NSW Roads

[Fishcop]

Fellow NSW residents, guests, and lurkers.

I won't use this site to get too political but the NSW government is undertaking a program of rolling back speed limits in otherwise superb regional roads. Lots of reasons can be put forward for doing this - some genuine and some complete horse manure.

Have a read of the link below and make your own mind up. If you're somewhat like me, you'll probably take the time to sign... This stuff never stops once it's allowed to start.

https://www.change.org/p/oxley-highway-wauchope-to-walcha-new-speed-zones?recruiter=600923483&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=des-lg-embedded_petition_view-reason_msg&fb_ref=Default

[epilot]

Spectacular road, thanks goodness I've had the opportunity to drive it before these changes take place

[green gauge]

Just signed. That's alot of road going very slowly. Sign up libertarians!

[CamBiscuit]

The new Labour Govt up here is removing the derestricted sections of the Stuart Highway that were put back in place a few years ago so I share your pain!
A great way to bore drivers into falling asleep at the wheel......

[stf911]

I signed the petition Mr. Fishcop as I plan to visit you and Mr. Cairns (and drive that road again) some time in the near future.

We are truly the nanny country!

[SM911]

Signed.

[Oldskl60]

Signed

[Cairns888]

Signed!!!

No mention as usual from the Authorities on idiots who think it is ok to drive 20kph below the speed limit.

[ELSPORTO]

Signed.

[reedminor]

Signed....

I've done that road in a Kia - but never the 911.

Its one my "to do" list

JR

[Fishcop]

It's wonderful bit of road, and I appreciate the safety issues surrounding it. However the evidence for lowering the speed limit along it (or other similar roads) is just not there. I guess I'm just tired of being governed to the lowest common denominator by lazy legislators.

And I'm not having a personal shot at the coppers, but the moment they sniff a new hunting ground for figures to please their masters - they'll be in carving up like a spanish mackerel amongst baitfish...

[spannerhead]

Signed.

[Fishcop]

An update

http://www.portnews.com.au/story/4199116/rms-freeze-on-oxley-highway-speed-changes/?cs=257

[epilot]

An update

http://www.portnews.com.au/story/419...hanges/?cs=257

Is it possible that common sense could prevail ?

[Fishcop]

Is it possible that common sense could prevail ?

I can only hope so! Like I said, if the evidence was there that lowering the speed limit would save lives (other than those so hell-bent on riding/driving fast to the point of destruction - and you'll never prevent those) then I'd acquiesce and accept the science.

Unfortunately for the genuine researchers out there trying to come up with life saving road strategies that work (some of which may genuinely require speed reduction), successive governments have hijacked safety to such a point that is is synonymous with fines and revenue. 'We the people' are simply so full of the bullchit that we don't believe a word of it anymore.

*Let me just pull out a soap box

If Australian government were serious about road toll reduction only:

1. Proper driving instruction to European standards.
2. Licence drivers to specific types of vehicles (only those they're trained on).
3. Re-test drivers regularly and don't hesitate to cancel on failure.
4. Curfew young drivers (under 21) to times and passenger limits
5. Retire old cars at 5-10 years
6. 0.0 blood alcohol/drugs
7. Fixed suspension/cancellation penalties - no excuses/mitigation
8. Driving logbooks and apply same fatigue management rules as HV
9. In-put devices such as GPS trackers and speed governing overriders on cars or into road surfaces that interact with vehicle operation and prevent "speed".

"Ridiculous" you cry! And you're probably right. But I can see the manual control of motorised vehicles being a thing of the past within a generation...