*sigh* maybe it's already time for me to stop riding

[mikesaa309]

So back in May I stupidly got caught speeding doing 66 in a temporary 40 on a dual carriageway due to road works. Albeit roadworks was for another 300 odd yards at the point I was caught speeding. So still waiting for summons to come through. But I've stupidly been caught speeding down same bit of road except coming the other way at the other end of the dual carriageway doing 67 mph again still a few hundred yards from the actual roadworks and this time no traffic around. Annoyingly I checked reg on the van from helmet cam footage and it's the same van fml.

I have no idea how on earth I missed the van this second time. The first time it was obscured by larger vehicles. It was this time but not as much. I think I've just been riding for so long and gone down that road so many times that I went into that "autopilot" kinda mode where you're taking in needed info like traffic etc but due to the fact the van was parked in a closed layby with signs everywhere you're not really checking for hazards there where you would normally be checking and you end up missing it. So the van just somehow blends into it's surroundings as stupid as it sounds or maybe I'm just lacking the observation skills these days

Needless to say I'm almost certainly getting banned now, even if they just give me 6 points for each occasion that's 12 points in 3 years so 6 month ban right there and I can't afford a solicitor to help reduce the ban. Annoyingly as well was watching traffic cops on TV early. Some guy got pulled over for doing 70 in a 40 on a single carriageway round in/near a town and he just got a telling off and was let go. Might have happened with me by the court but is highly unlikely now.

Just so annoyed at myself that I was stupid enough to not see the camera van twice, I'm such a I do find it annoying though as I always ride at a speed I know I can safely stop the bike if I need to or change direction quickly. Sometimes this is over the speed limit other times it's below it and I stuck to 30-40 mph during the road works as that's where the danger is, before that it's a regular dual carriageway and combined with the fact the GSX is a low revving bike and can get to 60-70 effortlessly it's just so easy to go over 40. Dunno about anyone else but I've recently been learning to drive (of course won't be able to do that anymore) but I've found that speeds in a car feel much faster than on a bike. Down country roads in a car 45-50 mph feels pretty fast but on a bike I find it slow probably one reason why car driver and bikers don't get along all the time.

Ah well gotta take my punishment like a man I guess for my stupidity. Might take the opportunity to do a complete service on the GSX and check valve clearances, clean/replace all it's filters, balance throttle bodies and adjust TPS etc etc seeing as I won't be in any rush to have it on the road once I'm banned. Just hoping that when I am banned it'll be during the winter months so won't be as bad.

[KiwiCol]

When you guys loose you licence for 6 months, do your points reset to zero again?  It does here.

[Batkwaka]

It's frustrating, I was pinged by the Speed Camera on the Freeway into work last week. I normally pick another person up on my ride into work which puts me on the Freeway after the Speed camera and saves me thousands of $ a year, which is why I don't charge him fuel etc.
WA has speeding fine of 1-9kph over is $100 no demerit points. That's where 99% of my fines are. At that speed, the sleepy morning dawdlers don't catch up to my back tyre and those going faster are usually paying attention to where they are going.
My last two road incidents in 13 years was being hit from behind, I'll pay a Survivors Tax before I let those dopey fuckers sit on my Back Wheel again.

[Tony Nitrous]

I worked in and around roadworks for many years.
If I wasnt the guy near the traffic I was the guy putting the speed signs up.
I'm VERY cautious of road work speed zones.

Best thing for me recently has been a bike with proper cruise control.
I have a bad habit of creeping the speed up on long boring sections,
now that's no longer an issue. Just a chance to physically relax and mentally
focus more on my surroundings and not my speed.

Cops are real hard on speeders around suburbia here.
I behave, not fussed if learners or Harley's come past me.
I have better places to misbehave than where I'm an easy target.

[mikesaa309]

It is mega frustrating. I know not many people will agree but I don't feel speeding is as bad as people make it out to be. Of course though there's a point where speed is too fast for the conditions and sometimes this speed is below the speed limit like around narrow back streets in my town I don't really go above 25 mph even though the limit is 30 purely because I feel 30 is too fast for the conditions where there's parked cars either side and limit views of junctions for both me and the vehicles trying to pull out of them. Likewise on dual carriageways the speed limit for me at least feels so slow though and I can bet anything the majority of crashes on dual carriageways is people not observing properly when changing lanes not excessive speed.

Most cars and motorcycles have really good braking capabilities now even the GSX can slow down fairly quick considering it's weight and at the same time people should be aware of how well their vehicle can or can't stop and drive/ride accordingly. The only times speeding can be a main factor of a crash is when you're trying to take a bend too quick which again may not necessarily mean over the speed limit, some country roads you can't corner quicker than 40-50 mph even though the national speed limit for car/bikes is 60 mph. The other times would be excessive speed in unsuitable conditions like rain for example or where there's limit view of the road ahead etc etc.

