NT may impose speed limits on open roads

Quote:
THE Northern Territory Government is considering introducing traffic demerit points and imposing a 110km/h speed limit on the Stuart Highway.
The recommendations are contained in a report to Cabinet from the Government-appointed road safety task force. Police Commissioner Paul White is reported to be the strongest advocate of the crackdown.

He is believed to have pushed for a 110km/h speed restriction.

The Territory is the only jurisdiction without demerit points or a 110km/h speed restriction on all open roads. Mr White is known to believe both would help cut the NT's high road death toll.

He would only say last night: "The NT police is represented on the road safety taskforce.

"The taskforce has presented its report to Government for its consideration.

"It is inappropriate to comment further given that Cabinet is considering the report."

Transport Minister Delia Lawrie also refused to comment.

Demerit points, imposed for traffic offences, are used throughout the western world.

When the points limit is reached, the driver's licence can be suspended.

The system is not used for serious offences, such as drink driving, but for lesser infringements, such as speeding.

Police argue that speed is one of the five key causes of Territory road deaths and NT may impose speed limits on open roads would deter serial speedsters.

But some people argue they would not deter the people most at risk of dying on NT roads - Aboriginal drivers from remote communities and tourists.

The latest road safety survey shows that one in every eight Territorians speeds near schools or on suburban streets.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20456825-421,00.html

Dont the gov and police realise that no matter what they do People will still drink and drive, people will still speed..
If they put speed limits on open roads i will not follow them.. I normally go at 120 mabey hit 140 if its a stright road.. Its all about the driver.. Make him/her a better driver and accidents would go down.

Demerit points. now dont get me started on that.. as i said before people will always drink drive and speed.. its going to happen its a way of life.. other states that have Demerit points and have speed limits on open roads, they still have accidents.. its never going to stop.. this is not an attack on the police btw..

Sorry, metal, but that's just a stupid argument.

"People will always...." so we should just let them do it?

People will always murder - should we just save time and money and not legislate it?

People need to understand what's acceptable behaviour and what's not (in terms of public safety), and understand that there is such a thing as "consequences" (don't know why the swear filter didn't block that word :-p).

I personally think that Clair must be sick of being in government - but then again, next year is an election year, so watch how quickly they shelve this proposal.

I'm all for demerit points - but the speed limit on a road that's mostly in the middle of nowhere is just stupid. How on earth do you police it? It's only dogooders from down south that think that's why accidents happen in the NT - "speed kills". Yeah, maybe on a bendy suburban road in Victoria.

I agree, "Speed is a major factor in accidents". Bullshit. Whether the speed limit is 80 or 100 or 110, you are going to die just the same if you crash. On every single accident where speed is supposedly the major factor, they seem to try to ignore the part where the driver switched off his headlights, tried to do a fast and the furiou, was racing someone, cut someone off, ran a red light....none of that matters because "ZOMG t3h Speeding lyk OMFG". I do the speed limit, I take my car to the track on track days to do my hooning, so Im not trying to justify me speeding because i dont. But it IS pure BS plain and simple.

I’m all for demerit points.
It will make a huge difference to driver behavior. Repeat offenders will have to smarted up and obey the laws or they will loose their license.
Driving is privilege, if people don’t want to follow the rules then they should find another mode of transport. Rules are in place for a reason and that’s to keep yourself and others safe.

it'll never work... because like 50% of drivers here dont have a ****ing clue about how to drive... unfortunately 95% of them seem to live in palmerston.

god**** those damned roundabouts at the top of palmy - how ****ing hard is it to indicate properly on them?? you'd think people were being asked to reverse engineer the space shuttle. And don't get me started on ****ers that turn right in the outside lane.

Its already signed off and coming in.

Bloody Paul White - southerner blow-in.

oops nearly forgot what i *meant* to post about here... this police commissioner is the same guy fighting AGAINST paintball.. he's the lynchpin, without him we would have it.

I work for the cops and have known this was coming for about 3-4 months. It is coming in, it has been decided. Just now we are getting the bogus "consultation" process. As for the election is anyone seriously going to vote CLP? No matter what happens the CLP is a mess right now, even with this election winner they will still lose.

I am all for demerit points it should stop repeat d***heads from being on the road, but speed limits?!? That is going to cause more accidents and deaths. How much more fatigued are people going to be when a trip to Alice takes 17-18 hrs instead of 10-11?

You know I think speed limits do help. *if* I was ever speeding I'd do maybe 10k over the speed limit and youll notice most people do this. So if the speed limit is 70 I *might* be doing 80.

So if they drop the speed limit to 60 I'd probably do 70 this is because 10k over the limit is a lot cheaper then 20k over the limit if you get caught. You will find the majority of people follow this guideline.

