School zones - speed related

[Lightning Strike GT]

Just watching the local Brisbane news and low and behold Scruby was on there on his banter about the 40kmh school zones being too fast and he wants all of Australia to follow the Adelaide speed limit of 25kmh for all school zones - fair enough we have to protect the kiddies and some idiot parents as well BUT he wants it to be 25kmh for all of the school hours plus an hour or so either side ie from 630am to 630pm inclusive Australia wide so there is no confusion
I personally find the 40 kmh between 7-9 and 2-4 to be adequate as the kids should be in school between the times not running around out side the school grounds with out a parent or teacher

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by AU XR8

Just watching the local Brisbane news and low and behold Scruby was on there on his banter about the 40kmh school zones being too fast and he wants all of Australia to follow the Adelaide speed limit of 25kmh for all school zones - fair enough we have to protect the kiddies and some idiot parents as well BUT he wants it to be 25kmh for all of the school hours plus an hour or so either side ie from 630am to 630pm inclusive Australia wide so there is no confusion
I personally find the 40 kmh between 7-9 and 2-4 to be adequate as the kids should be in school between the times not running around out side the school grounds with out a parent or teacher

The suggestion for a 25km/h school zone is freaking ludicrous. It's hard enough (especially in an auto) trying to keep to the 40 zones.. and you can imagine how many mobile revenue units they'd have sitting there if that passed through. In Melbourne the 40 zones are between 8-9:30am and 2:30-4pm, which is intrusive enough. Why don't they just shut off the roads and divert the traffic ? You get enough impatient biartches in lancers up your backside as it is.

[Falcon_Phill]

25km? ИИИИin hell, as if 40 isnt slow enough. If you cant brake and stop within like a second doing 40, your a bloody idiot. 25km, may as well get out and walk faster then the car.

[FordGuy]

Next you will be walking the school zones not driving.And I thought we had issues with our school speed zones.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by FordGuy

Next you will be walking the school zones not driving.And I thought we had issues with our school speed zones.

Yeah, 25km/h is about 15mph.. ridiculous.

[FordGuy]

Originally Posted by fantz

Yeah, 25km/h is about 15mph.. ridiculous.

That's the exact speed of our school zones here in Florida.
Believe me I know how you feel.

[svo347]

does it really matter.......
these are children zones, personally i dont care

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by svo347

does it really matter.......
these are children zones, personally i dont care

No one is disputing that these are children zones, and that care must be taken around children when driving, but 40km/h combined with some general aptitude and awareness seems to me to be more than enough to keep everyone safe. Unless there have been studies to prove otherwise ? If so i'm happy to read them.

[FordGuy]

Originally Posted by svo347

does it really matter.......
these are children zones, personally i dont care

Yes it matters & you very much should care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't get me started more when it involves children!!!!!!

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by FordGuy

Yes it matters & you very much should care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't get me started more when it involves children!!!!!!

I'm actually wondering which way he meant that comment though now.. You could interpret it either way

[FordGuy]

Originally Posted by fantz

I'm actually wondering which way he meant that comment though now.. You could interpret it either way

Then he needs to clarify what he meant by that comment.
Just want clarifiaction don't want to cause any trouble.

[FordGuy]

Originally Posted by svo347

does it really matter.......
these are children zones, personally i dont care

I really want you to clarify what you mean by you don't care. You should when it comes to the safety of a child.

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by FordGuy

I really want you to clarify what you mean by you don't care. You should when it comes to the safety of a child.

Chill down. I'm almost certain he meant it as in "It's just the actual school zones where the speed would change, which doesn't concern me (him)" - not as in "I don't care cause I do 80km/h through there anyway in disregard of children"

[Falcon_Phill]

Who cares what he meant. He's entitled to his opinion.

