The maximum speed for vehicles travelling on Australian highways is currently 110km/h. It is argued that this speed is too slow for a highway and may cause more road accidents and increase the road toll due to the drivers being restricted by the speed limit. When the speed limit is slow, drivers are left dangerously stuck behind and in-between trucks. The drivers are also too frustrated about not going above the low speed limit which can act as a distraction. (Tucker, 2015) Therefore, the maximum speed limit should be raised to 130km/h on all Australian highways.
In Australia the speed limit can range from 10km/h to 110km/h. In 1979, New South Wales introduced a highest speed limit of 100km/h for highways. Later in 2007, the Northern Territory …show more content…
Therefore, a slow pace may not be safer as many think and will only cause drivers to be tired and drowsy. Speed does not affect the number of crashes but only the impact of a crash when it occurs. It is actually the difference in speed rather than if everyone was driving at a high speed that affects the level of danger. When driving faster at 150km/h, it can sharpen the mind which keeps the driver alert and focused on driving. It is also more flexible and smaller vehicles can avoid the larger vehicles. (Torr, 2014) When the drivers are forced to stay within a speed limit of 110km/h, it can act as a distraction because they are too focused on not driving over the limit and being caught by the police. With a higher speed limit, the rate of fatigue related crashes can be reduced. Increasing the highway speed to 130km/h can save hours of time because vehicles are travelling faster. Fatigue is a major cause of vehicle related accidents and car crashes. A person who is fatigued and has been awake for more than 17 hours is twice as likely to have a crash compared to someone who is not fatigued. (Cheney, 2014) Someone who has been awake for 24 hours is also equivalent to someone with 100ml blood alcohol concentration and has a crash risk of seven times higher than normal. (Tucker, 2015) Therefore, raising the speed limit allows faster travel and less fatigue related
In Australia the speed limit can range from 10km/h to 110km/h. In 1979, New South Wales introduced a highest speed limit of 100km/h for highways. Later in 2007, the Northern Territory …show more content…
Therefore, a slow pace may not be safer as many think and will only cause drivers to be tired and drowsy. Speed does not affect the number of crashes but only the impact of a crash when it occurs. It is actually the difference in speed rather than if everyone was driving at a high speed that affects the level of danger. When driving faster at 150km/h, it can sharpen the mind which keeps the driver alert and focused on driving. It is also more flexible and smaller vehicles can avoid the larger vehicles. (Torr, 2014) When the drivers are forced to stay within a speed limit of 110km/h, it can act as a distraction because they are too focused on not driving over the limit and being caught by the police. With a higher speed limit, the rate of fatigue related crashes can be reduced. Increasing the highway speed to 130km/h can save hours of time because vehicles are travelling faster. Fatigue is a major cause of vehicle related accidents and car crashes. A person who is fatigued and has been awake for more than 17 hours is twice as likely to have a crash compared to someone who is not fatigued. (Cheney, 2014) Someone who has been awake for 24 hours is also equivalent to someone with 100ml blood alcohol concentration and has a crash risk of seven times higher than normal. (Tucker, 2015) Therefore, raising the speed limit allows faster travel and less fatigue related