So yea people will speed but they will speed less. Course there is always the dickheads doing crazy speeds in crazy places but theres not a lot that will stop them except death, or jail. Losing thier license doesnt stop them either.

Quote from Evil @ngel;280005:

I am all for demerit points it should stop repeat d***heads from being on the road, but speed limits?!? That is going to cause more accidents and deaths. How much more fatigued are people going to be when a trip to Alice takes 17-18 hrs instead of 10-11?

good point.. and for that matter, how much more will road freight cost now. plus there goes one of our attractive tourist features: all you can do here now is look at ****ing crocs - since we dont have paintball, dont have theme parks (we got the wharf precinct instead), and our beaches suck due to itchy bitty things in the water not to mention the water is dirty brown for half the year.

on the plus side... when it comes in all the speed cameras will be down the stuart highway instead of in town while the copper beauracrats(sp?) rake in the cash from people that, living remote, hadnt heard yet.

funny timing this, i just finished reading an article by an economist in america trying to determine if speed is a statistically significant determinant of road deathes on interstate highways. the guy's study suggested that it's not the absolute speed that causes accidents but the variation in speed among drivers. he proposes that we shouldn't have laws to "limit" speeds, but should have laws in place to coordinate speeds as this will improve safety.

i had a few problems with some of his statistical methods so i personally don't put too much faith into it but the theory itself does seem to be plausible.

Exactly, traffic flow causes many more accidents than speed.

i dont get it, how exactly do they plan on enforcing these "speed limits" on a stretch of road nearly 2000km long?

maybe we need super troopers ;)

if they bring in demerits they should in enforce penalies for slow drivers so we can get them off the roads 2. :)

What people don't understand is that just because there is a speed limit, you don't HAVE to travel that fast. I would hazzard a guess sometimes a contributing factor to speed deaths is because the car or driver couldn't handle the speeds. If people drove within their limit's all would be ok. If one has a performance car that is safer at 160km/h than someone driving a bomb at 100km/h, why should we all suffer for the sake of the person who has a shit car or simply can't handle driving at speed.

Some people better get aquainted with the bus timetables :)

http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/whatwedo/busandferry/bus/index.html

Urgh 110 down some of those roads. I'd hate to be actually be breaking the speed limit on purpose for once.

Personally, I have qualms about the point system, but I agree with it in part. It's a good idea, and if you follow the basic rules, you should be okay... SHOULD BE... There are times when it backfires and gets the innocent ones too, but by far, it gets the dickheads off the road.

As far as speed kills...
It's time to get it right people, speed DOES kill. I believe we should be able to keep out open limits, but understand that driving 140 or even 160+ in an open limit (in my opinion) doesn't constitute excessive speed. The speed that does kill, and is used in all the police campaigns (or at least down south, we dont' have as many up here) is that exceeding the speed limit in speeding and can kill.

The problem is from my general observations, that the majority of people who die in speed related accidents are exceding the set speed limit.

(ie 140 in an 80 zone).
THEY are the people who are causing the problem.

As for people will always do it... All the more reason to crack down on it! **** the drunks who endanger myself, and other drivers on the road!
**** the speeders who don't watch where they're driving!
**** the Mums and Dads who speed through school zones in their 4WD!

ok , yes to the demeret point, yes speeding in buildup areas is for tools. but how many deaths on the open highway would have been prevented if they were only doing 110kmh. i would guess **** all. this increses driver fatigue b/c of longer travel times and going a slower speed decreases teh attentivness

So the line in the first post should read
"THE Northern Territory Government is introducing traffic demerit points and imposing a 110km/h speed limit on the Stuart Highway."

As much as I hate the idea of demerit points i can understand the principal ,and for a change because of the few ( and some words to be thought up later about pollies and paul henderson) the majority have to take the burdon/punishment dished out by polliticians looking after thier own interests.

sorry back on target again, I can deal with demerit points ( guess it doesnt matter what I or anyone else thinks anymore) but disagree with cutting the open speed limits to 110, That just about kills the need for anything faster than a frickin pushy. And i know that all the other SOUTHERN states have this imposed speed limit out on the highways ( and that you do find radar cops on a 100k piece of straight road literally in the middle of nowhere) doesnt mean that a mojority of us want it ( not just me anyway)
Would be interesting to see of there was a actuall NT censis put out about this whether there would be a clear majority in favour of imposed limits.

As for Speed kills - it doesnt kill unless you get hit by a speeding car then i agree with that, you normally die when you crash after youve been speeding.

I dont think anyone will obey the 110km/h limit on the stuart highway. Personally i wouldnt either. If i happened to pass a cop, i'd like to see him keep up. (this is if i had a hayabusa, zx-14 of course :P )

he wouldn't have to keep up. just try and separate you from the kangaroo you merged into @ 240kph.

