11 February 2011

Two P-Platers back on the bus

| johnboy
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Two P-plate drivers are likely to lose their licences after being caught speeding by ACT Policing overnight in separate incidents.

A 25-year-old man from Torrens was detected travelling at a speed of 131km/h in an 80km/h zone on Kingsford Smith Drive in Scullin last night. While an 18-year-old male from Fadden, also a provisional licence holder was caught on the Monaro Highway near Fyshwick, travelling at 135km/h, 55km/h over the sign posted speed limit.

Both men were issued with $1811 fine and the loss of six (6) demerit points. Being P-platers, the pair has exceeded their allocated demerit points for a provisional licence holder.

Superintendent Mark Colbran said when drivers choose to travel at high speeds; their reaction time is practically non-existent.

“If you travel at 140km/h, you are travelling the distance of 39 metres per second. By the time you are aware that something or someone is in front of you, it is too late and you have hit it,” he said.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]

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georgesgenitals6:35 pm 13 Feb 11

JustThinking said :

georgesgenitals said :

It depends on where those speeds are occurring. Driving at those speeds on clear, open dual lane roads do not mean an accident is inevitable. Of course, people who drive like that on those roads probably also ignore the speed limit in built up areas and suburban streets, where an accident would be a lot more likely. They would also be more likely to play silly buggers on B or C grade country roads, where mistakes can mean very nasty accidents.

Not to mention a million other things.
A rabbit/kangaoo hops across the road?
An ice patch in winter?
Blown tyre?
Debri on the road?

You or someone you care about only has to be on the same stretch of road at the same time.

True. I guess it really comes down to risk management (which is why we need limits, because lots of people don’t seem capable of making sensible choices).

JustThinking2:24 pm 13 Feb 11

georgesgenitals said :

It depends on where those speeds are occurring. Driving at those speeds on clear, open dual lane roads do not mean an accident is inevitable. Of course, people who drive like that on those roads probably also ignore the speed limit in built up areas and suburban streets, where an accident would be a lot more likely. They would also be more likely to play silly buggers on B or C grade country roads, where mistakes can mean very nasty accidents.

Not to mention a million other things.
A rabbit/kangaoo hops across the road?
An ice patch in winter?
Blown tyre?
Debri on the road?

You or someone you care about only has to be on the same stretch of road at the same time.

georgesgenitals12:08 pm 13 Feb 11

JustThinking said :

georgesgenitals said :

Did either of these kids actually crash? I don’t agree with the speeds they were traveling at, but let’s at least try to keep this realistic.

Not this time as far as we know but if they don’t learn now it won’t be long before they do.
Let’s keep it realistic…Travelling at those speeds with limited experience it wouldn’t be long before we were scooping them off the roads with a shovel, or worse, someone else that they hit while doing those speeds.
Anyone who thinks a ‘fender bender’ is possible at those speeds is being ridiculous.

It depends on where those speeds are occurring. Driving at those speeds on clear, open dual lane roads do not mean an accident is inevitable. Of course, people who drive like that on those roads probably also ignore the speed limit in built up areas and suburban streets, where an accident would be a lot more likely. They would also be more likely to play silly buggers on B or C grade country roads, where mistakes can mean very nasty accidents.

JustThinking11:24 am 13 Feb 11

georgesgenitals said :

Did either of these kids actually crash? I don’t agree with the speeds they were traveling at, but let’s at least try to keep this realistic.

Not this time as far as we know but if they don’t learn now it won’t be long before they do.
Let’s keep it realistic…Travelling at those speeds with limited experience it wouldn’t be long before we were scooping them off the roads with a shovel, or worse, someone else that they hit while doing those speeds.
Anyone who thinks a ‘fender bender’ is possible at those speeds is being ridiculous.

Pommy bastard9:07 am 13 Feb 11

Good. A timely lesson. These are inexperienced drivers, driving at stupid speeds, and deserve to lose their licenses. If they cannot restrain themselves from speeding while P platers, then they will not restrain themselves from driving at stupid speeds when they have the full ticket.

georgesgenitals9:15 pm 12 Feb 11

smont said :

“Gee, but we never see any accidents on Monaro Highway or Kingsford Smith Drive, so I don’t see what the problem is”. Do the “speedster defending” mafia who regularly post to this site actually stop to think about the folly in their pathetic arguments?

Did either of these kids actually crash? I don’t agree with the speeds they were traveling at, but let’s at least try to keep this realistic.

