W.A Driver Manual Update

[keepleft]

Missed out notification and would have included it in my NSW alert, so please take no offence.

Okay -
Western Australia's Department of Planning & Infrustructure have just released that States new driver training manual "DRIVE SAFE".

You can download the new version here, Pdf 2.5Mb.
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/lic_drivesafebook.pdf

The new handbook contains numerous legislative and road safety advice changes and updates from previous editions.

Indeed Page 82 "Emergencies & Crashes" tutorial will seem familiar to a certain item advocacy on my part-Sig. CB radio use is suggested a la SA tutorial edition.

Page 51 relates to WA specific rules regarding the use of front and rear fog lights. Remember, WA enforces that front fog light use is restricted to hazardous weather conditions like NSW, AND THAT they may only be used in conjunction with a vehicles park (sidelights) lights in WA. This operation is ideal for seriously reduced conditions incidentially.

Pictorial reference to the speed derestriction sign is dropped. WA as with all other states are removing remaining speed derestriction signs to comply with AS1742.4 of 1999 AND UN Convention on the matter. They can only be used again if the jurisdiction accepts the signs international meaning.

If your a WA learner or experienced driver I do suggest you purchase or download this document.

[Tre-Cool]

Funny the mention the derestriction sign because on a road less then 10km's from home here they put up a new one about a month ago.

Just a white sign with a round circle with a line through it.

[keepleft]

Tre-Cool,

Can you let me know the EXACT location (Even GPS) and I'll investigate, they are NOT meant to be replaced with the same, as they ARE being phased out in WA - and have been on the way out since 2000. After removal, a speed derestriction sign can be replaced with one of two sign choices, OR a third option:

1. A 110km/h speed limit sign, or
2. AN END speed-Limit sign. (R4-12) This is a newish sign bearing a number in a circle with the word END above it.
3. Not post a sign. Here, one of the two 'default' limits then applies.

PM me if you will that detail and I'll get back to you with feedback.

The derestriction signs are being allowed a natural death, by nature or driver.

[Tre-Cool]

Its on Kargotich Road about 200 metres from turning off Thomas Road.

Kargotich runs between Mundijong Rd and Thomas Rd.

[smoken2]

Hi,
Thanks for the new road rule info.

Nothing suprises me in WA (Wild West).
I have lived in 5 States in this great country (Including NT) and WA is the real eye opener.
I arrived here in WA 6 years ago and people were driving around in Utes talking on moblies with 5 + people sitting in the back of their Utes drinking beer generally having a great time, until they all had a crash.
12 months ago, WA brought in a law banning the travel of passengers in the rear of open Utes etc, it had to be enclosed ie. a panel van.
And on the 1st Jan 06, it was illegal to travel in the back of a panel van with no seat beats, cutting edge I know. Hey, finally WA have matched the rest of Australia in regards to sealtbelt/ seating arrangements, well done!
A few days ago 6 people had a crash in a Ute in Geraldton?? God bless them, 2 have died so far.
Another classic is WA only outlawed vehicle drivers talking on mobile phones less then 2 years ago, why? only 125 people had mobiles???.
A couple of more classis WA laws are that Radar detectors are legal, you don't have to have your vehicle roadworthy checked every year, but wait for it, the big joke is even if you buy a regisited shit box from a backyard machanic it still doesn't have to be roadworthy checked prior to rego transfer.
Yearly car rego is less then $500 per year, and a 1000cc motor bikes is less than $250 and I'am never leaving the good old Wild West, it's too good.
Thank God there are only 2 million people over here, because if there were more, there would be less, if you know what I mean.
As I said, the Wild West, road rules, anything goes, its great fun!
Priority One, Fix those out of place road speed signs. How about some WA driver education.
Cheers:yup:

[Tre-Cool]

Hi,
Thanks for the new road rule info.

Nothing suprises me in WA (Wild West).
I have lived in 5 States in this great country (Including NT) and WA is the real eye opener.
I arrived here in WA 6 years ago and people were driving around in Utes talking on moblies with 5 + people sitting in the back of their Utes drinking beer generally having a great time, until they all had a crash.

How else are the non-reflectives going to get around?:slap: Everyone knows a family of 5 and the relations can all fit in the back no problems. :lol:

And don't knock the all powerful radar detector! or ye shall feel thy wrath. haha

[PepeLePew]

How else are the non-reflectives going to get around?:slap: Everyone knows a family of 5 and the relations can all fit in the back no problems. :lol:



Hmmm non-reflectives...... :) Killer!

