SA 25Kph speed limit when passing emergency vehicles

rockylizard · Guru

SA 25Kph speed limit when passing emergency vehicles

Dougwe · Chief one feather

How, Rocky.

IMO I reckon the 25kmh speed limit is way too slow and dangerous as mentioned in the article above. At least by changing it to 40kmh it will be in line with QLD, NSW and VIC. I am unaware of any rule in other states and Territories.

I was in the ACT a couple of weeks ago and noticed a flashing light ahead so started to slow down in plenty of time to be at 40kmh as going past only to get abuse from those behind me. I didn't care about the abuse as I was unsure of the rule there but happy I slowed down. just in case.

IMO again, It's time for change and make road rules the same nationally. NO CONFUSION THEN!

That all said and IMO yet again, I think 40kmh is overkill, I understand and agree we should slow down but 60kmh would be a little more realistic on major roads and freeways. I have no problem with the 40kmh in built up areas.

Tony Bev · Guru

I agree that we should slow down for flashing lights, police/emergency/road/towing/ workers, have a job to do, and have a right to be protected

I also agree that whatever the reduced speed is, it should be uniform throughout Australia, to avoid any confusion

I was first in line at a roadwork stop, one day
I gave the stop/go man, a bottle of cold drinking water from my fridge

It was a lengthy stop, of well over ten minutes
We got talking, and he told me that I would not believe the amount of motorist, who had verbally abused him

aussie_paul · Guru

Dougwe wrote:

IMO I reckon the 25kmh speed limit is way too slow and dangerous as mentioned in the article above. At least by changing it to 40kmh it will be in line with QLD, NSW and VIC. I am unaware of any rule in other states and Territories.

I was in the ACT a couple of weeks ago and noticed a flashing light ahead so started to slow down in plenty of time to be at 40kmh as going past only to get abuse from those behind me. I didn't care about the abuse as I was unsure of the rule there but happy I slowed down. just in case.

IMO again, It's time for change and make road rules the same nationally. NO CONFUSION THEN!

That all said and IMO yet again, I think 40kmh is overkill, I understand and agree we should slow down but 60kmh would be a little more realistic on major roads and freeways. I have no problem with the 40kmh in built up areas.

I totally agree Doug. GEE, that saved me a lot of "hen peck" typing. biggrin

Aussie Paul. smile

Mike Harding · Guru

Hmmmmm... 110kph to 25kph = very, very, very, very difficult.

Hmmmmm... 110kph to 40kph = very, very, very difficult.

Knee-jerk law... as is so often the case in Australia.

LLD · Guru

Come over a hill at 100kph with a 75tonne semi behind you and spot the flashing lights, slam on the brakes to get to 25kph. But can the truck do the same? No.

Roadworks are 25kph in SA.Not that easy hold a motorbike steady at that speed.

Dickodownunder · Guru

Roadworks are forewarned by signage.
Police traffic duties are not.
Therein is the difference.
Road safety under the police patrol conditions would depend entirely on the location and many other physical conditions.
I tend to agree the 25 kph is an overkill and maybe 40 kph be a little bit safer for motorists to comply.
Making the rules uniform through all states is a big plus as well.

Long Weekend · Guru

I believe that it is also 25km/h through school zones in SA. At least those zones are a little more predicable.

I also believe that it says a lot about South Australians' road behaviour - they are worse than other states so they have to slow down more.

Anyway, three weeks ago I towed the van down the Monaro Hwy towards Cooma. Along the way a police car was giving a winning ticket to a car on the other side of the road. The three or four vehicles in our cluster all slowed down to 40km/h, as did the half a dozen or so - including a semi - heading north on the other side. So the word has gotten out about slowing down for emergency lights.

Murray

dogbox · Guru

Dougwe wrote:

How, Rocky.

IMO I reckon the 25kmh speed limit is way too slow and dangerous as mentioned in the article above. At least by changing it to 40kmh it will be in line with QLD, NSW and VIC. I am unaware of any rule in other states and Territories.

I was in the ACT a couple of weeks ago and noticed a flashing light ahead so started to slow down in plenty of time to be at 40kmh as going past only to get abuse from those behind me. I didn't care about the abuse as I was unsure of the rule there but happy I slowed down. just in case.

IMO again, It's time for change and make road rules the same nationally. NO CONFUSION THEN!

