers generally stayed to the left and drivers who are going to exceed the speed limit in the right lane could be relied on to be aware, and ready for, drivers in the left lane who need to get into the right lane to exit it would all be fine.

Ill-mannered or just bad driving ? It doesn’t make much difference which!

shadow boxer said :

The thing is I could get behind a hang em high approach to speeders if the limits were set at what the 85th percentile considers a reasonable speed. Since they don’t people continue to ignore them and our young people continue to die in large numbers as they see a speeding fine as a bit of bad luck.

I’m having a bit of a hard time working out what you mean here…are you saying that young people are ignoring the speed limits (because getting a fine is just bad luck) and dying because of it? If so, that seems like a good argument to NOT increase speed limits.

There was also an earlier comment that the limit around schools and work sites is 40km/h throughout Australia. It isn’t, in SA it is 25km/h. The young folk still tail gate you and then speed at a dangerous 40km/h through work sites though 🙂 Guess the danger is all relative.

georgesgenitals5:47 pm 15 Apr 11

colourful sydney racing identity said :

georgesgenitals said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

georgesgenitals said :

Tooks said :

Unfortunately our driving isn’t any better and the crap quality of drivers – not just in Canberra but Australia wide – doesn’t warrant an increase in speed limits.

This is a good point. Regardless of speed limit changes, I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

Add to that the enforcement of speed limits and I will buy you a drink 🙂

Add to that a sensible review of speed limits and I’ll buy you a case :).

Done*

*we may quibble over the term ‘sensible’

* That’s what the case is for…

Holden Caulfield4:56 pm 15 Apr 11

colourful sydney racing identity said :

To avoid any confusion: are you in favour of enforcing the law when it comes to driving speeds?

Yes.

I may be more willing to question some laws than you might be, but I have no issues with the road laws of the day being policed.

However, I do think the over emphasis (my opinion) on speeding in various road safety campaigns has resulted in many motorists thinking all it takes to be a safe driver is to stay below an arbitrary number on a sign.

In addition to improving driver education/training for new motorists, I’d also like to see licence re-testing introduced for all drivers at 5-10 year intervals as well. Aside form the fact that we all might learn something from time to time as road rules come and go, it further reminds us of the fact that we actually have laws and obligations that we need to follow when on the road.

colourful sydney racing identity4:15 pm 15 Apr 11

georgesgenitals said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

georgesgenitals said :

Tooks said :

Unfortunately our driving isn’t any better and the crap quality of drivers – not just in Canberra but Australia wide – doesn’t warrant an increase in speed limits.

This is a good point. Regardless of speed limit changes, I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

Add to that the enforcement of speed limits and I will buy you a drink 🙂

Add to that a sensible review of speed limits and I’ll buy you a case :).

Done*

*we may quibble over the term ‘sensible’

georgesgenitals3:55 pm 15 Apr 11

colourful sydney racing identity said :

georgesgenitals said :

Tooks said :

Unfortunately our driving isn’t any better and the crap quality of drivers – not just in Canberra but Australia wide – doesn’t warrant an increase in speed limits.

This is a good point. Regardless of speed limit changes, I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

Add to that the enforcement of speed limits and I will buy you a drink 🙂

Add to that a sensible review of speed limits and I’ll buy you a case :).

colourful sydney racing identity3:48 pm 15 Apr 11

Holden Caulfield said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Holden Caulfield said :

georgesgenitals said :

…I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

Hear, hear!

But not enforcement of the law?

*Groan* … find the post where I have said I’m not in favour of enforcing the law.

Or, you could just stop making stuff up. Either way…

I was asking the question, not making a statement that is why I put the question mark at the end of the words.

To avoid any confusion: are you in favour of enforcing the law when it comes to driving speeds?

colourful sydney racing identity3:46 pm 15 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

@CSRI

It’s all over the Internet, the actual figure varies according to survey but you have to remember these are the people actually admitting to it.

http://quotesonline.com.au/blog/?tag=motoring-survey

http://rac.com.au/About-Us/RAC-eNews/2010/February-10/Almost-three-quarters-of-motorists-speeding.aspx

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2003/pdf/Speed_Risk_4.pdf

Thanks for the links. Where did you get the 80% figure from?