[Redrum]

An emotive thread. One must balance what is workable to what is safest for each situation. I think for school roads, where people park and pick up kids at beginning and end of school is fine to have fairly low speed limits, I think 40kmph is fine, although in some situations a lesser speed may be appropriate. But to have them hours before or after these times is stupid. I mean do they wish to slow all cars down to 5kmph or have no cars at all.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by Redrum

An emotive thread. One must balance what is workable to what is safest for each situation. I think for school roads, where people park and pick up kids at beginning and end of school is fine to have fairly low speed limits, I think 40kmph is fine, although in some situations a lesser speed may be appropriate. But to have them hours before or after these times is stupid. I mean do they wish to slow all cars down to 5kmph or have no cars at all.

Exactly.

[svo347]

Originally Posted by FordGuy

I really want you to clarify what you mean by you don't care. You should when it comes to the safety of a child.

Mate your a Pi$$er.......
Dont tell me, you have an AK47 in the house and know how to use it.
I couldnt care less if the speeds were 25 km/hr in school zones, afterall they are where children frequent quiet often, and where kids do run across the roads, so for me not really a bad idea.
Any dip$hit that would think by my comment being about not caring for kids especially in kid zones needs to re assess where his head would be better off suited.....

[FordGuy]

Originally Posted by svo347

Mate your a Pi$$er.......
Dont tell me, you have an AK47 in the house and know how to use it.
I couldnt care less if the speeds were 25 km/hr in school zones, afterall they are where children frequent quiet often, and where kids do run across the roads, so for me not really a bad idea.
Any dip$hit that would think by my comment being about not caring for kids especially in kid zones needs to re assess where his head would be better off suited.....

You know the Dip$hit comment really is not needed all I wanted was for you to clarify what you said earlier the namecalling is not needed. If I said anything harsh I apologize up front but again the Dip$hit comment was not needed.I'm done with it and you. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

[ltd]

Wouldn't Darwins theory of evolution apply here?
Basically if you're too stupid to walk or run onto a road without looking you're gonna face the inevitable?

Seriously though, I believe instead of making us all Nanny states, we should focus on educating the children more than forcing drivers to go below 40kph.
For instance, I remember when I was a child we were taught by our school teachers and parents how to cross the road. There were also ads on during the hours that kids would normally be watching tv to reiterate to them with witty jingles the rules for crossing the road. This was by far more effective than any speed zones and quite frankly, it was almost unheard of at the time, that kids were struck down crossing the road.
Now, it's all about shifting responsibility to a third party ie the drivers.

And Ford Guy I think you coming from an american perspective need to appreciate that in Oz we have a number of police radar, fixed speed cameras and time shifting speed cameras that patrol our school zones.
Fine you say, well the problem is that we have no warning lights for the school zones, just a sign on the side of the road which is often obscured by growth of trees and shrubs and a sign painted on the road surface. You are not alerted within the zone just at the beginning.
With the variable speed cameras it is up to us drivers to set our cars time to GMT in order to avoid possibly losing 6 points off our licences for doing 60 in a 60 zone that is temporarily 40. The problem here is that most school zones are so poorly identified that you don't realise you are in one until halfway through.

If the speed in a school zone were to move to 25kmh that would mean that not realising you are in a school zone could cost you your licence. This is not down to inattentiveness either, this is because quite often there will be traffic, and you will be focussing your attention on the conditions ie somebody trying to turn right in front of you.

[AMT]

Are we all forgeting something...........at all schools there is a school crossing with a "lollypop person" to stop traffic and get the kids across the road safely and all the kids and parents should use it...!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FordGuy]

Originally Posted by ltd

Wouldn't Darwins theory of evolution apply here?
Basically if you're too stupid to walk or run onto a road without looking you're gonna face the inevitable?

Seriously though, I believe instead of making us all Nanny states, we should focus on educating the children more than forcing drivers to go below 40kph.
For instance, I remember when I was a child we were taught by our school teachers and parents how to cross the road. There were also ads on during the hours that kids would normally be watching tv to reiterate to them with witty jingles the rules for crossing the road. This was by far more effective than any speed zones and quite frankly, it was almost unheard of at the time, that kids were struck down crossing the road.
Now, it's all about shifting responsibility to a third party ie the drivers.