240 is nothin mate, i do that on my current zx6, im talking 300+ :P

Ahh, so you'll be a "Body Bag" instead. :p

^ reference from medical crew who scrape bikies still in their leathers off the side of the road.

Pfft im like rossi mate!

demeret point system is a big city yes

"but not in the NT" Darwin is to small

I feel if they introduce the demeret point system the NT Driver will be picked on,

there are to many

* Speed camera Vans
* Patrol Cars

for our population.

I drive around for work and i've counted alot of cop cars driving around looking for speeders

"instead of harrasing NT drivers and causing undue stress by bringing in this stupid demeret point system" get off your fat asses and do something about the theft, i feel that is a bigger issue rather then speeding.

I would also like to Make a point out to those young dickhead police out there who think they are untouchable

I feel NT drivers Dont need to hear the comment "Claire Martin thanks you for you contribution" i feel that was totally uncalled for and very unprofessional"

Quote from Korny;280058:
demeret point system is a big city yes

"but not in the NT" Darwin is to small

I feel if they introduce the demeret point system the NT Driver will be picked on,

there are to many

* Speed camera Vans
* Patrol Cars

for our population.

I drive around for work and i've counted alot of cop cars driving around looking for speeders

"instead of harrasing NT drivers and causing undue stress by bringing in this stupid demeret point system" get off your fat asses and do something about the theft, i feel that is a bigger issue rather then speeding.

I would also like to Make a point out to those young dickhead police out there who think they are untouchable

I feel NT drivers Dont need to hear the comment "Claire Martin thanks you for you contribution" i feel that was totally uncalled for and very unprofessional"

Korny you are so ****ing misguided it isn't funny. I will have you know that the amount of coppers "Looking" for speeders is **** ALL. The NT has 3.. YES THREE speed camera vans 2 in Darwin and 1 in Alice Springs... Compared to interstate this is pretty bloody lacking. The cop cars you see supposedly looking for speeders i can guarantee almost all of them are on their way to jobs cleaning up after the drunks or bloody hundreds of other jobs they get.(I'm sure spongy or lataf can contest to this) The actual traffic contingent for the NT Police is very small at best.

The demerit system is not ****ing harassing at all, you speed and get caught you pay the consequences. You continue to speed you are a danger to the community and you loose your license. I have been almost killed or seriously injured due to the poor driving ability of people in Darwin on my motorcycle and yes i was obeying the law, sticking to the centre of the road ensuring im in plain view. So go **** yourself

(My previous comments prior to this post should be ignored, trolling is fun aint it?)

Now korny with your last comment if you were treated poorly by a member of the police force get their name and make a complaint. Instead of bitching about it on here.

And really in the end... the absolute BOTTOM line is..Dont speed and you dont get done.. whoever bitches about this being money raising? GOOD, the more money made the better.

Quote from MetalAttack;279989:
The Territory is the only jurisdiction without demerit points or a 110km/h speed restriction on all open roads.

hmmmm then make the NT a STATE

I'd really like to see what the road toll for the territory is if you remove the deaths that don't really count... like offroad motorbike crashes into trees, people sleeping on the road, assorted pedestrians.

Anyways, apparently the speed limit is a red herring created to distract everyone while they get the demerit points in. That is according to a press release from Tolmer though.

Funnily enough, I don't mind demerit points backed by impounding vehicles. But I think the speed limit on the Stuart is nuts. It's just too damn slow at 110kmh.

They already have speed limits where the deaths are occuring and its still not stopping the idiots killing themselves. And points dont stop idiots being idiots it just means repeat offenders are less likely to keep their license.

yep speeed limit down the highway is far to slow when im on my way out ill sit on 120 not 110 :S

and minorci im talking about those poor people who get picked on doing 7 over the speed limit "infact my father was done for 43 in a school zone" now thats is picking on innocent drivers.

Quote from Korny;280088:
yep speeed limit down the highway is far to slow when im on my way out ill sit on 120 not 110 :S

and minorci im talking about those poor people who get picked on doing 7 over the speed limit "infact my father was done for 43 in a school zone" now thats is picking on innocent drivers.

No its not, its a bloody school zone for christs sake

dont speedometers only legally have to be accurate to within 10% ?

schoolzones are retarded not for their speedlimit but for being applicable for the whole day when kids should not be near the street unless there either going too school or home from it which is usually 7:30 to 8:30 and 2:00 to 3:00. Plus why do high schools need school zones, arent kids meant to know their road rules by that age?

speed cameras are revenue raisers and im pretty sure thats a widely recognised notion.

i hate it when cops or ambos turn there sirens on just to overtake someone or speed or run a red light and then just turn the sirens off when they go up the road a bit.

Plus why do high schools need school zones, arent kids meant to know their road rules by that age?

