Should We Have A 130KM/H Speed Limit On Freeways?


For some Aussies, the most exciting part of a trip to Europe is taking a car on the German autobahns and enjoying having no speed limits in place. But are we ready as a nation to up our freeway speed limits to 130 kilometres an hour?

Picture by Tim Keegan

TV Tonight reports that the hosts of Top Gear Australia will argue for an increase in the speed limit when the show returns to the airwaves tomorrow night, noting that roads and cars are both much improved on when those limits were set. Host Steve Pizzati mounts a more unusual case:

Things coming at you quicker actually means that you’re going to be more attentive to the road

That doesn’t sound like a very convincing argument to me. After all, if it’s true, wouldn’t it be truer at 150? Given that your stopping distance increases the faster you’re going, would we need to increase the minimum distance between vehicles? Which freeways would unquestionably qualify for this treatment? And what happens with larger or older vehicles that aren’t capable of those speeds?

I’m also not sure how this request balances with Top Gear’s other call, for better driver education. That sounds like a good idea, but if we’re arguing that drivers don’t have adequate skill bases, why do we want them driving faster?

That said, regular Lifehacker readers will know I’m not a driver myself, so my own investment in the issue is pretty minimal. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

Top Gear Australia calls for 130kph speed limits [TV Tonight]


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