And Ford Guy I think you coming from an american perspective need to appreciate that in Oz we have a number of police radar, fixed speed cameras and time shifting speed cameras that patrol our school zones.
Fine you say, well the problem is that we have no warning lights for the school zones, just a sign on the side of the road which is often obscured by growth of trees and shrubs and a sign painted on the road surface. You are not alerted within the zone just at the beginning.
With the variable speed cameras it is up to us drivers to set our cars time to GMT in order to avoid possibly losing 6 points off our licences for doing 60 in a 60 zone that is temporarily 40. The problem here is that most school zones are so poorly identified that you don't realise you are in one until halfway through.

If the speed in a school zone were to move to 25kmh that would mean that not realising you are in a school zone could cost you your licence. This is not down to inattentiveness either, this is because quite often there will be traffic, and you will be focussing your attention on the conditions ie somebody trying to turn right in front of you.

Now with what you just said I undersdtand.THANK YOU.

[svo347]

Originally Posted by FordGuy

Now with what you just said I undersdtand.THANK YOU.

Yep me too

[AMT]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz................. ....

[FASTXR]

Originally Posted by ltd

...the problem is that we have no warning lights for the school zones

Exactly!
The NSW government has been stuffing around "evaluating" the effectiveness of flashing lights at school zones since 2003/4. Guess what? The results are still "inconclusive" and further research is needed. FFS!! I defy anyone to explain to me how having orange flashing warning lights would not increase driver awareness and reduce average speeds.

Then you get speeding fines being given out on things like pupil fee days! WTF?? Surely it makes sense to make people aware that they are entering a school zone, and inform them whether or not speed restrictions are in place at that precise time. After all, its the safety of the children thats important, not the revenue........right?

[slipper]

Originally Posted by FASTXR

Exactly!
The NSW government has been stuffing around "evaluating" the effectiveness of flashing lights at school zones since 2003/4. Guess what? The results are still "inconclusive" and further research is needed. FFS!! I defy anyone to explain to me how having orange flashing warning lights would not increase driver awareness and reduce average speeds.

What crap! Surely you can read traffic signs and can identity a school without lights? Do you need flashing stimuli every time you come across a stop sign? Anybody who does should immediately trade their licence for a frickin' bus pass!

A speed limit of 25km/h is OK by me at primary schools. You only have to put up with it for 400m or so and that adds only ~20 seconds to your trip. It is not about shifting responsibility to drivers, more about the fact that young kids just don't really get the big picture at that age. I certainly don't see the need to drop speeds below 40km/h at high schools. If you are of that age, it is time you started to understand the consequences of your actions.

Personally, I want to know why kids have to be driven to school every day? I used to walk or ride my pushbike! Any wonder the kids are so fat and the traffic so bad!

[ltd]

Originally Posted by slipper

What crap! Surely you can read traffic signs and can identity a school without lights? Do you need flashing stimuli every time you come across a stop sign? Anybody who does should immediately trade their licence for a frickin' bus pass!

A speed limit of 25km/h is OK by me at primary schools. You only have to put up with it for 400m or so and that adds only ~20 seconds to your trip. It is not about shifting responsibility to drivers, more about the fact that young kids just don't really get the big picture at that age. I certainly don't see the need to drop speeds below 40km/h at high schools. If you are of that age, it is time you started to understand the consequences of your actions.

Personally, I want to know why kids have to be driven to school every day? I used to walk or ride my pushbike! Any wonder the kids are so fat and the traffic so bad!

Refer my earlier post mate, quite often you have the signs obscured by trees and shrubs. Additionally, if you are focussing your attention on traffic issues like changing lanes or looking in your rear view mirror you can miss the sign.

As for school zones being clearly marked, why not take a drive down the boulevarde in strathfield where there are 3 school zones in the space of 1.5klm?
then you have more once you get around the corner near redmyre road.
Thats 4 in the space of 2 klm so by your calculation that would add 1 minute 20 to a 2klm trip.

I'm not suggesting that anyone would like to hit a child, and its something that I pay particular attention to when I see the kids, but the arguement still stands; why penalise drivers further particularly where fine revenue is concerned when a more effective approach would be to educate children nationally - backed up by public service advertising on television during the hours kids watch tv. This isn't a new untried approach, it has happened before to great effect.