I would really hate to be the one to hit a kid because I couldn't slow in time. Be grateful, down south, it's 25kph in School zones.

Quote from phillip;280099:
speed cameras are revenue raisers and im pretty sure thats a widely recognised notion.

Thats totally beside the point

Speed camera's ARE revenue raisers... No doubt, but the biproduct of speed cameras are (should be)?

Slow the fudge down. They work, just not here. The truth is, we need more for it to be really effective.

Quote from Hitokiri Kensuke;280111:
Plus why do high schools need school zones, arent kids meant to know their road rules by that age?

I would really hate to be the one to hit a kid because I couldn't slow in time. Be grateful, down south, it's 25kph in School zones.

40 in school zones around vic.

BTW you want picking on you? I was slowing down coming up to a school zone and I got fined for doing 41 in a 40 zone as I didnt shave off that last 1km/h fast enough.

I remember it being 25 in Adelaide, bloody nightmare.

Quote from phillip;280099:
i hate it when cops or ambos turn there sirens on just to overtake someone or speed or run a red light and then just turn the sirens off when they go up the road a bit.

I understand that they are trained to use the sirens sparingly - they can get into deep shit for using them without good reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillip View Post
i hate it when cops or ambos turn there sirens on just to overtake someone or speed or run a red light and then just turn the sirens off when they go up the road a bit.

Like to see you say that when a ambo is late getting to you when you've been hit by a speeding car.

Basicily it will help get repeat speeders repeat DUI repeat morons who can't follow basic road rules off the road. The speed limit is a limit not a suggestion that means if you are doing 41 in a 40 zone you are over that limit, you should be slowing down before you reach the speed sign not after you pass it or after you see the cop with the speed gun.

Nothing bad about the demerit system, its a pretty solid system to be honest.
The 110km/h limit wont do a lot, but I doubt many move much faster then that on the highway anyway.

Quote from phillip;280099:
dont speedometers only legally have to be accurate to within 10% ?

schoolzones are retarded not for their speedlimit but for being applicable for the whole day when kids should not be near the street unless there either going too school or home from it which is usually 7:30 to 8:30 and 2:00 to 3:00. Plus why do high schools need school zones, arent kids meant to know their road rules by that age?

speed cameras are revenue raisers and im pretty sure thats a widely recognised notion.

i hate it when cops or ambos turn there sirens on just to overtake someone or speed or run a red light and then just turn the sirens off when they go up the road a bit.

exactly my point why pick on someone whos doing 3 ove thats really hard to manage "maybe 5 over but not 3 "

they should make park area's also a slow zone after all i neally hit one kid per day in my street from them chasing the ball or them playing football on the god dam road

"i've already had a go at them about it"

kids a morons and if you play on the road eventually you'll meet your maker.

Quote from Jono;280131:

The 110km/h limit wont do a lot, but I doubt many move much faster then that on the highway anyway.

r u serious? we do 120 down that road all the time - and ALL the other cars overtake us. fact is almost everyone with a vehicle capable goes faster than 110 down that road

lol when was the last time u took a trip down that highway

When I was last in Darwin less then 2 years ago.
Still though most people didnt go overkill down that highway from what I remember, 120 on a 110 road.. damn look out, I was kinda thinking more along the lines of 140+

Appeard on billboards in the UK after a Government study found that since the introduction of speed cameras in UK black spots, accidents went up.

http://www.speedcameras.org/images/distraction_poster1.jpg

Its actually being proposed that they reduce GATSO cameras country wide...

Quote from mepm;280138:
r u serious? we do 120 down that road all the time - and ALL the other cars overtake us. fact is almost everyone with a vehicle capable goes faster than 110 down that road

lol when was the last time u took a trip down that highway

ummm cocky and I took the T cars for a spin to Katherine and back.
I don't think we were any slower than 180!:p

ssshhhh listen quietly for a second.......ahhh hear that, the winds of change...........

Quote from SpongeBobSquarePants;280220:
ssshhhh listen quietly for a second.......ahhh hear that, the winds of change...........

and if you listen even harder, you will hear the sounds of Territorians totally unable to govern themselves or their territory.

I drive to batchelor every day there and back. You get maybe 3 or 4 cars doing 160 but we sit around 120 (though its a bus...)

if I drive my own car I go about 120. It can't really handle much more though :P I dont think changing the limit to 110 would really change much for me.

I think it would be beneficial if it was 110 say up to Katherine or something then unlimited after that.

ban rental car companies from offering 4wd's. that'll do more than imposing a speed limit.

on the subject of cops harrasing speeders.. i got let off with warning doing 60 in a school zone (hadnt noticed it started already) when i was off to drop off my wife's lunch to her (she teaches at the school I was pinged outside of). Honestly couldn't believe I missed the sign... nor could the copper who pulled me over I think.. let me off with a warning for 20kph over! - might've had a lot to do with flashing me hairy boobs though ;)

So i've personally got no prob with speed cameras, and radar guns, I do with the limit on the highway though, I go to Katherine frequently and sit about 210, I cant imagine doing that same drive at 110... *shudder*

I wouldn't be able to accept a 110kph limit on the road to kathrine, Batchelor, or Kakadu, that's just plain daft.

