Speed Limits

[R LTD]

Its a wet sunday and i have time to catchup on the 60 odd EMs in my MX5
folder. ( Thanks to the person who recommended setting up such a message
folder)
The discussion on speed limits, the role of government and the enforcers has
been interesting in that the opinions have traversed much what is heard from
the general public. Transit NZ undertake annual surveys of peoples'
attitudes towards speed and other restrictions. Generallly they tend to be
more conservative than the list membership.
I would take issue with Eric"s assertion that "good law is what 90% of the
population will comply with voluntarily without legislation." His example re
the speed on the southern motorway is not about absolute limits but about
traffic flow speeds. At 8am the traffic flow speed might be 50kph . The
speed is sensible and motorists would feel agrieved if someone attempted to
travel at 100kph; the limit.
The concern I have with Eric's assertion is how one might determine what 90%
of the population considers "reasonable". This has underpinned many of the
comments made and the condemnation of the police and politicans who enforce
and set limits. If one defines the issue precisely - absolute speed limit -
(and without qualification) it is highly unlikely one would get 90%
agreement for the current limit let alone a higher limit. My experience with
surveys would suggest 90% agreement would fall below the current 100kph
limit. The reason being that we all qualify - be it driving skill, road
conditions, etc to define the limit. Much of the discussion has been about
relative limits. The French have this on their excellent motorway system:
120kph if its dry; 100kph if its wet.
In the final analysis the limit set attempts to balance attributes with the
evidence and cost of the consequence of setting higher or lower limits. I
would suggest, for example, that a 100kph limit on many of our state
highways is too high and it should be set at 90kph.
As many contributors have stated, we enjoy driving our MX5's for the joy it
provides. The cars have the universal reputation as a driving pleasure and
that is not diminished at travelling within the set speed limit. Speed is
for the race track and I would like the opportunity sometime to drive my MX5
on a track for the challenge and thrill it would provide. It would be a
useful contribution by the Club if it could arrange the hire of Taupo or
some other centrally located circuit for a fun day by interested members. I
have a colleague in the MG Club that does this and the only requirement is a
quality helmet and cotton overalls.

Tony
R LTD

[EricW]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for your comments

In fact the 90% rule is a reasonably well recognised principle, and you
would note that my reference to 110 Km/h referred to "ideal conditions".

There has to be an absolute limit for almost everything and most people of
good sense will, de facto, arrive at about the same conclusion as everybody
else.

For instance, at least 90% of us would believe that Murder is unacceptable
as a general practice, 9.999% would be prepared to murder, but are
restrained from doing so by the fact that they would be severely punished if
they do and the remaining 1/10000 of the population would commit Murder
regardles of consequence or social norms.

The same applies to traffic speed. You are quite right to observe that the
speed on Aucklands Motorways will be somewhat less the 110 at 8.00 in the
morning, (indeed, how I wish it was as much as 50)! But that is not quite
the point I was making.

In fact, 90% of the population do agree on the speed limit, they do this on
a dynamic basis every time they drive. This is why in most circumstances
traffic all travels at about the same speed in any given conditions.

What I suggest is that limits should reflect normal behaviour on any given
stretch of road in ideal conditions, leaving latitude to vary speed, by
concensus, downward from that point, and targetting those drivers who,
because of their excessively fast, or excessively slow, speed cause
disruption to the flow.

So in fact, our ideas are not far apart

Eric

[EricW]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for your comments

In fact the 90% rule is a reasonably well recognised principle, and you
would note that my reference to 110 Km/h referred to "ideal conditions".

There has to be an absolute limit for almost everything and most people of
good sense will, de facto, arrive at about the same conclusion as everybody
else.

For instance, at least 90% of us would believe that Murder is unacceptable
as a general practice, 9.999% would be prepared to murder, but are
restrained from doing so by the fact that they would be severely punished if
they do and the remaining 1/10000 of the population would commit Murder
regardles of consequence or social norms.

The same applies to traffic speed. You are quite right to observe that the
speed on Aucklands Motorways will be somewhat less the 110 at 8.00 in the
morning, (indeed, how I wish it was as much as 50)! But that is not quite
the point I was making.

In fact, 90% of the population do agree on the speed limit, they do this on
a dynamic basis every time they drive. This is why in most circumstances
traffic all travels at about the same speed in any given conditions.

What I suggest is that limits should reflect normal behaviour on any given
stretch of road in ideal conditions, leaving latitude to vary speed, by
concensus, downward from that point, and targetting those drivers who,
because of their excessively fast, or excessively slow, speed cause
disruption to the flow.

So in fact, our ideas are not far apart

Eric

[Vince]

Tony, if you have a look at the club website you will see that the Taupo
circuit has been booked by the club for a "Driver Training Day" on Sat May
20, and you'll find they do this at a circuit usually once a year. Vince.

[Vince]

Tony, if you have a look at the club website you will see that the Taupo
circuit has been booked by the club for a "Driver Training Day" on Sat May
20, and you'll find they do this at a circuit usually once a year. Vince.

[R LTD]

Thanks Vince.
I will diary the weekend.

Tony