The Jones Bill in America Raising the Speed Limit.

[csv8]

For the last few years, as budget-pressured states and municipalities have pressed law-enforcement to write more speeding and traffic tickets, employed speed cameras and battled in court against drivers who warn other drivers about speed traps, there are voices, including those of some police departments, saying higher speed limits would be safer and contribute to our quality of life.

Take Michigan State Senator Rick Jones, a Republican from Grand Ledge, Mich., and a former police officer, who has proposed that state speed limits be raised to as high as 80 mph, up from the upper limit of 70 mph. The Detroit News recently supported Jones' measure with an editorial.

Jones knows local police forces may fight the proposal until they figure out how to replace lost ticket revenue.

"All good police officers oppose speed traps," Jones says. "Speeds should be posted scientifically and properly for the safest speed and then the officers will catch the big violators. We don't need to get the average Joe getting to work." Jones also said the higher limits would afford police the ability to focus on other enforcement areas such as impaired, distracted or careless driving, and restraint (seat-belt) enforcement.

There is support at the state level.

"With artificially low speed limits we put police in a position of actually ticketing safe drivers," said Lt. Gary Megge of the Michigan State Police Traffic Services. He's pushing for Jones' bill.

Illinois has recently upped its speed limits on rural highways from 65 mph to 70 mph. And there is support in Wisconsin's state house for similarly increasing the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph, a measure that has support from some of the state's newspapers
http://autos.aol.com/article/higher-speed-limit-safer/

[BHDOGS]

and this relates to australia how?

[chevypower]

Utah already has 80 mph speed limits on the I-15 between Provo and Cedar City.

[LeadFoot81]

I guess if this bill goes through it will give a me meaning to "keeping up with the Joneses"

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

and this relates to australia how?

"All good police officers [insert "should" for Australia] oppose speed traps," Jones says. "Speeds should be posted scientifically and properly for the safest speed and then the officers will catch the big violators. We don't need to get the average Joe getting to work." Jones also said the higher limits would afford police the ability to focus on other enforcement areas such as impaired, distracted or careless driving, and restraint (seat-belt) enforcement [insert "and keeping left unless overtaking" for Australia].

"With artificially low speed limits we put police in a position of actually ticketing safe drivers," said Lt. Gary Megge of the Michigan State Police Traffic Services.

[Rockape]

Never happen here. There too drunk on all that revenue.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

and this relates to australia how?

We always end up copying the Yanks, just on a delayed loop. If sentiment is turning agains't speed cameras and calling for higher speeds, you can bet it will also change here in time.

[Rockape]

Sooner the better I think.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

We always end up copying the Yanks, just on a delayed loop. If sentiment is turning agains't speed cameras and calling for higher speeds, you can bet it will also change here in time.

You are dreaming, will never happen here.

[superyob]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

and this relates to australia how?

A valid point! To my knowledge, American roads are vastly superior to ours because of their much larger economy. Correct me if I am wrong...

Just because something is happening in one country does not automatically make it suitable for another...

[csv8]

I posted it because all Govco thinks of here, is how to rip more revenue from motorists. Whereas America is the opposite, at least in Michigan...just to give a different point of view...

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by superyob

A valid point! To my knowledge, American roads are vastly superior to ours because of their much larger economy. Correct me if I am wrong...

Just because something is happening in one country does not automatically make it suitable for another...

It's subjective, but I do not think they are superior here. More roads to manage, less time in the year to maintain the roads. Certainly the climate doesn't warrant faster speed limits in America. But they are faster, the freeways include twists and turns up and down the mountains, and the speed limits are still faster in a blizzard (though one should always adjust for the conditions). However, the roads tend to be wider, which makes it safer for faster driving. There's no reason why the Hume Fwy should not have a 130 limit between Melbourne and Sydney. Limit trucks to 110, keep them in the left lane. The reason they want the other lanes is so they don't have to vary their speed. Penalize drivers for cutting off trucks, driving too slow on the freeway, and not merging at an appropriate speed or method.

[Revolver]

Originally Posted by chevypower

It's subjective, but I do not think they are superior here. More roads to manage, less time in the year to maintain the roads. Certainly the climate doesn't warrant faster speed limits in America. But they are faster, the freeways include twists and turns up and down the mountains, and the speed limits are still faster in a blizzard (though one should always adjust for the conditions). However, the roads tend to be wider, which makes it safer for faster driving. There's no reason why the Hume Fwy should not have a 130 limit between Melbourne and Sydney. Limit trucks to 110, keep them in the left lane. The reason they want the other lanes is so they don't have to vary their speed. Penalize drivers for cutting off trucks, driving too slow on the freeway, and not merging at an appropriate speed or method.

Only one problem. This would require ACTUAL traffic policing. I've been driving a little more that ten years. (Chicken feed to other drivers with 30 yrs), but I am yet to see anyone be pulled over for not keeping left, not using an indicator, cutting off trucks (or any vehicle for that matter), etc, etc. Not once. And I challenge anyone else to say they have.

