Speed Limit to Increase on some roads

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Speed Limit to Increase on some roads

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#1667821 11-Nov-2016 09:34

k1w1k1d:

I would like to see the speed limit for the right hand lane in passing lanes raised to 110km/h to allow quicker passing.

Apparently that already applies to the left lane?

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#1667893 11-Nov-2016 10:51

Let's try and keep this in perspective. They're not talking about ALL roads, just the new roads of national significance programme.

If the new Kapiti Expressway and Transmission Gully are built with the same road\lane widths as say the Tauranga Eastern link, then there is no problem.

It will require a mindset change of NZ drivers though. If the limit of these roads is to increase, then NZTA would\should introduce some etiquette rules for these stretches of road, e.g. the fast lane (right lane) is for the top limit (e.g. 110km/h). If you're not comfortable, or your vehicle is not capable, of those speeds, then stay in the left lane. Sure, if you need to exit the expressway\motorway and the exit is from the right lane (highly unlikely), then move to that lane, when safe to do so, before the exit, don't trundle along in fast lane doing 95km/h 5km before the exit. Of course, all this assumes the conditions permit the top limit to be reached and driven at.

I understand, having never lived or driven there, that these sort of motorway etiquette rules are common on UK and German motorways and Auobahn. Maybe a more travelled individual can confirm?

MikeAqua

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#1667917 11-Nov-2016 11:19

The rules already exist - if you are holding traffic up pull over etc. As we are talking about dual carriageway roads. It will be easier to pull over.

Mike

Dratsab

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#1667938 11-Nov-2016 11:44

WyleECoyoteNZ: If the limit of these roads is to increase, then NZTA would\should introduce some etiquette rules for these stretches of road, e.g. the fast lane (right lane) is for the top limit (e.g. 110km/h). If you're not comfortable, or your vehicle is not capable, of those speeds, then stay in the left lane. Sure, if you need to exit the expressway\motorway and the exit is from the right lane (highly unlikely), then move to that lane, when safe to do so, before the exit, don't trundle along in fast lane doing 95km/h 5km before the exit. Of course, all this assumes the conditions permit the top limit to be reached and driven at.

This is an example of part of the mindset that contributes to the wider driving problem on NZ roads. There is no fast lane, all lanes are set with an equal speed. People driving slower than the general flow of traffic in the right-hand lane of a multi-lane road, and holding other traffic up, is just a sign of the contempt most people have not only for simple rules but also those around them. It's nothing but arrogance and self-centricity, a bit like as described in this thread. It goes hand-in-hand with the parts of the mindset in which people think they can drive at whatever speed they like, dive across three motorway lanes to take an exit ramp, not bother using indicators (esp at roundabouts) etc. I blame the liberals

Bung

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#1667982 11-Nov-2016 12:59

MikeB4Wellington Motorway would not come even close, too many on and off ramps and a stupid Petrol station half way along. Not to mention terrible road surface made worse by sea spray and mud off the hills.

AFAIK you're off the Wgtn Urban Motorway after Ngauranga onto Hutt Road.

tdgeek

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#1668048 11-Nov-2016 13:32

WyleECoyoteNZ:

Let's try and keep this in perspective. They're not talking about ALL roads, just the new roads of national significance programme.

If the new Kapiti Expressway and Transmission Gully are built with the same road\lane widths as say the Tauranga Eastern link, then there is no problem.

It will require a mindset change of NZ drivers though. If the limit of these roads is to increase, then NZTA would\should introduce some etiquette rules for these stretches of road, e.g. the fast lane (right lane) is for the top limit (e.g. 110km/h). If you're not comfortable, or your vehicle is not capable, of those speeds, then stay in the left lane. Sure, if you need to exit the expressway\motorway and the exit is from the right lane (highly unlikely), then move to that lane, when safe to do so, before the exit, don't trundle along in fast lane doing 95km/h 5km before the exit. Of course, all this assumes the conditions permit the top limit to be reached and driven at.

I understand, having never lived or driven there, that these sort of motorway etiquette rules are common on UK and German motorways and Auobahn. Maybe a more travelled individual can confirm?

Ive driven a lot in the US, freeways, Interstates. Its a pleasure driving there. Considerate, many many cars maintain the same speed. You see that on the news if there is a highway shot. In NYC, SFO, same. I get in wrong lane at lights, indicate with hope, let in. Easy. Here. Not so much +100 (yes we do have courteous drivers, but on average its crapola schamolla. Motorways here should be called racetracks.

Kiwifan

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#1669772 12-Nov-2016 21:06

I too have driven thousands of kilometres in the USA and Canada and I can honestly say I prefer driving there. The highest speed limit we saw was 85 mph on an Interstate. Drivers were curteous and after passing pulled back in to the slow lane which is something that "some" drivers here can't grasp the concept of.

I love the right on red rule and their 4 way stops but to be honest I can't see either being introduced here. Too bad because for some reason both work really well.

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Linuxluver

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#1669811 12-Nov-2016 22:13

WyleECoyoteNZ:

I, for one, welcome the change.

