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Zipper's Driving School - News Views & Trivia
NEWS & VIEWS archives page 1 |
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| DEFAULT SPEED LIMIT LOWERED |
50km/h DEFAULT ACCEPTANCE | ARE WE THE 2nd WORST DRIVERS? |
The urban speed limit in Darwin and many NT townships has been lowered from 60km/h to 50 km/h, effective from March 31st 2005. It affects roads in built-up areas (townships etc) which are not sign-posted with a particular limit.The changes were originally intended to be implemented on 1st March 2004 but delayed while councils debated the matter. All other Australian States and the Australian Capital Territory have now introduced the lower urban speed limit. Introducing the 50 km/h urban speed limit in the Territory will mean that our road rules will remain nationally consistent and make it easier for Territory drivers when they travel interstate. |
If the relative lack of letters to the NT News since the introduction of the new urban 50k/h default limit in March this year is a guide, there is general acceptance of the lower limit. Of course this does not necessarily translate into a willingness to obey it! A spate of letters in the months leading up to the introduction showed that many NT drivers resented the proposed change - a major concern being that a lower limit would unreasonably slow through-traffic on connecting roads. Some complained that the new limit would cost them money from lower fuel efficiency through being forced to travel at less than optimum speeds and using lower gears more often. Some even complained that extra signs would distract them! Others simply did not want to slow down. Since the introduction of the 50km/h default limit it is obvious that the authorities have put some thought into what roads would remain at 60km/h, and roads carrying significant through-traffic have not been affected. This contrasts with other jurisdictions - in particular suburban Adelaide S.A. where the default limit has been implemented with zeal and few suburban road have received higher postings. 
Leanyer in Darwin's northern suburbs was always a 50km/h zone.The combination of narrow winding roads and young children and local drivers* requires drivers to be particularly alert and careful. Drivers who demonstrate appropriate awareness usually find themselves going even slower than the 50 km/h limit. Drivers tend to be at their most dangerous in their home suburb, particularly in their own street. There is a tendency for drivers to relax their concentration when close to home: "this is MY area, I know it well, nothing can happen to me because I'm home and safe!". |
This column was originally written in December 2003 but with the increasing NT road death toll, the issues it raises are still relevent today. A front page article in the NT News (19/12/2003) has concerned some driver trainers in Darwin. International Road Safety Comparison figures show that the NT rate of 25.3 deaths per 100,000 people is second only to Korea. In the article, AANT President David Booth said the statistics disappointed but did not shock him, and said that "learners should be taught defensive driving techniques as part of their course". It is this remark - implying that defensive driving is not taught by instructors - which concerns some driver trainers who strongly disagree. Many trainers especially those operating under DTAL provide minimal training to get their learners through the test in the shortest possible time - a combination of pressure from learners and lack of concern for the outcome of their training. Aside from speciality operators doing advanced driving courses, there is a group of instructors who do endeavour to teach defensive driving skills. People think that driving instructors teach only the basics of car control (clutch, gears etc). Professional instructors with integrity incorporate defensive driving skills into all aspects of their in-car training delivery. Defensive Driving is driving in a manner to avoid accidents, and does not necessarily include training on how to control a skid as some people might think. Skills which are taught include observation techniques (scanning etc), maintaining safety margins, identifying hazard zones, appropriate responses to hazard situations, approaches to intersections, cornering speeds, cooperation with other road users; to name but a few. Despite Mr. Booth's comments there ARE some Authorised Driving Instructors in Darwin who DO train in this manner. |
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