Kiwi drivers slowing down?

[superman]

Don't think I'm getting slower since I got a bike... :facepalm:

Keen for an energy related speed limit instead of reactionary time based? Lol
100km/h Car (1400kg): 1080241 Joules of Energy
Motorcycle + Rider (270kg) to get to 1080241 Joules = 228km/h. I'd be happy with that :lol:
Would mean cyclists (80kg) would be able to go 418km/h if they so wished.

From Stuff:
The average Kiwi driver is slowly taking the foot off the pedal, with road speeds dropping to an all-time low.
Figures issued by the Transport Ministry show that the mean speed on the open road last year was 96.2kmh, the lowest since the survey began in 1995.
Speeds also reached an all-time low in urban areas, although at 52kmh, the mean speed was still above the 50kmh speed limit.
The low figures follow more than a decade of Kiwis steadily slowing down on the roads.

In 1996 Kiwis were travelling at 102.3kmh on the open road, and 56.5kmh in towns.
New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman Andy Knackstedt said there had been a noticeable shift in attitudes to road safety over the years.
It was largely due to an increase in targeted advertising and enforcement, which the New Zealand Transport Agency and police had been collaborating on, he said.
"There's no doubt that the advertising and enforcement campaign together has certainly helped to change people's attitudes and behaviour around speed and alcohol."

Mounting fuel prices would have played a role, he said.
"A lot of people are aware ... you use less fuel if you drive at a steady speed and you drive at a slower speed."
But although speeds are falling, drivers are still travelling over the speed limit in towns.
Fifteen per cent of drivers were clocked travelling at more than 57kmh in urban areas, while 58 per cent of drivers were over the speed limit.
Last year 137 people were killed and 2631 people were injured in speed-related crashes.

There were 830 crashes – about 16 a week – where a driver was speeding in urban areas and someone was injured or killed.
Mr Knackstedt said young men were often the worst offenders, which was why much of the advertising targeted that demographic.
"They tend to underestimate the dangers of travelling a little bit faster than the speed limit in 50kmh areas.
"They are confident with their driving ability and are comfortable that nothing untoward will happen. They are not consciously speeding – they are simply driving at speeds that are habitually comfortable."
Drivers often perceived the risk of crashing in urban areas as low, so would push the limits, so advertising campaigns aimed to increase awareness of the hazards.

2010 MEAN SPEEDS

Open roads (limit 100kmh)
Highest: Hawke's Bay, 100.3kmh
Lowest: Auckland, 93.8kmh
Wellington: 94.4kmh
Canterbury: 98.3kmh
Urban roads (limit 50kmh)
Highest: Gisborne, 55.3kmh
Lowest: Taranaki, 48.8kmh
<SCRIPT language=javascript><!--PushDartJSAd('STORYBODY', 2, 300, 250, '300x250');//--></SCRIPT>Wellington: 49.1kmh
Auckland: 54.1kmh
Canterbury: 52.3kmh
Source: Transport Ministry 2010 Speed Survey

[Luckylegs]

Yup, can see that its likely. I know ive slowed down considerably in the last yhree years. Where as i would cruise at around 120-130 im now keeping it under 110. Case in point was my last two trips to hampton downs and taupo last week. Didnt exceed 110 ( accept for one overtaking manoever just this side of cambridge).

In my case its not the education though, its plain and simple the enforcement. I simply cant afford to lose license through demerits so no choice but to slow down. Ive clearly gone soft too cos frankly it doesnt actually bother me anymore either

[superman]

Yup, can see that its likely. I know ive slowed down considerably in the last yhree years. Where as i would cruise at around 120-130 im now keeping it under 110. Case in point was my last two trips to hampton downs and taupo last week. Didnt exceed 110 ( accept for one overtaking manoever just this side of cambridge).

In my case its not the education though, its plain and simple the enforcement. I simply cant afford to lose license through demerits so no choice but to slow down. Ive clearly gone soft too cos frankly it doesnt actually bother me anymore either

I'm still a teenage male, so I guess I have to live up to the stereotype or it just wouldn't be right now would it. :msn-wink:

[scissorhands]

I'm lucky to crack 90km/hr if I'm hypermiling.

Personally, I support a lower speed limit:shutup: but I'm now nearly old

[Banditbandit]

Yes. I've noticed that the general speeds on the roads are slower, and there are fewer high-speed hoons.

