Aus & NZ driving 'tolerances'
Discussion
In the UK we have, what used to be known as 'ACPO Guidelines' for speeding which includes a tolerance level for being just over the limit. For traveling in France there was a similar (10kph?) allowance for autoroute journeys.
Is there a similar approach in Australia and New Zealand? ...or is it a case of 'stick to the limit'?
An upcoming holiday has rental car stretches in both countries and I don't want to experience the wrath of the local constabulary.
Is there a similar approach in Australia and New Zealand? ...or is it a case of 'stick to the limit'?
An upcoming holiday has rental car stretches in both countries and I don't want to experience the wrath of the local constabulary.
NZ is typically 10% most of the time (5 near schools) or nominally zero tolerance during busy holiday periods around Christmas/New Year, Easter etc.
Having said that, most of the cops are in towns or on main highways and you aren't likely to see them often at all on quieter back roads. They do like to hang around popular tourist areas too though.
Having said that, most of the cops are in towns or on main highways and you aren't likely to see them often at all on quieter back roads. They do like to hang around popular tourist areas too though.
Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 9th December 10:19
Australian policing is managed on the state level so you'll have 8 systems for the 8 states and territories including different speed limits. Be familiar with the state you're in.
Also Australian police are total
s so don't expect leniency like you get from the British Rozzers.
I'd say don't expect any tolerances although you'll be stuck between a rolling roadblock of dopey Doris on her phone doing 20 under and Agro Andy doing 10mm from your back bumper. Welcome to driving in Australia.
Also most police forces hide speed cameras (in bushes, behind bends, et al.).
P.S. don't take my word for it, go watch a few Dash Cam Australia monthly complications on YouTube and see for yourself. You'll also learn how to swear like an Aussie. I consider them my monthly reminder of why I like driving in the UK.
Also Australian police are total
s so don't expect leniency like you get from the British Rozzers. I'd say don't expect any tolerances although you'll be stuck between a rolling roadblock of dopey Doris on her phone doing 20 under and Agro Andy doing 10mm from your back bumper. Welcome to driving in Australia.
Also most police forces hide speed cameras (in bushes, behind bends, et al.).
P.S. don't take my word for it, go watch a few Dash Cam Australia monthly complications on YouTube and see for yourself. You'll also learn how to swear like an Aussie. I consider them my monthly reminder of why I like driving in the UK.
For Australia, stick to the limit. There is no tolerance.
Doing 1 km/h over means you will get a ticket.
Pretty much every police car has a speed gun and mobile cameras (hidden in SUVs parked at the side of the road) are common. Average speed cameras are becoming a thing now too.
Just accept that the limit is the limit and put the cruise control on. It’s less stressful than hoping the SUV you just passed wasn’t an unmarked car.
Doing 1 km/h over means you will get a ticket.
Pretty much every police car has a speed gun and mobile cameras (hidden in SUVs parked at the side of the road) are common. Average speed cameras are becoming a thing now too.
Just accept that the limit is the limit and put the cruise control on. It’s less stressful than hoping the SUV you just passed wasn’t an unmarked car.
New Zealand is strict in my experience and they have forward facing speed cameras on the police cars. Once you see the police it’s generally too late. It’s an bummer on the long countryside roads there is very little traffic and it’s so easy to creep up over the limit.
Especially keen outside schools in urban areas where there is no tolerance and the fines are higher. They literally nab you at the airport as you leave, cost my mate $200 last time we went, clocked in the hire car.
Best go there in holiday mode and relax.
Especially keen outside schools in urban areas where there is no tolerance and the fines are higher. They literally nab you at the airport as you leave, cost my mate $200 last time we went, clocked in the hire car.
Best go there in holiday mode and relax.
Jader1973 said:
For Australia, stick to the limit. There is no tolerance.
Doing 1 km/h over means you will get a ticket.
Pretty much every police car has a speed gun and mobile cameras (hidden in SUVs parked at the side of the road) are common. Average speed cameras are becoming a thing now too.
Just accept that the limit is the limit and put the cruise control on. It s less stressful than hoping the SUV you just passed wasn t an unmarked car.
Australia is a land of endless petty rules and even pettier enforcement by swarms of jobsworths.Doing 1 km/h over means you will get a ticket.
Pretty much every police car has a speed gun and mobile cameras (hidden in SUVs parked at the side of the road) are common. Average speed cameras are becoming a thing now too.
Just accept that the limit is the limit and put the cruise control on. It s less stressful than hoping the SUV you just passed wasn t an unmarked car.
As said, stick the cruise or the limiter on and leave it.
NZ over the xmas break will be very strict with the speed limit - basically no tolerance for speeding so be careful there. I think the drink-drive limit is pretty low now so they can do a random breath test on you the morning after, no need for a reason to stop you other than that. Be aware of one lane bridges - lots on the SI west coast - where you can't see what's coming the other way. Watch out for ste drivers as there are a lot in NZ. Source; I am from there.
