Accident at bottom of Ngauranga Gorge (7 August) [Archive]

merv

7th August 2007, 08:20

Quick! - Reduce the speed limits!!!!!!!

As for Ngauranga they reduced the speed on it from 100 to 80 many moons ago saying its while the road is being upgraded. Just about as many moons ago the work was all finished and lo and behold they never ever lifted the limit again.

Grub

7th August 2007, 08:25

As for Ngauranga they reduced the speed on it from 100 to 80 many moons ago saying its while the road is being upgraded. Just about as many moons ago the work was all finished and lo and behold they never ever lifted the limit again.

They also claimed it as a "Black Spot" to justify the reduced limit. Mostly the trouble is the huge speed differences between traffic at (even now) 80kmh and wanker truck drivers in low-low (15kmh) in the middle lane going up. They think they're still in their car or something and just simply refuse to use the left lane.

It also doesn't help that some engineer (who should be a candidate for manslaughter) made the downside left sweeper an off-camber corner

Here endeth a pet-peeve rant

Colapop

7th August 2007, 08:38

Nasty nearly got taken out on the Porirua M'way this morning, I'll let her tell the story though.
Got taken out? For coffee? She's still breathing and the bike is ok... (I called her)

sanchez

7th August 2007, 08:38

wanker truck drivers in low-low (15kmh) in the middle lane going up. They think they're still in their car or something and just simply refuse to use the left lane.

I think they do it so they dont have to merge into 90k traffic to get out of the jville exit lane. I have witnessed a maxima overtaking a truck coming out of kiwi point in the newlands exit lane ON THE LEFT (using the footpath), never thought it was a 5 lane road until then :first:

The design of that whole section of road is retarded though, although it's still better than Melling on SH2. Whoever decided to save money by putting traffic lights all the way up an expressway should be stabbed.

Grub

7th August 2007, 08:52

I think they do it so they dont have to merge into 90k traffic to get out of the jville exit lane.

Yeah, if only they realised how dangerous it is. I like the German motorway rule where a truck has to use the slow lane - no matter what. Under their rule, it doesn't matter how slow the vehicle in the left lane is, they're not allowed to overtake it - works for me

Nasty

7th August 2007, 08:54

Nasty nearly got taken out on the Porirua M'way this morning, I'll let her tell the story though.

Ok .. so yes thanks for the call Col .. I am breathing and am ok ... and the bike stayed rubberside down ... I had a car that wished to meet me by pulling the magic wand routine ... put indicator on and move .. NOW ... and oh don't look. I realised he was going to join me and dropped back .. I did not imagine the heavy braking he was about to do and almost went up his arse and commenced a lovely tankslapper .... I put my left foot down, that jumped back up and I veered around him with colourful language.

It wasn't till I got to work that I calmed down .. I didn't pull off the road as I wouldn't have gone back on it ... As soon as I got here I saw Korea ... lovely sholders that lad ... and then rang Grub ... I am fine ... it was a scare but I proved that I could stay up in really bad situation ... so stay rubber side DOWN!!

Nasty

Trudes

7th August 2007, 09:05

Good to hear you're ok Nasty:sunny:, fucken cagers!! lol

Grub

7th August 2007, 09:07

As soon as I got here I saw Korea ... lovely sholders that lad ...

Ahem ... ?

Paul in NZ

7th August 2007, 09:10

Bloody Truck.... Bloody Fulton Hogan.... Bloody rubber neckers, bloody traffic report on radio tells you as you pass the last exit and a nano second before the brake lights come on... argh!

Slingshot

7th August 2007, 12:21

They also claimed it as a "Black Spot" to justify the reduced limit. Mostly the trouble is the huge speed differences between traffic at (even now) 80kmh and wanker truck drivers in low-low (15kmh) in the middle lane going up. They think they're still in their car or something and just simply refuse to use the left lane.

Yeah, if only they realised how dangerous it is. I like the German motorway rule where a truck has to use the slow lane - no matter what. Under their rule, it doesn't matter how slow the vehicle in the left lane is, they're not allowed to overtake it - works for me

That is the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time!

If a truck is heading northbound on the motorway and is heading up the Gorge, would you expect them to change into the left lane and then a mere 500m up change back to avoid them heading into J'Ville?

And how many cars do you see making a gap for trucks to change lanes? Typically, car drivers will jump into those spots making it harder for the truckie.

It would seem that you need to show more consideration for other road users.

sprag

7th August 2007, 12:33

Ok .. so yes thanks for the call Col .. I am breathing and am ok ... and the bike stayed rubberside down ... I had a car that wished to meet me by pulling the magic wand routine ... put indicator on and move .. NOW ... and oh don't look. I realised he was going to join me and dropped back .. I did not imagine the heavy braking he was about to do and almost went up his arse and commenced a lovely tankslapper .... I put my left foot down, that jumped back up and I veered around him with colourful language.

It wasn't till I got to work that I calmed down .. I didn't pull off the road as I wouldn't have gone back on it ... As soon as I got here I saw Korea ... lovely sholders that lad ... and then rang Grub ... I am fine ... it was a scare but I proved that I could stay up in really bad situation ... so stay rubber side DOWN!!

