[csirac2]

Revenue numbers are huge, yes, but revenue is not profit. I guess the number is so huge that I should be disgusted regardless of whether or not it turns an actual profit after all elements are considered (consulting fees, engineering, installation, maintenance, operations, incompetent negotiation of contracts, incompetent administration of contractors, administration of fines, administration of the administration of fines) etc.

But that still doesn't excuse the utter depths of lazy, disposable reporting in which more time is spent thinking of a headline than on actual research. If they can't be bothered telling me how much actual profit it makes for the government, then I'm not going to be bothered getting angry about it.

[eye30]

speeder = cash cow

[Surferdude]

People automatically assume speed cameras turn a massive profit for the government. I've yet to see any numbers on this.

In the Perth media (Tv and radio) they often quote figures generated by speed cameras. Usually in the millions. Keep your ears peeled and you may catch that bit of info too 


The ONLY time a speed camera is not a currency printer is when its presence is clearly posted before the device. Bit like police presence on the roads. Nobody speeds around a marked police car.

I'd disagree with that. The fixed speed cameras in NSW (and now Qld) all boast three separate signs advising of their existence (2 in Qld).
Yet the revenue when quoted by camera, as is done periodically, is massive.
Where fixed speed cameras are concerned, if a driver, especially one who uses a road regularly, isn't paying attention enough to see three warning signs AND the camera mechanism, then he/she deserves to be fined.
If they aren't aware of where they are on the road and what's on the footpath, they have no hope of seeing a potential accident situation.


Go here
http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/about/corporate/statistics/

and open this line
Top 20 locations for fixed digital speed camera notices in financial year 2010–11 by offence date

[Phil №❶]

They can put them every 100 metres for all I care, never been caught yet, leave early & allow enough time, observe speed limits, simple. 

[Dazzler]

They can put them every 100 metres for all I care, never been caught yet, leave early & allow enough time, observe speed limits, simple. 

I do try really hard to not go over the limit but always worry when overtaking as if you pass someone who is driving erratically at say 90 to 100 kph in a 110 kph section it is hard to stay under 110kph and still get around safely 

[Phil №❶]

I'm not sure on the road rules, need an expert here but I thought overtaking was a different situation allowing for excess speed for a limited distance. Here in SA in an attempt to make driving safe,r we have overtaking lanes on many inclines which stops all but morons from needing to make unnecessary overtaking manoeuvres. 

[Dazzler]

I'm not sure on the road rules, need an expert here but I thought overtaking was a different situation allowing for excess speed for a limited distance. Here in SA in an attempt to make driving safe,r we have overtaking lanes on many inclines which stops all but morons from needing to make unnecessary overtaking manoeuvres. 

  are you calling me a Moron Phil  We have quite a few passing lanes down here too Phil but there are also quite a few long straight bits of road where it is safe to pass but only one lane in each direction.

After doing over 7000kms on Mainland roads just this year I reckon our roads compare quite favourably 

[Surferdude]

This is topical.
Today's SMH

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fixed-speed-cameras-save-lives-report-reveals-20120717-228j3.html

[Phil №❶]

  are you calling me a Moron Phil  We have quite a few passing lanes down here too Phil but there are also quite a few long straight bits of road where it is safe to pass but only one lane in each direction.

After doing over 7000kms on Mainland roads just this year I reckon our roads compare quite favourably 

That would depend entirely on whether you overtook me,  dangerously. 

Of course, we have single lane highways without passing lanes where the ground is flat, naturally safe overtaking is permitted.

I recall on our last trip the Gps recorded in excess of the speed limit  and that was overtaking a semi trailer with an additional trailer as well  (road train), He was 100k speed limited & we passed with ease, the little diesel felt like it had rockets on it. Love that motor, still got 5.5 l/100 on that trip.

