Open road speeds
Discussion
found this on stuff the other day...sounds good to me
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/0,2106,3059536a6005,00.html
Duynhoven puts his foot down in drive to raise speed limit
10 October 2004
By HELEN BAIN
Speed limits on some open roads could be lifted if new transport safety minister Harry Duynhoven has his way.
He says limits should vary according to conditions, with drivers able to go faster than 100km/h on flat straight roads - and limited to lower speeds on narrow, winding roads.
He said many sections of motorways were built to a high standard and a strictly enforced 110km/h limit "would not be silly". Other roads were clearly substandard for a 100km/h limit.
Duynhoven, a car enthusiast and owner of New Zealand's oldest Porsche, is calling for a new approach to road safety, saying a focus on speed cameras and enforcing speed limits had alienated many motorists.
He said while excessive speed did contribute to the road toll, "we should look at what is appropriate for the circumstances".
"Is it rational for us to have a 100km/h limit on highways that are long, clear, straight roads?" asked Duynhoven. "In the central part of the South Island we have a lot of long roads where you can see forever and there are no traffic entrances or exits. But we also have the same 100km/h limit on all rural roads, no matter how windy or twisty."
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/0,2106,3059536a6005,00.html
Duynhoven puts his foot down in drive to raise speed limit
10 October 2004
By HELEN BAIN
Speed limits on some open roads could be lifted if new transport safety minister Harry Duynhoven has his way.
He says limits should vary according to conditions, with drivers able to go faster than 100km/h on flat straight roads - and limited to lower speeds on narrow, winding roads.
He said many sections of motorways were built to a high standard and a strictly enforced 110km/h limit "would not be silly". Other roads were clearly substandard for a 100km/h limit.
Duynhoven, a car enthusiast and owner of New Zealand's oldest Porsche, is calling for a new approach to road safety, saying a focus on speed cameras and enforcing speed limits had alienated many motorists.
He said while excessive speed did contribute to the road toll, "we should look at what is appropriate for the circumstances".
"Is it rational for us to have a 100km/h limit on highways that are long, clear, straight roads?" asked Duynhoven. "In the central part of the South Island we have a lot of long roads where you can see forever and there are no traffic entrances or exits. But we also have the same 100km/h limit on all rural roads, no matter how windy or twisty."
I believe Auntie Helen isn't too impressed with him for saying it either..... heard on the radio this morning that he's been reprimanded over the statement.... it seems that this sort of rational thinking contradicts what the Labour government has been drumming into us though advertising campaigns and speed cameras in passing lanes. How can a government who promote an anti-speeding campaign that speeding makes you a murderer come out and say that there ar ecircumstances where speed limits are too low.... I completely agree and support that statement, but I fear that it's one we won't be hearing from Harry or any other Labour MP any time soon..... it'll decrease the opportunities they have to milk the great motorist cash cow.
I dont think it was a good new press release anyway. Theres two parts to it, lowering the speed on any road with a corner and raising it on any dead level straight pieces of road.
You can bet which one would be implemented and which one would be shelved. Maybe that was even the original intention, simply sugar coating the pill. Though in this case the pill makes you sicker
You can bet which one would be implemented and which one would be shelved. Maybe that was even the original intention, simply sugar coating the pill. Though in this case the pill makes you sicker
This guy sounds like he's actually got a brain - he won't last long! (France have two speed limits on Motorways - one for dry, one for rain - simple).
I don't know about anyone else on here but there's nothing I like more than a good old moan - I'm never happy and I always know best!
Do you think if we all clubbed together we could buy a nice little island somewhere, build a
ing fast road all around it and only allow Pistonheaders to live there? What we need is the Isle of Man towed out to the Carribbean! 
I don't know about anyone else on here but there's nothing I like more than a good old moan - I'm never happy and I always know best!
