Just read the lead story on truck drivers on the Newell and we have just travelled down the highway from Brisbane to Melbourne. We found that the interstate drivers with the B doubles etc. were generally good and understood that we didn't want to hold them up and would be pulling over as soon as possible. The problem seemed to be more with the locallised delivery drivers with smaller trucks who would tailgate you and cut you off at every opportunity. Keith
Palebushman said
05:22 PM Jan 24, 2010
Yes, I must admit that I was intrigued by that story as well Keith.
While doing our first 'Oz360' last year, monitoring the rear-view mirrors for the 'Knights Of The Road' was a major priority. Keeping on channel 40 was also a priority, so that I could let them know that I would slow down as soon as I saw them pulling out. Must admit that they were always appreciative of my awareness of them, and all of them thanked me for my actions.
I'm not saying that there aren't the odd couple of 'Irritated' Truckies on the roads, but then again, if one understands the pressures and hours that these drivers are made to work by their unscrupulous bosses, then it's easy to understand their frustrations when they encounter slow moving and ignorant vehicle drivers in front of them.
I have always been a firm believer in making it part of a Driving Test, that the new car driver should spend at least 3 hours in a 'B Double' cab during its working hours. It would be the best way to make one appreciate just what one is sharing the road with, and also how dangerous it could be to mess around with one.
dave06 said
06:04 PM Jan 24, 2010
single owner operator semi's are the worst! had a lot of strife with some of those cowboys!
jimricho said
06:30 PM Jan 24, 2010
My experience has been pretty much in line with the above comments. The only section of the Newell I regularly travel is the section between Narrabri and Goondiwindi when going on my winter escape from Newcastle to FNQ. I personally will be happier with the 100k speed limit as it suits me to travel at that speed when towing and it means I can keep with the traffic flow.
I'm no apologist for the truckies but I can understand them being really p1ssed off when travelling behind someone doing 80ks on the open road with no consideration for their fellow road users whoever they may be.
milo said
06:53 PM Jan 24, 2010
after driving "The Tardis" around South Aus, I found a new respect for truckies, and I know with any groups you get the odd cowboy or what ever but thats the same every where,
I know when i get say 4 or more cars behind me and when possible in the m/h I try and pull over, even with out a uhf at the moment, although I'm trying to talk dad into getting one ...
Ma said
07:10 PM Jan 24, 2010
Having been on both sides of the fence I can relate to what you are all saying.
It all boils down to common courtesy but alas there are those that don't know what that means................on both sides.
Just as long as YOU are courteous and considerate it makes YOUR trip all that much better and safer for YOU.
dave06 said
10:17 AM Jan 25, 2010
yes but the trouble with common courtesy is that it's not all that common, we have two separate speed laws here in south aussy, 110 open highway speed and 100 k limited for b doubles, buses and road trains
what is going on now is that we are getting semi drivers tailgating b doubles and road trains and not having enough room to pass when an opportunity arises, this leads to frustration from other drivers and of course leads to bad judgement calls
I feel a speed limit of 100 k's per hour for single semis is the way to go so this build up doesn't happen
if you come in to mount gambier from the great ocean road then up to Murray bridge just be aware of the cattle transports, they are deadly, if you believe all semi operators are professional and courteous I dare anyone to drive that road in a slower moving vehicle, you will be forced off the road and tailgated like you have never been before
Mick themungrel said
04:51 PM Jan 25, 2010
dave06 wrote:
yes but the trouble with common courtesy is that it's not all that common, we have two separate speed laws here in south aussy, 110 open highway speed and 100 k limited for b doubles, buses and road trains
Dave the speed limit for road trains in all states except for the NT is 90kph and is strictly enforced .
what is going on now is that we are getting semi drivers tailgating b doubles and road trains and not having enough room to pass when an opportunity arises, this leads to frustration from other drivers and of course leads to bad judgement calls
I feel a speed limit of 100 k's per hour for single semis is the way to go so this build up doesn't happen
The speed limit for all other trucks is 100kph
Please get your facts right on this .
