Rejoice - slow driver fined

Ger08 · Senior Member

Rejoice - slow driver fined

hako · Guru

Police say: " Can't do the limit stay off the freeway! "....so to me that means it's OK to do 28kph below the speed limit if the road isn't a freeway.

Most country roads I've driven on are not freeways but have posted speed limits of 100/110kph so it's OK to go slow?

Good Luck.

yogi · Veteran Member

was a freeway tho 80k , could be a problem

LLD · Guru

hako wrote:
Police say: " Can't do the limit stay off the freeway! "....so to me that means it's OK to do 28kph below the speed limit if the road isn't a freeway.

Most country roads I've driven on are not freeways but have posted speed limits of 100/110kph so it's OK to go slow?

Good Luck.

On the Great Ocean Road there are turnout lanes that courteous people use. I believe there is rule that if you are doing a certain speed below the speed limit on a non-Freeway, you are obliged to pull over and let others past. There are a lot of turnout lanes or overtaking lanes these days. But don't you just love those people who speed up when the road gets wider and you just cannot get past. And those who think they are not a roadblock (which is what a lot of truckies refer to caravans as).

In some states in the US, if you are even marginally below the speed limit on non-Freeways and you have more that 5? vehicles queued up behind you, you are obliged to let them past.

There is law and common sense.

LLD · Guru

yogi wrote:
was a freeway tho 80k , could be a problem

Nah. It would appear more than 20k below the freeway limit whether it be 80, 90 etc.

blaze · Guru

I driven that freeway at 1METER ever 10 minutes, they will have a field day then
cheers
blaze

LLD · Guru

blaze wrote:
I driven that freeway at 1METER ever 10 minutes, they will have a field day then
cheers
blaze

That would be the traffic jam caused by the slow driver at the front

Hewy54 · Senior Member

blaze wrote:
I driven that freeway at 1METER ever 10 minutes, they will have a field day then
cheers
blaze

Not sure what you are saying.

Eaglemax · Guru

Infringement says- "drive on a freeway 21 kph under the speed limit"

That means in a 100kph zone freeway you can (legally) drive at 80+ kph

So when they say "drive at the limit or get off the freeway"....they are not correct and that statement is misleading.

So I'm going to still be content to tow safely at 90-95kph on a freeway posted at 100kph LIMIT!!.

for those that think we should all be like sheep, all have the same capability of machines and vans - LIMIT means -

-a point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass.

Tony

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Tuesday 15th of January 2019 06:54:39 PM

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Tuesday 15th of January 2019 06:55:03 PM

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Tuesday 15th of January 2019 06:57:06 PM

Mamil · Senior Member

I though that was why we had three lanes, so people could do a variety of speeds and not impede others? Granted, doing 80kph in the outside lane would be pretty rude but I didn't realise it was actually an offence!

Ger08 · Senior Member

Interesting responses- it now appears that the TEG in WA are going to enforce this not only on the freeway but also on some regional roads, although different rules will have to be used in the non freeway areas.

This reminds me of a character we followed on the Nullarbor for a while, towing a van at 78kph, it was ridiculous, what made it even funnier was the van had their names and uhf channels on it but not once did they respond our calls or any from the truckies.

Whenarewethere · Guru

There are enough regional roads with 100 limit & I would not be caught dead driving more than 80, poor surface, shocking camber, risk of animals jumping out in front of you. Had this happen once doing 70 on a 100 road. If I was doing 71 I would have hit the cow which jumped out of a ditch obscured by reeds. Frightening & dangerous stuff.

93 is the most economical speed while keeping the car in 6th gear. In NT at 134 the car uses double the fuel.

I also try not to hold up others & speed up a bit & then let them overtake where it is safe.

Possum3 · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
93 is the most economical speed while keeping the car in 6th gear.

Are you towing a van? Is your sixth gear an overdrive top gear? If yes to both Don't use to tow as it will kill your gearbox.

Eaglemax · Guru

Good reply that.

LUCKY LOZ · Veteran Member

I agree if you cannot do 90 klm hr maybe be you should not be on the road but just recently i told a truckie that I was going to buy a caravan and travel around Australia.
He said so you are going to join the masses that are driving us crazy..
I replied that yes I was going to get my sweet revenge on all those truckies that hogged the right hand lane to overtake a slower truck on the hiways and prevented motorists from overtaking. He was a little gobsmacked. LOL

Whenarewethere · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
93 is the most economical speed while keeping the car in 6th gear.
Are you towing a van? Is your sixth gear an overdrive top gear? If yes to both Don't use to tow as it will kill your gearbox.