Do you think if we all clubbed together we could buy a nice little island somewhere, build a
ing fast road all around it and only allow Pistonheaders to live there? What we need is the Isle of Man towed out to the Carribbean! As a new face on the N.Z block old habits die hard and it always makes me laugh with the the locals plodding around at 100 kmh on the dot,many seem a bit pissed when i fly by at a rather faster speed on some of the long straights in the south.In the U.K i must confess to being one of the 100mph+ club so 100 kmh seems like walking pace.Top speed so far has been 170kph but without a radar detector and my rabbits foot i think my days might be numbered.I did get flashed by a plod travelling the other way when doing 120+ but wasn,t sure if that mean,t STOP..over here?,so i made a rapid exit from the area,this all in the Mitsibushi,when the Viper arrives in a few days i think it may stick out like a soar thumb,so many thanks for the warnings and a more restrained driving style is in order or my drving licence days may well be numbered.Just one question....do the cops have speed cameras mounted and capable of recording your speed from their car when coming towards you?In U.k on the motorways i would normal drive up and down a motorway doing a wrecky for cops before doing a 300kph+ blast the other way but with no motorways down south that plan may missfire if a cop happens to trundle my way 
(please note i never speed in built up areas or where traffic/road conditions make it unsafe to myself or others)but then again he may only feel my shock wave and not even see me
(please note i never speed in built up areas or where traffic/road conditions make it unsafe to myself or others)but then again he may only feel my shock wave and not even see meThe radars the police have in their cars over here can get your speed and remember it, while traveling towards you, AND if you come speeding up behind them.
As far as I know they dont have camera's in cars, but if the speed on the radar is saved and he gets your rego, it's equal to the same thing right?
Watch out!
>> Edited by Izza on Friday 15th October 00:45
As far as I know they dont have camera's in cars, but if the speed on the radar is saved and he gets your rego, it's equal to the same thing right?
Watch out!
>> Edited by Izza on Friday 15th October 00:45
venom500 said:
As a new face on the N.Z block old habits die hard and it always makes me laugh with the the locals plodding around at 100 kmh on the dot,many seem a bit pissed when i fly by at a rather faster speed on some of the long straights in the south.In the U.K i must confess to being one of the 100mph+ club so 100 kmh seems like walking pace.Top speed so far has been 170kph but without a radar detector and my rabbits foot i think my days might be numbered.I did get flashed by a plod travelling the other way when doing 120+ but wasn,t sure if that mean,t STOP..over here?,so i made a rapid exit from the area,this all in the Mitsibushi,when the Viper arrives in a few days i think it may stick out like a soar thumb,so many thanks for the warnings and a more restrained driving style is in order or my drving licence days may well be numbered.Just one question....do the cops have speed cameras mounted and capable of recording your speed from their car when coming towards you?In U.k on the motorways i would normal drive up and down a motorway doing a wrecky for cops before doing a 300kph+ blast the other way but with no motorways down south that plan may missfire if a cop happens to trundle my way
Yep, I'm afraid your driving behaviour will need a SERIOUS overhaul.... basically, with or without a detector in NZ if you drive at anything over 110km/h on a regular basis you're going to get caught regularly.... if you go for the VERY occasional blat then you might be lucky and get away with it.... it's all about measured risk.... you're never certain you won't get caught but you can minimise a risk..... just beware though in the Venom you're going to sick out like the proverbial painful digit, and you can be sure it won't be long before you're known locally by the police by the type of car alone and you'll be singled out..... that's just the way it works..... but yeah, if you're prepared to take the risk and suffer the consequences then it's worth it, but be careful out there..... the BiB are getting more and more crafty in their concealment tactics and these days I can't belive I've been lucky enough to keep my speed down when I've needed to (driving a 1.5L Mitsi stationwagon helps too
)Just had to change my details to protect the 'innocent' before posting on this topic.
In the last 5 years I have done about 80,000 kms of driving in NZ. On the South Isand. Mostly south of Chc, latterly north.
My normal cruising speed depends on the vehicle, but would be usually 120, sometimes 130. I'll happily bowl along at 90 in the Ute, but in the good 100 is just too damn slow. I have never been grabbed. Had a few close calls, but if you are alert you can survive. Have been meaning to get a radar detector but never got around to it. Have used them in Aus and they are a huge help.
The police prescence in that period has increased a bit and its certainly worse north of Chc, but the reality still is that there just aren't the coppers on the ground. Unlike Australia, which is an entirely different situation.
I try to avoid exceeding 150k because of the confiscation risk, but other then that, if you are alert and judicious, you should be fine.
As far as I am concerned, the only thing wrong with Speeding, ON THE OPEN ROAD, is getting caught.
Sorry to be so anti social, but there it is.
The key is to concentrate when behind the wheel,
take driving seriously and learn on the track.
In the last 5 years I have done about 80,000 kms of driving in NZ. On the South Isand. Mostly south of Chc, latterly north.
My normal cruising speed depends on the vehicle, but would be usually 120, sometimes 130. I'll happily bowl along at 90 in the Ute, but in the good 100 is just too damn slow. I have never been grabbed. Had a few close calls, but if you are alert you can survive. Have been meaning to get a radar detector but never got around to it. Have used them in Aus and they are a huge help.