That all said and IMO yet again, I think 40kmh is overkill, I understand and agree we should slow down but 60kmh would be a little more realistic on major roads and freeways. I have no problem with the 40kmh in built up areas.

act went to 40 klm couple of months before nsw

dogbox · Guru

Tony Bev wrote:

I agree that we should slow down for flashing lights, police/emergency/road/towing/ workers, have a job to do, and have a right to be protected

I also agree that whatever the reduced speed is, it should be uniform throughout Australia, to avoid any confusion

I was first in line at a roadwork stop, one day

I gave the stop/go man, a bottle of cold drinking water from my fridge

It was a lengthy stop, of well over ten minutes

We got talking, and he told me that I would not believe the amount of motorist, who had verbally abused him

if tow trucks and other personel doing their job are to be included they should have red and blue lights fitted to avoid any confusion with all the other yellow flashing lights like wide loads, cranes ,work site veichles garbage trucks ect ect ect

Rod Mac · Veteran Member

Here we go again, it is about time all motorists and motoring bodies start pushing for uniform federal road rules across all states, it is ridiculous to have varying rules.

As for slowing down for Emergency vehicles yes it is a good idea, indeed a major safety one as I know how it is on the Highway at Emergencies, (35years Permanent Fire Brigade)

I think 40kph may be a bit slow for Highway situations, 60kph would be more realistic and more achievable from a safety point of slowing down in a hurry.

vince56 · Senior Member

They've just gotta repeal that law, as I've said before Someone Is Gunna Get Killed! It is just Dumb on a highway to slow to 40 with no official sign indicating the need.
All it will take is someone looking at their phone or GPS or whatever other distraction in their car and Wham!
I've had two close calls myself (one car, one truck) so heaven knows how many times a day a near miss is happening.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I agree that a limit of 25Kph when there are emergency vehicles on the side of the road/highway with lights flashing - performing their duties - it has the potential to create dangerous situations rather than reduce them.

I consider that 40Kph is much more realistic - but that too may also create dangerous situations rather than reduce them.

However, let's be honest here. Surely when driving it is incumbent on each road user to be cognisant of their surrounds, to drive to the conditions and to be aware of other road users.

So, if one suddenly sees an emergency vehicle with lights flashing one needs to reduce speed quickly and safely.

One could suggest that would be the no different to finding a hole in the road, pedestrian, horse, cow, dog, stopped motorcycle, stopped vehicle ahead and having to take, at minimum, braking action ... or worse - evasive action.

I agree that any following vehicle/truck/motorcycle etc needs to also be cognisant of their surrounds, to drive to the conditions and to be aware of other road users. Perhaps thereby lies the problem as mentioned in posts here. Other folk are not capable of 'reading the traffic/road' ahead and fail to see flashing lights - or the hole in the road, pedestrian, horse, cow, dog, stopped motorcycle, stopped vehicle ahead.

Jest sayin' hmm

Cheers - John

Ger08 · Senior Member

I was in SA recently and happily cruising along at 100kph when I saw some emergency vehicles with lights flashing and nearly got cleaned up by truck right behind us as I slowed to 25 mph. Its crazy 40 - 60 is much safer

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Its about responsibility. Work cover etc.But why do some have to have traffic control ? While others dont ! No signs etc . If youve done workcover traffic control .Signs are a MUST !! If your working on the road .

Steve794 · Member

Does anyone know how S.A. came up with 25kph when all other states mandated 40kph?
Maybe they just wanted to be different!
Cheers

rockylizard · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Its about responsibility. Work cover etc.But why do some have to have traffic control ? While others dont ! No signs etc . If youve done workcover traffic control .Signs are a MUST !! If your working on the road .

Gday...

I don't think plod, when stopping vehicles to book etc, are required to engage 'traffic control' or erect signs etc. Their flashing red and blue are their equivalent.

Similarly, fire and ambo are not required to engage 'traffic control' or erect signs either ... hence traffic is required to 'adjust' to the circumstances to provide 'safety' to those engaged in their official pursuits.

An emergency services vehicle includes:

Ambulance
Fire service vehicle (CFS, MFS or Federal Aviation Rescue)
State Emergency Services (SES) vehicle
Police.

Bit hard to employ a 'lollypop' dude with slow/stop sign and signs stating 25Kph ahead.

The 25Kph rule does not apply to roadworkers etc ... just emergency vehicles displaying their flashing lights. Roadworkers are required to employ 'traffic control' and signage to warn approaching traffic of their activities ahead.

http://mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/drive25

Cheers - John

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes . Red and blue lights DONT prevent accidents when vehicles are doing 110 to 40 kph without notice. The same rules apply . Or should apply . Im all for safety . Cant have it both ways .

Mike Harding · Guru

How will this law be enforced?

1 - Is it just the *opinion* of a police officer (fireman et al) who thinks a vehicle was exceeding 40kph?

2 - Will there be a radar trap?

3 - A second officer with a Lidar?

4 - A stealth second police car following offending vehicles?

What? How?

Answer 1 is just silly, 2, 3 and 4 are entrapment and indicate it couldn't have been much of an emergency.

