Speed Camera News Picton Rd speed reduction counter-productive: union
(Thanks to National Motorists Assocation Australia for the link. http://www.aussiemotorists.com/)
Ban the Cams note: When you micro manage speed, which is what photo radar does, people don't act as safe. They "might" obey the number limit, but they will not adjust for changing conditions trying to make up time. (They also tend to speedometer watch instead of what is outside).
A great read is this section from UK anti speed camera site Safe Speed: http://www.safespeed.org.uk/dangers.html
One Example: "Reduced individual driver responsibility in general and for speed in particular, leads to a reduced tendency for drivers to reduce speed when necessary."
Picton Rd speed reduction counter-productive: union
BY NICOLE HASHAM
29 Apr, 2011 04:00 AM
Picton Rd's reduced speed limit and point-to-point cameras are pushing truck drivers to drive faster later on to make up time and risk the lives of other road users, the transport union claims.
As the Coalition audits speed limits and cameras across the state, Transport Workers Union branch secretary Richard Olsen says the Keneally government's decision last year to cut the speed limit from 100km/h to 90km/h has failed to make safety gains, but put needless strain on truck drivers' schedules.
"It doesn't change driver behaviour. It won't contribute to a reduction in the death toll," Mr Olsen said.
"All it does is put more pressure on drivers to reduce speed, when in many places on Picton Rd, 100 is a very safe speed."
The Government introduced the measure last November in a bid to stem the road's high death toll.
Mr Olsen also believes point-to-point speed cameras targeting heavy vehicles encourage speeding in some drivers, who accelerate later to make up time.
His claim yesterday coincided with International Workers' Memorial Day, which remembers the 7000 workers who die from workplace accidents or disease each year.
It also came as the Federal Government attempts to introduce uniform national workplace safety laws which promise to boost productivity and cut costs to business.
Premier Barry O'Farrell has promised to support the reforms, a move at odds with his predecessor.
Mr Olsen said the new legislation must have "the betterment of workers" at its heart.
Truck drivers' pay must also be improved to remove the economic imperative to speed and take extra risks or drive longer than they are allowed to by law and become fatigued, he said.
Retailers and employers should also be held to account for pressuring truck drivers to cut corners, Mr Olsen said.
He added some "want the stuff in Melbourne by 8am and don't care how it gets there".
Subscribe to this comment's feedwritten by JIM KROCK , May 07, 2011
I for one just got my second in two years. My Community, ELK GROVE VILLAGE,IL, gets over $900,000 a year revenue and it is TAXATION NOT TRAFFIC CONTROL.
Stop and DO NOT TURN, you cannot be ticketed for NOT TURNING.
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