SDT Safe Drive Training

03/09/2026

Cut in half

Japan has halved the speed limit on about 870,000km of roads in an attempt to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries.

Given 23 pedestrians have been killed in Queensland this year so far, and zero people by safe legal e-bikes, perhaps it is time for a similar review of road speeds on narrow streets in urban areas.

Japan made this decision to keep people alive and in one piece.

More details via The Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/02/japan-new-speed-limit-30kmh-narrow-city-streets

03/09/2026

Thanks must go to

We have been traveling to Emerald at this time every year for at least 15 years.

The Emerald Kart Club has always assisted local youth by waiving the track hire fees for the defensive driving courses for novice drivers from the town. This allows us to discount the training and our fees end up less than a similar course in Brisbane despite moving vehicles and staff to and from.

Emerald Kart Club
Central Highlands Regional Council

02/09/2026

Making noise

Landowners in NSW are now responsible for vehicle noise on their property.

It will now cost you twice as much if your vehicle fails our on-the-spot noise tests.

We've updated the state's Noise Control Regulation, with tougher penalties for offensive neighbourhood noise now in force across NSW.

The key changes include:

◾ Doubling on-the-spot fines for noisy vehicles, including those with defective or modified noise control equipment
◾ Making landowners and occupiers responsible for off-road vehicle noise on private property
◾ Exempting air conditioners from noise restrictions during severe and extreme heatwaves

Developed following extensive community consultation, the updated rules aim to better manage neighbourhood noise while allowing people to go about their everyday activities.

Find out more about the updated neighbourhood noise laws here: bit.ly/NewNoiseRules

02/09/2026

In control

Police crackdown on hooning and promoting hooning behaviour.

To absolutely nobody’s surprise, the owner of onesup has been arrested for hooning

For anyone who doesn’t know. In 2023 the Queensland government made “promoting hooning behaviour” an offence.

Posting people’s sick skid vids online CAN get you arrested.

02/09/2026

On tour

We have an instructor working in Roma at the moment, having spent two days training in Charleville.

And myself and another are on-route to conduct defensive driving courses in Emerald, then Moura and then Stanthorpe.

Marist College Emerald
Moura State High School

02/09/2026

Simulation first

It was 1996 and this Israeli simulator company held a promotional event in Brisbane to demonstrate their car simulator.

It had a working dashboard, a front screen and simulator vision reflected into the mirrors.

A small driving school on the Northside of Brisbane spent $90,000 (in 1996) to buy one and then stripped out a Toyota Coaster bus to transport this machine to schools.

Aaron and Les were pioneers in an industry that doesn’t record its history and respect those trying to make a difference.

PS> I ended up buying the simulator in 2012 with plans to strip it out and refit it with newer tech. But this never eventuated.

01/09/2026

Tyre trouble

Customer to tyre shop:

You fitted 2 new tyres recently but now the vehicle is noisy and vibrates.

Tyre shop (after inspecting):

Umm, do you have a teenager driving your car?

Customer: sure do, my son

Can you see why the new tyres are not to blame for the vehicle noise and vibration?

Bonus points for elaborating on the teenagers exploits!

30/08/2026

The look

When training 4WDing I wear steel toe cap boots or Merry People waterproof boots. They suit the theme and are practical.

When training defensive or advanced driving I wear driving shoes. Firstly because our pre-course videos discuss driving shoes (footwear that provide a feel of the vehicle) and secondly I regard myself as a driver and not a commuter.

My current shoes are the Initial D shoes (it’s a famous driving movie if you don’t know) and this morning in Melbourne I got the thrill of seeing the AE86 car.

Teenagers at recent courses said my shoes were epic and some knew the movie, which is getting a live action reboot (pun intended).

28/08/2026

Hooked on

I was in the inner suburbs of Melbourne last night, and I got to see a Hook Turn in all its glory.

As a traffic engineer this sort of stuff bemuses me. And it should because it’s a unique traffic management system.

Waiting on the left to turn right.

For those not hooked on Hook Turns this link has a How to Video (from CRUDE Driver Training)

https://youtu.be/yiKTUHf83QY