What should the open road speed limit be?

[Ixion]

I could go along with the status quo, or even an 80 limit, much more happily if you had to exceed it for a reasonable time/distance before getting a ticket, as was the case before radar.

I object very strongly to the way that one can get a ticket for a momentary overage, perhaps in the course of an overtaking manoeuvre, when the excessive speed is arguably much safer than prolonged time on the wrong side of the road.

I think that a short period over the limit (it used to be 2 tenths of a mile from memory) should be disregarded.

A momentary oversight , perhaps down a steepish hill, or a brief excess in overtaking did not use to be a problem. Whereas now, police park themselves in positions where they pick up drivers in exactly that situation - who may perhaps have driven for hundreds of kilometres in legal rectitude, then get a ticket for a few seconds speeding. Taint right.

This overcomes the problem that, what speed you set a limit at, there will be a significant number of people who will trundle along 10 or 20 kph under it, and make it as difficult as possible to overtake them

There is in my mind a very ig difference between the driver who goes 20 or even 50 kph over the limit for a few hundred metres, then returns to legality, and the driver maintaining a constant illegal speed (not that I condemn either of them, but I think the two cases should be distinguished)

[specter]

should have open road 100 passing 130. would solve alot of problems and be more safe and less bullshit over taking someone doing 90 at 100kph is not safe

[ukusa]

should have open road 100 passing 130. would solve alot of problems and be more safe and less bullshit over taking someone doing 90 at 100kph is not safe

I agree, too many pricks use the entire overtaking lane to pass one vehicle.

[bogan]

There is in my mind a very ig difference between the driver who goes 20 or even 50 kph over the limit for a few hundred metres, then returns to legality, and the driver maintaining a constant illegal speed (not that I condemn either of them, but I think the two cases should be distinguished)

exactly, going at a speed faster than normal generally obtains more attention, even though the damage occuring if an accident occurs at those speeds increases, the chances of one occuring at all decrease! thats what I reckon anyway.

should have open road 100 passing 130. would solve alot of problems and be more safe and less bullshit over taking someone doing 90 at 100kph is not safe

fuck yeh, think it used to be known as officers discrimination.

I agree, too many pricks use the entire overtaking lane to pass one vehicle.

I managed even worse than that once! I was in the old mans ute, got the run on a truck into the passing lane up a hill, got about halfway up beside the truck then fuck, I'm slowing down, fuck, truck is unladen and ute is gutles, fuck it, pulled back in behind him. So took up an entire passing lane to pass no vehicles! :slap:

[Berries]

The actual speed limit is irrelevant, there will always be those who go below it and piss people off, or who go above it and are dangerous child killers. It is how those who exceed the limit are treated that is the real issue.

If I was the Minister I would leave the speed limit at 100km/h - too much cost in changing all the signs over. But exceeding the speed limit would not be an offence on its own, there would need to be other circumstances contributing to an increased crash risk - such as traffic volumes, dangerous overtaking, tailgating etc etc. So in essence, 180 on a short straight between the twisties would not be a ticket, nor would a quick blat past a line of traffic.

Then again, if I was the Minister I would be too busy watching porn with my gay lover than worrying about the plebs who have to drive themselves.

I see that nobody has voted for 90 yet. I bet that will be the open road speed limit within two years.

[Pixie]

Depends on the road.

there are roads that could safely (?) have posted speeds of 120. But I'd have these as a special case road and most would remain 100.

Why you ask?

I keep thinking back to my family holidays - January traveling Christchurch to Kaiteriteri and Easter traveling south to Wanaka - I am constantly amazed at the fools on the road who are incapable of driving in a safe manner at 100 little loan anything higher!

Rules tend to cater for the lowest form of driver so no matter how capable you and your vehicle are there will always be some dick driving like a crazy dog in a piece of unsafe crap.

When I traveled for my job,I would routinely sit around 120 kmh on backroads all over the North Island.I would take most corners without slowing and without ever crossing the centerline.This was in piece-of-shit Commodore Station Wagons.Never had an incident.

[Pixie]

..... have driven for hundreds of kilometres in legal rectitude

What kind of car is that?

[Swoop]

Take a leaf out of Queensland's book. 60kmh around town and 110 on the freeway.

[avgas]

What kind of car is that?

British....................

[oldrider]

Speed limits/tolerances have been a hot topic lately so though it was about time for another poll. I've looked back and have found other polls on speed, but couldn't find one asking this simple question.
If you were transport minister, what would set the open road speed limit at. That means the speed you would set for the benefit of the country, not for your own benefit.

Can't vote, you left out "unlimited"

Get rid of mandatory speed limits and come down hard and fast on "Dangerous driving"!

Convicted for dangerous driving....."Disqualified for life"!

Careless driving....three strikes converts to dangerous driving....your out!

No more stupid rules needed after that!

Watch the road toll go down then.

[_Shrek_]

leave cars & trucks as they are & lift bikes to 120 & 100kph for learners on the open road

[scumdog]

I voted for 80.

That way we can all feel like we're a rebel hero when doing 100kph...

[swbarnett]

My idea would be to set no legal speed limit. Have an advisory safe speed limit for trucks to take corners and use the dangerous driving charge for any silly behaviour on our roads.

+1 ........

[RiderInBlack]

I voted for 80.

That way we can all feel like we're a rebel hero when doing 100kph...

In some way I agree with that. It is human nature to go at the limit or just a bit faster. If ya really want driver ta be going 100kph or less, then ya need ta set the limit at 80kph, but only ticket them for 110kph or more, and allow the Cop more discretion (as it was like back in the 80's).
Allowance should be made for passing speeds. I'm happy with the 100kph limit, but do feel that they should only be ticketing for above 120kph on good road condition day, but drop that to ticket at 100kph where conditions are appalling.

[MSTRS:Me]

... but drop that to ticket at 100kph where conditions are appalling.

They can now. A lot of people forget aboyt those white signs with the black diagonal bar. Means 100kph in good conditions (whatever they are) but only 70kph in poor...