Nasty

Glad to hear your ok, sometimes ya wish you could install a big sign saying "F**k Off" on your bike :)

Pwalo

7th August 2007, 13:05

That is the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time!

If a truck is heading northbound on the motorway and is heading up the Gorge, would you expect them to change into the left lane and then a mere 500m up change back to avoid them heading into J'Ville?

And how many cars do you see making a gap for trucks to change lanes? Typically, car drivers will jump into those spots making it harder for the truckie.

It would seem that you need to show more consideration for other road users.

I have to agree. The Gorge must be a nightmare for heavy vehicles, going up or down. There isn't an alternative route, and going up the Newlands and Jonsonville exits make life interesting. IIRC the Gorge isn't actaully part of SH1?

Anyways just show a bit of patience people (and remember people really don't see you if you're on a bike - as well).

crazefox

7th August 2007, 19:49

-W
Ok .. so yes thanks for the call Col .. I am breathing and am ok ... and the bike stayed rubberside down ... I had a car that wished to meet me by pulling the magic wand routine ... put indicator on and move .. NOW ... and oh don't look. I realised he was going to join me and dropped back .. I did not imagine the heavy braking he was about to do and almost went up his arse and commenced a lovely tankslapper .... I put my left foot down, that jumped back up and I veered around him with colourful language.

It wasn't till I got to work that I calmed down .. I didn't pull off the road as I wouldn't have gone back on it ... As soon as I got here I saw Korea ... lovely sholders that lad ... and then rang Grub ... I am fine ... it was a scare but I proved that I could stay up in really bad situation ... so stay rubber side DOWN!!

Nasty

PWWWWWW dont go dropping that bumble bee

Nasty

7th August 2007, 19:58

-WPWWWWWW dont go dropping that bumble bee

bumble bee is fine ... she balked but held her ground ... I was thinking about how pissed your lady would be if I dropped her :yes:

crazefox

7th August 2007, 20:03

bumble bee is fine ... she balked but held her ground ... I was thinking about how pissed your lady would be if I dropped her :yes:

Tell me about it i would be living in garage

COP_B8

7th August 2007, 20:20

Ok .. so yes thanks for the call Col .. I am breathing and am ok ... and the bike stayed rubberside down ... I had a car that wished to meet me by pulling the magic wand routine ... put indicator on and move .. NOW ... and oh don't look. I realised he was going to join me and dropped back .. I did not imagine the heavy braking he was about to do and almost went up his arse and commenced a lovely tankslapper .... I put my left foot down, that jumped back up and I veered around him with colourful language.

It wasn't till I got to work that I calmed down .. I didn't pull off the road as I wouldn't have gone back on it ... As soon as I got here I saw Korea ... lovely sholders that lad ... and then rang Grub ... I am fine ... it was a scare but I proved that I could stay up in really bad situation ... so stay rubber side DOWN!!

Nasty

Where you on a Yellow bike, if so that was hairraising to watch from behind, I was directly behind you in a Suzuki Vitara.

Saw the range rover move into your lane, you brake to avoid him and pull in behind and then him brake heavily for traffic, from there it was a serious of flalling legs and the back of your bike skipping around, I actually could not believe you did not go down and then again when the car in the other lane almost collected you.

Glad you okay!

JayRacer37

7th August 2007, 20:22

As for Ngauranga they reduced the speed on it from 100 to 80 many moons ago saying its while the road is being upgraded. Just about as many moons ago the work was all finished and lo and behold they never ever lifted the limit again.

What about Centinial/'Killer' highway??
Been a 'temporary' 80km/h for about 7 years....Funny, the LAW says that a 'temporary' speed restriction can be in place for a maximum of 6 months.....Fuggin Roading.

merv

7th August 2007, 20:27

What about Centinial/'Killer' highway??
Been a 'temporary' 80km/h for about 7 years....Funny, the LAW says that a 'temporary' speed restriction can be in place for a maximum of 6 months.....Fuggin Roading.

... but hey at least its an "Accident Area" so says the sign as you head out of Pukerua Bay so you guys up the Coast know where to crash. We don't have one of those areas further South so we don't have any place to crash within the rules.

The 10km of yellow lines was just so fantastic too but we have that over Haywards, and now you are getting the cheese cutter.

JayRacer37

7th August 2007, 20:30

... but hey at least its an "Accident Area" so says the sign as you head out of Pukerua Bay so you guys up the Coast know where to crash. We don't have one of those areas further South so we don't have any place to crash within the rules.

The 10km of yellow lines was just so fantastic too but we have that over Haywards, and now you are getting the cheese cutter.

Haha, makes me feel much better over the hayward...wouldn't want to go into that oncoming traffic WITHOUT being grated before hand!
And yes, with Centennial, at least I have somewhere legal to have a lie-down!! Makes me feel just great :S

apteryx_haasti

7th August 2007, 20:30

I feel enlightened. This explains the lovely lack of traffic as I came down SH2 from Petone way!

For a moment I thought I had managed to really screw up and it was 9.15, not 8.15!

Take my word for it - it was nice!