Holden Caulfield said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Holden Caulfield said :

georgesgenitals said :

…I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

Hear, hear!

But not enforcement of the law?

*Groan* … find the post where I have said I’m not in favour of enforcing the law.

Or, you could just stop making stuff up. Either way…

Where, precisely, is he making stuff up?

It looks like a question to me – hence, the question mark, you know – ?

You’ve been hanging out with Pommy Bastard too much: LIES LIES LIES they’re all LYING ABOUT ME!!!

Holden Caulfield3:29 pm 15 Apr 11

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Holden Caulfield said :

georgesgenitals said :

…I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

Hear, hear!

But not enforcement of the law?

*Groan* … find the post where I have said I’m not in favour of enforcing the law.

Or, you could just stop making stuff up. Either way…

colourful sydney racing identity3:13 pm 15 Apr 11

Holden Caulfield said :

georgesgenitals said :

…I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

Hear, hear!

But not enforcement of the law?

shadow boxer3:12 pm 15 Apr 11

+1, now we are getting somewhere

Holden Caulfield3:11 pm 15 Apr 11

georgesgenitals said :

…I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

Hear, hear!

colourful sydney racing identity2:27 pm 15 Apr 11

georgesgenitals said :

Tooks said :

Unfortunately our driving isn’t any better and the crap quality of drivers – not just in Canberra but Australia wide – doesn’t warrant an increase in speed limits.

This is a good point. Regardless of speed limit changes, I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

Add to that the enforcement of speed limits and I will buy you a drink 🙂

georgesgenitals2:07 pm 15 Apr 11

Tooks said :

Unfortunately our driving isn’t any better and the crap quality of drivers – not just in Canberra but Australia wide – doesn’t warrant an increase in speed limits.

This is a good point. Regardless of speed limit changes, I’m in favour of better driver training and more stringent testing.

A couple of points I wanted to make:

Shadow boxer said:

As the OP shows when you arbitrarily impose a law that 80% of people disagree with and openly ignore there will be conflict.

Speed limits aren’t arbitrary. Besides, I get the feeling if all speed limits in Canberra were increased by 10kmh, the same 80% would still exceed them.

A major rethink on road safety is required that would see sensible speed limits that we can all get behind and feel comfortable having enforced.

Maybe we’ll get sensible speed limits when we have sensible drivers. I think a lot of the speed limits are reasonable when you take into consideration the quality of drivers out there.

Sleaz274 said:

Unfortunately our road laws are becoming slowly archaic as roads and road design get better, cars and car design gets better and better….

Unfortunately our driving isn’t any better and the crap quality of drivers – not just in Canberra but Australia wide – doesn’t warrant an increase in speed limits.

colourful sydney racing identity1:43 pm 15 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

@CSRI

Not just me but the 80% of people that admit to regulalry speeding. You can rail against it all you want but it’s just how it is.

I hope we don’t see you joining in the ‘hang them high’ chorus when crimes are discussed on RA…

I don’t think i’ve ever voiced an opinion on those matters here. The thing is I could get behind a hang em high approach to speeders if the limits were set at what the 85th percentile considers a reasonable speed. Since they don’t people continue to ignore them and our young people continue to die in large numbers as they see a speeding fine as a bit of bad luck.

Unfortunately we have a Govt need for easy money and a road safety industry that lacks vision to thanks for this sorry mess.

Out of interest and in all sincerity, where do you get that 80% figure from?

shadow boxer1:25 pm 15 Apr 11

Well that would be breaking the law…….fair dinkum

shadow boxer said :

@CSRI

Not just me but the 80% of people that admit to regulalry speeding. You can rail against it all you want but it’s just how it is.

I hope we don’t see you joining in the ‘hang them high’ chorus when crimes are discussed on RA…

I don’t think i’ve ever voiced an opinion on those matters here. The thing is I could get behind a hang em high approach to speeders if the limits were set at what the 85th percentile considers a reasonable speed. Since they don’t people continue to ignore them and our young people continue to die in large numbers as they see a speeding fine as a bit of bad luck.

