Slow down in safe road works areas?

[Slyer]

In so many places there are temporary 80kph signs everywhere, do we really need to follow these signs? Especially when the roads are empty, fully sealed and clean and the workers are all long gone.
I'm thinking specifically of the motorway around northcote road and tristram ave.
Personally I just go 109kph like usual, what do you think?

[Curious_AJ]

In so many places there are temporary 80kph signs everywhere, do we really need to follow these signs? Especially when the roads are empty, fully sealed and clean and the workers are all long gone.
I'm thinking specifically of the motorway around northcote road and tristram ave.
Personally I just go 109kph like usual, what do you think?

shit man, i just go as normal... i reckon it's just durin business hours (or hours the workers work) that you have to obey that...

[FJRider]

In so many places there are temporary 80kph signs everywhere, do we really need to follow these signs? Especially when the roads are empty, fully sealed and clean and the workers are all long gone.
I'm thinking specifically of the motorway around northcote road and tristram ave.
Personally I just go 109kph like usual, what do you think?

29 kms/h over the posted speed limit (even temporary ones) is about 35 demerits, plus fine about $400 I think. You figure it out.

[fireball]

you're not too clever are you?

one day you will meet the road works that have loose gravel on them and "hello" tarmac

[swbarnett]

you're not too clever are you?

one day you will meet the road works that have loose gravel on them and "hello" tarmac

The works he's talking about are off to the side of the road where they are working on the new dedicated bus way around Esmonde and Onewa Roads just north of the Harbour Bridge. They are guarded by concrete barriers and effectively have nothing to do with the motorway itself. This is the sort of disrespect shown to the average motorist by the road workers (or their bosses) that means people don't slow down when it really is necessary. It's just a case of "cry wolf". I travel through that area to and from work daily and I simply keep an eye on what's on the side of the road like I would anywhere. However they mark it no reduction of speed is necessary as the road is clear of any abnormal hindrance (or even the reasonable potential of it).

[slimjim]

dude if speed is posted you best think $ yup reckon we've all gone past at a higher speed however someday sooner or later , blueprick will correct your dosh

[Slyer]

It's all perfect roads and yeah all the work isn't even being done on the road at all. Its on the side of the road behind concrete barriers and it's been like that for months and months. Goes from northcote north as well as around onewa.

So I guess the real question is, do cops really care about temporary speed signs like this? Do they still care even if its after hours?

[pete376403]

So I guess the real question is, do cops really care about temporary speed signs like this? Do they still care even if its after hours?

I guess it depends how their quota is going for the week, or if its a quiet day

A while ago I was past some road works (posted at 70K) but hadn't yet reached the 100k sign. I started accelerating from 70 and was pulled over. We discussed the event and the cop said it was an OSH thing, that the 100K sign had to be 1km (IIRC) beyond the end of the road works. Got off with verbal warning, so that was good.
So yeah, some cops care.

[Slyer]

I completely understand the need to lower your speed around REAL roadworks.
But not when the work isn't even on the bloody road.

[FJRider]

I completely understand the need to lower your speed around REAL roadworks.
But not when the work isn't even on the bloody road.

A posted speed limit is just that. If you get pinged... its your wallet plus demerits. You want to take the risk...we all do...your choice.

[Titanium]

Working in the industry ... they are there for a reason!

People do a lot of bagging when the come up on what they consider is "unmarked" roadworks, how dangerous etc ..... you cant win either way!

Some transit works require that warning signs be posted X number of days before works start. Some companies have crews heading out that put up signs (and take them down) on a schedule so the pavement rehab guys come in behind, complete the works and head off again.

Weather plays a big part this time of year were works can be delayed and the early signs have already been put out.

Every day I get written reports of people speeding through road works. Just plain stupid if you do it. Even had to help a motorcyclist out of a ditch when he came off after speeding in to a works area that had all the traffic management signs up, farken hero he was.

Invisible roadworks .... well some pavement fails from new when the surface resistent does not meet the spec, is "slippery" so the speed limit might be reduced until rectified ........

[swbarnett]

Working in the industry ... they are there for a reason!

People do a lot of bagging when the come up on what they consider is "unmarked" roadworks, how dangerous etc ..... you cant win either way!

Warning signs of roadworks and reduced speed limits are not the same thing.

Some transit works require that warning signs be posted X number of days before works start.

This is just counter-productive. The more there are signs and then no works the more people will ignore signs when there are works. I'll say it again, this is just a case of "cry wolf".

Invisible roadworks .... well some pavement fails from new when the surface resistent does not meet the spec, is "slippery" so the speed limit might be reduced until rectified ........

The specific stretch that is in question here has not even been touched. The works are for installation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on the eastern side of the northern motorway.

[xwhatsit]

Yes, I agree, the Onewa Rd offramp/onramp carry-on is a little silly to have at 80kph given that there's massive concrete barriers and they're doing the work well off the motorway. It is probably an OSH thing.

I used to nip through there keeping up with the flow of the other traffic, usually between 95 and 110kph. I've stopped doing that now after seeing cops with radar guns parked in the big layup area between the northbound and southbound lanes (where they have the big hanger for the lane-shifting machine). I got away with it once (two motorcycle coppers, seemed to be having a laugh as I looked in my mirror that an RS could actually do 100kph) but I don't push my luck now.

Legally, I don't think roadworks speed limits carry any less weight than `proper' speed limits so I wouldn't get your hopes up about that. If they're silly speed limits (these Onewa Rd roadworks would be a good candidate for that) then perhaps the copper would be more inclined to show some of that elusive quality, discretion, but as always don't count on it

On the side: why is the Harbour Bridge (and a lot of Auckland motorway around there) limited to 80kph anyway? I know during peak hours it barely gets to 30kph, but off-peak -- why not 100kph? And why do numpties in cars or whatever insist on slowing right down as they climb the Harbour Bridge to 70kph or 60kph or less, then speed back up again as they go down? Even my bike can climb the Harbour Bridge in top gear without opening the throttle any more, how is it so hard for a car with 100hp+?

[trustme]

More than a few have lost their license for being more than 40kph over the posted speed limit ie 30kph roadworks at 70 kph you are walking & yes the cops do watch for it . It is easy revenue because eveyune does it.
Dumb or not sooner or later you will get caught & don't snivel when it happens . Coppers & courts take a dim view of speeding in roadworks as there have been a few roadworkers killed by dickheads who thought they knew better & believed the rules didn't apply to them.
I agree some of the restriictions seem silly & pointless but legally that is no defense.

[R6_kid:Me]

In this particular situation, assuming it is 'after work hours' i.e there are no workers on the site, and there is no vehicle movement happening on the site, then I think it's fine to travel at 100kmh or 109kmh if you really want to.

I would take it at the 80kmh posted limit during the day while people are on site.

I see what you mean, the motorway itself is the same at night time as it was a year or two ago before the works started. I would thing the 80kmh limit is to allow the worksite trucks to rejoin the traffic flow more easily, however I think it goes without saying that paying attention to the road suface EVERY time you pass through the area is a must as you never know what shit might have been dragged on to the road.