I tend to sit under 110 klicks now (with 55 demerit points already and only got my licence back in September I'm feeling the pressure) and fewer cars or bikes pass me ... ('course if they do, then it's all on)

It feels nicer ... less stress wondering what dickhead cage drivers are going to at speed .. etc etc ...

I wonder what effect this will have on the road toll? It's got to be dropping ...

[Stirts]

The average Kiwi driver is slowly taking the foot off the pedal, with road speeds dropping to an all-time low.
Figures issued by the Transport Ministry show that the mean speed on the open road last year was 96.2kmh, the lowest since the survey began in 1995.
Speeds also reached an all-time low in urban areas.

Only because our road conditions are at an all time low!! :angry:

[Latte]

In the last 15 years or so I'd say the average motorway speed has dropped noticeably. It wasn't unheard of for the fast lane to be doing 110-115 , a line of cars all following along.

With the enforcement, increased congestion blah blah speeds have definitely slowed down. I feel like more of a hoon doing 115 now, than I used to doing 130 ish (my crusing speeds when traffic allows).

About 5 years ago I went to the Gold Coast for a holiday, rented a car, odd experience with fast lanes moving at 120 ish between Brisbane and the coast, and plenty of cars going a little faster than that (and everyone moving over to let them through). Not sure if it's like that now.

[Luckylegs]

Only because our road conditions are at an all time low!! :angry:

Are they though? With the likes of the waikato expressway replacing the crap that was the drive around mercer/meremere/huntly (as an example) id say that may not be the case.

This purely from a car prespective of course

[Stirts]

Are they though? With the likes of the waikato expressway replacing the crap that was the drive around mercer/meremere/huntly (as an example) id say that may not be the case.

This purely from a car prespective of course

It's not so much the replacements/upgrades of roading I am referring to. It's the repairs/maintenance works on some existing roads .... I got a D in sewing so I know what shit patchwork looks like.

[Toaster]

I drive my car slower because of the ever rising cost of running a vehicle.

140km round trip to work 6 days in a row is worthy of more fuel-efficient driving practices.

As for how the bike gets ridden.... lets just say it is a wee bit more "spirited".

[Luckylegs]

It's not so much the replacements/upgrades of roading I am referring to. It's the repairs/maintenance works on some existing roads .... I got a D in sewing so I know what shit patchwork looks like.

Haha, id actually qualified my statement with something to the effect of what you refer but it got wordy and my posting this morning is from an iphone so its a pain so removed it.

I dont recall getting a mark but they did make everyone in 1st form take sewing and i remember making a sweatshirt and a foam filled rugby ball. Its fair to say i dont recall wearing the sweatshirt.

[aprilia_RS250]

2010 MEAN SPEEDS

Open roads (limit 100kmh)
Highest: Hawke's Bay, 100.3kmh
Lowest: Auckland, 93.8kmh
Wellington: 94.4kmh
Canterbury: 98.3kmh
Urban roads (limit 50kmh)
Highest: Gisborne, 55.3kmh
Lowest: Taranaki, 48.8kmh
<SCRIPT language=javascript><!--PushDartJSAd('STORYBODY', 2, 300, 250, '300x250');//--></SCRIPT>Wellington: 49.1kmh
Auckland: 54.1kmh
Canterbury: 52.3kmh
Source: Transport Ministry 2010 Speed Survey

Here is a task for you, take a collection of those average speeds through time and tell me what your correlation is with speed related accidents, for the same period.

[ac3_snow]

Auckland and wellington both have comparatively low open road speeds, this is quite likely due to the fact that you are lucky to be able to cruise along at 110kmh on the motorway in these areas. Auckland especially (and the north shore m'way is the worst!:mad:).
-am assuming they include motorways otheriwse theres hardly many 'open roads' in the auckland region to get figures from.

[BOGAR]

I'm with Toaster (post #10).
Actual cost of petrol getting to make a dent in the budget and the things that the rise in fuel cost effects like food are also getting slightly more expensive. It may not be a lot but I'm not getting paid any more so it has to come from somewhere.
However I still like a spirited ride on the bike.

[oneofsix]

Have to question their logic. I expected they would calm lower road toll due to their enforcement instead of less trips but this lower speed thing - really?
More likely we are worried about the cost than safety or stuck behind some moron that believes the propaganda due to NZ's poor roads.

