Latest news with #roadsafety
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Discovery along 1km stretch of road prompts $272 warning to Aussie drivers
Australian learner and provisional drivers are being urged to properly secure their plates after authorities found more than 100 of them strewn along a one-kilometre stretch of road. Transport for NSW (TfNSW) said that over a six-month period, a total of 111 learner and P-plates were found on Samantha Riley Drive in Kellyville, in Sydney's northwest. "And there's likely many more across the state," the department said on Wednesday. In the state, learner and provisional drivers face fines of $272 and two demerit points if they fail to properly display their L or P plates. The plates must be clearly visible on both the front and rear of the vehicle, and motorists can be penalised even if the plates have "flown off" prior to being stopped. Given learners and provisional licence holders have lower demerit point limits, not displaying plates correctly can put their licence at risk. To mitigate this, TfNSW advises "using a clip or holder" on their vehicle. "[This] will help keep the plates on your vehicle and out of the environment — remember to always have the right one on for your licence type so that drivers behind you know the maximum speed you can travel," it said. Pictures shared by the department show dozens of plates collected by authorities, with more seen scattered in gutters, on the roadside, and in a skip bin. Why are L and P plates so important? Displaying L and P plates is a legal requirement in every Australian jurisdiction because it allows other drivers and authorities to easily identify inexperienced motorists. Major driver's licence change for Aussie drivers from today Aussie L-plater's surprise response after copping $1,689 fine Warning over rumoured driver's licence loophole Learner and provisional drivers are subject to specific restrictions, such as lower speed limits, zero blood alcohol content and visible plates help police enforce these rules. The plates also promote road safety by encouraging other motorists to be more patient and give extra space, reducing the pressure on novice drivers and lowering the risk of accidents. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE E-scooter riders may be forced to display licence plates, pass a test and have insurance amid crackdown to restore order on streets
E-scooter riders could be forced to display licence plates, pass a test and have insurance under a proposed crackdown aimed at restoring order to the streets. Other measures being drawn up by ministers include a minimum age for users and forcing manufacturers to limit their speed. The aim is to tackle a black market of the 'menace' scooters which has seen some modified into vehicles almost as large as small motorbikes or turbocharged to go at speeds of up to 70mph. The plans will be welcomed by police. Last year, the Mail revealed e-scooters were linked to more than 20,000 crimes over the previous three years, including drug trafficking, sex offences, thefts and even a 'drive-by' shooting. They will also be applauded by road safety campaigners and disability charities, who have long warned that vulnerable people such as the elderly and blind have been mown down by yobs riding them on pavements or obstructed by them being left abandoned in the streets. A Government source told the Mail: 'E-scooters can be a great way to get around but they must be properly regulated, safe for pedestrians as well as riders and we must ensure they cannot clutter up our streets.' Prominent road laws lawyer Nick Freeman, known as Mr Loophole, said the current law was effectively acting as an 'open invitation to commit any form of offence and avoid detection'. He added: 'The delay to bringing in proper legislation is effectively giving the green light for e-scooters to be used to commit all forms of criminal activity. They're stealth-like and there's no registration plates so the police have very little chance of apprehending anyone. They're a menace. 'E-scooters are subject to the Road Traffic Act 1988 but they don't need registration and that's the vital piece of the jigsaw that's missing. It makes current legislation impotent. Licensing them and registering them is the start so that they're treated like mopeds.' The crackdown would target privately-owned e-scooters rather than those available to rent, as these already require proof of a driving licence and age. Privately-owned e-scooters are banned on roads. But their use exploded during Covid and there are now thought to be as many as one million on the roads, meaning police effectively often turn a blind eye. However, ministers believe legalising them while introducing tough laws around registration and licensing would make it easier for forces to pursue thugs using them for crimes or riding dangerously. It is also hoped that introducing a basic test could improve safety, as young users currently jump on them without a driving licence or any knowledge of the roads. According to Government sources, ministers will consult on a minimum age of 14 for using the scooters as some children use them to get to school. Introducing mandatory 'rider training', akin to a driving licence for motorists, will also be considered as will insurance although sources stressed this is unlikely to be adopted because of the sky-high cost of premiums. By contrast, insurance for e-scooters in countries such as Germany is available for as little as £20 a year. Finally, ministers will look to force manufacturers into limiting their speed to 12.5mph. Margaret Winchcomb, of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, said: 'Bringing in long-promised legislation will mean the UK, now the last country in Europe lacking regulation, will be able to deal with the irresponsible sales of illegal vehicles to children and improve safety for all road users.'