Don't have a towbar. It's petrol. Last trip 17,000 km including 2,000 km corrugated & off road & sand. 500 kg payload. 10.48 L/100. To keep fuel economy reasonable avoiding the turbo working too much saves a lot of fuel.

iana · Guru

The max speed on that freeway is 100k, the minimum speed is 80k. So he must have been doing 52kph.

Hewy54 · Senior Member

iana wrote:
The max speed on that freeway is 100k, the minimum speed is 80k. So he must have been doing 52kph.

No, he was doing 28 under the speed LIMIT.

So 100-28=72.

He was doing 72 kph.

iana · Guru

What you are saying is that he was doing 8kph (probably less, but allowing for speedometer error) under the minimum speed allowed. 100kph is the max speed, and there is a 20kph allowed under. Ask the drivers of mobile cranes etc. This is a news story, they can't even tell if its a freeway or a highway.

Hewy54 · Senior Member

iana wrote:
What you are saying is that he was doing 8kph (probably less, but allowing for speedometer error) under the minimum speed allowed. 100kph is the max speed, and there is a 20kph allowed under. Ask the drivers of mobile cranes etc. This is a news story, they can't even tell if its a freeway or a highway.

" Officers reportedly clocked the car travelling at 28 km/h under the 100 km/h speed limit."

By my calculations that still equates to 100-28=72 kph.

Ger08 · Senior Member

It seems from other stories the driver was speed was 72kph - hopefully he has learnt a lesson and will now drive appropriately or hand his licence in.

dogbox · Guru

Mamil wrote:

I though that was why we had three lanes, so people could do a variety of speeds and not impede others? Granted, doing 80kph in the outside lane would be pretty rude but I didn't realise it was actually an offence!

if the speed limit is more than 80kph you must keep left unless overtaking
it is an offence to overtake someone on the left an the person in the right lane could be charged with obstructing traffic/failing to keep left as well

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

VIC
You must not overtake a vehicle on the left, unless you are on a multi-lane road and the vehicle can be safely overtaken in a marked lane, or the vehicle you wish to overtake is turning right or making a u-turn from the centre of the road and is giving a right change of direction signal.

https://www.racv.com.au/on-the-road/driving-maintenance/road-safety/road-rules/keeping-left.html

QLD
You can only overtake to the left of a vehicle if it is safe to do so and: you are driving on a multi-lane road and the vehicle can be overtaken in a marked lane to the left of the vehicle. the vehicle is turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of the road and is indicating right.

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/road/left

NSW
Overtake on the right unless a vehicle is waiting to turn right, is stationary, or if you and the other vehicle are travelling in marked lanes. In these instances you may overtake on the left side if it is safe. Not overtake or pass other vehicles on pedestrian or school crossings.

https://www.mynrma.com.au/cars-and-driving/driver-training-and-licences/resources/do-you-keep-left-unless-overtaking

SA
On the left on a multi-lane road, when you are in another lane to the left of the vehicle you are overtaking and the vehicle can be safely overtaken in a marked lane to the left of the vehicle.

http://mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/the-drivers-handbook/overtaking

WA
Overtaking on the left - Permitted when driving on a multi-lane road;

https://roadrules.rsc.wa.gov.au/road-rules/overtaking

I tired of further searching ... however, the rule is pretty much uniform throughout Straya.

Cheers - John

2-Smiths · Veteran Member

Interesting thread.

Some observations:

The "speed limit" is the maximum allowed. Not a set minimum. (In other words, you can travel below that limit. And in certain circumstances, you should.)

However...you still need to make - and more importantly allow - "progress" to be made. If you are holding up traffic, you can - and should - be fined for your trouble.

Over the Christmas break, the wife and I towed a medium-sized boat back home from Victoria. Took it very easy at first, esp. as it was very early morning/sun-up. Had people behind me, and made every effort to let them pass. (Even got an appreciative flash of the hazards from someone as a thank-you for letting them get by pretty much as soon as they came up on us, as it was safe to leave room for them at that point).

Was ~5-10KPH below the applicable limits all the way back. Always in the left lane, where one existed. Always in 4th (out of 5).

As someone else pointed out, knowing what/who is around you, and operating the vehicle in a considerate way, having regard to conditions and circumstance is largely a matter of common sense.

Trouble is, it's not as common as perhaps it should be...

iana · Guru

Western Australia Police Force Frequently asked questions.
Is there a minimum speed limit?
Yes. If you are travelling on a Freeway you must travel no slower than 20km/hr below the speed limit unless there is traffic congestion or road conditions dictate.
No more to add.