[Hati]

@surferdude: I'm pretty sure you agree with me   , let me rephrase it: a speed camera is a cashcow if it is hidden. If it is signposted, it is a safety device. Those blind drivers who don't notice the signs and the cameras, get exactly what they deserve! Hidden cameras will not slow you down, especially if you are unaware of their existence for some 6 weeks when your fine finally hits your letterbox.

I'm not sure on the road rules, need an expert here but I thought overtaking was a different situation allowing for excess speed for a limited distance. Here in SA in an attempt to make driving safe,r we have overtaking lanes on many inclines which stops all but morons from needing to make unnecessary overtaking manoeuvres. 

In WA at least, you break the rules just the same if you exceed the speed limit while overtaking. It is a different matter that the boys in blue may be more easy going and let you off with a warning.


Don't know about other states but over here it's almost a certainty that if you catch up with a slow going (10-20 km slower than the limit) convoy on a highway, at the next overtaking line the entire convoy speeds up to posted limit and above, INCLUDING the driver holding up the que. Just to slow down again as soon as the passing line ends. Forcing people to either keep following, increasing their frustration and potential for fatigue, or overtake illegally and get on with their trip at the posted limit.
No surprise really that roadrage incidents are on the increase.

[Phil №❶]

I'm not sure on the road rules, need an expert here but I thought overtaking was a different situation allowing for excess speed for a limited distance. Here in SA in an attempt to make driving safe,r we have overtaking lanes on many inclines which stops all but morons from needing to make unnecessary overtaking manoeuvres. 

In WA at least, you break the rules just the same if you exceed the speed limit while overtaking. It is a different matter that the boys in blue may be more easy going and let you off with a warning.


Don't know about other states but over here it's almost a certainty that if you catch up with a slow going (10-20 km slower than the limit) convoy on a highway, at the next overtaking line the entire convoy speeds up to posted limit and above, INCLUDING the driver holding up the que. Just to slow down again as soon as the passing line ends. Forcing people to either keep following, increasing their frustration and potential for fatigue, or overtake illegally and get on with their trip at the posted limit.
No surprise really that roadrage incidents are on the increase.
[/quote]

Thanks for the clarification db08

and your example is a demonstration of the moron mentality that exists here, these are the morons I was referring to, no you Dazz

[Dazzler]

Hi Hati.. that last Paragraph rings true down here too.. We have the added issue of P platers limited to 80Kph which often causes long ques on the single lane highways (accident waiting to happen) 

Phil, wasn't it Hati that said that? 

[Hati]

LOL, it can get interesting when people post while you write your own...

[Phil №❶]

I'm not sure on the road rules, need an expert here but I thought overtaking was a different situation allowing for excess speed for a limited distance. Here in SA in an attempt to make driving safe,r we have overtaking lanes on many inclines which stops all but morons from needing to make unnecessary overtaking manoeuvres. 

  are you calling me a Moron Phil  We have quite a few passing lanes down here too Phil but there are also quite a few long straight bits of road where it is safe to pass but only one lane in each direction.

After doing over 7000kms on Mainland roads just this year I reckon our roads compare quite favourably 

No, you did according to me 

[rustynutz]

I'm not sure on the road rules, need an expert here but I thought overtaking was a different situation allowing for excess speed for a limited distance. Here in SA in an attempt to make driving safe,r we have overtaking lanes on many inclines which stops all but morons from needing to make unnecessary overtaking manoeuvres. 

You're not allowed to exceed the speed limit under any circumstances, Phil......

[Doggie 1]

  I've been thanked and I didn't even say anything. 
But what Hati said is correct - same speed limit applies when overtaking. And re overtaking lanes, I see that frequently - the front car speeds up and holds everyone up again.
Just another example of poor driving behaviour.
Speed camera locations are advertised prior to camera placement for those drivers interested enough to check and of course, the fixed cameras are well-advertised and well-known.
Combined speed/red light cameras have certainly changed driver behaviour in the short time they have been there. You don't see as many cars speeding through intersections as you used to.
My main beef with speed cameras is the low tolerance set (as opposed to being pinged by a police officer) and also the placement of some of them is suspect to me.
However, they are a fact of life and I still remember the public uproar when the first mobile radars were introduced here but no one talks about them anymore. 