[slipper]

Originally Posted by ltd

Refer my earlier post mate, quite often you have the signs obscured by trees and shrubs. Additionally, if you are focussing your attention on traffic issues like changing lanes or looking in your rear view mirror you can miss the sign.

So, if one of the signs is hidden by a tree (and there is usually more than one), you have no other clues? What about lots of kids in uniform, lollipop ladies (persons?), the traffic chaos of a thousand Pajeros vying for poll position?

Originally Posted by UNR8D

dont know if you have driven up here in qld but alot of the sign's have trees/bushes over hanging, even stupidly put directly behind a lamp post so its not always that easy, im still baffled as how you can not agree that lights would attract more attention and make drivers aware of a schoolzone and that the limit's are still enforce...

Mate, I didn't say that flashing lights would not get your attention. I asked if an alert driver really needed such a device. You can read other road signs without flashing lights, can't you?

[UNR8D]

Originally Posted by slipper

What crap! Surely you can read traffic signs and can identity a school without lights? Do you need flashing stimuli every time you come across a stop sign? Anybody who does should immediately trade their licence for a frickin' bus pass!

dont know if you have driven up here in qld but alot of the sign's have trees/bushes over hanging, even stupidly put directly behind a lamp post so its not always that easy, im still baffled as how you can not agree that lights would attract more attention and make drivers aware of a schoolzone and that the limit's are still enforce, would make sence as i had a mate who i was with at the time get done for 62 in a 40 zone, according to us it was 9:04 cop said it was 8:59, with the light system this would rid any confusion.

we live in a state where the speed for school zones varies from 40 - 80 in rural area's (no im not lieing) and times that vary from area' to area so it makes it confusing for drivers when faced with varying options with school area's in just qld let alone people traveling interstate.

Scooby can go ИИИИ himself, im over that pompus pricks remarks about redicilous road safey scheems, he must wake up in the morning and think, how can i really ИИИИ off australia today... ohh i know ill just open my mouth, his oppinions are held with a grain of salt by most, and i feel sorry for those that belive the bullИИИИ that dribbles from this guys mouth.
All this comming from a guy last year wanting to ban tint as he belived it had links to terriorism... :

making speeds slower will increase the impatiance of motorists and i belive have the reverse effects of what they are trying to acheave, once out of the speed zone or once the '25km/h car is out of the way they will drive like a mad man to make up lost time, and make people extremely frustrated as their will be morning joggers passing them, if you cannot consintrate at 40km/h and bring your car to a stop with in a few meters then i would be concerned as to why you have a licance in the first place, hell does ABS even effectivly work at 40km/h? ing_sm

[FASTXR]

Originally Posted by slipper

What crap! Surely you can read traffic signs and can identity a school without lights? Do you need flashing stimuli every time you come across a stop sign? Anybody who does should immediately trade their licence for a frickin' bus pass!

Mate I really don't understand your thinking. You say you support 25km/h around schools but then dump on me for suggesting something that could only raise motorist's awareness of the school zone and more likely than not lower their speed.

No, I don't need flashing stimuli every time I come across a stop sign, but then again I don't know of too many stop signs that only operate at certain times of the day and certain days of the year either!

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by ltd

Seriously though, I believe instead of making us all Nanny states, we should focus on educating the children more than forcing drivers to go below 40kph.
For instance, I remember when I was a child we were taught by our school teachers and parents how to cross the road. There were also ads on during the hours that kids would normally be watching tv to reiterate to them with witty jingles the rules for crossing the road. This was by far more effective than any speed zones and quite frankly, it was almost unheard of at the time, that kids were struck down crossing the road.
Now, it's all about shifting responsibility to a third party ie the drivers.

IMO speed limits around schools should be 60kph. They were when I was at school and this was per ABS! I, like the rest of my school friends were not hit by cars. Why? We were taught of the dangers of the road. Unlike today.
I refer you to the latest TAC commercial where the girl gets hit. They change one fact of 5klms and she only gets bruses. How about you look both ways and get no injuries at all!

This makes me soo angry. Look Left and right. No injury then!