[CookMySock]

I've certainly slowed down in the cage. I'm happy to cruise at 90-95k on the open road even when I'm trying to get something important done. I guess theres little or nothing one can do about congestion in the cage so I sit back and wait.

Bikes? Well I wont tap it out everywhere, but I dont wait for anyone. I go, and I go whenever I like. Oddly, the fuzz don't seem interested in bikes overtaking, which is a helluva puzzle to me. I do make sure I am technicallyish legalish ish ish, or at least in a substantially grey area at least.

[slofox]

I go slower in the cage now. Especially after putting in a radar detector. Oh and of course the bike makes up for the lower cage speed...:whistle:

[oldrider]

On Southern open roads ... NO ... and driving while using cell phones is back up there too! JMHO. (O = observation)

[Stirts]

or stuck behind some moron that believes the propaganda due to NZ's poor roads.

Oh too true, silly me :rolleyes:..... our roads are farking awesome.

[oneofsix]

Oh too true, silly me :rolleyes:..... our roads are farking awesome.

yeah I typed that bad.:facepalm: I could try and claim my fingers couldn't keep up with my brain but I don't think I could fool anyone.:shutup: How about "or due to our poor roads".

[Grumph]

On Southern open roads ... NO ... and driving while using cell phones is back up there too! JMHO. (O = observation)

Certainly on the straight roads of Canty there's still a lot of people cruising above 100K - but there's a lot more now in the 95 - 100 range.
I'm noticing that the stuff passing me is mainly big expensive late model 4wd's - does this mean that only the wealthy can afford to speed now ?

[Usarka]

Speed isn't just for the wealthy.

Cocaine on the other hand, that's gods way of telling you that you have too much money.

[Dave Lobster]

I wonder what effect this will have on the road toll? It's got to be dropping ...

None. Very, very few of the crashes are above the speed limit. Most crashes are inside it.

[oneofsix]

None. Very, very few of the crashes are above the speed limit. Most crashes are inside it.

Road toll does not necessarily equal crashes therefore just checking that you do mean that very few of the death crashes are above the limit?

[schrodingers cat]

Pretty hard in a car to spend any time at 100kph what with all the trucks, trailers ,camper vans, tractors, Harleys etc on the road. (And FA passing lanes)

Might as well just make the open road limit 90kph for everbody

[Dave Lobster]

If the open road limit were closer to 150km/h, those of us that can see over the wheel would be able to overtake the tortoises legally, rather than sitting in the bunches, concerned about an officious Nazi sitting at the bottom of a hill with his collection box.

[p.dath]

Most vehicles (and probably motorbikes) coming into NZ have a deliberately engineered speedo error to comply with European regulations. Typically it is 6% at 100Km/h. So when your speedo says you are doing 100Km/h (known as the "indicated" speed), you are actually doing 94km/h.

So as the vehicle fleet is slowly upgraded in NZ people still think they are driving at the same speed, but are in fact being tricked, and driving slower.

So I think this has nothing to do with driver attitudes or their thoughts on speed.

[oneofsix]

Most vehicles (and probably motorbikes) coming into NZ have a deliberately engineered speedo error to comply with European regulations. Typically it is 6% at 100Km/h. So when your speedo says you are doing 100Km/h (known as the "indicated" speed), you are actually doing 94km/h.

So as the vehicle fleet is slowly upgraded in NZ people still think they are driving at the same speed, but are in fact being tricked, and driving slower.

So I think this has nothing to do with driver attitudes or their thoughts on speed.

confirmed the speedo error several times with my 2008 bike. The cops not being nice when they let you off those 5 or so ks and you didn't manage to ditch those few extra ks, you thought you were doing 120 by your speedo but only got booked for 116, you were really only doing 116.

[oldrider]

Pretty hard in a car to spend any time at 100kph what with all the trucks, trailers ,camper vans, tractors, Harleys etc on the road. (And FA passing lanes)

Might as well just make the open road limit 90kph for everbody

Have you not been out on the open road for a while?

100kph is like it used to be riding at 70kph on a restricted licence! FFS. (not that I ever had to do that though!)

Everybody and everything passes you! ("especially" in the passing lanes)

[Clockwork]

Most vehicles (and probably motorbikes) coming into NZ have a deliberately engineered speedo error to comply with European regulations. Typically it is 6% at 100Km/h. So when your speedo says you are doing 100Km/h (known as the "indicated" speed), you are actually doing 94km/h.