Quote from Hitokiri Kensuke;280254:
I wouldn't be able to accept a 110kph limit on the road to kathrine, Batchelor, or Kakadu, that's just plain daft.

Wow you must like small 4 x 4 metre rooms with bars on windows, weak tea and stale bread. Should I make up your matress and grey blanket now or would you prefer general population with some of my elcho islands compatriates.

That way theyll keep you nice warm and cozy :)

LOL Sponge on the offensive :)

He is loving this, damn you sponge :)

What the police say must be right.. i work for the police forces and im right sometimes so they must be right all the time.. i agree with what they say without thinking for myself!

Sorry spounge but no where have you actually said anything but "you like jail" " you like your licence"
Mabey something to Contribute to the thread eh?

As a member of the police force, whose job it is to enforce the law, basically what else is there to contribute, except for the obvious - whether or not you like the law, you better get used to it.

I think it's stupid also, but at the end of the day, no matter how much I bitch and moan, there's only one person to blame if I get a speeding ticket down the Stuart Hwy.

Well that’s why we discuss it in this thread... it is not the law yet... and yes I will follow the road rules, I do atm (I have 1 speeding ticket on my record)... im just voicing what I think.
What would really be a good Contribution to this thread is what Sponge thinks
So what would speed limit and the demerit points would be better for the NT?
I gave my reasons why it wouldn’t be a good idea. Where are his thoughts?

It's just so funny that all that Cannonball run stuff came up and the big argument for it was we have open speed limits anyway.. so what's claire do? kill off the open limits to try and stop the calls for the cannonball ... yehah.. ****in cowboy wench.. when's she gonna get herself a set of six shooters and walk up and down the mall spitting tobacco?

Funny thing is, the cannon ball is being held in QLD..
And i thought claire was trying to promote tourism?!

Clare wouldn't know how to promote her own stoning.

When I say I wouldn't be able to accept the reduction of an open limit, I didn't say I'd break the law Spongy. ^_~

If that happens, I'm dropping everything, getting into politics, and making sure this daft idea is changed.
I'll also do my part and Vote this tart bitch and her pissweak pansy party out of office... The jokes gone on long enough.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Martin

Well shit... She's over seen the completion of the Darwin/Alice railway now, big effort that.

LOL - least she's stopped claiming the railway was her idea.. and no mention on there about how she bungled marketing the thing by not proactively letting our northern neighbours know about it until it was almost complete.

Oh look.. she promised to revive the statehood debate... dont think i saw that happen under her.. besides, who wants a state with her helming it?

Don't forget the hundreds of thousands of dollars we the taxpayer gave her party for legal costs and payout over the Anderson(?) animal cruelty charges. Damn I wish I could get my legal costs covered by a taxpayer...wait I do...It's me!!!

Been doing a little bit of surfing the all knowing internet for answers and statistics, cause like almost everyone but Spongebob - i think that 110 for the Stuart highway is just plain yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir, we dont have the right to think for our selves up here stupid.

Before i really start to rant ( i actually tried not to start but bugger it) - I dont like demerit points but agree it will do some good ( hopefully) towards a lot of traffic offences around town - as long as it policed. Ive lost my license once and was the worst 9 months ive ever had, from waiting 3 months to find out I actually had been photo'd, another 3 b4 i found out I had to go to court and THEN 3 months loss of license - was sh1t. Since that time ive had 1 on the spot fine in 7 yrs since. I learnt and it seems that some ppl dont so we all have to wear it.

Found an interview from ABC (about what the Territory has to look forward to) and slightly about the two boys who died recently from the crash in Karama that involved - ghasp - speeding ( fairly sure that they were on a stretch of road NOWHERE NEAR the open speedlimit or the Stuart Highway) . There was a friendly man by the name of Harold Scruby who seems to love the Territory, our uniqueness, and our open speed limits.

Whole Interview ( If you are interested on what is behind the 110 limit read this, it gives an inkling in to what is driving this decision that we are gonna get stuck with - so have a read ) http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/nt/content/2006/s1736723.htm
Quote:
From Stateline 08/09/2006
HAROLD SCRUBY:
It creates and encourages a culture where speed is acceptable and speed is the biggest killer on our roads, but apart form that this is the only place in the whole of the western world where unlimited speeds are admitted and sanctioned on open roads.

