UK scameras vs the OZ type
Discussion
I know this subject has been done to death but just to put another perspective on it I have just returned to Oz from a break in the UK. It's been 6 years since I was last back and it was with some trepidation that I took to the roads in the hire car after reading all the horror stories.
Yes there are lots of cameras, lots and lots actually and it was like big brother is watching.
However, the big majority seemed to be on sections where you really wouldn't want to speed, they were well signed in advance or you could see them and were on approaches to junctions/bends etc.
The electronic signs that flashed slow down if you were going too fast into a 30 area were superb and out on country A and B roads there didn't seem to be any. Also I couldn't see any on the motorways and in general, aside from rush hours in centres, traffic moved at pace considering the amount on the roads.
The standard of driving was also pretty good (as I remembered it) with the exception of lane discipline on roundabouts as I was nearly nudged a few times whilst staying level on the inside of someone and they cut across.
First night back in Oz and driving down to the bank on wide, straight, well lit road through a suburb and suddenly a copper jumps out from a bush and waves me into a carpark. 63kmh in what I had thought was a 60 but has been changed recently to a 50 and as I had turned onto the road half way down then hadn't passed a sign. 100 bucks and a point on the licence.
Summarising then seems to me that in the UK they are a genuine attempt to improve road and pedestrian safety, in Oz they are simply a money raiser.
Yes there are lots of cameras, lots and lots actually and it was like big brother is watching.
However, the big majority seemed to be on sections where you really wouldn't want to speed, they were well signed in advance or you could see them and were on approaches to junctions/bends etc.
The electronic signs that flashed slow down if you were going too fast into a 30 area were superb and out on country A and B roads there didn't seem to be any. Also I couldn't see any on the motorways and in general, aside from rush hours in centres, traffic moved at pace considering the amount on the roads.
The standard of driving was also pretty good (as I remembered it) with the exception of lane discipline on roundabouts as I was nearly nudged a few times whilst staying level on the inside of someone and they cut across.
First night back in Oz and driving down to the bank on wide, straight, well lit road through a suburb and suddenly a copper jumps out from a bush and waves me into a carpark. 63kmh in what I had thought was a 60 but has been changed recently to a 50 and as I had turned onto the road half way down then hadn't passed a sign. 100 bucks and a point on the licence.
Summarising then seems to me that in the UK they are a genuine attempt to improve road and pedestrian safety, in Oz they are simply a money raiser.
chunder said:
63kmh in what I had thought was a 60 but has been changed recently to a 50 and as I had turned onto the road half way down then hadn't passed a sign. 100 bucks and a point on the licence.
So let me get this straight; they can set the limits up in such a way as you can change limit zones without any signs telling you? Nightmare!
Unless the side road you came from was a 50, in which case I guess that limit should continue until you see a sign saying otherwise!
pdV6 said:
So let me get this straight; they can set the limits up in such a way as you can change limit zones without any signs telling you? Nightmare!
Unless the side road you came from was a 50, in which case I guess that limit should continue until you see a sign saying otherwise!
The lowest limit was 60 - it changed recently to 50 unless signed otherwise - a kind of catch all. A lot of suburban roads are still 60 - I am going to check that side road limit tonight.
pdV6 said:
So let me get this straight; they can set the limits up in such a way as you can change limit zones without any signs telling you? Nightmare!
Unless the side road you came from was a 50, in which case I guess that limit should continue until you see a sign saying otherwise!
Yep - checked it and turned from an 80 into this road, signs that used to say 60 now removed and no other signs. Relying on the 50 unless signed otherwise rule now.
Believe me if you thought the UK was bad for speeding then you haven't seen here. 16 years driving in the UK in a "spirited" fashion - 2 speeding tickets.
5 years driving very sedately here, 4 speeding tickets.
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