Speed limits removed on Australian road - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Steve Tinker · 02-02-2014, 12:15 AM

As of this week, part of the Stuart Highway in Australia's Northern Territory has had ALL its speed limits removed.

A 200km (125 mile) stretch can now be driven as fast as you like for the first time since 2007 when the speed restrictions were put into place. Before 2007, all the roads outside of towns were speed zone free, but safety lobby groups campaigned the State government to implement a general speed limit (of 130kmh I think).
That's now been overturned as it was proven that on this stretch of road, 6 people have died in a 10 year period - all deaths were contributed by alcohol, seat belts and fatigue - not by speed.

I hear that the Ferrari and Lamborghini Clubs are organising some sort of grudge match up there to sort out a few misconceptions and bragging rights.....

Timco · 02-02-2014, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

As of this week, part of the Stuart Highway in Australia's Northern Territory has had ALL its speed limits removed.

A 200km (125 mile) stretch can now be driven as fast as you like for the first time since 2007 when the speed restrictions were put into place. Before 2007, all the roads outside of towns were speed zone free, but safety lobby groups campaigned the State government to implement a general speed limit (of 130kmh I think).
That's now been overturned as it was proven that on this stretch of road, 6 people have died in a 10 year period - all deaths were contributed by alcohol, seat belts and fatigue - not by speed.

I hear that the Ferrari and Lamborghini Clubs are organising some sort of grudge match up there to sort out a few misconceptions and bragging rights.....

Not sure no limit means cars can or should race. Other cars may be present??

That said, I did almost 150 in the Mojave desert on my way home. Nothing for miles and miles.

BigShow · 02-02-2014, 06:12 AM

I heard that it was only 148 in the Mojave desert

eicheldp · 02-02-2014, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigShow

I heard that it was only 148 in the Mojave desert

I believe Timco expressed it correctly....

I did almost 150

148 qualifies as almost 150...

Kenny Boxster · 02-02-2014, 09:17 AM

Sounds like fun. Have to make an obligatory joke, don't hit a kangaroo.

pothole · 02-02-2014, 09:33 AM

Sadly, this probably won't end well.

Some idiot will crash at speed, the Helen Lovejoys will come out in force and the party will be over.

There's just no chance of being grown up the real risks of driving fast, these days.

Porsche9 · 02-02-2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pothole

Sadly, this probably won't end well.

Some idiot will crash at speed, the Helen Lovejoys will come out in force and the party will be over.

There's just no chance of being grown up the real risks of driving fast, these days.

I would agree. You got have the discipline that the Germans do to have no speed limits and not have a few idiots ruin it for the many. Hope I am wrong as think it pretty damn cool. Here in the US we could never have no speed limit roads. No discipline and folks too busy to be bothered paying attention to driving.

Paul · 02-02-2014, 10:15 AM

Didn't Montana used to have no speed limits? I believe the feds made them impose one.

Also the PA turnpike did not have a speed limit when it first opened.

Paul · 02-02-2014, 10:19 AM

From:

Montana: No Speed Limit Safety Paradox

Here is what the Montana data shows. (chart below) After all the politically correct safety programs were in place and fully operational, complete with federal safety funds, more laws and citations being issued. Here are the results.

1. After the new Speed Limits were established, interstates fatal accidents went up 111%. From a modern low of 27 with no daytime limits, to a new high of 56 fatal accidents with speed limits.

2. On interstates and federal primary highways combined, Montana went from a modern low of 101 with no daytime limits, to a new high of 143 fatal accidents with speed limits.

3. After a 6 year downward trend in the percentage of multiple vehicle accidents on its 2 lane primary highways, multiple vehicle accident rates increased again.

Timco · 02-02-2014, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigShow

I heard that it was only 148 in the Mojave desert

Guilty....only for a few seconds. Then it was all 65 the entire way, I swear.

Also, I didn't consider they may be following each other or timing their cars between markers, not racing side by side. My bad. I was very alone on a very long road of flat desert.

Steve Tinker · 02-02-2014, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pothole

Sadly, this probably won't end well.

Some idiot will crash at speed, the Helen Lovejoys will come out in force and the party will be over.

There's just no chance of being grown up the real risks of driving fast, these days.

As I said in my first post, prior to 2007, there were NO speed restrictions in the Australian Northern Territory on any road once outside the the town / city limits.
But, like Montana, the Federal Government bowed to safety lobby groups without considering the fatality statistics which were very low.
Nobody condones street racing, but the roads up there are pretty desolate - reminds me of the film The Worlds Fastest Indian where New Zealander Bert Munroe was "testing" his Bonneville speed record Indian along a deserted piece of blacktop on the US highway with the cops looking on......
No speed limits then!