13 Sep 2013
Wheels Magazine’s recent stunt to have a journalist drive 130kmh on the Hume Freeway showed little respect for others on the roads.
Driving at speeds 20km/h over the limit is senseless and puts the driver’s life, and other road users’ lives, at great risk.
The speed limits are in place for a reason - to help you make your journey a safe one. They are not a guide - they've been developed by experts who understand the road conditions and the appropriate speeds to drive or ride in them.
We understand that some people believe international comparisons indicate that speed limits on some roads could be raised. The TAC also understands why the community may feel like this would make their lives easier.
However, what cannot be ignored is that road infrastructure must support any potential increase in speed limits and at this point in time, Australian roads are not made for the high speeds Wheels Magazine would like to see.
Excessive and inappropriate speed is a factor in a third of fatal crashes each year and in thousands of crashes causing serious injury. We make no apology for continuing to remind the community why speeding is so dangerous.
The fact is, as your speed increases your ability to react to unexpected situations is reduced and stopping distance is increased.
It's time that as a community we take a stand and make speeding the socially unacceptable act that it should be.
The graph below depicts the relationship between travelling speed, stopping distance and impact.