Unfortunately we have a Govt need for easy money and a road safety industry that lacks vision to thanks for this sorry mess.

An 80% percent criminal population to which you cheerfully admit being part is nothing to be proud of. You’re lucky that the ACT has such a crap justice system, how do you feel about some vigilante justice coming your way?

shadow boxer11:12 am 15 Apr 11

@CSRI

Not just me but the 80% of people that admit to regulalry speeding. You can rail against it all you want but it’s just how it is.

I hope we don’t see you joining in the ‘hang them high’ chorus when crimes are discussed on RA…

I don’t think i’ve ever voiced an opinion on those matters here. The thing is I could get behind a hang em high approach to speeders if the limits were set at what the 85th percentile considers a reasonable speed. Since they don’t people continue to ignore them and our young people continue to die in large numbers as they see a speeding fine as a bit of bad luck.

Unfortunately we have a Govt need for easy money and a road safety industry that lacks vision to thanks for this sorry mess.

Holden Caulfield said :

If you can’t see the irony, or even the humour, in one advocating more courtesy on the roads in a discourteous manner then maybe you need to hop off that high horse once in a while and look at the view from another vantage point.

Do you act the same way that you act while driving all the time?

If not, precisely what are you on about?

Holden Caulfield said :

Again, we’re seeing passive aggressive commentary from those advocating a more calm and courteous approach on the road.

How does advocating a calm and courteous attitude on the road obligate someone to not argue against breaking the law?

Holden Caulfield10:49 am 15 Apr 11

Jim Jones said :

Holden Caulfield said :

\
Again, we’re seeing passive aggressive commentary from those advocating a more calm and courteous approach on the road. I guess it’s kinda cute and daft all at the same time; perfect RA fodder. The supply is so reliable too.

Oh yeah, anyone arguing that speed limits should be obeyed is quite clearly a passive aggressive fool who should be publically shamed.

Another expert at drawing a long bow; 1 + 1 = 5 apparently.

If you can’t see the irony, or even the humour, in one advocating more courtesy on the roads in a discourteous manner then maybe you need to hop off that high horse once in a while and look at the view from another vantage point.

shadow boxer10:47 am 15 Apr 11

Jim Jones said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

shadow boxer said :

As the OP shows when you arbitrarily impose a law that 80% of people disagree with and openly ignore there will be conflict.

If people break the law either openly or covertly they should face the consequences, regardless of whether the agree with it or not. Surely you are not suggesting otherwise?

The same people who are constantly whinging that the ACT Justice System is too lenient and won’t sufficiently punish people for breaking the law now appear to be arguing that you don’t have to obey a law if you disagree with it.

Which is ironic (in that peculiarly Alannis Morrissette way).

You are making stuff up again…

colourful sydney racing identity10:39 am 15 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

Not just me but the 80% of people that admit to regulalry speeding. You can rail against it all you want but it’s just how it is.

I hope we don’t see you joining in the ‘hang them high’ chorus when crimes are discussed on RA…

It used to be a law that all men in the village had to go practice archery on sunday after church openly in the town commons. It used to be a law that you had to have someone walking in front of your motor vehicle waving a red flag to warn pedestrians and carts. It used to be a law that you could own a few black people to mow your lawn, do the washing and harvest your fields. It used to be a law that on a new brides wedding night the lord of the land was entitled to take her to his bed chamber.

Laws are artificial constructs designed within a specific geo-historical context they are not written in stone by god and are only as good as the need they serve and effectiveness of their enforcement. Unfortunately our road laws are becoming slowly archaic as roads and road design get better, cars and car design gets better and better, speed limits between states become horribly inconsistent (see Tasmania for example their main highway is a two lane (one each way, not separated) windy stretch of road and the speed limit is 110km/h. Adelaide Avenue, Ginninderra Drive, Majura road, Barton Highway, Tuggers parkway, Gungahlin drive etc etc could all sustain this speed (or 100km/h).

Simply crying out it’s the law without a reasoned debate behind it is becoming overly pedantic. I’m not advocating breaking the law, but understanding how those laws came about and how we could change them or improve them is a far saner argument than simply stamping your feet, gnashing your teeth and giving someone the finger because they are doing a road 5% faster than you.

