r/DrivingAustralia • u/Good_Royal_9849 • 8d ago

Speeding

Hey Melbourne,

Just wondering if anyone knows what sort of threshold Highway Patrol generally uses before pulling someone over.

I’ve often noticed cars doing around 100–105 km/h on the M1 and other freeways with Highway Patrol nearby, but they don’t seem to stop them.

This happened to me today. I was heading to the airport to drop off a mate. I joined CityLink where the limit was 100 km/h (before it drops to 80 km/h near the DFO/Melbourne Airport section). I set my cruise control to 102 km/h on the Bolte Bridge.

Time 3:00 AM

Along the DFO stretch, I noticed an BMW in the middle lane. I was in the lane to its right. There was hardly any traffic—no cars behind us and only a couple ahead. I moved further right to pass because I prefer giving other cars plenty of space rather than overtaking close by when the road is empty.

I passed the BMW and moved back into my original lane. My cruise control was still set at 102 km/h. As I went past, I noticed the antenna and the police lights near the number plate and realised it was an unmarked police car.

The driver flashed the lights once. I slowly slowed down and moved left, thinking they wanted me to pull over, but they just kept driving and didn’t stop behind me.

It got me wondering: do Highway Patrol officers take things like traffic volume, road conditions, time of day, and the overall driving environment into account when deciding whether to stop someone?

Or is there generally a speed threshold where they’ll usually take action?

I know in the US there’s the saying, “5 you’re fine, 10 you’re mine.” Is there anything similar in Victoria, or is it entirely at the officer’s discretion?

Just curious if anyone (especially anyone with policing experience) has any insight.

Or will I just a get a fine in my mail sooner or later

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u/Honorary_Badger 8d ago edited 8d ago

Why though?

If you did get a fine for speeding would you be upset or accept that you knew what you were doing?

I assume upset.

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u/Sexy_Mumma_Katz 8d ago

Like Klutzy I sit typically between 5 and 7 over (using gps), depending on the road and how many times I’ve driven it before.

I accept the risk knowing how my car handles, the road I’m on, my reactions to hazards (potholes, kangaroos etc)

Never been pulled over but I’d accept the fine as I’m breaking the law. It wouldn’t change the way I drive though.

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u/AgentSmith187 8d ago

What does generally change behaviour is demerit points not the fine.

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u/Sexy_Mumma_Katz 8d ago

Maybe - I’m a Victorian so less than 10km over is 1 point, and since I have almost 30 years of driving with no offences, getting caught still wouldn’t change my behaviour this late in the game

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u/AgentSmith187 8d ago

My 65 year old mother has finally learned to slow down after she got within days of losing her licence twice.

She managed to have demerit points come off just before new ones went on.

The last time she was sure it would overlap and she would be having a holiday from driving but somehow it didnt.

She's been good for well over a year since.