So as the vehicle fleet is slowly upgraded in NZ people still think they are driving at the same speed, but are in fact being tricked, and driving slower.

So I think this has nothing to do with driver attitudes or their thoughts on speed.

My thoughts, exactly.

[Blackshear]

I blame scaremongering, shitty road conditions and inadequate driver skills, bikers also.
The amount of times I've come up behind a car in a 100 zone, with an indicated 80 bend, and had to slow all the way down to 40 just for them, is amazing.
There is such a thing as too cautious.

[avgas]

2010 MEAN SPEEDS

Open roads (limit 100kmh)
Highest: Hawke's Bay, 100.3kmh
Lowest: Auckland, 93.8kmh
Wellington: 94.4kmh
Canterbury: 98.3kmh
Urban roads (limit 50kmh)
Highest: Gisborne, 55.3kmh
Lowest: Taranaki, 48.8kmh
<script language="javascript"><!--PushDartJSAd('STORYBODY', 2, 300, 250, '300x250');//--></script>Wellington: 49.1kmh
Auckland: 54.1kmh
Canterbury: 52.3kmh
Source: Transport Ministry 2010 Speed Survey

Any idea what the median and distribution was?

[Ocean1]

Meh, couple of percent? The increase in yellow paint would be responsible for more than that. By the time I find a passing lane I'm having to fucking pin it just to manage reasonable averages.


Y'know, I'm gettin fucking sick of all the bullshit. In countries where there's little or no restrictions on driving behaviour the carnage is... fucking near identical to here. When they stop inventing shit to suit their own agenda and start asking us what we want I'll start listening to them, and not until.

[schrodingers cat]

Have you not been out on the open road for a while?

100kph is like it used to be riding at 70kph on a restricted licence! FFS. (not that I ever had to do that though!)

Everybody and everything passes you! ("especially" in the passing lanes)

Yes I do about 1000k in the South Island a week.
You must need more dairy conversions around Otmatata for you to enjoy the road snake of folks prepared to line up behind a Fonterra truck

[red mermaid]

And what countries are those?



Meh, couple of percent? The increase in yellow paint would be responsible for more than that. By the time I find a passing lane I'm having to fucking pin it just to manage reasonable averages.


Y'know, I'm gettin fucking sick of all the bullshit. In countries where there's little or no restrictions on driving behaviour the carnage is... fucking near identical to here. When they stop inventing shit to suit their own agenda and start asking us what we want I'll start listening to them, and not until.

[firefighter]

"Last year 137 people were killed and 2631 people were injured in speed-related crashes.

There were 830 crashes – about 16 a week – where a driver was speeding in urban areas and someone was injured or killed."

I would really like to know the numbers in here which involve people going between 5-10kms over the limit. I reckon it's probably a tiny percentage, like around 10%. They'd never release that with the numbers though because that would put a big stink on the whole public holiday revenue collection weekends.

[MSTRS]

Open roads (limit 100kmh)
Highest: Hawke's Bay, 100.3kmh
Lowest: Auckland, 93.8kmh
Wellington: 94.4kmh
Canterbury: 98.3kmh



Really? I live in HB...must be one in a different dimension.

[Ocean1]

And what countries are those?

I'm tempted to say Italy. Certainly big chunks of Asia, including China. A visit to Shanghai is a real education.

Guess the point is that people behave on the road according to their own perception of risk, and legislation to the contrary simply has very little effect other than beefing up the consolidated fund

So rather that wasting time trying to re-engineer humanity why not spend it re-engineering the environment? Cost issues aside.

Or not, I really don’t give a fuck if I take the Buell or the KTM, just fuck off and let nature take its course, eh?

[red mermaid]

I would suggest that of the countries you have mentioned that China does not have the systems in place to make accurate measures as we do in NZ.

[Dave Lobster]

I would suggest that of the countries you have mentioned that China does not have the systems in place to make accurate measures as we do in NZ.

It's likely to be equally as efficient at massaging what few figures it has to suit the political aims of its leadership.

[Grumph]

I would suggest that of the countries you have mentioned that China does not have the systems in place to make accurate measures as we do in NZ.

And what a superb use of our road tax dollars that is.....