Where are you going to be traveling? I will be a couple of hours south of Christchurch until mid January if you're heading that way. There's a couple of car museums in my home town that are worth a look.
te drivers as there are a lot in NZ. Source; I am from there.Where are you going to be traveling? I will be a couple of hours south of Christchurch until mid January if you're heading that way. There's a couple of car museums in my home town that are worth a look.
Jader1973 said:
....Just accept that the limit is the limit and put the cruise control on. It s less stressful than hoping the SUV you just passed wasn t an unmarked car.
Thanks - this seems to be the theme, so my approach will be just that CC & holiday mode 
some bloke said:
....Where are you going to be traveling? I will be a couple of hours south of Christchurch until mid January if you're heading that way. There's a couple of car museums in my home town that are worth a look.
I think you posted on my original 'what to do' thread, mention of a pie shop as well?We're flying into Queenstown, then up to Franz Josef and on the train to Christchurch (easy way of describing a weeks travel
), so thanks for the offer but I think we'll be too far away to meet. Ultimately I can see that there may be an occasion when heading for the airport and a level of faffage means we're running late.......
Hoping there's nothing to tell, but I'll really the story when we're back if the worst happens
Ranger 6 said:
Jader1973 said:
....Just accept that the limit is the limit and put the cruise control on. It s less stressful than hoping the SUV you just passed wasn t an unmarked car.
Thanks - this seems to be the theme, so my approach will be just that CC & holiday mode some bloke said:
....Where are you going to be traveling? I will be a couple of hours south of Christchurch until mid January if you're heading that way. There's a couple of car museums in my home town that are worth a look.
I think you posted on my original 'what to do' thread, mention of a pie shop as well?We're flying into Queenstown, then up to Franz Josef and on the train to Christchurch (easy way of describing a weeks travel
), so thanks for the offer but I think we'll be too far away to meet. Ultimately I can see that there may be an occasion when heading for the airport and a level of faffage means we're running late.......
Hoping there's nothing to tell, but I'll really the story when we're back if the worst happens
Be careful about how much you drink if driving as well. Their limit is pretty much zero - far less than the UK limit - and around Xmas it's not uncommon to see entire blocks surrounded by police with every driver checked on their way in our out. For all it's reputation as easy going and laid back, Australian police are anything but and will ticket you for minor offences.
Didn't stop me driving a B-Double at 9pm one night in the middle of bush country mind, or driving home blind drunk from one end of the farm to another, you just have to pick your times and places!
Didn't stop me driving a B-Double at 9pm one night in the middle of bush country mind, or driving home blind drunk from one end of the farm to another, you just have to pick your times and places!
Condi said:
Be careful about how much you drink if driving as well. Their limit is pretty much zero - far less than the UK limit - and around Xmas it's not uncommon to see entire blocks surrounded by police with every driver checked on their way in our out. For all it's reputation as easy going and laid back, Australian police are anything but and will ticket you for minor offences.
Didn't stop me driving a B-Double at 9pm one night in the middle of bush country mind, or driving home blind drunk from one end of the farm to another, you just have to pick your times and places!
It depends on state but I found it to be the opposite. I'd you blow under 0.05 BAC you go free, even if it's 0.049999. if you blow just over WAPOL will usually let you sit down for half an hour and then retest you. Also (in WA you have to blow over 0.08 BAC before it's a driving ban (though the $1000 fine might sting a bit). Not that an Australian driving ban would affect you here Didn't stop me driving a B-Double at 9pm one night in the middle of bush country mind, or driving home blind drunk from one end of the farm to another, you just have to pick your times and places!
The big difference is enforcement. I've not been breathalysed once in 10 years in the UK where as back in Perth I'd get pulled over for a breath test every 2-3 months so I'll put this in bold during Xmas and NY the booze busses will be out in force. Your chances of being picked up for DUI are very, very, very, high so it's best not to risk it.
Ranger 6 said:
We're flying into Queenstown, then up to Franz Josef and on the train to Christchurch...
Watch out for loopy tourist drivers! Especially Queenstown area, I always have to dial my defensive driving up to a higher level around there.You're on PH so I expect you'd be one of the good tourist drivers
but there are a lot of absolute shockers.JoshSm said:
Jader1973 said:
For Australia, stick to the limit. There is no tolerance.
Doing 1 km/h over means you will get a ticket.
Pretty much every police car has a speed gun and mobile cameras (hidden in SUVs parked at the side of the road) are common. Average speed cameras are becoming a thing now too.
Just accept that the limit is the limit and put the cruise control on. It s less stressful than hoping the SUV you just passed wasn t an unmarked car.
Australia is a land of endless petty rules and even pettier enforcement by swarms of jobsworths.Doing 1 km/h over means you will get a ticket.
Pretty much every police car has a speed gun and mobile cameras (hidden in SUVs parked at the side of the road) are common. Average speed cameras are becoming a thing now too.
Just accept that the limit is the limit and put the cruise control on. It s less stressful than hoping the SUV you just passed wasn t an unmarked car.
As said, stick the cruise or the limiter on and leave it.
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