Roadwork speed limits

I alway do.(mostly)
Had to laugh on my trip though. First time in Northern Territory I saw their speed limit sign. 130kph. I thought I had to at least do this speed legally at least once. So I did for a short time. Still had people overtaking me. As if the speed was not enough. Didnt like the speed much, so settled back down to 110. More reaction time anyway in event of unforseen event, like a roo, or an eagle on the road.

I was amazed in the USA last year. Many states have simple legislation that is clearly signposted at the start of Road works together with the reccomended speed for that area - "Injure or kill a worker - 10 years jail minimum". Fair enough too I reckon!

Cheers Mick

Hey allein, what about when there are no workers there? The signs still say 40kmh at 2am??

To be fair though - the roadwork signs not only mean there may be workers it also can mean the road (because of the roadworks) may be unsuitable for the normal speed limit. So a 40 kph roadwork limit at 2am maybe perfectly relevant.

Having said that there have been lots of roadworks in my area lately and the speed limit did not go back to the normal limit after knock off time but the roadworkers often did get confused. Sometimes the roadwork sign on the left of the road world read 40kph but the one on the right hand side of the road would say 60kph so they cannot make their mind up what the roadwork actually is.

Also the police were very active in policing the roadwork speed limits during the day and as well as people driving through faster than the 40 kph the cops were also nabbing the construction vehicles and road plant that were building the road for breaking their own speed limits.

Garry

To be fair though - the roadwork signs not only mean there may be workers it also can mean the road (because of the roadworks) may be unsuitable for the normal speed limit. So a 40 kph roadwork limit at 2am maybe perfectly relevant.

yes I agree and yes some times a mistake is made but it up to the driver at the time to make the call we all have basic commonsense

allein m, I'd like to see how you go explaining to the police that it is you who makes the call about wether to do the posted speed or the speed you think is appropriate.

yes I agree and yes some times a mistake is made by leaving sign but it up to the driver at the time to make the call we all have basic commonsense

what I am trying to say is look at the situation like the one with the red lights on all week end I personally prefer to err on the side of safety and just move along at the stated speed

We were in Canada a couple of years back. Roadworks there had signs -- Penalties double when workers present. Your choice.

I would have thought the signs are there not only to protect the workers, but to suit the road conditions, which are usually poor while being worked on, barriers, holes etc.

Correct. That's why I said they will adjust the speed limit accordingly.
If they have lifted the road surface for instance it may stay at 40 or be increased or 60 or 80. It's whatever is safe. The idea behind the initiative was to get rid of throwing out the 40 sign on day 1 when guys are working and then leaving them there all weekend frustrating the likes of you and me when there is no person on site.

Graeme

Hi again Graeme

That may be in the contracts but I would say that it is the minority that actually adjust the limits for out of works hours traffic. And if we were to call the RTA or cops that wouldn't alleviate the problem of that bloody big grill or bullbar in the mirror and the obviously intimidating exhaust brake applications.

I believe you that know my situation. I have had to stop and make a cuppa on more than one occasion after we got through.

It is a pain and for some and I thank SDG for the thread. It is so easy for some to just say "stick to the speed limit".

Phil

Spot on Graeme, I have seen the contracts

Whats the go in the other states? Are they going or gone the same way? That would help.

Phil

I know the one you speak of. Went through there as well and thought it was a waste of time.

totally agree with this and other comments regarding the irresponsible application of these safety measures

For some reason up here in FNQ this seems to happen quite a bit.
Signs left overnight when there is no work or workers present. Another thing that irks me is speed reduction signs ridiculously way ahead of the work area. I have seen reduction sign 1.5Ks away from the work area. Totally unrealistic and then they wonder why people speed thru the road work zones.
Don't get wrong, if conditions poor and or workers are present we should obey them to letter of the law, after all it is a work place and safety of them and you is paramount.

Came across the same thing down the Wide Bay Highway last weekend. Traffic lights showing red, 3 cars lined up for 10 minutes, problem was we could see cars lined up coming the other way as they had a red also. And this was on a Sunday afternoon. Someone called the number on the lights and a recording said to call back in Business hours.

A B Double pulled up next to us and said "follow me, the lights have been stuck on red all weekend."

Spot on Doug, is everyone really in that much of a hurry? Shouldn't plan travelling to such a strict timeline.

Peter

Two hours and ten minutes to drive from Childers to Maryborough on Friday was a bit rich though for 62 km and FIVE lots of roadworks.

It would see all those extra road works on the M2 and it associated delay in the end were to just add a bus lane and no extra lanes for other vehicles.

Garry

More than that I suspect, but either way, a speed sign is a speed sign, I guess...

would they be covering the back of the local council if you damage your car on that section of road is there any possible places that you may damage your car ?

Not a bump or even a stone out of place. No visible road works at all. Just the signs on the side of the road. No witches hats. No holes.

Phil

Phil,
I know you are talking about. We had one with changed traffic conditions. 80 kph after it was full finished. Those signs were in place for 6 months.

We all know why the signage is there but some, no a lot of it is rubbish.

I won't go into detail as it would break my fingers typing. How many have come across reduced speed signs that last for 3 k and all you we see are 2 witches hats. How many times have I come across reduced speed signs because of no line markings. One area I know had no lines for 2 years but no signs. How many times do you come across reduce speed signs that are placed kilometres before the road works because they are going to work on that section in a couple of weeks. Now some might get the drift why trucks and others that no the area don't slow down.

You even get the new stop go police that can't even guess what speed you are doing. One threw a wobbly in the Territory in a 40 zone. His arms were flailing about like a windmill. I thought Don Quixote was coming. Looked at my speedo and it said 38 kph. I couldn't stop but I said to the guy at the other end to get that guys head reassessed. Then there was the lovely lady just before Townsville that did the same. Look at the speedo this time 42 kph. Me thinks wow. See yells something about 40. I replied you are not 40 you look closer to 60. Then I decamped quickly.

There are faults on both sides. Traffic control make bad mistakes as well. Some of them can be down right lazy. NOTE the word some.

Things I noticed often. Water over the road. Fail! Not for the last 2 weeks anyway. Road deteriorates ahead. Fail! you reduce speed only to find the road better than you were driving on. Road works ahead. Fail! not in the next 100k anyway. 60 Kph sign but no release at the other end, technically that speed is enforced until you see another sign.

The best I heard was Between Bowen and Ayr when a traffic controller called up a truck and said. Don't worry about the 60 kph signs as we won't be working here today. Guess what Mister Hop would have said when the driver tried to explain why he was doing 40 kph over the limit. Answer from Mr John Hop. You sunshine have just lost your livelihood.

Yes, people speed through roadworks and should be pinged. BUT! Traffic controllers also have to know what they are doing and be responsible for what they did or didn't do.

Traffic controllers also have to know what speed to post and the distances the signs should be at each end of the roadworks.

I just see it as it is.