Has the current propaganda focus on speed and road safety affected how you ride?

[Conquiztador]

I managed to get a ticket for doing 115 on the Taupo-Napier road resently and what annoyed me was that I was actually riding slow!

There is a big push for getting speeds down and "road saefty". In papers, on radio and on TV. There is the "5K over and we will ticket you!" weekends too.

Is all this affecting how you ride or do you just carry on like before?

NOTE: I am not looking for a debate re what is safe and what is not, just to find out if the money thrown at this is having any effect on us riders and how we ride?

[p.dath]

I noted your comment about debate; but can't help myself.

It's obvious speed is a factor in most accidents. If vehicles on the road "travelled" at 0 km/h there wouldn't be many accidents would there? So you have to conclude speed is a factor in most accidents.

I agree the Police focus is wrong. They give the impression that speed is the cause of the accidents, although they are careful to only say it is a factor.

Our road toll hasn't gone down for a while now, despite pushing this message harder and harder. Is it possible the road toll is not changing because the message isn't correct?

Driving/riding appropriate to the conditions is the important message. Not the actual speed itself.


My partners oldest son is getting his restricted car licence. As part of the learning experience I took him out at night time on a rural road that includes gravel. The entire road is sign posted 100 km/h. It is impossible to drive on this road at 100km/h - despite what the sign says at the beginning.
The message - driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions is more important than trying to drive to the speed written on some sign. I hope he got the message.

[avgas]

While the latest campaign may have slowed me a little.
I found giving my wife my balls decreased my speed dramatically.

[bogan]

poll is missing an option, I ride slower (so as not to get ticketed), but just as aware (possibly even less aware as its boring).

[FJRider]

Speed is the common factors in fatal crashes ... and also the easiest to police.

Stupidity (read: stupid decisions) rate up there too ... easy to spot, but easy to let slide by if no "incident" occurs ... (is stupid really another word for dangerous ???)

Most crashes are the result of a combination of factors ... sometimes small errors (or a number of) that end .... WRONG ...

When things turn bad from good ... to ... oops ... do you back/button off ???

Or just (try to) correct and ... continue ... as you were ... ???

[schrodingers cat]

Our road toll hasn't gone down for a while now, despite pushing this message harder and harder. Is it possible the road toll is not changing because the message isn't correct?

Perhaps the dabate should be how many deaths per 1000k travelled is acceptable (or some other hopelessly complicated metric).

Because you're never, ever, ever going to reach zero.

[PrincessBandit]

It hasn't changed my riding style particularly although I tend to keep my eyes peeled more along known patrolled routes.

I've sometimes wondered about a radar detector but then decide (a) my husband would go bonkers if I got one, wondering why on earth I'd need it and (b) if I'm going to speed then I take the medicine if I get caught. Not to mention, aiming to stay well within my skill set on 2 wheels.

So effectively, no different!

[george formby]

I noted your comment about debate; but can't help myself.

It's obvious speed is a factor in most accidents. If vehicles on the road "travelled" at 0 km/h there wouldn't be many accidents would there? So you have to conclude speed is a factor in most accidents.



Our road toll hasn't gone down for a while now, despite pushing this message harder and harder. Is it possible the road toll is not changing because the message isn't correct?

Driving/riding appropriate to the conditions is the important message. Not the actual speed itself.


My partners oldest son is getting his restricted car licence. As part of the learning experience I took him out at night time on a rural road that includes gravel. The entire road is sign posted 100 km/h. It is impossible to drive on this road at 100km/h - despite what the sign says at the beginning.
The message - driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions is more important than trying to drive to the speed written on some sign. I hope he got the message.

First bit +1
Second bit. What a good idea.. but lets hope he does not try it.

[Ocean1]

Think I'll start another poll.

How many of you have ever seen another person's core behaviour permanently change?

[SMOKEU]

rural road that includes gravel. The entire road is sign posted 100 km/h. It is impossible to drive on this road at 100km/h - despite what the sign says at the beginning.

It can be done - I've been at almost twice that speed on gravel in a cage. Wouldn't try it on the CBR though.

[george formby]

It can be done - I've been at almost twice that speed on gravel in a cage. Wouldn't try it on the CBR though.

Bloody noisy is'nt it?

[FJRider]

Think I'll start another poll.

How many of you have ever seen another person's core behaviour permanently change?

I have ... but she was worth it ....

OH ... you're still talking about speed ... right ... ???

[AllanB]

I often hear statements from the authorities that alcohol is a factor in a large percentage of road deaths and accidents.

It also causes untold social issues from (ahem) lubricating (so to speak) young girls into sexy-times they would not entertain if sober (pretty sure that used to be called dating a few decades back ), family violence and numerous medical issues. Not to mention the stink of urine around town on a Saturday morning.

So logically it should be banned.

I may have to ponder this over a cool beer.


Back to speeding - if indeed speeding is so evil it would be a easy thing for all motorized vehicles to be governed to say 125 max (giving a emergency allowance).
I was looking at a $360,000 Maserati this afternoon (just looking, no touching!) as I waited for a tyre to be fitted - I bet that will never go over 100!.

[FJRider]

I was looking at a $360,000 Maserati this afternoon (just looking, no touching!) as I waited for a tyre to be fitted - I bet that will never go over 100!.

I'd take that bet ...

pass me a beer would ya ... ??

[LBD]

5th poll option....

Has it created contempt for the law and disrespect for the police?
Most definately....

As a mature rider/ driver/ family person with an good safety record....driving to conditions etc....getting booked for 109 south of Levin on a straight wide dry road with hardly any traffic is nothing but utter revinue raising, making quotas, bullshit,...