[plonkerchops]

Theres one down here that you perhaps youd want to have a look at too Keepleft.
Theres a derestricted sign on Wildwood road that runs from Bussell Hwy in Carbunup to Caves rd. ( near the Dunsborough / Yallingup area )
Its rather decieving to the uninitiated as theres several bends within that derestricted zone that are probably 50kmh bends that come up real quick and are partially hidden by dips & gullies and the shadow from very dense trees and undergrowth ( maybe less to the normal driver ). Being the wine region , add the wine tasting tourist entering/departing the road with nary a flick of the indicator and without warning , makes for a crummy bit of road






A couple of more classis WA laws are that Radar detectors are legal,



not for much longer , it was announced about 3 days ago that they are to be made illegal

[keepleft]

I'll get back to re WA dererstriction sign, the chap dealing with it has left and has had policy-development in regards 'speed signage' and zoning with him. I have the new chaps detail and will chase him when he's again visible, a day or so...


RADAR DETECTOR ISSUE: Your previous Transport Minister, Murray Criddle discussed the potential of a WA ban to meet ARR requirement. He mentioned coming under 'strong and determined pressure' from WA based agitators.

In the long discussion we went through all the international and domestic research to date as provided and as we could see online live, discussed Commonwealth Customs issues and a few other items in relation to the subject. (And speed).

Murray decided at that point there was no reason impacting traffic safety why the items should be banned. Indeed WA has begun I am told to use the SWS warning feature on some detectors, this is used to alert detectors of road work sites and the like.

The current Minsiter would do well to resist any such prohibition too.

That said, police do use all available speed measuring devices and do have the effect of slowing radar detector equipped vehicle traffic down. I would suggest they target dangerous roads and blackspots in doing so.

It is up to all WA drivers to not allow a prohibition to ever again eventuate and to not be weak in response against those who call for such.

If your in WA and own one of the devices you *must* make particular effort at driving safely.

The NSW ban of a few years ago has NOT resulted in any known life saving, and I consider my states 9 demerit points and$1K plus fine to be utterly deplorable. If I ever get my political way I'll allow their re-introduction but will then also have NSW use the SWS feature. Another reason why 'prohibition' is utterly stupid, neigh negligent. Road workers should appreciate the SWS feature.

Radar/laser detectors do not pevent the effective operation of point to point cameras.

[The_Senator]

Its on Kargotich Road about 200 metres from turning off Thomas Road.

Kargotich runs between Mundijong Rd and Thomas Rd.

Ahhh, what a great peice of road....

Are you the reason the police now patrol this road?

[Tre-Cool]

Don't think so (hope not) :-), dont drive along there that often and dont need to now that tonkin highway goes all the way to thomas rd.

As for the SWS stuff, I have been noticing it in use more and more often lately, especially during construction of the new roads and traffic light installations.

[plonkerchops]

Ahhh, what a great peice of road....

Are you the reason the police now patrol this road?


a particular forum member ( not me ) whilst coming home from a NewYear visit of the Margaret River region got picked up by a motorcycle cop around about there doing above the posted speed limit...during double demerits...and got off with a warning...said member was in utter disbelief that a motorcycle cop was in the middle of whoopwhoop..

[The_Senator]

Hopelands road is the classic "back of now where" road (just off Kargatich road for those that are not in the know).

Fellow work mate, driving a nice white SS back to Perth (and may i say a regular user of this strip) was pulled over by a cop car, going barely 8km over the limit (normally this person would be doing considerably more over - lucky day i guess!)

When the cop was queried as why he was out here, he said that residents had complained about more frequent "High Speed passes" - so it was now an area of interest.

So - for those that do use that particular peice of road - (Hopelands / Kargotich / Karnup) please be cautious - as your chances of getting caught are now much higher...

[keepleft]

Plonkerchops: "a particular forum member ( not me ) whilst coming home from a NewYear visit of the Margaret River region got picked up by a motorcycle cop around about there doing above the posted speed limit...during double demerits...and got off with a warning...said member was in utter disbelief that a motorcycle cop was in the middle of whoopwhoop".


POSTED speed limit? An actual 110km/h sign or (///)?

If the latter I'd go to the High Court. And I *know* I'd win.

[Tre-Cool]

I've only ever seen the coppers along the road once, and I was allready pulled over at the time checking the supercharger belt. There is roadworks on there at the moment, so i cant see them going out there at the moment. Not that i care either way.

Like any "rural" area there are roads going all over the place, enough to get lost if you have no good sense of direction and to be honest i dont know what speed limit most of them are anyway as i dont ussually head off a road i have no idea where it goes.

As an example Kargotich has the no speed sign posted as I mentioned above, so i ussually sit on 110km/h when i go down it. Yet I know Thomas rd is only90km/h and Mundijong rd is 110km/h.

It would be interested to know what speed they classify this road as. (I'd prefer 110km/h myself) but it also crosses a railway line and from memory (without having to go for a 10 minute drive) has no railway crossing booms.