If this actually happened, it may work. But until then, it won't.

[Revolver]

Double post. Damn iPhone.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by Revolver 45

Only one problem. This would require ACTUAL traffic policing. I've been driving a little more that ten years. (Chicken feed to other drivers with 30 yrs), but I am yet to see anyone be pulled over for not keeping left, not using an indicator, cutting off trucks (or any vehicle for that matter), etc, etc. Not once. And I challenge anyone else to say they have.

If this actually happened, it may work. But until then, it won't.

proud to say challenge accepted, the only fines iv seen in 40yrs are the keep left..
unfortunately that was 18 months ago and just 3 cars. (could have been more)

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Revolver 45

I am yet to see anyone be pulled over for not keeping left, not using an indicator.....And I challenge anyone else to say they have

Me. Yep, I was silly, hurrying to get to a movie. Totally deserved it.

[steve.zissou]

I drove 10,000 miles in the US a few months ago and did the same a year earlier.

always drove about 80mph on the interstates - never had an issue.

There were some cities where they were known for fining as many people as possible (like Victoria i guess) but these were easy to spot because all the drivers would drive 5mph under the limit, not pay attention to the road and drive in the over taking lane.

but as i said, cops in most states wouldnt bother chasing you for anything under 15mph over the limit unless something else caught their eye - and the traffic flowed quite well.

Its not untill you travel that you see how much of a nanny state australia really is - very disappointing really

[csv8]

steve.zissou..I agree with you..I have driven in America, Canada, Britain, Ireland and Scotland. 80mph on the Interstates in America and traffic still passes you !!! I didn't feel unsafe at 80mph. Govco needs to get out of the revenue raising will fix the road toll, mentallity...I agree ,some of our roads aren't suitable, Bruce Highway comes to mind.

[tweeked]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

and this relates to australia how?

The Pub - "For General Automotive Related Talk"

Even talk that annoys wowsers.

Says nothing about it having to be in Australia.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Revolver 45

Only one problem. This would require ACTUAL traffic policing. I've been driving a little more that ten years. (Chicken feed to other drivers with 30 yrs), but I am yet to see anyone be pulled over for not keeping left, not using an indicator, cutting off trucks (or any vehicle for that matter), etc, etc. Not once. And I challenge anyone else to say they have.
.

A guy at work would always drive in the right lane often below the limit.
I was glad to hear that he was pulled and fined for it recently. Hopefully he will now change his habits.
This guy is a car enthusiast as well. Some people here think enthuisits can do nothing wrong. Which is not true.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by superyob

A valid point! To my knowledge, American roads are vastly superior to ours because of their much larger economy. Correct me if I am wrong...

Just because something is happening in one country does not automatically make it suitable for another...

Nah they are pretty crap as the snow and thaw over there destroys the roads, plus there is a much higher use of snow chains and salt and a much bigger road network to maintain.

The funny thing the speed limits dont really mean too much, most highways people sit on 80mph over there anyway.

[Super Roo 1970]

I don't think Australia will ever see an end to the revenue raising cash cows we all have to live with. We are all painfully aware the governments and agencies who benefit from these easy money cash cows would go stone cold broke tomorrow without them.
We also know the money does not go to the places it really should go, like actually improving the roads or driver awareness etc..

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by Revolver 45

not using an indicator

my brother got a ticket in melbourne for not indicating a change of lane. he found out later that the whole car's indicator circuit wasn't working (blown fuse).

[BHDOGS]

Originally Posted by tweeked

The Pub - "For General Automotive Related Talk"

Even talk that annoys wowsers.

Says nothing about it having to be in Australia.

sorry cry baby carry on

[steve.zissou]

I'll tell you a secret for getting cars to move over on the free way.

I put 2 ladders on my white FG ute. One ladder has a Blue top step and one has a red top step - works well

[landau460]

Lol nice one I like it
Does that mean your pretending to impersonate a police vehical

[steve.zissou]

if you cant get a discount at macas your not impersonating police

[csv8]

I sent a copy of the Bill to Jack Dempsey, Police Minister ,QLD. Today
It will be interesting to see if/what reply I get!!!!!

[irish2]

Recently spent time driving in Italy, and Greece. Max speed limits of 120km/h which very few were doing. Most were traveling around the 150km/h mark including the police. The road conditions were worse than all Aussie freeways/motorways that I have driven on. I suppose it is hard to maintain roads when you are broke.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by steve.zissou

I'll tell you a secret for getting cars to move over on the free way.

I put 2 ladders on my white FG ute. One ladder has a Blue top step and one has a red top step - works well

Had to laugh at this one, I'm holidaying in QLD atm & seen a ute sports bar painted red & blue which caught my attention & others which certainly fooled many thinking it was police from distance.

Cheers.