NICK LUCCHINELLI:
Harold Scruby says the absence of speed limits in non-metropolitan areas is a national disgrace. The Federal Government agrees, and new Roads Minister Delia Lawrie is feeling the pressure.

This also revolves around or death per capita. From Jan to Aug2006 the NT have had 27 Fatalitys on our roads ( doesnt matter who, where, what or how they died, as long as they were on the roads in some form - including rosie taking a nap in the middle of the lane ) compared to NSW which in the same time have had 319 ppl killed. ( we are also down ATM on deaths at the same point in time last year where as NSW is up).

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2006/pdf/mrf082006.pdf

By 2010 they want all states to have a death per capita of less than 5.5 ppl per 100000 accross all states and it seems that we are letting them down with our Toll, and according to calculations we should only have 10 road related deaths per year. Now any death is more than we should have but we rate on par with Tasmania ( Like the same amount of fatalities) and i bet they already have demerit points and speed limits in place - and they dont take up even 1/10th of the size of the Territory - WTF!!!! :mad:

Reading info from the Road Safety Strategy statistics it seems that Alcohol is involved in double if not more than Speed in crashs and fatalitys. It should be the pissheads who suffer the most for this. There should be more driver education, possibly actual roadside carnage footage shown in driver ed - etc something other than 'Driving a privledge, be carefull' and 17yr old bob is off on his P plates having a ball thinking hes invincible. There are some real ****tards on our roads who dont seem to remember the rules or think about wtf they are doing and that has to change.

Another annoying thing that gets me is they break down the crashs to City and Rural - WTF is rural, From the Truck City Border outbound ( as you need to validate you passport to go that way ;) ), or from the end of Palmerston to Noonamah or past there???? Where does it end and where does it start??
There is no mention of how many accidents relating to speed (faster than 110) actually occur in the open speed section of our highway - why? How many actually happen? and how many involve either overseas tourists or southern Terrorists visiting the territory. Talking to a few people who have travelled the entire aust island - our roads are also better in the outback than any other state ( taken at face value - last time through camowheel - middle of nowhere- was 26yrs ago and the roads looked small then) and from what i have travelled up here i like to sit between 140-160 ( not because im a hero but because i have that option and im comfortable at that speed) and its done me no harm so far.
Only accident ive come close to having on our highway was coming back from near Katherine, an impatient QLD ***k in a busted arse Toyota 4WD Hilux couldnt wait the 2k's for the overtaking lane to start - meaning i had a) slow down to under 80, b) swerve off the verge and c) wish i had a heat seaking missile. Seriuosly there was a frackin huge sign saying 'overtaking lane ahead' why couldnt he just wait for it - thats why they are there.

/Rant over - ran out of steam, and things to say

Martin was born in the Sydney suburb of Lindfield (THATS EXPLAINS EVERYTHING)

hahaha. she was born in Lindfield bahahaha.

Quote from Bad Crispy;280344:
Been doing a little bit of surfing the all knowing internet for answers and statistics, cause like almost everyone but Spongebob - i think that 110 for the Stuart highway is just plain yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir, we dont have the right to think for our selves up here stupid.

Before i really start to rant ( i actually tried not to start but bugger it) - I dont like demerit points but agree it will do some good ( hopefully) towards a lot of traffic offences around town - as long as it policed. Ive lost my license once and was the worst 9 months ive ever had, from waiting 3 months to find out I actually had been photo'd, another 3 b4 i found out I had to go to court and THEN 3 months loss of license - was sh1t. Since that time ive had 1 on the spot fine in 7 yrs since. I learnt and it seems that some ppl dont so we all have to wear it.

Found an interview from ABC (about what the Territory has to look forward to) and slightly about the two boys who died recently from the crash in Karama that involved - ghasp - speeding ( fairly sure that they were on a stretch of road NOWHERE NEAR the open speedlimit or the Stuart Highway) . There was a friendly man by the name of Harold Scruby who seems to love the Territory, our uniqueness, and our open speed limits.

Whole Interview ( If you are interested on what is behind the 110 limit read this, it gives an inkling in to what is driving this decision that we are gonna get stuck with - so have a read ) http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/nt/content/2006/s1736723.htm

This also revolves around or death per capita. From Jan to Aug2006 the NT have had 27 Fatalitys on our roads ( doesnt matter who, where, what or how they died, as long as they were on the roads in some form - including rosie taking a nap in the middle of the lane ) compared to NSW which in the same time have had 319 ppl killed. ( we are also down ATM on deaths at the same point in time last year where as NSW is up).