Most crashes can be put down to poor observation and anticipation not the speed. I'm not saying speed isn't a factor at all but it's more that speed should be considered depending on conditions, type of road etc. Doesn't matter how fast you're going if you're not observing you're likely to crash. I can prove my point quite easily too, just go watch most motor racing or planes taking off. They manage to do stupid speeds without crashing. Of course they do crash but it's down to loss in concentration when it comes to motor racing or something like traction loss which is more to do with too much power being delivered to the wheels rather than the speed they're going. Planes crash due to technical faults or again due to pilot error not the fact that it was going fast.

The reality is though is that you can't police someones observation or anticipation like you can with speeding. It's just easier for people to be limited to a speed where lack of concentration isn't as important as it is when you're going fast.

Also just a note on why I possibly didn't see the camera van. Anyone watched that observation video where you're asked to count how many times the basketball is thrown between players? *spoiler alert* you'll probably not notice the guy dressed in a gorilla costume come on and wave at the camera and walk off again. Likely what happened with me, just wasn't on the look out for camera vans so my brain just didn't spot it like it should have done but I was still watching out for things like hazards. Plus the van was by big road signs so it kinda just blends in when you're not looking out for it. But then just like in the video, once you know it's there you can spot it so easily and wonder how the f*ck you ever missed it in the first place. Only difference is the guy in the gorilla costume won't ban me from riding my bike.  

[Tony Nitrous]

. The only times speeding can be a main factor of a crash is when you're trying to take a bend too quick

Disagree.
Anyone pulling out is an much worse situation if your speeding.
Kids walking out in school zones is a very valid reason for enforcement.
Bad weather even the legal limit can be dangerous.
You mention road works. Folk moan about the reduced speed zones, but they often put motorists in less than ideal situations. Temporary or no lane markings, raised manholes, poor surfaces, no shoulders, traffic forced to change lanes etc etc.
After 10 years in road works I welcomed speed traps due to the amount of folk putting my life at risk.

I'm no goody goody Mr Perfect, far from it.
Yes I speed.
Yes I've been caught.
My 14 is one of my slowest bikes, I enjoy a spited ride.

One thing I've never done is try and justify getting a ticket.
They were down to my bad behaviour / me being in the wrong / poor choices / lack of ability.

Offenders in road works and school zones certainly get no sympathy from me.

[mikesaa309]

Firstly I wrote that quoted part out at 2 in the morning so I'm tired af but it's meant to read "One of the only times speeding can be a main factor". Speeding where there's reduce visibility for you or where other road users can't see you due to parked cars etc is where also speeding will cause a crash or where road conditions can cause a crash if you're going too fast like on newly graveled roads, roads with potholes etc etc.

Of course speeding in those areas you mentioned are going to increase the likelihood of a crash and I'm all for the enforcement in those areas. I also want to point out I wasn't speeding where the road works are there's at least 800 yards until the road works where it's still a 40 limit but there are no road workers nor cones. Most hazardous thing is road signs. Here's a screen shot from the helmet cam in the area I was caught speeding: https://photos.app.goo.gl/iSdZF7HsaVvyCwPp9

I'm not trying to justify my speeding at all I just feel for the conditions a ban is unreasonable. I'd accept it more if it was a 40 mph through town for example. I never speed through the actual road works as that's were the danger is not to mention if you do crash you hold everyone up regardless of any injuries to you or other people. I'll happily accept 3 points and a fine for both cases but stupidly I was going slightly too fast and now face a possible ban. The only major hazard before the road works is where the lane merges into one which again mostly comes down to observation, anticipation and using common sense that a reduce in speed is necessary.

But my whole point was that it's not so much speeding that's the issue but not observing or anticipating. In other words people don't know when to slow down. For example in the screen shot I showed you I felt safe at the speed I was doing which is still under the normal speed limit for that road and nothing has changed to the road except road signs, that I could safely slow or stop the bike and/or weave around a hazard if I needed to based on the visibility of the road ahead. There's no traffic around me and no workers around me. But I always (camera van or not) slow down when the lane becomes one and where the road works are as that is when it becomes dangerous to speed. Likewise you pointed out that anyone pulling out is in a much more worse situation if you speed. Of course and I agree and again it's a case of people recognising there's a junction and slowing down. Even if I'm doing the speed limit or below it I always slow down as I approach a junction especially if my view of it is obstructed by parked cars or a tree to ensure that I can stop if needed if a car pulls out and I give cars pulling out chance to see me. 

[Mick_J]

When you guys loose you licence for 6 months, do your points reset to zero again?  It does here.

No you keep them as far as I know.  They are active for three years but stay on your license for five years and I think you have to pay to have them removed from then.

[grog]

Two fast bikes, one slow Corolla. Guess what photo was, uphill, 77 in a 70. Used to be 100k road, then 80, now 70. Hope they enjoy my contribution to their xmas party. Totally safe dual lanes, no side streets.