Another knee-jerk law with no thought behind it.

Dickodownunder · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
How will this law be enforced?
1 - Is it just the *opinion* of a police officer (fireman et al) who thinks a vehicle was exceeding 40kph?
2 - Will there be a radar trap?
3 - A second officer with a Lidar?
4 - A stealth second police car following offending vehicles?
What? How?
Answer 1 is just silly, 2, 3 and 4 are entrapment and indicate it couldn't have been much of an emergency.
Another knee-jerk law with no thought behind it.

Mike brings up some very valid points.

in years gone by we all had a thing called respect and this respect in most cases would cause us to slow down if someone was working on or at the side of a road.

Nowdays everyone is in a big hurry and most have no respect especially when it comes to road use, hence the introduction of these laws.

If I were a police officer or emergency service worker I would want the same rules extended to me as happens with a roadworks gang.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I guess as an emergency worker . Without barriers we have to lower traffic speed or traffic control to block lanes for clearance etc Where i find these new laws being dangerous is the no advance warning to traffic . Ok I understand radar traps , RBT etc .If theres two cars ? The other patrol car usually parks 100m down the road with lights on . Yes theres no respect . Back in 80s we blocked lanes with only a few witches hats out . Now we have 3 signs Atleast 100m up the toad depending on co diction and speed. If its ok for some just to have red & blue lights with no signs up the road ? One of them is not up to workcover traffic control law . Yes I understand in criminal situations. There is no choice . They are designing roads to have better parking etc for RBT now .

dogbox · Guru

vince56 wrote:

They've just gotta repeal that law, as I've said before Someone Is Gunna Get Killed! It is just Dumb on a highway to slow to 40 with no official sign indicating the need.

All it will take is someone looking at their phone or GPS or whatever other distraction in their car and Wham!

I've had two close calls myself (one car, one truck) so heaven knows how many times a day a near miss is happening.

people are been killed an injured it is the emergency worker on the side of the road

if people are inattentive (phone,gps what ever) who is at biggest risk a person on foot or a person with some protection in a vehicle. the law is in effect learn to live with it how it is enforced is another thing I don't want to be a test case, when you get a speeding ticket it usually says exceed speed by 0-15 ,15-30 ect very expensive to argue the point in court I would rather just slow down safely

vince56 · Senior Member

Dogbox wrote, "..... I would rather just slow down safely".
My point is that I am happy to slow down but you CANNOT guarantee it will be safe because there are so many on the roads who do not pay due attention to what is going on around them and ahead of them.
I believe this law is a dangerous one and I do not trust other road users to be as aware as I am, simple.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

The point is a semi, caravan CANNOT slow down at the SAME rate or distance of a car !! There will be more accidents ..

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Thursday 4th of October 2018 08:27:08 PM

whiteman · Senior Member

Can someone please explain to me why SA seem to be at odds with the rest of Australia, doesn`t seem to matter whether it`s electricity or road rules and I was going to say Governments but they seem to have found their mojo if the last election is to be believed....lovely place to visit but the do love to be different.

Hewy54 · Senior Member

whiteman wrote:
Can someone please explain to me why SA seem to be at odds with the rest of Australia, doesn`t seem to matter whether it`s electricity or road rules and I was going to say Governments but they seem to have found their mojo if the last election is to be believed....lovely place to visit but the do love to be different.

Not sure if we are at odds.

I believe SA was one of the first to introduce the limit, and while we are still at 25 kph which is a bit slow for alround safety, others states have followed.

On the power question, SA again took the plunge years ago to try more sustainable energy sources, with some hickups, and again I believe that some other states are now following.

Santa · Guru

Hewy54 wrote:

On the power question, SA again took the plunge years ago to try more sustainable energy sources, with some hickups, and again I believe that some other states are now following.

Certainly hope they don't follow our example with prices, cost of power in SA is outrageous.

When oldies go to bed to keep warm rather than turn on a heater you really do have a problem.

Hewy54 · Senior Member

Santa wrote:
Hewy54 wrote:

On the power question, SA again took the plunge years ago to try more sustainable energy sources, with some hickups, and again I believe that some other states are now following.

Certainly hope they don't follow our example with prices, cost of power in SA is outrageous.
When oldies go to bed to keep warm rather than turn on a heater you really do have a problem.

Very interested in this.

Just looked at my last bill and I am paying .38c per kw.

What are people paying in other states?

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

32c here . 12c buy back on my solar . NSW .. Just changed provider . Recently fitted 11.6 Kw solar panels . Next bill will be interesting . I think you need to change provider to get better deals ? No such thing as looking after loyal customers these days . Insurance co . Telstra, Fox TV same .,

Santa · Guru

.38 cents KWH Moonta SA.