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2006/pdf/mrf082006.pdf

By 2010 they want all states to have a death per capita of less than 5.5 ppl per 100000 accross all states and it seems that we are letting them down with our Toll, and according to calculations we should only have 10 road related deaths per year. Now any death is more than we should have but we rate on par with Tasmania ( Like the same amount of fatalities) and i bet they already have demerit points and speed limits in place - and they dont take up even 1/10th of the size of the Territory - WTF!!!! :mad:

Reading info from the Road Safety Strategy statistics it seems that Alcohol is involved in double if not more than Speed in crashs and fatalitys. It should be the pissheads who suffer the most for this. There should be more driver education, possibly actual roadside carnage footage shown in driver ed - etc something other than 'Driving a privledge, be carefull' and 17yr old bob is off on his P plates having a ball thinking hes invincible. There are some real ****tards on our roads who dont seem to remember the rules or think about wtf they are doing and that has to change.

Another annoying thing that gets me is they break down the crashs to City and Rural - WTF is rural, From the Truck City Border outbound ( as you need to validate you passport to go that way ;) ), or from the end of Palmerston to Noonamah or past there???? Where does it end and where does it start??
There is no mention of how many accidents relating to speed (faster than 110) actually occur in the open speed section of our highway - why? How many actually happen? and how many involve either overseas tourists or southern Terrorists visiting the territory. Talking to a few people who have travelled the entire aust island - our roads are also better in the outback than any other state ( taken at face value - last time through camowheel - middle of nowhere- was 26yrs ago and the roads looked small then) and from what i have travelled up here i like to sit between 140-160 ( not because im a hero but because i have that option and im comfortable at that speed) and its done me no harm so far.
Only accident ive come close to having on our highway was coming back from near Katherine, an impatient QLD ***k in a busted arse Toyota 4WD Hilux couldnt wait the 2k's for the overtaking lane to start - meaning i had a) slow down to under 80, b) swerve off the verge and c) wish i had a heat seaking missile. Seriuosly there was a frackin huge sign saying 'overtaking lane ahead' why couldnt he just wait for it - thats why they are there.

/Rant over - ran out of steam, and things to say

Im with you on this "changing the speed limit near the palms to 80 just because some kids turned off there head lights doing 100 "OF COURSE YOUR GONNA CRASH YOU F@#$KING MORONS" and because of this claire thinks we should change the speed limit to 80

thats her answer for everything "TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND ****ING SPEED REDUCTIONS" factors into most accidents isnt speed its stupidity. drink driving and it doesnt matter how slow you make the speed limit they will still keep ****ing doing it.

To reduce Deaths on our road

*increase public awareness of drink driving IE "queensland Ads are pretty bad but i get the message"

* Increase restrictions on younger drivers

* Impose an advanced driving course.

Its to easy to get your license
and for some reason these young kids are doing up there cars like they do in those stupid car games and movies

thinking there little 4 (import crap) car handle around corners like a race car "my father has already seen two greek fellas die trying to drift and i dont see why any person should have to see people mangled in a car.

I have been hit by a drunk driver put me in hospital for 2 months.

I feel public awareness is the key to all this not punishment "giving out a fine to a dead person wont help, how can they pay it if there dead."

dont be so hard on claire.. afterall.. look at her wiki.. she's got ****all experience in politics.. 1995 FFS!

Quote from Aegis;280361:
dont be so hard on claire.. afterall.. look at her wiki.. she's got ****all experience in politics.. 1995 FFS!

You forgot her years as an ALP School of Media ABC journalist.

[edit] Hmm, no strike tags. Kinda kills the joke.

Quote from CoCoBuckeTs;280269:
LOL Sponge on the offensive :)

He is loving this, damn you sponge :)

:)

hmm, only place in the western world with no speed limits on open roads?? the little things called autobarns count?

Just offtopic for a moment - Korny stop the misuse of ".
" speaks to me and he dislikes your abuse.

Quote from SpongeBobSquarePants;280268:
Wow you must like small 4 x 4 metre rooms with bars on windows, weak tea and stale bread. Should I make up your matress and grey blanket now or would you prefer general population with some of my elcho islands compatriates.

That way theyll keep you nice warm and cozy :)

This day and age being jailed for speeding will never happen :) Unless you happen to kill someone

Quote from Minorci;280402:
This day and age being jailed for speeding will never happen :) Unless you happen to kill someone

I wont even mention the anti hoon legislation and the seizure of your cars or bikes.

never happen? heh heh heh.

Sponge; curious though.. the way claire's going... how do you feel about black uniforms and jack boots?

ROFL!!!!!

This is a good thread :)

Mmm black is slimming and I already have jack boots. Ask lataf

I agree with dermerit points and 110km/h speed.

how often do the majority drive that far out? quit whinging.

Just to keep those on track, the decision to introduce the demerit points and reduction in speed limits on open roads has very little to do with the current government in the NT. The matter is being pushed hard by the federal government and has been for over 7 years. NT has been told to join the line or face the consequences. Hello national licensing etc.