It is not a matter of being too important for the law, or too selfish to understand it. If there came into law in Australia tomorrow that you could only talk to a woman in the presence of her husband, brother or father how many people would follow it and would you all be on here screaming about 99% of people breaking the law? Well that is a law in some countries so why don’t we follow that here? Because it is culturally and morally wrong to us as Australians and we are quickly learning that ridiculous and inane and stupid laws in australia are commonly being disregarded by the greater majority of people. The risk of being in an accident compared to a lot of other places (south east asia, africa, middle east) is remarkably low and so people drive accordingly. Our main arterial highways from Melb, Syd, Bris could easily be 130km/h but we stick to a mind numbingly slow 110km/h and wonder why people fall asleep and die. We have a very low population density and thousands of kilometres of highway therefore our speeds should be consistently higher than they are presently.

shadow boxer10:30 am 15 Apr 11

Not just me but the 80% of people that admit to regulalry speeding. You can rail against it all you want but it’s just how it is.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

shadow boxer said :

As the OP shows when you arbitrarily impose a law that 80% of people disagree with and openly ignore there will be conflict.

If people break the law either openly or covertly they should face the consequences, regardless of whether the agree with it or not. Surely you are not suggesting otherwise?

The same people who are constantly whinging that the ACT Justice System is too lenient and won’t sufficiently punish people for breaking the law now appear to be arguing that you don’t have to obey a law if you disagree with it.

Which is ironic (in that peculiarly Alannis Morrissette way).

colourful sydney racing identity10:12 am 15 Apr 11

Holden Caulfield said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Holden Caulfield said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

shadow boxer said :

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

If you speed get the hell off my road.

Your selfishness is better than their selfishness.

Got it.

Sorry, I am being selfish because I expect other motorists to obey the same laws that I do?

Really?

Wow, you drew a pretty long bow there.

Who’s road is actually? Is it really yours?

I didn’t think so.

Again, we’re seeing passive aggressive commentary from those advocating a more calm and courteous approach on the road. I guess it’s kinda cute and daft all at the same time; perfect RA fodder. The supply is so reliable too.

Why should I have a calm and courteous approach to people who deliberately and openly break the law?

colourful sydney racing identity10:09 am 15 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

As the OP shows when you arbitrarily impose a law that 80% of people disagree with and openly ignore there will be conflict.

If people break the law either openly or covertly they should face the consequences, regardless of whether the agree with it or not. Surely you are not suggesting otherwise?

shadow boxer said :

We should start with a look at Germany, eminintly sensible peole there who can see through the emotion to the bigger picture.

That’s right.

When Germany reduced local street speed limits from 60 km/h to 50 km/h, crashes declined by 20%. That information is so widespread that it’s easily found on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limit).

When Australia increased speed limits from 100 km/h to 110 km/h, injury crashes increased by 25%.

Holden Caulfield said :

\
Again, we’re seeing passive aggressive commentary from those advocating a more calm and courteous approach on the road. I guess it’s kinda cute and daft all at the same time; perfect RA fodder. The supply is so reliable too.

Oh yeah, anyone arguing that speed limits should be obeyed is quite clearly a passive aggressive fool who should be publically shamed.

shadow boxer8:17 am 15 Apr 11

It is interesting isn’t it, I was trolling a little but the fact that people chose to make up stuff in order to throw insults rather than mounting a passionate defence of the current speed limits speaks volumes.

As the OP shows when you arbitrarily impose a law that 80% of people disagree with and openly ignore there will be conflict.

A major rethink on road safety is required that would see sensible speed limits that we can all get behind and feel comfortable having enforced.

We should start with a look at Germany, eminintly sensible peole there who can see through the emotion to the bigger picture.

Holden Caulfield5:28 pm 14 Apr 11

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Holden Caulfield said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

shadow boxer said :

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

If you speed get the hell off my road.

Your selfishness is better than their selfishness.

Got it.

Sorry, I am being selfish because I expect other motorists to obey the same laws that I do?