Khaleej Times
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Ras Al Khaimah reduces speed limit on Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem Road
Ras Al Khaimah authorities on Tuesday (July 22) announced the implementation of reduced speed limit on Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem (E11). The limit was reduced by 20 kmphh — from 80 kmph to 60 kmph — between Al Jazeera Al Hamra Roundabout and Al Marjan Island Roundabout, in both directions. Ras Al Khaimah Police shared the update on their official X account, stating that the change was made to enhance road safety for all users. This move follows a similar change earlier this year, when authorities in the emirate reduced the speed limit on another stretch of the same road. Effective from January 17, the speed on the section between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Roundabout (Al Riffa) and Al Marjan Island Roundabout was lowered from 100 kmph to 80 kmph. Additionally, the radar speed limit were adjusted from 121kmph to 101kmph to better enforce the new limit. Meanwhile, speed regulations have also changed in other emirates. In April this year, Abu Dhabi, authorities lifted the minimum speed limit system of 120 kmph on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Road (E311). Previously enforced on the leftmost lanes, this rule carried a Dh400 fine for driving below the speed limit. However, on April 14, motorists noticed that the minimum speed markings had been removed — a move intended to ease the movement of heavy vehicles and reduce driver stress. The maximum speed on E311 remains at 140kmph. Also starting April 14, Abu Dhabi reduced the speed limit on the Abu Dhabi–Sweihan Road (E20) from 120kmph to 100kmph. On the same day, a 20 kmph reduction was implemented on the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed International Road (E11), bringing the limit down from 160 kmph to 140kmph.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council sets out final list of roads which could revert to 30mph speed limits
Newport City Council is expected to revert 14 roads back to higher 30mph speed limits following a review. The local authority invited residents to nominate roads they believe should have been exempted from the Welsh Government's decision to lower the nation's default speed limit to 20mph. Earlier this year, the council said 16 stretches of road complied with government road safety advice and could revert to 30mph limits. Members of the public were then invited to offer any objections or comments on those proposals, and the council received a total of 12 representations. A new report shows that after further consideration of the objectors' claims, the council has decided two of the original 16 roads will remain at 20mph. One is a stretch of Caerphilly Road, between Bassaleg and Rhiwderin, which an objector said now 'feels safer for pedestrians'. The council said a lower speed limit was 'appropriate' for the road, which has 'narrow footways' and is an 'established walking route to school'. The other road to remain at 20mph, following the review, is a section of Usk Road to the east of Caerleon. An objector also raised concerns the route is 'well-used' by schoolchildren and people accessing the village. In response, the council said people 'would feel unsafe about using the established route to walk to school safely' if the speed limit was increased to 30mph along a road which 'carries a high pedestrian footfall, including young vulnerable children and the elderly'. According to the report, 'valid' objections were made in relation to other roads, but the council judged those cases met the government's criteria for exemptions, meaning they may be changed to 30mph speed limits. These were a part of Bettws Lane, George Street Bridge, a part of Lighthouse Road, Tredegar House Drive, a part of Tregwilym Road, and Wharf Road. There were no valid objections to council proposals to introduce 30mph speed limits on the other roads – namely a part of Bassaleg Road, Duffryn Drive, Duffryn Way, Frederick Street, Morgan Way, a part of Royal Oak Hill, Wern Industrial Estate, and a part of West Nash Road. Cllr Rhian Howells, the cabinet member for assets and infrastructure, is expected to approve an officer's recommendation later this week to proceed with the speed limit changes on the agreed 14 stretches of road.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Urgent action demanded over 'insane number' of buses speeding in Catford street
A woman has demanded urgent action over the 'insane number' of buses speeding down her narrow Catford street. Alison Howard, who lives in Sandhurst Road, said she was worried somebody would eventually be killed if Transport for London (TfL) bus services did not slow down. Freedom of Information (FoI) data suggests that there have been more than 17,000 incidents of speeding buses in the street since 2021, some of which may have been travelling at more than double the 20mph speed limit. TfL also confirmed that there have been 85 crashes involving buses over the last four years. This data includes crashes in neighbouring Sangley Road which shares the same bus routes. The stretch currently supports four bus routes in each direction, as well as a night service, meaning it's a common occurrence for buses to thunder past homes throughout the day and night. Pictures shared with the News Shopper by Safer Sandhurst & Sangley campaign group appear to show that multiple cars and buses have been damaged in the crashes. READ MORE - Neighbours have asked TfL to reroute bus services (Image: Safer Sandhurst & Sangley) 'It's an insane number of buses speeding and they routinely hit cars,' Ms Howard said. 'Someone is eventually going to get killed because there's not great visibility on the road because there's cars on either side. 'We're not allowed to have dropped kerbs in front of our houses anymore so there's not really any option to park your car elsewhere. 'You just have to risk the consequences if you choose to park your car near your house.' In total, 3,700 buses pass along the two streets every day. According to TfL, one incident in September 2022 resulted in an injury, but all other crashes were damage-only. It also said that the speeding data comes from iBus technology which can be impacted by GPS tracking errors or vehicle faults and is used only for general monitoring purposes. 'An additional set of data which measures speed of buses more precisely is used by bus operators,' Philip Gerhardt, TfL's Head of Bus Performance, said. According to TfL, operator Stagecoach has found that this data suggests that the amount of speeding incident has 'significantly' reduced, and that only a 'small number' of breaches were recorded in April. Mr Gerhardt added: 'We continue to work with bus operators to ensure that appropriate action is taken against any driver found to be breaking the speed limit.' Local people have also raised concerns that heavy buses shake the Victorian houses in the area when they drive over speed bumps in the road. One mum previously told the News Shopper that these vibrations felt like a 'mini earthquake' and had caused cracks in her walls. READ MORE - Ms Howard added: 'The speedbumps clearly aren't really doing their job in terms of slowing the traffic. 'We have asked Lewisham Council for a chicane instead but ideally we want the bus services rerouted.' She suggested that Brownhill Road, a main road that runs parallel to her street, would be better suited for the bus routes, especially the 160 which uses heavy electric double-deckers. TfL claimed it had previously investigated 'all possible options' for the two streets, including alternative route options. But it said it had not pressed ahead with changes after deciding that these would result in a 'significant worsening' of bus services for a large number of passengers in the wider area. Lewisham Council has been approached for a response.