In order for the NT to gain federal funds etc from the federal governement, each state must enforce and initiate changes as required by federal governments. Those that dont, recieve a very major reduction in funding hence why we adopted the .05 reading although we did modify it by making it an infringement offence.

So to summerise, if you want to make a noise and stamp your feet, perhaps throw sand in someones face, do so at those canberra persons in high places.

Chow chow, i must try on these new black fingerless gloves and have my jackboots poilished..........

Quote from Hitokiri Kensuke:
The problem is from my general observations, that the majority of people who die in speed related accidents are exceding the set speed limit.

(ie 140 in an 80 zone).
THEY are the people who are causing the problem.

True, but a nut who would do that is probably not the safest of drivers even at the limit, reckless driving can take
forms other than speeding and the law won't deter people who do stuff that crazy (and IIRC, that far over should be a license suspension anyway - demerit points don't play into it).

Demerit points will stop the individuals who keep a monthly "speeding budget" for tickets though.

wait a minute, NT doesn't/didn't have demerit points? what happened to repeat offenders then!?

also a blood alcohol reading of .05 is an infringement notice? what does that mean?

We don't have Demerit points and if a majority of Territorians have anything to say about it, we never will.

is there anything to stop repeat offenders? because if there isn't it basically means that as long as you have the means to pay then you have the right to speed doesn't it?

Quote from Milenko;280520:
We don't have Demerit points and if a majority of Territorians have anything to say about it, we never will.

dude, as far as politicians are concerned, when has the majority view ever counted? Unfortunately it's those that scream the loudest, and minorities have more practice at that than the majority.

also - re: sponge's comments about the feds pushing it (i'm betting claire is rolling over onto her back over it.. want a bone? GOOD DOG! ... so I'm sure we can still blame her for this).

on the subject of flaming claire again though... what's this shit about the after hours clinic in palmerston not opening after hours any more? what the ****? number of times I've had to take my daughter up there at like 7pm etc... now I have to drive all the way into the ****ing hospital??? So what has parap gained out of this cancellation of service and resultant influx of cash that no-doubt has wound up in that electorate??

*mumble****inmutter*

I hear ya Aegis, I face the same issue with my little one, that place was a godsend..

Quote from CoCoBuckeTs;280524:
I hear ya Aegis, I face the same issue with my little one, that place was a godsend..

Agreed.

Quote from Aegis;280522:
dude, as far as politicians are concerned, when has the majority view ever counted? Unfortunately it's those that scream the loudest, and minorities have more practice at that than the majority.

Thats why I said IF.

Quote from uber tard;280519:
wait a minute, NT doesn't/didn't have demerit points? what happened to repeat offenders then!?

also a blood alcohol reading of .05 is an infringement notice? what does that mean?

Means you get a slap on the wrist everytime you do it along with a fine. I can't remember if the penalty goes up the more times you do it (fairly sure it does) but that's basically what happens.

Sponge, I can teach you how to goose-step in those shiny new black boots, for some 'leniancy' of course.

Quote from Milenko;280530:
Thats why I said IF.

Sorry man, couldn't see the if from the lofty heights of my soapbox :)

Quote from SpongeBobSquarePants;280475:
I wont even mention the anti hoon legislation and the seizure of your cars or bikes.

never happen? heh heh heh.

Still not a jail term.

Quote from Jono;280532:
Means you get a slap on the wrist everytime you do it along with a fine. I can't remember if the penalty goes up the more times you do it (fairly sure it does) but that's basically what happens.

that is so wrong. here in qld first offence you lose your licence for up to 12 months (usually 1-6 or so depending) and fine of up to $2000. 3 convictions in 5 years = automatic jail sentance.

also why the hell wouldn't you want demerit points? what good argument is there for not having them or at least some form of mandatory punishment of repeat offenders. seriously, if you don't punish repeat offenders you are giving the clear message that as long as you can pay the fine you have the right to speed.

It seems from all the posts that Sponge and Lataf need to come out of retirement and start enforcing the traffic laws again.

I have bets on who wins.

Look in the rear vision mirror.

See 2 Police Motorcycles.

Think nothing of it.

Look Again.

See the Bugs in Sponges beard and Latafs teeth. Be afraid, very afraid.

[Image: http://users.on.net/~minorci/bug.jpg]

Hey thats me, minus the moe.............

[Image: http://users.on.net/~minorci/harley.jpg]

This is you too aint it? ;)

Sponge + Harley + olympic torch relay + no sleep = your last post.

I would be cruising past at 200+ on my zx6r.

Quote from Lataf;280560:
Sponge + Harley + olympic torch relay + no sleep = your last post.

I would be cruising past at 200+ on my zx6r.

Kawasaki FTW :D :D -- 2007 zx6r looks gorgeous.. i want one.

Is that Sponge's boot ???? ;)

:P