Really?

Wow, you drew a pretty long bow there.

Who’s road is actually? Is it really yours?

I didn’t think so.

Again, we’re seeing passive aggressive commentary from those advocating a more calm and courteous approach on the road. I guess it’s kinda cute and daft all at the same time; perfect RA fodder. The supply is so reliable too.

tidalik said :

shadow boxer said :

How nice for you and your important friends that the laws only apply to the other 20%. Good luck with that attitude.

The problem is, 100% of us pay the road rescue fee to scrape his sorry ass off a tree when he loses it at 100 on a roundabout, because thats the speed he always drives and he’s got places to be.

colourful sydney racing identity4:10 pm 14 Apr 11

Stevian said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Holden Caulfield said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

shadow boxer said :

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

If you speed get the hell off my road.

Your selfishness is better than their selfishness.

Got it.

Sorry, I am being selfish because I expect other motorists to obey the same laws that I do?

Really?

People are expected to obey the road rules that actualy exist, not the one that you make up in your own mind.

And your point being?

Stevian said :

[
People are expected to obey the road rules that actualy exist,

Like, say, speed limits, for example?

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Holden Caulfield said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

shadow boxer said :

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

If you speed get the hell off my road.

Your selfishness is better than their selfishness.

Got it.

Sorry, I am being selfish because I expect other motorists to obey the same laws that I do?

Really?

People are expected to obey the road rules that actualy exist, not the one that you make up in your own mind.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Holden Caulfield said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

shadow boxer said :

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

If you speed get the hell off my road.

Your selfishness is better than their selfishness.

Got it.

Sorry, I am being selfish because I expect other motorists to obey the same laws that I do?

Really?

+ 1

Calling someone selfish for expecting people to obey the law … WTF?!

colourful sydney racing identity3:05 pm 14 Apr 11

Holden Caulfield said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

shadow boxer said :

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

If you speed get the hell off my road.

Your selfishness is better than their selfishness.

Got it.

Sorry, I am being selfish because I expect other motorists to obey the same laws that I do?

Really?

Holden Caulfield2:56 pm 14 Apr 11

colourful sydney racing identity said :

shadow boxer said :

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

If you speed get the hell off my road.

Your selfishness is better than their selfishness.

Got it.

“Why ? They are all good people, I dont usually judge people on sunglass choice.

Some people in this thread need to realise that 80% of people speed because the limits are stupid and we have lives and places to be.

If you can’t keep up get out of the way”

That’s fine by me, mate. I’ll start commuting around town in the race car then. Just let me know your number plate details so that I can be certain that its you I’m waving to after I bunt you out of my way and onto the median strip for holding me up.

What a cretinous assertion to make.

shadow boxer said :

Why ? They are all good people, I dont usually judge people on sunglass choice.

Some people in this thread need to realise that 80% of people speed because the limits are stupid and we have lives and places to be.

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

How nice for you and your important friends that the laws only apply to the other 20%. Good luck with that attitude.

colourful sydney racing identity2:31 pm 14 Apr 11

shadow boxer said :

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

If you speed get the hell off my road.

shadow boxer said :

Why ? They are all good people, I dont usually judge people on sunglass choice.

Some people in this thread need to realise that 80% of people speed because the limits are stupid and we have lives and places to be.

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

Too important to bother with laws.

Got it.

shadow boxer2:12 pm 14 Apr 11

Why ? They are all good people, I dont usually judge people on sunglass choice.

Some people in this thread need to realise that 80% of people speed because the limits are stupid and we have lives and places to be.

If you can’t keep up get out of the way….

shadow boxer said :

EvanJames said :

Has anyone else noticed how it’s always young women who are the rudest, most aggresive, inconsiderate and unco-operative drivers on Canberra’s roads? I’ve been subjected several times to finger flipping and mouth flapping from young women wearing massive fly-eye-like sunnies and driving some sporty red coupe 30kms over the limit right up my backside. Why the abuse? For the crime of having obeyed the road rules. Grow up for God’s sake.

I had to check the name of the poster of this to make sure it wasn’t me, posting in my sleep!

