More evidence for raising speed limits

[FJRider]

If all new signs went up as yields would the lower cost of painting the shorter notice outweigh the trees cut down to explain there is little practical difference?

They could save costs even further ... and just have Stop signs ....

The extra revenue (in fines) gained would be the bonus ...

[Big Dog]

There is a big difference between "Knowing what is required" ... and ... "Doing what is required" ...

Everybody seems to have their own personal interpretations as to what is required (or convenient) ... at the time.

Too often the attempt to save a few minutes (or seconds) ... can waste a lot more than just time. Those that have been on the receiving end of a "Failing to ... give way/Stop" will know what I mean ...

Which bolls down to the majority of all road users believe their mode is better than all others and is multiplied by the vast majority thinking they are better drivers than everyone else on the road.

I assume I am not a good rider. I assume that 50% of drivers on the road should not have passed their license. These assumptions help me to accommodate for many things. Including a couple of saves from stop sign / red light runners.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[MVnut]

In my opinion almost all Stop signs are warranted. Stop means Stop....it's pretty fucking simple really........if you don't want to Stop, don't drive !

[swbarnett]

In my opinion almost all Stop signs are warranted. Stop means Stop....it's pretty fucking simple really........if you don't want to Stop, don't drive !

In only an insignificant number of cases is anything less than 5kph necessary to ascertain that it is safe to proceed. Any assertion to the contrary by police is either revenue gathering or a false sense of superiority.

[Tazz]

In only an insignificant number of cases is anything less than 5kph necessary to ascertain that it is safe to proceed. Any assertion to the contrary by police is either revenue gathering or a false sense of superiority.

You're forgetting to account for idiots.

[swbarnett]

You're forgetting to account for idiots.

No, I'm not.

At the vast majority of stop signs it is blatantly obvious whether or not it is safe to proceed without having to be absolutely stationary. Even for most of the idiots.

[Berries]

In my opinion almost all Stop signs are warranted.

Funny, I would say that the majority don't comply with the visibility requirements and they were put in for some other reason. Like the ones at crossroads that were originally give way but opposite a stop sign and the locals were just too thick to know how the rules worked so they dumbed it down to make it easy.

if you don't want to Stop, don't drive !

I ride actually. Which is interesting because the additional height you have on a bike can overcome the visibility constraints that might have caused the intersection to be stop controlled, for instance guardrail to the right of the intersection that you can't see over in a car. So coming to a physical stop in that example does not increase safety for anyone.

[Tazz]

No, I'm not.

At the vast majority of stop signs it is blatantly obvious whether or not it is safe to proceed without having to be absolutely stationary. Even for most of the idiots.

I wouldn't put my life on it. 'Good' drivers even rage out about/struggle to comprehend how they can pass a bunch of traffic only to have them catch up at traffic lights. Fark knows what is going through a 'bad' drivers skull on the road, but I doubt it is much to do with actual driving.

[FJRider]

I wouldn't put my life on it.

In my opinion ... those that don't stop for Stop signs ... are betting their life on it being the right decision.

'Good' drivers even rage out about/struggle to comprehend how they can pass a bunch of traffic only to have them catch up at traffic lights.

On a daily commute I once had between Alexandra and Cromwell (to/from work) ... through the Cromwell gorge ... cars passing me in the early stages (in either direction) were seldom more than 30 seconds ahead after the 33 kilometer journey. The effort they made and risks taken in overtaking numerous vehicles ... for 30 seconds gained.

I wonder what they did with the time they saved ...

Fark knows what is going through a 'bad' drivers skull on the road, but I doubt it is much to do with actual driving.

My guess is ... absolutely nothing whatsoever ...

[FJRider]

Which bolls down to the majority of all road users believe their mode is better than all others and is multiplied by the vast majority thinking they are better drivers than everyone else on the road.

People never make bad and dangerous decisions ... Intentionally ... do they .. ???

The old "I've done it plenty of times before .. with no problems" gets trotted out when it all turns to custard ...

I assume I am not a good rider. I assume that 50% of drivers on the road should not have passed their license. These assumptions help me to accommodate for many things. Including a couple of saves from stop sign / red light runners.

All reports of drivers/riders driving standard improving when a marked patrol vehicle is behind them ... is in direct contrast to that claim.

[Tazz]

In my opinion ... those that don't stop for Stop signs ... are betting their life on it being the right decision.

I was meaning me fanging down the road and relying on them to have the brainpower to double check and not pull out in front/onto me from the intersection.

Otherwise (shock horror) I agree with everything else. I definitely still overtake, but you can't get worked up about it when there is someone even slower that enables everyone to catch up, you'll pop too many veins. It's just part of driving. Same goes with intersections. What's a few more seconds to be sure you're not going to get squished. Shouldn't really be a drama. And if you don't want to stop because you can clearly see nothing is coming at that time of day/night? Big whoop, no need to sing and dance, just double check for cops instead of getting precious and if you get squished stay quiet about it XD

Anyway, back to the speed thing. If it was open limit I'd say as a trade off you'd want stop signs at every intersection in those areas to save yourself from your own or someone elses stupidity. I suppose that would be a big issue for some unfortunately.

[FJRider]

I was meaning me fanging down the road and relying on them to have the brainpower to double check and not pull out in front/onto me from the intersection.

The proverbial thought "I'm in the right so I'll be ok" comes to mind ... the amount of trust you have in other road users to do the "Right thing" is entirely up to each individual rider/driver ... at the time. My personal advice to all is ... doubt you have your rights .. in THEIR mind. You may live longer.

Otherwise (shock horror) I agree with everything else. I definitely still overtake, but you can't get worked up about it when there is someone even slower that enables everyone to catch up, you'll pop too many veins. It's just part of driving. Same goes with intersections. What's a few more seconds to be sure you're not going to get squished. Shouldn't really be a drama. And if you don't want to stop because you can clearly see nothing is coming at that time of day/night? Big whoop, just double check for cops instead of getting precious.

Thank you ... and I'm not worried about them overtaking me ... if it is safely done. 100 meters of clear visibility is seldom available in the Cromwell gorge. The prevalence of sign written work vehicles doing it amuses me (Whats the rush to GET to work) ... and going home ... must be on a promise ..

Anyway, back to the speed thing. If it was open limit I'd say as a trade off you'd want stop signs at every intersection in those areas to save yourself from your own or someone else's stupidity. I suppose that would be a big issue for some unfortunately.

Sadly ... there is no law against stupidity.

Open limits would mean ... "If they can they will" ... the stupid included. Be careful what you wish for.

[Berries]

The proverbial thought "I'm in the right so I'll be ok" comes to mind ... the amount of trust you have in other road users to do the "Right thing" is entirely up to each individual rider/driver ... at the time. My personal advice to all is ... doubt you have your rights .. in THEIR mind. You may live longer.

Are you actually Yoda?

100 meters of clear visibility is seldom available in the Cromwell gorge.

A short sighted Yoda?

[swbarnett]

I wouldn't put my life on it. 'Good' drivers even rage out about/struggle to comprehend how they can pass a bunch of traffic only to have them catch up at traffic lights. Fark knows what is going through a 'bad' drivers skull on the road, but I doubt it is much to do with actual driving.

If they make a bad judgement while approaching an intersection at 5kph it's going to make fuck all difference if they had actually stopped. The risk is the same.

[swbarnett]

In my opinion ... those that don't stop for Stop signs ... are betting their life on it being the right decision.

In all practical ways the difference between 5kph and 0kph is insignificant at all but an infinitesimal number of stop signs.