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I have noticed that the Council has erected new speed signs on Starr Road, Guyra, indicating a limit of 50km/h.
This was little confusing to me, as several years ago I wrote to the same Council, asking that they consider reducing the limit on that road from 100 km/h to 70 km/h.
I also suggested the same limit be implemented on Elm Street, leading to the tomato glasshouses, as I believed that having a 50 km/h zone entering directly into a 100 km/h limit, encouraged drivers to accelerate early into the higher speed area, and also drive into the 50 zone while still travelling at high speed. My reasoning was that it is a lot easier to drop from 70 km/h to 50, than from 100 to 50.
I received a response from Council, which told me that they had consulted with the Police, and that both Starr Road and the portion of Elm Street that was designated as a 100 zone would remain at those limits as they were seen as rural areas, outside the town area.
We have to wonder what has happened in the time since the Council wrote that reply, that made them change their mind about the speed limit, and to reduce it by half.
Then again, I think that a professional psychologist would struggle to come to grips with the inner workings of Guyra Council.
I have no real problem with 50 zones being used for their original purpose, which was to maintain safer vehicle speeds in built-up residential streets. They were never intended to be used on main roads, however all governments like indirect taxation and speeding tickets bring a continuous flow of cash to consolidated revenue.
If you believe I am wrong, ask yourself this question – when was the last time you heard of someone getting a good behaviour bond for speeding, the Police would be allowed to Taser offenders in the face, then let them go, however that would not keep the cash registers ringing.
In any case, if anyone has the misfortune to receive a ticket on Starr Road, feel free to ask someone from the Council to attend the court hearing, and ask them to bring a copy of their letter to myself, and explain to the Magistrate why a 70km/h limit is too low, but 50 is apparently fine.
John Powley.