-- Edited by Mick themungrel on Monday 25th of January 2010 04:40:58 PM
dave06 said
05:14 PM Jan 25, 2010
sit on 90 kph out here and see where the enforcement is, I have yet to see it, you will quickly be monstered and overtaken by heavy's, recently I was one of them, and regularly sat on the 110 without ever being pulled up!
this site shows the speed limit of road trains and it aint 90 kph.............................http://www.dtei.sa.gov.au/roadsafety/safer_speeds/speed_limits
these are the facts.
Mick themungrel said
05:57 PM Jan 25, 2010
dave06 wrote:
sit on 90 kph out here and see where the enforcement is, I have yet to see it, you will quickly be monstered and overtaken by heavy's, recently I was one of them, and regularly sat on the 110 without ever being pulled up!
this site shows the speed limit of road trains and it aint 90 kph.............................http://www.dtei.sa.gov.au/roadsafety/safer_speeds/speed_limits
these are the facts.
No they are not the facts Dave and I quote
Drivers of buses of more than 5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and heavy vehicles of more than 12 tonnes GVM must not exceed 100 km/h
A longer or wider vehicle, such as a road train or low loader, may have a lower maximum speed limit as a condition of its permit of travel.
Dave have a look at this site as regards road trains . page 11
You are really setting a good example doing 110 in a heavy as you call it . I have travelled over a lot of country as a road train 2, 3 and 2and a half trailers and 99% of the time sat on about 92kph and never been monstered as you call it , but the old saying is never let the facts get in the way of a good yarn .
-- Edited by Mick themungrel on Monday 25th of January 2010 04:58:30 PM
Mick themungrel said
06:08 PM Jan 25, 2010
It is a few years since I have been on the Newel , but I used to run from Narrabri to the border , Dubbo to Gilgandra and Griffith to the Vic border with road trains and sat on 92kph and I cant remember getting monstered or abused by any other trucks .
dave06 said
06:28 PM Jan 25, 2010
ah you're a worry Mick!
jimricho said
06:59 PM Jan 25, 2010
My recent experience on the Newell was the trucks travelling at 100k, GPS checked. Can't say I was harrassed at all but did have to stop at the Gurley Pub for a quick reviver!
dave06 said
07:07 PM Jan 25, 2010
when I was coming back along the Murray from echuca I was wondering why the damn semi's were catching up to me and sitting right on my freckle when I was sitting spot on 100kph, I turned my gps on and found the magnas speedo is 10% out I was only doing 90 odd k's per hour, I increased the cruise control and set it to the gps indicated 100 kph and no more trouble
as I stated previously the road trains and b doubles are not the problem it's the single semi's that give me the grits
anyone that travels the main north road regularly knows what I'm talking about, I travel the thing quite often with the camper and regularly get monstered by semi's that refuse to slow
jimricho said
07:14 PM Jan 25, 2010
That's been my experience too Daveo
Mick themungrel said
07:44 PM Jan 25, 2010
dave06 wrote:
anyone that travels the main north road regularly knows what I'm talking about, I travel the thing quite often with the camper and regularly get monstered by semi's that refuse to slow
I regularly run on Main North Rd both in my ute and in the truck and dont get monstered there either .
Dave you say I am a worry , please explain why . Is it because my facts are correct ?
jimricho said
09:05 PM Jan 25, 2010
Now Now children....be nice!!
Mick themungrel said
09:29 PM Jan 25, 2010
Hey Jim Im being nice dont worry about that .
Cruising Granny said
10:58 PM Jan 25, 2010
On my most recent visit to SA, last week, I travelled along Main North Rd 3 times and never saw any problems on the double highway.
I used to drive Adelaide-Lincoln lots, and I don't recall ever being bullied by trucks.
And since leaving Broome, or even while travelling the 2 main roads between Broome and Perth, I wasn't hassled on purpose by any truckies in singles, Bdbls or triples.
I use my UHF to advise of my speed so they can plan their next moves.
I have had problems with gherkins in cars and with boat trailers driving along the central white line instead on the left of it. Now that really makes life difficult.