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/speed-limit-will-rise-to-110-on-some-roads-govt-announces/

As long as the weather conditions permit.

Higher speeds result in higher CO2 emissions. The curve rises steeply after 90kph. Clearly this government just doesn't care.

They could reduce CO2 emissions from transport significantly via a 90kph speed limit rigorously enforced......and at the same time lower the death toll on the roads for no cost at all.

Traffic in congested areas actually flows better if it's moving slower....and with fewer accidents.

They just don't care.

I'd make it a lane where EVs can go 110 kph...while ICE (internal combustion engines) vehicles are fitted with speed governors that prevent them from going over 90kph. To ensure compliance they would have GPS logs tracking their actual speeds. ICE cars would be off the roads by 2030.

The world is heating up much faster than even the pessimistic projections., starting at the top and bottom, but mainly the top. Our government has its head up its backside......and most of the public remain blissfully unaware of the disaster accumulating 'out there'. The Arctic ocean will likely be ice free in the next year or two. The "old ice" is almost all gone. Now all they are seeing is the new ice formed each year...and this year it's way behind schedule.

2016 is a breakaway year in climate heating....and next year may be the same or worse. Probably worse.

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Linuxluver

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#1669816 12-Nov-2016 22:17

Kiwifan:

I love the right on red rule and their 4 way stops but to be honest I can't see either being introduced here. Too bad because for some reason both work really well.

Four-way stops are defacto roundabouts that really constipate traffic. Having driven with both for years, I *hugely* prefer roundabouts.

I like what would be the give-way left turn on red light here.....but you have to come to a full stop first. Then go, if safe. If there is an accident while you're doing this, you're automatically in the wrong.

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Kiwifan

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#1669822 12-Nov-2016 22:31

Linuxluver:
Kiwifan:

I love the right on red rule and their 4 way stops but to be honest I can't see either being introduced here. Too bad because for some reason both work really well.

Four-way stops are defacto roundabouts that really constipate traffic. Having driven with both for years, I *hugely* prefer roundabouts.

For sure with volume traffic but for the likes of car parks, shopping malls or small town streets we love the 4 way stops. I still remember our first North American roundabout especially as there was a patrol car entering from our right. :-)

MikeB4

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#1669823 12-Nov-2016 22:32

I really don't see any advantage for the change to 110k

Linuxluver

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#1669826 12-Nov-2016 22:38

MikeB4: I really don't see any advantage for the change to 110k

Election year?

MPs want to drive home faster?

Will trucks be able to go 110? Or will be vehicles hauling trailers still be legally restricted to 90kph?

The change feels like it wasn't really thought through. Add it to the list.

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shk292

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#1669837 12-Nov-2016 23:04

Linuxluver: <
Higher speeds result in higher CO2 emissions. The curve rises steeply after 90kph. Clearly this government just doesn't care.

They could reduce CO2 emissions from transport significantly via a 90kph speed limit rigorously enforced......and at the same time lower the death toll on the roads for no cost at all.

Traffic in congested areas actually flows better if it's moving slower....and with fewer accidents.

They just don't care.

I'd make it a lane where EVs can go 110 kph...while ICE (internal combustion engines) vehicles are fitted with speed governors that prevent them from going over 90kph. To ensure compliance they would have GPS logs tracking their actual speeds. ICE cars would be off the roads by 2030.

The world is heating up much faster than even the pessimistic projections., starting at the top and bottom, but mainly the top. Our government has its head up its backside......and most of the public remain blissfully unaware of the disaster accumulating 'out there'. The Arctic ocean will likely be ice free in the next year or two. The "old ice" is almost all gone. Now all they are seeing is the new ice formed each year...and this year it's way behind schedule.

2016 is a breakaway year in climate heating....and next year may be the same or worse. Probably worse.

And that is why Trump got elected

frankv

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#1669885 13-Nov-2016 08:44

Linuxluver:

They could reduce CO2 emissions from transport significantly via a 90kph speed limit rigorously enforced......and at the same time lower the death toll on the roads for no cost at all.

Well, no, not for "no cost at all". The cost is that we all increase the amount of time we spend on the roads by 10%. Or more... if the same total distance of driving is done, there would be 10% more cars on the road, leading to greater congestion.

An 80kph limit was in place in the 80s (reduced from 100kph) to reduce fuel costs. It was increasingly ignored, to the point where when the limit went back to 100kph, the average speed *dropped* from 104kph to 103kph. In the end, a "speed limit" (like any other law) needs to be generally accepted as being reasonable.

FWIW, since at least the 1980s, Europeans have been driving at 130kph on roads not dissimilar (to my eyes -- I'm not a traffic engineer) to our motorways. Cars have become *much* safer since then.

frankv

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#1669889 13-Nov-2016 08:47

shk292:

2016 is a breakaway year in climate heating....and next year may be the same or worse. Probably worse.

And that is why Trump got elected

Sorry, I don't see the connection. Trump is a climate-change denier.

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