Aug2015_Dear Editor _1 of 4

I write in reply to the “Not Sergeant X” elaborate defence of motorists who choose to drive at 80kmh in 100km zoned areas.  “Not Sergeant X” appears to focus on Dayboro Road to support his view.

I commute a distance of over 40,000kms per year which encompasses Samsonvale Road, City and Freeway driving.

 

What is under discussion here is motorists who drive at an indicated 100kmh in good weather conditions in 100kmh posted areas (the majority in my experience) driving motor vehicles that are perfectly capable of a 100kmh speed and those (the minority) who choose to travel in just as capable vehicles at an indicated 80kmh or under in the same speed zone and conditions possibly because of:

 

– A sense of entitlement (I will travel at whatever speed I choose under the 100kmh posted limit and I am not breaking the law);

 

– No sense of consideration for other shared road users (I  genuinely don’t care about the long queue of cars following behind me or the fact that someone may try to overtake me when it would be clearly dangerous to do so);

 

– A combination of both attitudes.

 

Both drivers are travelling under the legal speed limit as “Not Sergeant X” alludes to.

 

Samsonvale Road, in contrast to Dayboro Road has limited safe overtaking areas and the road and visibility long distance are compromised severely by the narrowness of the road in some areas, and bends.

 

The 80KMH “sitter” may be an annoyance or nuisance on Dayboro Road, but can be, in my view, dangerous and frustrating on Samsonvale Road and many other roads that do not afford numerous safe overtaking opportunities.

 

Dayboro does not have a mortgage on 80KMH “sitters”.  The same drivers exhibiting the same selfish attitudes as indicated above can be found anywhere.

 

Having a drivers licence involves sharing the road with other users and, I believe, carries with it a responsibility to consider those other road users equally and drive safely within the law. 

 

Yes, we know the 100kmh is a maximum LIMIT “Not Sergeant X”, but it is NOT an invitation to drive at any speed you feel like below the posted speed limit, just because you can and with total disregard to your fellow road users.

 

Jon Fea