Drive as carefully as you know how, according to the conditions, and allow for the other bast..d's stupidity. Stay upright.
dave06 said
10:38 AM Jan 26, 2010
well mick your facts are partially correct but a lot incorrect and that is why you are a worry, I live here and am on the highway everyday in various vehicles including trucks and up until recently semis, the speeds are as I stated with buses, bdoubles, road trains limited to 100 kph clearly showing on the sign on the front and rear of the vehicle and single semis able to do 110
anyone who has been on sa roads knows this, and I dont understand why you wish to make an argument out of it, this is the last I will say on the matter as I have already stated the truth side of it, anymore than this and it is simply a waste of time!
if you wish an argument then pick another subject where you wont be made look quite so foolish!
dave06 said
01:07 PM Jan 26, 2010
so by your reckoning granny seeing as to how we have been to qld 8 times and never seen a cyclone then they don't exist????????????
I rarely have trouble along the main north road as I stated, merely the tailgating at high speed, the area I have trouble with is down the southeast and on the dukes and the delivery/cartage trucks on the great ocean road!
there has been so much trouble with semis lately the government is talking about a 90 kph speed limit for all, personally I think the freight should go back on trains where it belongs
Mick themungrel said
01:21 PM Jan 26, 2010
dave06 wrote:
well mick your facts are partially correct but a lot incorrect and that is why you are a worry, I live here and am on the highway everyday in various vehicles including trucks and up until recently semis, the speeds are as I stated with buses, bdoubles, road trains limited to 100 kph clearly showing on the sign on the front and rear of the vehicle and single semis able to do 110
anyone who has been on sa roads knows this, and I dont understand why you wish to make an argument out of it, this is the last I will say on the matter as I have already stated the truth side of it, anymore than this and it is simply a waste of time!
if you wish an argument then pick another subject where you wont be made look quite so foolish!
Dave you are the 1 being made to look foolish by your continuing on with stating incorrect facts . I am not arguing with you . All I am doing is correcting incorrect facts that you persist in saying are correct .
This quote is from the site you posted
Drivers of buses of more than 5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and heavy vehicles of more than 12 tonnes GVM must not exceed 100 km/h
A longer or wider vehicle, such as a road train or low loader, may have a lower maximum speed limit as a condition of its permit of travel.
A Gazette Notice is an exemption granted under the Road Traffic Act. A Gazette Notice allows Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) to operate on approved route networks in South Australia, provided that the terms and conditions of the Notice have been met.
RAVs include long combinations vehicles such as:
Road Trains
B-Doubles
Car Carriers
Higher Mass Limits Vehicles
Controlled Access Buses.
A series of South Australian route networks has been assessed and approved as safe and suitable for use by RAVs. These approved route networks are published as notices in the South Australian Government Gazette, and are known as Gazettes.
Gazette Notices contain the:
Approved route networks
Terms and conditions for operation.
RAV drivers must comply with all conditions specified in the Gazette Notice when operating on an approved route.
From the Road Train Code of Practise which is a Gazetted Notice and is therefore law
14. Speed limits 14.1 You must not exceed 90 kilometres per hour, or any posted speed limit whichever is the lesser. 14.2 If there is no posted speed limit on a length of road in a built-up area, the speed limit is 50 kilometres per hour.
There is no requirement now to show the 100 limited sign on the front and rear .
21Speed-limit where a speed-limit sign applies (1) The speed-limit applying to a driver for a length of road to which a speed-limit sign applies is the number of kilometres per hour indicated by the number on the sign. Note Length of road is defined in the dictionary. (2) However, if the number on the speed-limit sign is over 100 and the driver is driving a bus with a GVM over 5 tonnes, or another vehicle with a GVM over 12 tonnes, the speed-limit applying to the driver for the length of road is 100 kilometres per hour. Note 1 Bus and GVM are defined in the dictionary, and vehicle is defined in rule 15. Note 2 Five tonnes is specified for the definition of heavy omnibus in the Australian Design Rules issued under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cth). Note 3 If the vehicle is an oversize or overmass vehicle, the vehicle may be restricted to a lower speed-limit under another law of this jurisdiction.
