I've just read that there are 4 drivers caught every minute in the UK by speeding cameras :o and wondered do they have anything like that out in oz yet or is it just starting?

Sasha :)

Oh yes, cameras all over the place.... speeding cameras and red light cameras, all the same issues as in the uk only with lower speed limits ;)

Speed limits are 50kph residential roads, 60kph most of the main routes through the city (dual carriageways) and varies to rather higher (we've seen 110kph) on main roads out of the region and rather less in some situations - 25kph past schools or roadworks.

No traffic jams though, lovely free-moving traffic everywhere!

Elaine

Generally the speed cameras are out in the day and they are visible if you know what to look for ie brand new sedan with a camera where the passenger seat should be. As for red light cameras yes they now double as speed cameras and I have seen people get flashed. More worrying in my opinion is the new truvelo things on the start of the freeway. They measure the time between locations and work out if you were speeding and then charge you on your average between A & B.

So yeah no different to the UK really.... :angry:

.... oh yeah, and a truly Australian twist to the tale - they publish the locations of the speed cameras in the papers!

Elaine

There's also a roads death toll at the end of the news here which is very daunting when you've drove here you'll understand why! Adelaide drivers have to be the worst in Australia, they drive far to close and over and under take with only a cars length gap. They aren't very curtious either and won't let you out of junctions etc if someone does let you out then you can bet they aren't Adelaidians....

I would say though that roads here are less populated once the rush hour is over that is and generally there's not many hold ups unless there's been a RTA.

Juls

I have to laugh when you say they are terrible drivers as at the exhibition on Saturday Roy was told he would be really welcome to move to SA as he is a panel beater - the person said the drivers where so bad that there would be loads of business for him! :D

Sasha :)

Oh yes plenty of bashed cars here and ones you wouldn't think road worthy too because of having no current MOT although police do have the power to pull them over. Saying that though I think Adelaide must only have a handful of police cars because I don't see that many of them.

Juls

The one everyone here seems to obey is the 25kph past roadworks, EVERYONE seems to slow down, quite amusing really when it is a row of cones with no-one working and everyone slows right down. Pity they don't seem to know the 2 second rule here! :o
Rach :bouncy:

What is the 2 second rule?

When you drive you pick a point on the road and when the car in front passes it you say "only a fool breaks the two second rule" you should then pass the point you picked.

You basically have a two seconds between you and the car in front.

When its raining to be on the safe side, I add, "espececially when its p***ing it down with rain" at the end.

Not sure how scientific it is! Don't think its part of the theory test either!

Tracey :blink:

If you get caught by a camera what happens? Is it the same as over here a fine and then 3 points - then after so many points you lose your licence?

Sasha :)

It used to be just a fine. I've had two tickets for doing 80 odd in a 60 and had to pay about $215 each. In hindsight I would have taken these to court as there are many factors where it isn't appropriate to use radar ie near powerlines, train tracks the list is endless...

Now you do get demerit points as in the UK although I have no idea how many. My advice is not to speed in heavy traffic areas as they always chase the big numbers!

You should also slow down to 25 kms in school zones "not many do though" I walk my daughter to Kindy and pass 2 of these zones only 1 in perhaps 5 drivers slow down ! School Zones aren't just for when children are going to and from school it is 24 hours a day so if children are seen in these zones - 25 kms.

Juls