The police prescence in that period has increased a bit and its certainly worse north of Chc, but the reality still is that there just aren't the coppers on the ground. Unlike Australia, which is an entirely different situation.
I try to avoid exceeding 150k because of the confiscation risk, but other then that, if you are alert and judicious, you should be fine.
As far as I am concerned, the only thing wrong with Speeding, ON THE OPEN ROAD, is getting caught.
Sorry to be so anti social, but there it is.
The key is to concentrate when behind the wheel,
take driving seriously and learn on the track.
One of those Diablos is a LHD race car.
Yes the way the powers think these days, speeding is a more serious crime then burglary, theft or just about anything else except murder.
Oh, wait a minute speeders are murderers.
Have you ever driven in Europe? Just a bit different over there.
PS: Crap effort on the pseudonym then?
Yes the way the powers think these days, speeding is a more serious crime then burglary, theft or just about anything else except murder.
Oh, wait a minute speeders are murderers.
Have you ever driven in Europe? Just a bit different over there.
PS: Crap effort on the pseudonym then?
Is this site linked to N.Z Wellington Police HQ by any chance?Because your never gonna guess (well maybe you already have)what arrived in the post today!Bar**ds GOT ME..last Friday taking the wife to work doing 112kmh in a 100 zone,seems they were waiting above Route 1 coming into Dunedin they must have been set up on a unmade road that overlooks a fast down hill section.My first ticket in 8 years and i look out for the cops like the plauge...can,t believe they got me without me knowing,the good thing is i was only doing 112kmh,were usually doing 130+ !!The worring thing is since last Friday the Station Wagon has seen 170+ a few times!Just hope another nastey surprise is not winging its way to me!Looks like the Viper will be better off running a 50cc motorcycle engine in it .....I,m just gutted they got me, so i know what i,m getting for Xmas,looks like it could be worth its wait in gold!Best radar detector anyone?
Just hope another nastey surprise is not winging its way to me!Looks like the Viper will be better off running a 50cc motorcycle engine in it .....I,m just gutted they got me, so i know what i,m getting for Xmas,looks like it could be worth its wait in gold!Best radar detector anyone?That sucks Venom.... methinks it was inevitable though, they way you drive is fine with me, but in NZ that's just the sort of cashcow the NZ government loves..... they might try to tell you you're a speeding murderer but they love you really..... I basically treat the speed limit as 107km/h and am VERY VERY watchful above that ..... won't do it anywhere NEAR a city or a motorway or anywhere where I'm not SURE there's not a speed camera.... thus far it's worked for me really well.... I'm afraid you're just going to have to slow down a bit or take the risks 
painful though that may be...... I learned to drive on Nz roads so that's the way it's always been for me..... for you it must be hell..... 100km/h after the free-spirited empty british motorway system (well at night anyway) is far more forgiving than our Nazi-policed bitumen....... and as for the radar detectors.... Valentine One wins hands down...... although be mindful, good though they are,t hey're still very fallible, especially when at Vmax, just beware it doesn't give you a false sense of security.
>> Edited by Esprit on Friday 15th October 10:48
painful though that may be...... I learned to drive on Nz roads so that's the way it's always been for me..... for you it must be hell..... 100km/h after the free-spirited empty british motorway system (well at night anyway) is far more forgiving than our Nazi-policed bitumen....... and as for the radar detectors.... Valentine One wins hands down...... although be mindful, good though they are,t hey're still very fallible, especially when at Vmax, just beware it doesn't give you a false sense of security. >> Edited by Esprit on Friday 15th October 10:48
Bugger that speeding ticket didn't take long. They do hide up little driveways over the brow of a hill etc, so you cant see them till its too late.
I bought a Escort Passport 8500 about two yrs ago as in some reviews they performed a little better than a Val 1. But I have experimented in both the Subi and Esprit and seems to pick up lasers and cop cruisers better in the Sub than the Esprit. I am told its because of the angle of my window screen in the esprit is too steep not being able to get clear signals. So I am not convinced and relying on it at all to warn me. I have never tried the Val 1 models. Laser jammers that sort of thing I am unsure of as well. A fellow club member is putting a laser jammer in his Esprit very soon, so if his works I will be doing the same. Will keep you updated on that one.
I bought a Escort Passport 8500 about two yrs ago as in some reviews they performed a little better than a Val 1. But I have experimented in both the Subi and Esprit and seems to pick up lasers and cop cruisers better in the Sub than the Esprit. I am told its because of the angle of my window screen in the esprit is too steep not being able to get clear signals. So I am not convinced and relying on it at all to warn me. I have never tried the Val 1 models. Laser jammers that sort of thing I am unsure of as well. A fellow club member is putting a laser jammer in his Esprit very soon, so if his works I will be doing the same. Will keep you updated on that one.