I call those giant sunglasses “bitch sunglasses”, worn by young and middle-aged rude, aggressive drivers of the female persuasion.

Their anger behind the wheel is only exceeded by their incompetence at controlling their car. The young ones drive Excels and Lancers, the older ones have shiny 4WDs.

Wow, what a sad old man you must be, every girl I know under 30 wears them.

You have my utmost sympathy.

shadow boxer12:56 pm 14 Apr 11

EvanJames said :

Has anyone else noticed how it’s always young women who are the rudest, most aggresive, inconsiderate and unco-operative drivers on Canberra’s roads? I’ve been subjected several times to finger flipping and mouth flapping from young women wearing massive fly-eye-like sunnies and driving some sporty red coupe 30kms over the limit right up my backside. Why the abuse? For the crime of having obeyed the road rules. Grow up for God’s sake.

I had to check the name of the poster of this to make sure it wasn’t me, posting in my sleep!

I call those giant sunglasses “bitch sunglasses”, worn by young and middle-aged rude, aggressive drivers of the female persuasion.

Their anger behind the wheel is only exceeded by their incompetence at controlling their car. The young ones drive Excels and Lancers, the older ones have shiny 4WDs.

Wow, what a sad old man you must be, every girl I know under 30 wears them.

EvanJames said :

Has anyone else noticed how it’s always young women who are the rudest, most aggresive, inconsiderate and unco-operative drivers on Canberra’s roads? I’ve been subjected several times to finger flipping and mouth flapping from young women wearing massive fly-eye-like sunnies and driving some sporty red coupe 30kms over the limit right up my backside. Why the abuse? For the crime of having obeyed the road rules. Grow up for God’s sake.

I had to check the name of the poster of this to make sure it wasn’t me, posting in my sleep!

I call those giant sunglasses “bitch sunglasses”, worn by young and middle-aged rude, aggressive drivers of the female persuasion.

Their anger behind the wheel is only exceeded by their incompetence at controlling their car. The young ones drive Excels and Lancers, the older ones have shiny 4WDs.

I call them SCBG’s – Small Car Big Glasses

BenMac said :

I think you’ll find it stays 40km/h due to a change in road conditions.
Sure, you know how the road has changed, but what about someone who’s never driven on it.

hence why i said “when its safe to do so”. I’ve also driven on many roads for the first time, and been able to (safely) match the speed of other drivers. 😮

shadow boxer said :

40 kmh, fair dinkum, what a stupid speed limit, should just get a bloke with a flag to walk in front of you.

I agree, though I guess that means we should be allowed to drag race right through the middle of your workplace too.

Davo111 said :

i agree, i think road works should have speed cameras on them set up at the start of construction. However the speed limit should be increased when the workers have gone home (in situations where it would be safe to return the speed limit to normal)

tonkatuff82 said :

You need to move out of the ACT if this stuff annoys you.

40km/hr road works occurs in every state afaik

I think you’ll find it stays 40km/h due to a change in road conditions.

Sure, you know how the road has changed, but what about someone who’s never driven on it. Approaching a roadwork at 80km/h or more without knowing that part of the road is closed could hurt a little. Just ask the motorcycle rider at the Tharwa bridge.

Although I probably won’t be slowing down through a roadwork when workers are there, not until I see workers/tradies slowing down to 40km/h through school zones.

p1 said :

Rollersk8r said :

YES! LANCERS!

Recently I have been noticing that Camrys are only owned by small, timid, often old, people who find it impossible to do any speed approaching the limit.

hmm don’t think I’m any of them. Love my boat 😀

Has anyone else noticed how it’s always young women who are the rudest, most aggresive, inconsiderate and unco-operative drivers on Canberra’s roads? I’ve been subjected several times to finger flipping and mouth flapping from young women wearing massive fly-eye-like sunnies and driving some sporty red coupe 30kms over the limit right up my backside. Why the abuse? For the crime of having obeyed the road rules. Grow up for God’s sake.

Agree, but imagine the inconvenience the little dears have asking their mates to hold on while they put the phone down to ensure they use the correct finger.

