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Dr S J Clarkson
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> Heard some colleagues the other evening discussing that under Qld law,
> anyone travelling at 20klms/hr or more below the posted speed limit could
> be fined. Anyone else aware of this?
There isn't a specific rule about driving 20km/hr under the
speed limit, but there is a provision for "obstructing
traffic". So while driving very slow is not in itself
illegal, if you are doing so in a manner that blocks traffic
up behind you then it is. eg, farmer joe putting along the
highway at 20km/hr is ok, so long as he pulls over when
vehicles approach so that he doesn't obstruct them. OTOH
doing 60 on the same highway and making no effort to move
over to let traffic overtake, and letting traffic bank up
behind you, is a recipe for a fine.
However, the practicalities of it are, you would have to be
damned unlucky to get a fine for it - QLD traffic police
seem to be focussed on catching speeders and nothing else.

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John_H - 03 Nov 2009 21:19 GMT
>However, the practicalities of it are, you would have to be
>damned unlucky to get a fine for it - QLD traffic police
>seem to be focussed on catching speeders and nothing else.
Dunno about that, if they couldn't nail you with their radar you'd
probably be breathalysed! :)

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John H
user@domain.invalid - 03 Nov 2009 23:08 GMT
>> However, the practicalities of it are, you would have to be
>> damned unlucky to get a fine for it - QLD traffic police
>> seem to be focussed on catching speeders and nothing else.
>
> Dunno about that, if they couldn't nail you with their radar you'd
> probably be breathalysed! :)
Or the inevitable 3 am licence check by a dishevelled couple
(sometimes one is female)
Sylvia Else - 04 Nov 2009 00:06 GMT
>> Heard some colleagues the other evening discussing that under Qld law,
>> anyone travelling at 20klms/hr or more below the posted speed limit
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> the highway at 20km/hr is ok, so long as he pulls over when vehicles
> approach so that he doesn't obstruct them.
Looking at
http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/qld/consol_reg/toumrr1999629
/s125.html
and in particular (b), I think farmer Joe is OK even if he doesn't pull
over, because he is not driving abnormally slowly (I'm assuming here
he's driving a tractor or some such vehicle, and not his 4WD). The
section doesn't define "abnormally slowly", but I think the
circumstances would have to include the type of vehicle. At least, I
cannot see why the type of vehicle should be excluded from the
circumstances.
The figure of 20km/hr may have been a misreading of the example in this
section, which talks about driving *at* 20km/hr, not driving at 20km/hr
less than the speed limit. I'd be surprised if a charge of obstructing
drivers could stand up if a person were doing 59 in an 80 zone, no
matter how annoying it might be to others.
Of course, if people just pay the fine rather than go to court, then all
bets are off.
Sylvia.
Albm&ctd - 04 Nov 2009 10:00 GMT
> "abnormally slowly"
Many speed limits are abnormally slow and judging by the number of people that
exceed them, the ones that set speed limits are abnornal.. but we already knew
that.
Al

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I don't take sides.
It's more fun to insult everyone.
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> Heard some colleagues the other evening discussing that under Qld law,
> anyone travelling at 20klms/hr or more below the posted speed limit could
> be fined. Anyone else aware of this?
No such law in NSW, tho the "obstructing traffic" is there. The blanket
50kph limit in urban streets is a relatively recent law. Sucks,..as for many
cars, it means a lower gear is required. They dont thinnk when they bring in
such laws.
Jason
e-Tems - 03 Nov 2009 23:11 GMT
>> Heard some colleagues the other evening discussing that under Qld law,
>> anyone travelling at 20klms/hr or more below the posted speed limit could
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Jason
Obstructing traffic laws should be used on the highways, Sunday driving
to Tamworth got stuck behind a line of around 15 cars coming out of
Scone doing around 80k's, on the straight I could see a silver Lancer up
the front, ok must be an L plater sit back and wait for everyone to
overtake, one or two got around, get to Parkville at the 80 zone and the
brake lights come on every car in front the person up the front had
slowed to 60 in the 80 then sped to 80 at the 100 sign, same deal
through Wingen most finally get a chance to go round the Lancer at the
over taking lanes at Burning Mountain, turns out it wasn't an L plater
but a woman in her 50's and to top it off she was turning and smiling at
the cars overtaking her.
Mus have been one of these on a crusade to drive below the speed limit
to keep the road toll down.
Sylvia Else - 03 Nov 2009 23:55 GMT
>> Heard some colleagues the other evening discussing that under Qld law,
>> anyone travelling at 20klms/hr or more below the posted speed limit could
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Jason
You misspelt "don't care"
Sylvia.
> Heard some colleagues the other evening discussing that under Qld law,
> anyone travelling at 20klms/hr or more below the posted speed limit could
> be fined. Anyone else aware of this?
Anyone? Cyclists and pedestrians could be in the sh.t.
Al

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I don't take sides.
It's more fun to insult everyone.
http://kwakakid.cjb.net/insult.html
> Heard some colleagues the other evening discussing that under Qld law,
> anyone travelling at 20klms/hr or more below the posted speed limit could
> be fined. Anyone else aware of this?
I think you will find that is an incorrect script. ;> ) I've never heard
of anyone being booked for anything like that despite the dangers in it.
Roger/Davo