Everyone I know swears by the Valentine One. Its at the dearer end of the market but if your gonna buy a cheap one you may as well save the money for the tickets. Dont think because you have a decent radar detector you can do whatever you want though, theyre still very fallable
Over the past 6 years Ive done about 60 thousand ks and the only time Ive been caught was a 63k in a 50 speed camera ticket. Thats more luck than good management.
Id suggest if you want to drive your viper rather than have an expensive sculpture you will have to alter your driving habits. Its not just the fine, if you get stopped by a cop and get a fine you also get demerit points, if you get 100 demerit points in any two year period you lose your licence for 3 months.
Hope your liking the dunedin summer weather
Over the past 6 years Ive done about 60 thousand ks and the only time Ive been caught was a 63k in a 50 speed camera ticket. Thats more luck than good management.
Id suggest if you want to drive your viper rather than have an expensive sculpture you will have to alter your driving habits. Its not just the fine, if you get stopped by a cop and get a fine you also get demerit points, if you get 100 demerit points in any two year period you lose your licence for 3 months.
Hope your liking the dunedin summer weather
In my view - unless you come across a lot of laser gun cops - it's really not worth getting the jammers. I have some on the 911 - and they have only ever gone off a couple of times - and I wasn't speeding.
IMHO - if you speed then you're probably going to get caught. I have a Valentine 1 (actually have 2 of them!) and since the instant on radars they really do not give any / much useful warning with the instant ons. I still think that they (the Valentine 1's) are worth it - and I wouldn't normally drive without them - but I also rarely go faster than the limit on the road now - points are nasty little things, and I have too many!!
IMHO - if you speed then you're probably going to get caught. I have a Valentine 1 (actually have 2 of them!) and since the instant on radars they really do not give any / much useful warning with the instant ons. I still think that they (the Valentine 1's) are worth it - and I wouldn't normally drive without them - but I also rarely go faster than the limit on the road now - points are nasty little things, and I have too many!!
I hear most of the handheld units in NZ are instant-on and most of the newer in-car units.... which is most of them...... ever since the govt realised it can make a chunk of money out of speeding fines they've invested in a lot of newer equipment.... as for the weather, it'll get better... just this time of year is very changeable..... today has been the first fine day we've had in Auckland for a LONG time.... and it still rained.... go figure!
A good friend of mine is a cop in a town near by where we live.He is a biker, a real hard core knee down flat out rider so he's not a "jobsworth" sort of guy.He was showing me the latest kit all the cars in this area now have, and its instant speed fix....in either direction, on the move, at any speed.It even tells him with an audible beep from over 750mts away of someone speeding either coming up behind or coming towards him.They have to switch it on everytime they get in the car.
Add this to the fact that one of the cars is a Subaru Legacy in silver(unmarked) and another, a metallic green Mitsubishi Dimante v6(unmarked), what chance of not getting caught do we have.Guess thats why i drive ute's and not something fast!
He hates the system to the point of wanting to leave, but he can't chuck the 70k $ a year in.He does however have the lowest stats for nicking people in the South Island and has been told if he's caught once more on his bike osl he's out!
Anyhow, don't label all cops the same, they don't all consider it a just cause.
Hey Venom500, a pomme just got caught on an R1 doing over 200kph.....lost licence and four figure fine.He has been told though, if he's caught again doing that sort of speed he's going to do time.If he goes to jail, he will be sent back to the UK when he's served his sentence.He is a marked man.This place is too small not to be known, be careful,especially if you don't have an NZ passport as they can deport you under certain circumstances of dangerous driving.
Add this to the fact that one of the cars is a Subaru Legacy in silver(unmarked) and another, a metallic green Mitsubishi Dimante v6(unmarked), what chance of not getting caught do we have.Guess thats why i drive ute's and not something fast!
He hates the system to the point of wanting to leave, but he can't chuck the 70k $ a year in.He does however have the lowest stats for nicking people in the South Island and has been told if he's caught once more on his bike osl he's out!
Anyhow, don't label all cops the same, they don't all consider it a just cause.
Hey Venom500, a pomme just got caught on an R1 doing over 200kph.....lost licence and four figure fine.He has been told though, if he's caught again doing that sort of speed he's going to do time.If he goes to jail, he will be sent back to the UK when he's served his sentence.He is a marked man.This place is too small not to be known, be careful,especially if you don't have an NZ passport as they can deport you under certain circumstances of dangerous driving.
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