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Low Tolerance Arguments

There are a number of arguments presented by the Government in defence of the low tolerance limits

Basis of tolerence being applied to Infringement Notices Victorian Department of Justice - I was only a few kilometres over the limit. Why should I be punished?.
What the Victorian Regulations state Victorian Department of Justice - My speedo is inaccurate. Will you withdraw the notice?
What the Walk Safety report states</span> Victorian Police Department Policy - It's the Motorists Problem
Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services Victorian Police - Tolerance of 9km/h is permitted
Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services

Victorian Police - the community may be aware of speed tolerances and “de facto” speed limits may be in force.

In their submission to the Victorian Road Safety Committee on the Inquiry into the Incidence and Prevention of Pedestrian Accidents in 1999 the Police stated that "they are concerned the community may be aware of speed tolerances and that "de facto" speed limits may be in force" and further that " ... a reduction in the current tolerance may lower speeds and reduce the severity of collisions." (refer to the heading Speed Tolerances in their report)

Fair enough. However the tightening of tolerances does nothing to improve the position of the motorist.

In the Government response to the report and the reports recommendation 3 that "That the Minister for Roads and Ports recommends to the Federal Office of Road Safety that a review of speed tolerances in Australian Design Rule 18.5.1.1.2 relating to speedometers is required as a matter of urgency." the Government stated:

"It is believed that most modem speedometers are already more accurate than that required in ADR 18 (+/- 10% of the
indicated speed)."

Further that new ADR's were being introduced (effective from July 2006) that would ensure "in future,
speedometers would not indicate less than the vehicle's actual speed." and that "This process will take some time and will only affect vehicles manufactured after the introduction of the new ADR."

So we have:

  • A speedometer that is believed to be more accurate. (but no basis for the belief)

  • An unknown definition as to what a "modern speedometer" is.

  • Speedometers in cars manufactured after July 2006 that read slow.

  • On the basis that the new ADR's are being aligned with the European standards, we can assume that many new cars already comply with the new standard, and their speedometers read slow.

So were does that leave us:

  • Many motorist with speedometers that are compliant ±10% still don't know how fast they are traveling with any improved accuracy.

  • Motorists in new cars will think that they are speeding to keep up with the traffic.

  • Motorists with still no idea how they are to comply with their absolute obligation not to exceed the speed limit.

What is needed to facilitate tighter tolerances

If tighter tolerances are to be introduced, then the motorist requires some certainty about the accuracy of their speedometer. The options to achieve this are:

  • Provide a free service to motorists to have the calibration of their vehicle checked.

  • On registration of a new vehicle, have VicRoads provide a calibration certificate.

  • Provide facilities for motorists to check their speedo. There is one such example on the Hume Highway on the way out of Melbourne. However this facility can only cover a fraction of the Victorian motorists. There is also the question of the certified accuracy of this device. There need to be many more such installations.

  • Fulfil the obligation undertaken by the Victorian Government in 1995 to educate motorists on this issue. more...