Speed kills?

**SPman** · 16th January 2009, 15:22

In the Northern Territories, there used to be no speed limit outside towns, no traffic police and no demerit points. That all changed at the beginning of last year, in the interests of "safety".
Now the figures are in for last year with it's introduction of speed limits, demerit points and a police traffic branch... and the doubling of speeding fines.
Road deaths
2000 - 51
2001 - 50
2002 - 55
2003 - 53
2004 - 35
2005 - 55
2006 - 44
2007 - 57 - average over 8 yrs - 50
2008 - 75 - increase of 50% over the 8 yr average rate.
Population growth is about 2%/yrSo, what'll the authorities next campaign be....."Road Safety costs lives people, but it'll be worth it. For your safety. We're raising fines again." ?

**Jantar** · 16th January 2009, 15:25

This has happened in many places around the world. Decrease the open road speed limit and increase enforcement and the road toll has increased. Increase the open road speed limit and decrease enforcement and the road toll has dropped.

**Grahameeboy** · 16th January 2009, 15:26

Interesting stats....

I remember in the UK, forget where now, they used to have the Police directing traffic and decided to see what would happen if they removed them...well less congestion, less accidents.

**Naki Rat** · 16th January 2009, 15:47

I suspect that wasn't meant to happen. Perhaps whatever happened in 2004 might be worth repeating?

**musicman** · 16th January 2009, 15:52

Originally Posted by Jantar

This has happened in many places around the world. Decrease the open road speed limit and increase enforcement and the road toll has increased. Increase the open road speed limit and decrease enforcement and the road toll has dropped.

That's interesting, I wonder why that is? Any reason?

**Hitcher** · 16th January 2009, 15:56

Originally Posted by Jantar

This has happened in many places around the world. Decrease the open road speed limit and increase enforcement and the road toll has increased. Increase the open road speed limit and decrease enforcement and the road toll has dropped.

Which is why I believe that the limit on Wellington's Centennial Highway should be raised to 100kmh, now that it is littered with many km of cheesecutter median barrier. People only drive into the barrier because they're bored shitless or mesmerised by it. Indeed, increase the limit to 120kmh and remove the barrier entirely.

**Trouser** · 16th January 2009, 15:59

Originally Posted by musicman

That's interesting, I wonder why that is? Any reason?

The cocoon of speed limit safety?

I'm doing the speed limit so I don't need to concentrate. Or this is soo boringly slow that I'm nodding off.

**KiwiRat** · 16th January 2009, 18:40

This document echoes your views regarding the focus solely on reducung speed.

**ElCoyote** · 16th January 2009, 18:40

Originally Posted by musicman

That's interesting, I wonder why that is? Any reason?

Yep, when you artificially regulate everybody to an arbitary limit it only takes one Pillock to religiously adhere to that and you have a plethora of vehicles occupying the same space and only chaos can ensue. Let water find it's own level and do not stifle traffic flow and suddenly NO PROBLEMS. Pity the shiny bums in Gubbmint can't see that but then again if Alan Clark wasn't aware that he/she was doing more than 100kph then I guess that say's it all.

**Richi** · 16th January 2009, 18:56

This is truly amazing. It makes not much sense but interesting all the same. The only problem i can see is on the 1 lane motorways round nz people will STILL do 80kmph and u may get silly passing manouvers. But then again you cant argue with statistics

**MSTRS:Me** · 16th January 2009, 19:21

Originally Posted by musicman

That's interesting, I wonder why that is? Any reason?

Originally Posted by Trouser

The cocoon of speed limit safety?

I'm doing the speed limit so I don't need to concentrate. Or this is soo boringly slow that I'm nodding off.

Yep. When 'you' are responsible for setting 'your' limit, you pay attention to what you are doing.
Of course, if/when 'you' get it wrong, the outcome can be just that bit worse...
The idea of reducing speed to reduce seriousness of crashes is sound. The problem lies with the human factor. Bored inattention. Can't legislate on that.

**Dare** · 16th January 2009, 19:25

I think it is because not having a speed limit basically forces people to drive at a speed/in a way that is exactly comfortable for THEM and not for the law/their perception of rebelling against the law. Much like the difference between 16 year olds drinking in italy and NZ, they both get drunk but the italians have been drinking wine since they were little so there is no reason to 'rebel' to the point of lying in a ditch throwing their guts up every weekend.