Ger08 · Senior Member

A follow up statement from WAPOL re slow driving thewest.com.au/news/traffic/police-speak-out-about-fine-for-slow-mitchell-freeway-driver-ng-b881074343z

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

What a sad indictment of WA drivers hmm

Depth perception at night decreases and other vehicles swerve to avoid running into the back of the slower vehicle, without checking the lane next to them is clear, and a crash occurs, the spokesperson said.

People get stuck behind the slow vehicle and cant change lanes due to vehicles doing the speed limit in the other lanes, those drivers decide to change lanes anyway due to frustration and it causes a crash.

WA must have the less skilled drivers and worst road toll in Straya if they cannot cope with encountering users of the road at differing speeds. cry

Cheers - John

Ger08 · Senior Member

rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
What a sad indictment of WA drivers
Depth perception at night decreases and other vehicles swerve to avoid running into the back of the slower vehicle, without checking the lane next to them is clear, and a crash occurs, the spokesperson said.
People get stuck behind the slow vehicle and cant change lanes due to vehicles doing the speed limit in the other lanes, those drivers decide to change lanes anyway due to frustration and it causes a crash.
WA must have the less skilled drivers and worst road toll in Straya if they cannot cope with encountering users of the road at differing speeds.
Cheers - John

Its pretty clear they dont want mobile road blocks on freeways

rockylizard · Guru

Ger08 wrote:
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
What a sad indictment of WA drivers
Depth perception at night decreases and other vehicles swerve to avoid running into the back of the slower vehicle, without checking the lane next to them is clear, and a crash occurs, the spokesperson said.
People get stuck behind the slow vehicle and cant change lanes due to vehicles doing the speed limit in the other lanes, those drivers decide to change lanes anyway due to frustration and it causes a crash.
WA must have the less skilled drivers and worst road toll in Straya if they cannot cope with encountering users of the road at differing speeds.
Cheers - John
Its pretty clear they don't want mobile road blocks on freeways

Gday...

So, there are only cars, 4x4, motorcycles allowed on the freeway? Everything else is a "mobile road block"?

Surely, WA drivers are sufficiently trained, experienced and intelligent to know that when driving a vehicle on ANY roadway it is very possible, indeed probable, that they WILL encounter "slower vehicles/road users". It is common knowledge that EVERY user on a highway/freeway/road will be travelling at differing speeds.

Is it foolish of me to assume they are unable to then negotiate these safely - ie without "running into the back of the slower vehicle, without checking the lane next to them is clear, and a crash occurs" ... and that "drivers decide to change lanes anyway due to frustration and it causes a crash". The road toll must be horrendous.

The mind boggles. How on earth do all the drivers who negotiate the roads/highways/freeways all over the rest of Straya cope. confuse

Cheers - John

Ger08 · Senior Member

rockylizard wrote:
Ger08 wrote:
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
What a sad indictment of WA drivers
Depth perception at night decreases and other vehicles swerve to avoid running into the back of the slower vehicle, without checking the lane next to them is clear, and a crash occurs, the spokesperson said.
People get stuck behind the slow vehicle and cant change lanes due to vehicles doing the speed limit in the other lanes, those drivers decide to change lanes anyway due to frustration and it causes a crash.
WA must have the less skilled drivers and worst road toll in Straya if they cannot cope with encountering users of the road at differing speeds.
Cheers - John
Its pretty clear they don't want mobile road blocks on freeways
Gday...
So, there are only cars, 4x4, motorcycles allowed on the freeway? Everything else is a "mobile road block"?
Surely, WA drivers are sufficiently trained, experienced and intelligent to know that when driving a vehicle on ANY roadway it is very possible, indeed probable, that they WILL encounter "slower vehicles/road users". It is common knowledge that EVERY user on a highway/freeway/road will be travelling at differing speeds.
Is it foolish of me to assume they are unable to then negotiate these safely - ie without "running into the back of the slower vehicle, without checking the lane next to them is clear, and a crash occurs" ... and that "drivers decide to change lanes anyway due to frustration and it causes a crash". The road toll must be horrendous.
The mind boggles. How on earth do all the drivers who negotiate the roads/highways/freeways all over the rest of Straya cope.
Cheers - John

its nothing to do with training etc. Its all about getting these slow lane hoggers to drive properly. This event has had enourmour support and positive feedback in Perth. Similar laws are available to be enforced in other stateS. I guess its pretty clear now that if you cant or wont drive at 80kph on the freeway dont take the freeway