[Speedy1959]

Many years ago when when speed cameras were just starting to appear there was article in a motoring magazine (I think it may have been a bike magazine).. It was an interview with a a politician about speed cameras and the limits set..
I remember very well one particular question and answer..
The magazine interviewer asked "So when everyone is obeying the enforced limits and no one is being fined what will you do"?
Mr Asshole replied "Its simple.. We will just lower all the speed limits"!
So there you have it.. Its mainly revenue raising as we suspected all along!

On a separate point..
I live in a semi rural area, and some 10 years ago there was a guy I used to know with a local PC repair shop was running a petition to have the local speed limit reduced to 20mph..
I refused to sign it..
He went slightly nuts and ranted and raved..
I replied the "Boy Nobheads" are doing 60, 70, 80mph NOW in a 40mph zone..What makes him think putting up a sign of 20mph will slow them.. The reduced speed limit would just inconvenience me for my travels to work and back..
Thankfully the limit of 40 was never reduced!

As others have stated, sensible limits imposed in areas of schools, built up areas and GENUINE hazards are fine..
To many camera vans are blatantly located to collect revenue for a crapply run country!

[Mick_J]

A few years ago some (Copper) I believe suggested that the law should change to "inappropriate" speeding as it was just a cash cow as it was currently set up.  He argued that doing 85 on an empty motorway at three in the morning was not really dangerous but doing 23 at half eight in the morning outside a school is very dangerous.  Technically one is breaking the law but the other isn't but where is the biggest potential for an accident and possible death likely to occur.  I agree with his thoughts and only speed out of town where I have good viz and road conditions allow.  I kind of think that a speed camera on an empty dual carriageway with no houses or footpath near them is only there to make money, who is it protecting?

[VladTepes]

Speeding a problem no.
Speeding in inappropriate places? Absolutely a problem.

[GSXKING]

Unfortunately I've been a contributor to this subject. Wether I'm a dickhead or not is not for debate LOL.

Anyway, I was on my B-King on Mt.Glorious enjoying my day and apparently I was detected at 152kmh in a 70kmh zone on an uncurbed non lit street. It took the Policeman 5km's to catch me in his VW Golf GTI. When I did finally look in my mirrors, there he was lights flashing etc.

We pulled to the side of the road as soon as it was safe to do so. He was quite calm and just went through the routine of "did I have a reason for exceeding the speed limit" etc. No lecture, just a ticket and a letter, stating automatic 6 months suspension from a date to be determined. $1200 AUS in fines for speeding and overtaking on double white lines etc. Not the best of starts to a Sunday morning blat over the mountains.

This totalitarian state of "Nannyism" will never ever stop me riding. I am a lot more cautious of course, as I am a truck driver by profession and this suspension cost me a shitload of money in lost income. Riding to me is a "DRUG" I can never do without. If I had to explain you wouldn't understand is what I say to people who ask "Why do you ride".

That's my five cents worth. Rant over 

[Horse]

Personally I would be surprised if anyone that has a larger bike has not exceeded the posted limits on the odd occasion  but I would think the time and place would be all important so as only to endanger yourself, as previously mentioned speed is relative to the conditions . There is no doubt that (in aus anyway) the bulk of speed limit enforcement is revenue raising as it is seldom at traffic black spots but usually where there is the greatest chance of success.
If Govts were serious they would turn the revenue into driver training ( defensive courses that showed people how hard it is to control a machine on the limit) and make motorists/motorcyclists more aware and capable on the road.
Speeding in built up areas and around hazards ie roadworks , schools etc is not clever as your probably not going to be the only one injured ,that said a pet hate of mine is to be doing 60 in a 100 zone for a couple of Ks only to find the workers did not remove the signs when they had finished.
When I'm out for a bit of adrenaline I make sure the bike is in great condition and I have clear open road with no other users and then the only damage will be to myself. Probably will get caught one day but at least I will be comfortable in the knowledge that it is going to pay for the strippers at the boys in blue Xmas party.
My 02 cents worth   

[RickC]

Mike,
I've done my fair share of dumb sh#t, I've got away with a lot but I've been caught for a fair bit of it as well.

I sold my pride and joy GSX1100 back in the Eighties to pay for the fines for some of my dumb sh##t on my 1100; I've always regretted selling that bike but it probably was a leveler that I needed at the time.

I take it that you don't have either summons yet, is there anyway you can go to court and plead for mercy when both summons turn up? you have footage that shows the road to be clear of obstacles, you could represent yourself with a defense that had you received the first summons in a timely matter you would have curbed your bad behavior and would not have received the 2nd summons, you could say that you were ignorant of the dangers or road workers, present your camera footage and say something to the effect that at the time you didn't perceive a risk because there was no road works going on/ no workers present and be remorseful for your bad decisions.

I would try very hard to obey all traffic rules if you can.

I'm not trying to preach and I feel for your situation.

I hope it goes well.

Rick