This maybe due to the amount of traffic. Is there a certain amount of traffic a road needs to have before a railboom is needed? I always slow down as do most other people that get close to it anyway as if you go fast enough you can get some Air travell. ;-)

[Tre-Cool]

Just another quick comment, Is there any chance of getting the freeway speeds increased or do you know anyone who can be contacted in that regards? I just think it's stupid that you can only *legally* do 100km/h along a smooth as silk dual lane road yet can turn off onto a bumpy single lane road with traffic both ways and do 110.

I also remember about 5 years ago some brilliant City MP tried to get the highway speed limit in the North-west reduced to 100km/h, needless to say it dont go down to well. I reakon if someone wants to do something like that they should forced to do a long distance drive between say Perth & Karratha.

[VYSHSV8]

It would be interested to know what speed they classify this road as. (I'd prefer 110km/h myself) but it also crosses a railway line and from memory (without having to go for a 10 minute drive) has no railway crossing booms.
You are dead right mate it has a crossing and no booms but the speed has been reduced to 80 or 60 by then Dave

[Tre-Cool]

You are dead right mate it has a crossing and no booms but the speed has been reduced to 80 or 60 by then Dave
It Has? Might go for a look tomorow.

[keepleft]

Just another quick comment, Is there any chance of getting the freeway speeds increased or do you know anyone who can be contacted in that regards? I just think it's stupid that you can only *legally* do 100km/h along a smooth as silk dual lane road yet can turn off onto a bumpy single lane road with traffic both ways and do 110.

A similar situation was a reality here in NSW. The F3 out of Sydney has always had a 110km/h sign posted speed limit. Up to July 1979 you'd be doing that (sort of) and you'd run to the end of the freeways constructed length as it stood at the time. It ended at Peats Ridge Road, basically south-west of Gosford.

Now Peats Ridge road was a (///) zone, so yes on this primarily two-laned road you could sit at 140km/h variable, it really wasn't too bad, but still it just didn't sit well with me that you had slow down for this freeway.



I also remember about 5 years ago some brilliant City MP tried to get the highway speed limit in the North-west reduced to 100km/h, needless to say it dont go down to well. I reakon if someone wants to do something like that they should forced to do a long distance drive between say Perth & Karratha.

The Northwest/NT border WA residing folk (Kimberley) often campaign for higher speed limits and allowances. Murray Criddle had ruled out the idea of NT style (///) for the region, but said to WA Trans "I want you to go up there a couple of weeks, take a few radar readings to ascertain speeds, no fines, and come back to me with results, we could work on a speed limit increase from there. He was thinking along the lines 130-140km/h" Paul Keating had suggested a national 140km/h maximum in his time.

Regardless, I advised (///) would still be an 'as safe' or safer option, I don't believe in merely increasing a speed limit owing the potential for the 'marriage factor' at the higher allowed speed. I'd rather 'divorce' traffic rather than bunch it up.

The problem WA has, and I have this feedback from key pollies on both sides, is what one Labour lady MP says "Its these Perth based road safey nazis that prevent any real change in speed allowances". She is correct and serves to this day in power. Made mention of leaving parliament on a Friday nights at speeds up to 130 - 140 and would often come across a certain Liberal member doing the same. "It's a pity really because we both do this and we know it, its safe and its only party politics that that stops us progressing on the issue".

So, if ever the subject is raised by any MP, for gods sake support them loudly. It takes guts for them to come out against transport sector public servants like that, the academics and certain Police. You see, politicians come and go and the public sector employees know it, they bank on it, it is afterall their career. I have learn't this is where 'real power' resides, the thing from my perspective is that I'll always support Parliament!



I've had first contact with new WA chap in relation to the derestriction sign, I'll talk with him further.

[Clutchboy]

a particular forum member ( not me ) whilst coming home from a NewYear visit of the Margaret River region got picked up by a motorcycle cop around about there doing above the posted speed limit...during double demerits...and got off with a warning...said member was in utter disbelief that a motorcycle cop was in the middle of whoopwhoop..


I have it on good information that it was Hopelands Road, just backed off from 190 actual detection was 147 in 110.

Yes, said forum member deserved and received a stern lecture........:cool:

[keepleft]

I have it on good information that it was Hopelands Road, just backed off from 190 actual detection was 147 in 110.

Yes, said forum member deserved and received a stern lecture........:cool:

Clutch boy - in a sign posted 110km/h zone or derestriction?

[The_Senator]

I have driven that road on MANY an occassion - and i can not recall ever seeing a 110 sign post...

[Clutchboy]

Clutch boy - in a sign posted 110km/h zone or derestriction?

Couldn't remember seeing a sign. Hopelands Road is approx 20 - 30 km's long, dead straight.