Dave I have been driving on SA roads for a long time and I really dont know were you get this poppyc ock idea that RT are allowed 100kph . NT is the only state were they are allowed 100kph .As for the absolute garbage that semi's are allowed 110kph I really do think that is a dream world you are in .
I have been living in SA for the last 2 and half years and have covered from Port Augusta to Lameroo on a regular basis so i reckon I have a fairly good idea of the SA road rules .
-- Edited by Mick themungrel on Tuesday 26th of January 2010 12:28:53 PM
dave06 said
01:41 PM Jan 26, 2010
I've lived in this area for twenty five years and most of those were driving semis so I am reasonably conversant with the laws as well! but have it your way, I cant be bothered!
Mick themungrel said
01:53 PM Jan 26, 2010
dave06 wrote:
I've lived in this area for twenty five years and most of those were driving semis so I am reasonably conversant with the laws as well! but have it your way, I cant be bothered!
Dave you continue to live in your dream world and when the day comes that a highway cop pulls you up and defects the truck for not being speed limited to 100kph . I bet you wont post it on here , but if you do I promise I want say I told you so .
dave06 said
02:24 PM Jan 26, 2010
yep I deserve that one, I just had lunch with my boss and I put the question to him, he stated the speed limit for semis has been reduced to 100 kph for quite a while now
so I have a bit of humble pie to eat, so mick if you've got a spoon serve it up
the trouble is that my last years of driving has been from primary producers paddocks into grain silos and I was rarely able to attain the 110 speed, as it turned out luckily for me, thats what I get for not keeping up to date
so Mick I apoligise unreservedly, I was wrong!
Mick themungrel said
02:56 PM Jan 26, 2010
dave06 wrote:
yep I deserve that one, I just had lunch with my boss and I put the question to him, he stated the speed limit for semis has been reduced to 100 kph for quite a while now
so I have a bit of humble pie to eat, so mick if you've got a spoon serve it up
the trouble is that my last years of driving has been from primary producers paddocks into grain silos and I was rarely able to attain the 110 speed, as it turned out luckily for me, thats what I get for not keeping up to date
so Mick I apoligise unreservedly, I was wrong!
Apology accepted Dave . Sorry mate cany find any spoons at the moment .
brickies said
06:34 PM Jan 26, 2010
Well done men good outcome
ibbo said
07:28 PM Jan 26, 2010
Good result Gentlemen.Ah nothing like a bit of man to man bover.Cheers.Ibbo.
dave06 said
09:57 AM Jan 27, 2010
the trouble comes from my last 25 years of semi operation it's been part time only over the harvest, previously I was "escorted" everywhere and didn't need to know the speed limit, didn't even look at the speedo it's revs only, sound of engine mainly, follow the pilot was the name of the game, heavy haulage
I wish the coppers were out here this morning, 4am I had the cruiser tray top and came up behind two b doubles and a general freight semi all nose to tail heading up out of warnertown toward the Gladstone turnoff
I was going through some of the new introductions that have been brought in since my full time, glad I don't do it for a living any more
Mick themungrel said
09:06 AM Jan 28, 2010
dave06 wrote:
I was going through some of the new introductions that have been brought in since my full time, glad I don't do it for a living any more
Dave that is 1 of the main reasons that I have given distance driving away
While doing our first 'Oz360' last year, monitoring the rear-view mirrors for the 'Knights Of The Road' was a major priority. Keeping on channel 40 was also a priority, so that I could let them know that I would slow down as soon as I saw them pulling out.
Must admit that they were always appreciative of my awareness of them, and all of them thanked me for my actions.
I'm not saying that there aren't the odd couple of 'Irritated' Truckies on the roads, but then again, if one understands the pressures and hours that these drivers are made to work by their unscrupulous bosses, then it's easy to understand their frustrations when they encounter slow moving and ignorant vehicle drivers in front of them.
I have always been a firm believer in making it part of a Driving Test, that the new car driver should spend at least 3 hours in a 'B Double' cab during its working hours. It would be the best way to make one appreciate just what one is sharing the road with, and also how dangerous it could be to mess around with one.
