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Speeding
Speeding is a factor in at least 40% of fatal crashes in NSW.
There have been many studies which demonstrate that speeding increases both the likelihood of a crash occurring and the severity of injury caused by road crashes.
The risk of being involved in a crash increases with speed because the driver has less time to react, less control of the vehicle and the distance it takes to stop is considerably lengthened.
A study of speed related crashes in 60km/h zones found that the risk of being involved in a crash causing death or injury doubles with each 5km/h increase in speed above 60km/h.
Speed management-some strategies to address speeding
Double demerit campaigns and enforcement
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A demerit point is a point recorded against your
licence. If you reach the limit of demerit points
your licence will be cancelled.
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An important aspect of the management of speed is
enforcement. A number of research studies including the
RTA’s pilot study in NSW on the double demerits
initiative, have found strong links between speed
enforcement, appropriate penalties and reductions in
serious casualties. For example, if law enforcement and
penalties for speeding are increased, the result is a
reduction of the injuries on our roads’.
Double demerits describes the initiative of doubling the demerit points for any driver caught speeding during peak holiday periods. |
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50 km/h urban speed limits
The 1997 trial of the 50km/h urban speed limit in NSW demonstrated a significant reduction in casualties in trial areas. Fatalities on local urban streets decreased from 124 in 1997 to 102 in 1998. This has led to the adoption of a 50-km/h speed limit in the majority of residential areas.
Student activity |
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Analyse each of the questions below and provide an explanation to justify your position.
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