roadworks speed limit

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: roadworks speed limit

I accept some of what you say DarrenC, but I also know that sometimes they are meant to cover over the signs when the requirement for a reduced speed limit is not needed. Too often, the real reason for not doing this is sheer laziness on the contractors' part. When some of these roadwork areas cover cover extended lengths of roadway at what would have been 80kph or higher speed limits (especially in more remote areas), it is extremely frustrating to see speed limit and advisory signs (ie reduced speed and roadworks ahead) only to discover that there was no need for them at the time (ie no workmen and no roadworks being conducted). In effect, this creates a situation where drivers are less likely to ever adhere to these signs if they are not properly applied... which makes for a more an even more dangerous situation next time around! Better to only apply signs when needed and remove them (or cover them) when not needed. Otherwise people become desensitised to their importance and ignore them entirely.

It should also be remembered that speed limits are only maximum limits, and drivers are still required to drive to road conditions, weather, vehicle and their own limits. Therefore, even if there were roadworks nearby to a 80kph zone, a sensible driver should still reduce their speed to make provision for the increased dangers and uncertainty of the environment. If a driver were to be involved in an accident in such a situation, and it could be proven that they did not slow down, it could be argued that they nonetheless drove at a 'dangerous speed' despite driving within the speed limit.

I'll put the soapbox away and leave my 2c on the fridge now.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Re: roadworks speed limit

I dare say, most folk would be in agreement with you on this nt.

I think if I were a little more motivated about it, the right avenue would be to lodge a query with the local council; maybe at their next council meeting. I'm not suggesting they would do anything about it, but they are probably the only group who could change such silliness.

Bugger it, I'll just put up with the 40-zone for a little longer .

LFaR.

[Gingerbeer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gingerbeer]

Re: roadworks speed limit

LFR and NT you are absolutely right. I have been in the industry a long time, and continually have issues with my peers about this matter.

As Nt says , it may be laziness or have been overlooked in the case of signs left uncovered. Sometimes it can be overzealous actions of someone trying to cover their ar$e, in these days of litigation. The regulations are occasionally applied inappropriately in my view, and this then leads to the situation where the average motorist can see no reason for slowing down, so he/she doesn't. Not only that, next time that motorist sees a Roadworks ahead sign, the reaction is ..." not another bullshiser sign" ....and does not slow, ......to their own and the roadworkers peril.

That said, there are an awful lot of d'heads out there who will not drive to the conditions, including properly signed roadworks. :evil: :evil: :evil:

Should you be in South East Queensland and see something you disagree with, call 131940, which will get you through to the State Road Authority, Main Roads. Option '0' will take you straight through to the operator of the Traffic Mangement Centre, where you can make your complaint. If it is a Local Government road, then they should be able to give you the appropriate number to follow through on.

[Darren C Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darren C]

Re: roadworks speed limit

LFaR,NT,Gingerbeer,
I am not trying to have an argument or defend anyone here as I have no need to,and in fact dont disagree with any of your comments.I feel the same way and probably notice it more because I have been trained in traffic controll/traffic management in work sites and have been responsible for setting them up and maintaining them.I have found over the years that most major contracters are heavily moniterred and scrutinised in this department,but local councils,RTA etc.are the worst offenders!

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: roadworks speed limit

Personally, the most frustrating thing about roadworks speed restrictions is when there is no end sign allowing you to return to the normal speed limit.

In builtup areas, those crappy little tripod signs they use are too easily missed. There is some work going on not far from us on a busy 4 lane road and I often miss the speed limit signs because of parked cars and other vehicles blocking vision as we enter/leave the roadworks area. Scary if they put a speed camera in there...

[Spurio Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Spurio]

Re: roadworks speed limit

The person was doing 40+ over, but considering it was on a 100km/hr road probably not that uncommon.

Got to agree with the comments regarding tardy implementation of roadwork signage, it seems to be worse in country areas :roll:

I wonder as to the legal aspects of fines in areas where no work or safety issues are occuring. I'll seek some advice on this...

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: roadworks speed limit

Do what I do quite often - contact the company responsible for the road works and associated signage and complain about the incorrect or insufficient signage or the fact that signs have not been removed after completion of roadworks.

They can be fined by MRD for not having it right, that's why there are now Australian standards and competencies for operators.

Went through some roadworks recently. Speed reduced to 40km/hr. No sign of any workers. Got to 110km/hr signs, end road works and get back up to highway speed. Two kilometres further on, come around a bend and there are all the bloody workers standing in the middle of the road - no signs anywhere. They got a real rocket!

Almost as funny as the Stop/Go sign man with a claw. The wind was blowing and the sign was spinning around unknown by him. Stop, go, stop, go, stop. I sat there and said what the @#$%? Rest of the workers were wetting them selves with laughter!

[120GXV6 Member Find all posts View Profile Close 120GXV6]

Re: roadworks speed limit

I know someone who was doing an MR truck licence test recently with an RTA instructor and had to drive through a section of roadworks where the "back to normal" speed limit sign was about a kilometre after any sign of road works etc finished. He told me that as they left the road works, the instructor told him to speed up to the normal speed limit becuase the road works were finished and the sign should have been where they were, and not so far up the road. So not even all the RTA's personnel adhere strictly to the rules! Mind you, I am sure the driver under instruction would have copped a fine and not the instructor.

[bevwone Member Find all posts View Profile Close bevwone]

Re: roadworks speed limit

Unfortunately the road rules exist to limit the worst possible driver in the biggest heap of junk.

Everyone would see people driving most days people drive with ‘head-up-arse’ syndrome or a shocking driver with no idea. These are the people the road rules aims to limit – the rest of us just have to abide by the rules even though they some seem ridiculous. Roadworks in SA are 25km/h – try that for a couple of k’s in the bush.

Competent attentive drivers in well maintained vehicles are much better able to handle higher speeds etc; but we cant expect a tiered system of road rules as they would be unable to be policed. Most (men in particular) bad drivers do not realise they are bad – they think they are competent. We have all seen this and probably been subjected to ‘rides-of-hell’ from someone who considers themselves to be good driver.

Roadworks are difficult from a policing point of view as they have to be able to prove all the signs were legally placed and still visible at the time.

Now - back to work.

Bev
04 GXL
Adelaide (bit warm here at the moment)