I'm no apologist for the truckies but I can understand them being really p1ssed off when travelling behind someone doing 80ks on the open road with no consideration for their fellow road users whoever they may be.
Having been on both sides of the fence I can relate to what you are all saying.
It all boils down to common courtesy but alas there are those that don't know what that means................on both sides.
Just as long as YOU are courteous and considerate it makes YOUR trip all that much better and safer for YOU.
Please get your facts right on this .
-- Edited by Mick themungrel on Monday 25th of January 2010 04:40:58 PM
No they are not the facts Dave and I quote
Dave have a look at this site as regards road trains . page 11
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/pdfs/freight/route_maps/417%20Road%20Train%20Code%20of%20Practice%20April_2008.pdfYou are really setting a good example doing 110 in a heavy as you call it . I have travelled over a lot of country as a road train 2, 3 and 2and a half trailers and 99% of the time sat on about 92kph and never been monstered as you call it , but the old saying is never let the facts get in the way of a good yarn .
-- Edited by Mick themungrel on Monday 25th of January 2010 04:58:30 PM
Dave you say I am a worry , please explain why . Is it because my facts are correct ?
This quote is from the site you posted
.http://www.dtei.sa.gov.au/roadsafety/safer_speeds/speed_limits
This pamphlet is a information pamphlet not road rules .
From Transport S.A. website
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/freight/road/vehicle_configuration/index.asp#whatWhat are Gazette Notices?
A Gazette Notice is an exemption granted under the Road Traffic Act. A Gazette Notice allows Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) to operate on approved route networks in South Australia, provided that the terms and conditions of the Notice have been met.
RAVs include long combinations vehicles such as:
A series of South Australian route networks has been assessed and approved as safe and suitable for use by RAVs. These approved route networks are published as notices in the South Australian Government Gazette, and are known as Gazettes.
Gazette Notices contain the:
RAV drivers must comply with all conditions specified in the Gazette Notice when operating on an approved route.
From the Road Train Code of Practise which is a Gazetted Notice and is therefore law
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/pdfs/freight/route_maps/417%20Road%20Train%20Code%20of%20Practice%20April_2008.pdf14. Speed limits
14.1 You must not exceed 90 kilometres per hour, or any posted speed limit whichever is the
lesser.
14.2 If there is no posted speed limit on a length of road in a built-up area, the speed limit is 50
kilometres per hour.
There is no requirement now to show the 100 limited sign on the front and rear .
From the Australian road Rules SA site
http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/R/AUSTRALIAN%20ROAD%20RULES/CURRENT/1999.219.UN.PDF21Speed-limit where a speed-limit sign applies
(1) The speed-limit applying to a driver for a length of road to which a speed-limit sign
applies is the number of kilometres per hour indicated by the number on the sign.
Note
Length of road is defined in the dictionary.
(2) However, if the number on the speed-limit sign is over 100 and the driver is driving a
bus with a GVM over 5 tonnes, or another vehicle with a GVM over 12 tonnes, the
speed-limit applying to the driver for the length of road is 100 kilometres per hour.
Note 1
Bus and GVM are defined in the dictionary, and vehicle is defined in rule 15.
Note 2
Five tonnes is specified for the definition of heavy omnibus in the Australian Design
Rules issued under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cth).
Note 3
If the vehicle is an oversize or overmass vehicle, the vehicle may be restricted to a lower
speed-limit under another law of this jurisdiction.
Dave I have been driving on SA roads for a long time and I really dont know were you get this poppyc ock idea that RT are allowed 100kph . NT is the only state were they are allowed 100kph .As for the absolute garbage that semi's are allowed 110kph I really do think that is a dream world you are in .
I have been living in SA for the last 2 and half years and have covered from Port Augusta to Lameroo on a regular basis so i reckon I have a fairly good idea of the SA road rules .
-- Edited by Mick themungrel on Tuesday 26th of January 2010 12:28:53 PM
Dave that is 1 of the main reasons that I have given distance driving away