Leaving home earlier as I do, to avoid the jam, I’ve noticed a huge increase in P plate cars being driven by flouro clad, phone using chaps, who are all in a hurry to get to work – roadworks, speed limits whatever. In fact, you can almost guarantee that a car approaching at speed from behind will fit this description as it wizzes past. The girls obviously go to work later.

Tetranitrate4:54 pm 13 Apr 11

Rollersk8r said :

YES! LANCERS! My favourite female Lancer driver move is squeezing you out of a form 1 lane, then slamming on the brakes to make a turn.

The number of utter idiots in this town who think ‘form one lane’ means “OVERTAKE HIM NOW!” is massive, young women and ‘professionally dressed’ men in particular, moreso in fact than the usual suspects (white commodore, ect).

I get that some people are going to be aggressive, always go as fast as possible and quickly shift to the right lane so they can zoom off 30km/h above the speed limit, but seriously: immediately trying to overtake as soon as lanes begin to merge (and not before/after) is just the most ridiculous sort of belligerent idiocy.

Rollersk8r said :

YES! LANCERS!

Recently I have been noticing that Camrys are only owned by small, timid, often old, people who find it impossible to do any speed approaching the limit.

georgesgenitals4:14 pm 13 Apr 11

Rollersk8r said :

EvanJames said :

Has anyone else noticed how it’s always young women who are the rudest, most aggresive, inconsiderate and unco-operative drivers on Canberra’s roads? I’ve been subjected several times to finger flipping and mouth flapping from young women wearing massive fly-eye-like sunnies and driving some sporty red coupe 30kms over the limit right up my backside. Why the abuse? For the crime of having obeyed the road rules. Grow up for God’s sake.

I had to check the name of the poster of this to make sure it wasn’t me, posting in my sleep!

I call those giant sunglasses “bitch sunglasses”, worn by young and middle-aged rude, aggressive drivers of the female persuasion.

Their anger behind the wheel is only exceeded by their incompetence at controlling their car. The young ones drive Excels and Lancers, the older ones have shiny 4WDs.

YES! LANCERS! My favourite female Lancer driver move is squeezing you out of a form 1 lane, then slamming on the brakes to make a turn.

Seriously, we have a national campaign ridiculing the penis size of young male drivers – but I notice aggressive young females just as often!

We need a similar campaign using the catchphrase ‘dumb bitch!’.

EvanJames said :

Has anyone else noticed how it’s always young women who are the rudest, most aggresive, inconsiderate and unco-operative drivers on Canberra’s roads? I’ve been subjected several times to finger flipping and mouth flapping from young women wearing massive fly-eye-like sunnies and driving some sporty red coupe 30kms over the limit right up my backside. Why the abuse? For the crime of having obeyed the road rules. Grow up for God’s sake.

I had to check the name of the poster of this to make sure it wasn’t me, posting in my sleep!

I call those giant sunglasses “bitch sunglasses”, worn by young and middle-aged rude, aggressive drivers of the female persuasion.

Their anger behind the wheel is only exceeded by their incompetence at controlling their car. The young ones drive Excels and Lancers, the older ones have shiny 4WDs.

YES! LANCERS! My favourite female Lancer driver move is squeezing you out of a form 1 lane, then slamming on the brakes to make a turn.

Seriously, we have a national campaign ridiculing the penis size of young male drivers – but I notice aggressive young females just as often!

KaptnKaos said :

As long as there are roadworks blocking every arterial road in the ACT, this sort of stuff will happen, suck it up, smile and wave, people will become more frustrated as the roadworks have no end in sight. Now the Monaro will be even more of a carpark at peak times with the Fyshwick widening (finally).

THIS. Would it have been so difficult to concentrate efforts on a single stretch of road before destroying the traffic flow on other major roads? Only an idiot would perform major upgrades on multiple arterial roads at the same time in a spread out city with poor public transport.

i agree, i think road works should have speed cameras on them set up at the start of construction. However the speed limit should be increased when the workers have gone home (in situations where it would be safe to return the speed limit to normal)

tonkatuff82 said :

You need to move out of the ACT if this stuff annoys you.

