We take it for granted here in the US that a speed limit is a rough upper bound, and that you can regularly surpass it with no penalty. Is there anyplace where it’s treated as a true upper limit, and everyone goes 5-10 mph/kph slower just so they don’t break it?
You mean a country where the speed limit is rigidly and diligently enforced everywhere?
Not in France or Italy. On the island of Guernsey, it is fairly well enforced by the walls and hedges right on the edge of the road combined with narrow windy roads. Not much way to build up any speed there. They have the highest concentration of automobiles in the world. In the week I was there I did not see even a hint of an accident.
In Australia the speed limit is enforced very diligently, mostly through speeding fines (there are speed camera’s all over). Also there are advertising campaigns showing the cause and effect of speeding (death, disfigurement etc), some of these can be quite graphic.
IMHO its a great thing as it reduces the road toll and makes driving (and being a pedestrian) much safer.
Will find links and come back.
leechbabe
Of particular interest is the recent “Wipe of 5 or wipe out lives” campaign from the Transport Accident Commission more info on it can be found here.
I beg to differ. There are lots of places in the U.S., particularly in the southeastern U.S., where speed limits are strictly enforced for drivers who look like they are from out-of-town. In some other places, including the entire state of Utah, the slightest violation will get you stopped if you look like you might have some illegal drugs.
Thank you, Mr. Duality. There is a thread asking about Kangaroo courts that you might be interested in, since such courts specialize in out-of-towners.
“If you look like you might have some illegal drugs.” Is that anything like profiling?
Try going 5 or 10 over the limit in Long Beach Island in the months of June, July, and August, you’ll quickly learn the meaning of “strictly enforced.” “Gestapo” too.
???
Australia has a strictly enforced speed limit? I was under the impression that cops hardly bother about anything less than 5km over.
Hmm…you’ve never been to Perth then.
Shalmanese, can’t find a link at the minute but I’m sure I heard that they’re going to start booking for speeds of 3 kmh over the limit
In Los Angeles you’re pretty safe as long as you are not the fastest one in the immediate area. I go to work in the evening and usually travel at around 80 mph. I can always count on someone, usually some kid in a Honda going 90 mph+, to keep the attention of the Highway Patrol off me.