Mr Waffle said :

1) L Platers are statistically some of the safest drivers on the road, so if they’re speeding, it’s the fault of the teacher and not the learner. Changing their speed limit won’t change anything.

2) P Platers either already stick to the limit or break it. With a speed reduction they’ll either stick to the new limit (probably causing a lot of road rage from full licence owners in the process), or they’ll speed (either because they would have anyway or they’ll think the new limit is dumb and break it). Changing their speed limit would change nothing, except maybe piss more people off on the roads.

If people aren’t willing to slow down, then telling them to slow down even more isn’t exactly going to work…

I agree that there is no logical argument to limit the speed of L platers (other than they might not like it if their speed is then limited when they are then licensed). But I don’t think “road rage by others” or “they are going to speed anyway” are good enough arguments to not limit P platers (I know I’m paraphrasing but I’m trying to keep this short). If someone wants to drive slowly (or is required to) they shouldn’t be abused by others – do you get angry with slow moving front end loaders for example? If a P plater speeds then higher penalties and/or loss of license will come earlier. I know P platers think they are as good as other drivers but they do not have the experience to react when the unpredictable occurs.

Innovation said :

Also, I think L platers, P platers and some other groups should be speed limited to 10km/h below the set limit.

1) L Platers are statistically some of the safest drivers on the road, so if they’re speeding, it’s the fault of the teacher and not the learner. Changing their speed limit won’t change anything.

2) P Platers either already stick to the limit or break it. With a speed reduction they’ll either stick to the new limit (probably causing a lot of road rage from full licence owners in the process), or they’ll speed (either because they would have anyway or they’ll think the new limit is dumb and break it). Changing their speed limit would change nothing, except maybe piss more people off on the roads.

If people aren’t willing to slow down, then telling them to slow down even more isn’t exactly going to work…

deye said :

I’m not sure if I identify with the “speedster defending mafia” however I do think the speed limit is too low on certain roads (including the Monaro) that doesn’t mean I don’t think stupidly excessive speeding is wrong.

Speed limits are usually set for a reason. Any speeding “excessive” (whatever that is considered to be…) or otherwise is illegal. There is always going to be a speed limit that someone somewhere disagrees with. If you don’t agree with a speed limit don’t be passive aggressive and just speed anyway. Write and complain. Aren’t places like this website great for gauging the opinions of others and motivating action?

Davo111 said :

I dont really see why being P platers has to be mentioned. Both of them were exceeding the posted speed limit, and AFAIK ACT doesnt have P plater speed restrictions.

Personally I am interested when high risk drivers such as P platers offend. Also, I think L platers, P platers and some other groups should be speed limited to 10km/h below the set limit. It’s taken me a long time to realise it but after seeing too many avoidable accidents I now realise that speed limits are a priviledge not a right and it is not a moral offence to drive slower than the limit when conditions require.

smont said :

“Gee, but we never see any accidents on Monaro Highway or Kingsford Smith Drive, so I don’t see what the problem is”. Do the “speedster defending” mafia who regularly post to this site actually stop to think about the folly in their pathetic arguments?

I’m not sure if I identify with the “speedster defending mafia” however I do think the speed limit is too low on certain roads (including the Monaro) that doesn’t mean I don’t think stupidly excessive speeding is wrong.

smont said :

Do the “speedster defending” mafia who regularly post to this site actually stop to think about the folly in their pathetic arguments?

whether or not the speed limit should be increased to 110, they are still going 20km/hr over ACT’s maximum speed limit.

Rawhide Kid Part311:13 am 12 Feb 11

smont said :

“Gee, but we never see any accidents on Monaro Highway or Kingsford Smith Drive, so I don’t see what the problem is”. Do the “speedster defending” mafia who regularly post to this site actually stop to think about the folly in their pathetic arguments?

The speed is posted, they broke it, now they pay for it. Grow up!!

I dont really see why being P platers has to be mentioned. Both of them were exceeding the posted speed limit, and AFAIK ACT doesnt have P plater speed restrictions.

“A 25-year-old man from Torrens was detected travelling at a speed of 131km/h in an 80km/h zone on Kingsford Smith Drive in Scullin last night.”

My heart nearly stopped when I read “Torrens”… suddenly I thought “shit did I lose my license without knowing?”

*shrug*, I don’t see why this stuff always makes the news. It’s not news.

“Gee, but we never see any accidents on Monaro Highway or Kingsford Smith Drive, so I don’t see what the problem is”. Do the “speedster defending” mafia who regularly post to this site actually stop to think about the folly in their pathetic arguments?

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