40km/hr road works occurs in every state afaik

Pommy bastard2:50 pm 13 Apr 11

Sleaz274 said :

Wait wait wait…

Women are allowed to drive?!?!?!?!

I’m all for sociological experiments, but that’s putting people’s lives at risk!

Wait wait wait…

Women are allowed to drive?!?!?!?!

Well then I have an idea to reduce our congestion and traffic problems by at least 54%, whilst increasing all our speed limits by 20%…

Surely it’s illegal? it’s well demonstrated they have extremely limited spatial awareness, it’d be like driving drunk…all the time.

Has anyone else noticed how it’s always young women who are the rudest, most aggresive, inconsiderate and unco-operative drivers on Canberra’s roads? I’ve been subjected several times to finger flipping and mouth flapping from young women wearing massive fly-eye-like sunnies and driving some sporty red coupe 30kms over the limit right up my backside. Why the abuse? For the crime of having obeyed the road rules. Grow up for God’s sake.

I had to check the name of the poster of this to make sure it wasn’t me, posting in my sleep!

I call those giant sunglasses “bitch sunglasses”, worn by young and middle-aged rude, aggressive drivers of the female persuasion.

Their anger behind the wheel is only exceeded by their incompetence at controlling their car. The young ones drive Excels and Lancers, the older ones have shiny 4WDs.

Although I do follow the speed limits through this section, I am a firm believer that they are rarely needed. The number of times I have trundled through at 40 after work hours and there have been no actual reasons for this speed. No workmen around, no visibility hazards, no dangerous changes in road surfaces. So it begs the question, what warrants these ridiculously slow speeds? +1 to those complaining about the lack of policing though.

Completely agree. Most people seem to think the 40 sign is how much speed you’re allowed to add to the speed limit as soon as you think the roadworks are finished!

KaptnKaos said :

As long as there are roadworks blocking every arterial road in the ACT, this sort of stuff will happen, suck it up, smile and wave, people will become more frustrated as the roadworks have no end in sight. Now the Monaro will be even more of a carpark at peak times with the Fyshwick widening (finally).

Life is fine & dandy on my morning pushbike commute……..budder all traffic!! But dont tell anyone…..

Did you get the rego, description of car etc. If so, this is a classic example of what should be reported at https://forms.afp.gov.au/email_forms/act_traffic_info.

The more of us that do this, the sooner these people will be identified and legally or socially restrained. I got the web address from this earlier thread you might fund useful:

http://the-riotact.com/a-better-system-for-reporting-dangerous-driving/40810

luther_bendross11:41 am 13 Apr 11

I’m with OP. I go through Glenloch and get tailgated as my cruise control and I sit on the roadworks limit. Then (heading south) I accelerate to 100km/h (at the 100km/h sign, not at the “end roadworks” sign) and overtake the same people who are still doing 90km/h. Then further along, they overtake me at close to 120km/h before slamming on their brakes for the speed cameras. Eventually we reach Drakeford Dr at the same time, however my fuel consumption is better than theirs and my clutch and brakes haven’t received the same battering.

I agree that the roadworks areas should be monitored better (i.e. at all). If you are getting tailgated and I’m driving next to you, I will agree that I saw the fox/bunny/child running in front of your car that caused you to hit your brakes suddenly.

georgesgenitals11:36 am 13 Apr 11

Report it to the police.

As long as there are roadworks blocking every arterial road in the ACT, this sort of stuff will happen, suck it up, smile and wave, people will become more frustrated as the roadworks have no end in sight. Now the Monaro will be even more of a carpark at peak times with the Fyshwick widening (finally).

Yep, just put on your biggest smile and either wave or give them a thumbs-up. Nothing pisses off a road rager more than polite gestures. I reckon I’ve almost caused a beetroot-faced middle management pleb to have an aneurysm using this method.

Were you wearing a hat?

shadow boxer11:21 am 13 Apr 11

40 kmh, fair dinkum, what a stupid speed limit, should just get a bloke with a flag to walk in front of you.

You need to move out of the ACT if this stuff annoys you.

Don’t let it worry you. Canberra has its fair share of bogans. Just give a friendly wave and smile and continue on your merry way.

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