[Surferdude]

Don't know about other states but over here it's almost a certainty that if you catch up with a slow going (10-20 km slower than the limit) convoy on a highway, at the next overtaking line the entire convoy speeds up to posted limit and above, INCLUDING the driver holding up the que. Just to slow down again as soon as the passing line ends. Forcing people to either keep following, increasing their frustration and potential for fatigue, or overtake illegally and get on with their trip at the posted limit.
No surprise really that roadrage incidents are on the increase.

THAT happens in every State I've driven in.
One of the most inconsiderate and dangerous practices on the road IMO.

[Doggie 1]

 

[Phil №❶]

OK Apologies to Hati. Thanks to Hati for the clarification.

Remaining thanks to db08 because  he would have cleared that up anyway. Not sure who I called a moron, they know who they are.

I'm thoroughly confused now.

[Doggie 1]

  You & me both. 

[baroudeur]

Just one thing about the "speed kills" bullshit: if it was true, Germany would be one VERY empty place...

Germany has as many accidents involving speed as other countries.  Two lane autobahns without a hard shoulder are not conducive to the safest driving at  high speeds as the introduction of limits indicates.  The recommended limit on "unrestricted" autobahns is 130 kph and those stretches are becoming less and less.




 

A Lambo will stop much quicker compared to a Corolla from the same speed. If you have your car full with people, will take longer to stop again...

Does a Lambo defy the laws of physics?  But the second bit is true

European countries such as Germany are actually increasing speed limits and have found the there are LESS accidents on the roads.

It would be interesting to know where this is happening. . As a regular driver in parts of Europe it is apparent that most authorities are reducing speeds by various means such as roundabouts, chicanes as well as lower limits.
The German police use long distance lenses on speed cameras to detect speeders at very long distances.  France  reduces the 130 kph limit to 110 when it is  raining and is introducing more  speed cameras both hidden and fixed.  Cameras in rubbish bins, peeking through the boot lid of unmarked cars and built into motorway barriers are just some methods used.

[rustynutz]

I dunno about Europe but America is upping speed limits.....

http://money.msn.com/auto-insurance/why-speed-limits-are-rising.aspx

[Phil №❶]

About speed, all I know is that on freeways etc where all traffic is at the same relative speed to each other, it's a very efficient way to get from A to B.

The problem is that when something goes wrong, the laws of physics take over and every bit of kinetic energy in the vehicle, including the occupants,  has to be dissipated somewhere, somehow. Cars are designed to sacrifice themselves by crumpling and have many built in safety devices, but there are limits to this. Hitting a solid object doesn't allow enough time and usually strawberry jam is the result, so I'm afraid I'm a firm believer that speed does kill.   

[Dazzler]

About speed, all I know is that on freeways etc where all traffic is at the same relative speed to each other, it's a very efficient way to get from A to B.

The problem is that when something goes wrong, the laws of physics take over and every bit of kinetic energy in the vehicle, including the occupants,  has to be dissipated somewhere, somehow. Cars are designed to sacrifice themselves by crumpling and have many built in safety devices, but there are limits to this. Hitting a solid object doesn't allow enough time and usually strawberry jam is the result, so I'm afraid I'm a firm believer that speed does kill.   

You make some good points as usual Phil..  ... But you have probably put me off Strawberry Jam for a while 

[Phil №❶]

Brekky time too 

[Dazzler]

Brekky time too 

I was about to have toast but diverted to the cereals 

[Phil №❶]

Sorry 

[Dazzler]

Sorry 

No probs I don't have Strawberry Jam very often .. More a Peanut Butter, Honey and Homemade Marmalade man 

[Phil №❶]

I'm off to make pancakes for the kids, I'll have one, with strawberry jam, I think.

[Dazzler]

I'm off to make pancakes for the kids, I'll have one, with strawberry jam, I think.