[USMA:31728] RE: Conversion to kilometres

[Bill Potts]

The following is from today's Sydney Morning Herald.

 

Perhaps Pat, as our resident Aussie, would like to take them to task regarding the missing solidus in "kmh" (and the missing space before it).

 

By the way, Pat, what is a P-plate? Is that anything like a British L (learner) plate? (My guess is that the P stands for provisional.)

 

Incidentally, 141 km/h would also get you a ticket on a California freeway -- but only a $90 (or so) fine and no suspension. However, most of the time, they turn a blind eye to anything up to 80 mph (128 km/h), especially where the posted limit is 70, but also where it's 65.

 

(That fine isn't from personal experience. In the almost 28 years I've lived in California, I've had one minor speeding ticket, costing me only $31. That was over 20 years ago.)

Bill Potts, CMS
Roseville, CA
http://metric1.org [SI Navigator]

P-plate driver clocked at 141kmh

December 29, 2004 - 8:23AM

A young P-plate driver was caught speeding near Newcastle at 141kmh - 71kmh over the speed limit - NSW Police said today.

About 8.30am (AEDT) yesterday, Lake Macquarie Highway Patrol officers detected a northbound Nissan Skyline travelling at 141kmh on Charlestown Road, Kotara.

They issued the 21-year-old driver with a speeding ticket and suspended his licence for six months.

Last month, P-plate driver Emile Dousset, 20, died when he crashed a high-performance Nissan Skyline at speeds of up to 180kmh on the central coast.

Also killed were his passengers Carl Homer, 33, and pregnant 15-year-old Natasha Schyf.

Last week engaged couple Robert Peov, 21, and Joanna Mourania, 20, died when their sports car hit a power pole at Milperra in Sydney's west.

The deaths prompted police to warn young drivers to slow down, while the NSW government is considering imposing restrictions on young drivers with high-performance cars in an attempt to reduce road deaths.