15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95 - why ?

**TOTO** · 2nd May 2009, 21:01

I was doing some of my favourite roads today and round the twisties a question got into my head.

Why are all signposted corners as one of the following: 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, or 95 km/h ?

Why isnt there any corners that we are supposed to take with 30 km/h or with 50 km/h exactly. Why the 5 in all those recommended speeds ? how about corners with 43 km/h ?

my riding knowlage is only in the north island so I dont know about the south, but I have NEVER seen a sign for recommended corner speed, with a round number on it.

Is there a reason behind it? If yes, is it physical ? Is it psychologycal ? Is it like one of those $199.99 psychological bargains in the shops ?

can someone enlighten me please.

cherio.

**Ixion** · 2nd May 2009, 21:06

Yes. There is a reason.

Compulsory speed limits (ie get a ticket for exceeding them ) are (normally) in EVEN numbers. 30, 50, 60,70,80, 100

Recommended speed limits (no ticket if you ignore it) are in odd (multiples of 5 ) numbers . As you observe.

This is intended to facilitate people not getting confused. Based on my observation that the majority of the population is permanently confused, I think it optimistic.

None the less, that is the reason.

**Timber020** · 2nd May 2009, 21:07

Originally Posted by TOTO

I was doing some of my favourite roads today and round the twisties a question got into my head.

Why are all signposted corners as one of the following: 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, or 95 km/h ?

Why isnt there any corners that we are supposed to take with 30 km/h or with 50 km/h exactly. Why the 5 in all those recommended speeds ? how about corners with 43 km/h ?

my riding knowlage is only in the north island so I dont know about the south, but I have NEVER seen a sign for recommended corner speed, with a round number on it.

Is there a reason behind it? If yes, is it physical ? Is it psychologycal ? Is it like one of those $199.99 psychological bargains in the shops ?

can someone enlighten me please.

cherio.

All speed limit signs end with 0's I guess it might be to avoid confusion?

**Slyer** · 2nd May 2009, 21:12

I would like to see most compulsory speed signs replaced with recommened signs over time.
I can't say I've ever seen a 95.

**James Deuce** · 2nd May 2009, 21:16

I blame Swedish rounding.

**Ixion** · 2nd May 2009, 21:18

Originally Posted by Slyer

I can't say I've ever seen a 95.

I have. I wondered why they bothered.

**TOTO** · 2nd May 2009, 21:18

Originally Posted by Ixion

Yes. There is a reason.

Compulsory speed limits (ie get a ticket for exceeding them ) are (normally) in EVEN numbers. 30, 50, 60,70,80, 100

Recommended speed limits (no ticket if you ignore it) are in odd (multiples of 5 ) numbers . As you observe.

This is intended to facilitate people not getting confused. Based on my observation that the majority of the population is permanently confused, I think it optimistic.

None the less, that is the reason.

Quality answer as usual. thank you.

edit: oh and there is a 95km/h on the coro

(saw it today)

**yod** · 2nd May 2009, 21:20

Originally Posted by James Deuce

I blame Swedish rounding.

indeed, it's all his fault

**Headbanger** · 2nd May 2009, 21:25

Originally Posted by TOTO

my riding knowlage is only in the north island so I dont know about the south, but I have NEVER seen a sign for recommended corner speed, with a round number on it.

Drove the length of the South Island a couple weeks back, It seems the Put 20 signs on every damn thing mania hasn't yet hit the place. Barely saw any signs at all,In fact the lack of them was raised numerous times. Had to get out of the mindset that every corner,every slight blip in the road or patch of gravel would be signposted.

Of course it may also have something to do with the complete lack of people apart from tourists and the odd cocky, at night there was a lot of trucks.

**MaxCannon** · 2nd May 2009, 21:26

Lots of 95kph signs on the way to Taupo via Matamata.

Seems pointless, if you can't get round the corner at 100 going 5kph slower isn't going to help. You should leave the driving to someone else.

**jaymzw** · 2nd May 2009, 21:26

Could also be the government constantly banging the slow down message in to every New Zealanders head. We drive at 50 70 or 100 usually, these speed recommended signs are always lower than this.

Funny story, whilst learning to drive on my 15th Birthday i learnt two lessons from my old man.
1-always wear your seatbelt
2-all those signs are half the speed im allowed to go around the corner at

**Slyer** · 2nd May 2009, 21:28

Originally Posted by Ixion

I have. I wondered why they bothered.

They must use them for corners that look sharp, so they put them there to let you know you don't need to slow.

**MadDuck** · 2nd May 2009, 21:28

Originally Posted by MaxCannon

Lots of 95kph signs on the way to Taupo via Matamata.

Seems pointless, if you can't get round the corner at 100 going 5kph slower isn't going to help. You should leave the driving to someone else.

Yeah there is one or two....never really understood it myself. Then theres the 45Kms ones that just dont make sense as they are easily taken a "bit" faster.