NASTY - glad to hear you are OK. Had someone (white van man) change into my lane without looking a couple of weeks ago - almost collected me, only missed him by about a foot! Super scary, eh?

JayRacer37

7th August 2007, 20:32

The 10km of yellow lines was just so fantastic too.

SOOOO lucky i'm colourblind, and bump ignorant!

Nasty

7th August 2007, 20:46

Where you on a Yellow bike, if so that was hairraising to watch from behind, I was directly behind you in a Suzuki Vitara.

Saw the range rover move into your lane, you brake to avoid him and pull in behind and then him brake heavily for traffic, from there it was a serious of flalling legs and the back of your bike skipping around, I actually could not believe you did not go down and then again when the car in the other lane almost collected you.

Glad you okay!

I am really fine ... scared myself shitless ... but I just tried my hardest to just not fall off ...

chanceyy

7th August 2007, 20:53

glad you made it through that one Nasty girl .. whew huh

riffer

7th August 2007, 21:30

Ewww. yucky stuff Nasty.

Now I'm working in Tawa its interesting how the traffic seems to always back up until just north of Tawa - it's happened at least three times in the last fortnight.

Haywards hasn't been so bad though since I got the new tyres. Definitely an interest road in the winter months.

7th August 2007, 21:50

It's moments like that that make you appreciate a bike. I left home this moring in the car until I saw the standstill traffic at the on-ramp. A quick u-turn, zip home, on ya bike and ride to work :scooter: passed hundreds of stewing car drivers :angry: .
Was anyone hurt? All you could see was heaps of twisted armco and the underside of the upside down truck in the gully.

Drum

7th August 2007, 22:18

...........The design of that whole section of road is retarded though, although it's still better than Melling on SH2. Whoever decided to save money by putting traffic lights all the way up an expressway should be stabbed.

Work is starting to remove the signals along this section of SH2 this year. Short term pain for long term gain.

And on a bright note (in regards to the truck crash), it was a nice run for us Hutt riders this morning with free flow speeds from the Petone to the City. I hope this wee present was not at the expense of injury to the truck driver.

Dafe

7th August 2007, 22:32

Good to hear you all survived your close calls today, But as MD was suggesting, Does anybody know whether the truck driver survived?

Renegade

7th August 2007, 23:10

dont ya hate it when people cut you off or pull into your lane, had a guy run a stop sign the other day and nearly wipe me out, wouldnt have been to bad if he turned into the lane closest to him but no he wanted my lane didnt he, i just wanted to ride up next to him and smash his wing mirror off with the armour plating on the top of my glove, prick.

Nasty

8th August 2007, 07:25

Good to hear you all survived your close calls today, But as MD was suggesting, Does anybody know whether the truck driver survived?

The driver survivied fine ... with a broken arm .... mind you I am not sure about his load .. it was alcohol!

Pwalo

8th August 2007, 07:40

Everything appears to have been cleared up overnight. No truck or crates of alcohol left off the side.

Drum

8th August 2007, 07:52

.... mind you I am not sure about his load .. it was alcohol!

The humanity! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

8th August 2007, 08:09

The driver survivied fine ... with a broken arm .... mind you I am not sure about his load .. it was alcohol!

I bet the first Cops on the scene breatherlised him after smelling booze! "Don't try and tell me you are sober sonny, you stink of booze"

ceebie13

8th August 2007, 08:10

Work is starting to remove the signals along this section of SH2 this year.

Really? So how will the intersections be controlled then?

Colapop

8th August 2007, 08:14

What's an intersection? There won't be any... I'll try and post a scan of the plan...

ceebie13

8th August 2007, 08:20

What's an intersection? There won't be any... I'll try and post a scan of the plan...

Cheers CP. I'd be interested to see that.

Freakshow

8th August 2007, 09:34

I saw people still working in the Gully at the bottem of the Gorge last night. I couldn't see a truck but after reading this I am guessing it was still down there.

Nasty

8th August 2007, 10:06

I saw people still working in the Gully at the bottem of the Gorge last night. I couldn't see a truck but after reading this I am guessing it was still down there.

It was still down there this morning ... I guess they won't be able to get it out without cranes.

Drum

8th August 2007, 12:14

Really? So how will the intersections be controlled then?

Grade separated interchanges (like motorway interchanges). The project at this stage is from Dowse to Petone (correct me if this has changed Col). Melling and north is to be included in a later stage of the work (how much later no-one really knows), with the end game being grade separation at the SH2/ Haywards intersection.

Of course, once this starts there will be lane closures etc all along this section of SH2, so just wait for the traffic chaos and start practicing your lane splitting skills.

merv

8th August 2007, 12:21

Drum

8th August 2007, 16:25

From what I've seen of the Dowse plan it looks a bit like Mungavin Interchange with a big roundabout sitting above the highway. It won't help congestion at the Koro Koro lights unless they are being removed too as part of the plan.

They are Merv.

Edit: In fact the plans are all right here..........

http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/d2p/gallery/interactive/overview.jsp

Cave Cleaner

8th August 2007, 17:12

I travel the Nauranga Gorge daily, and you do see a lot of cars changing lanes due to slow trucks etc. The quicker im up and past the J'ville off/on ramps, the safer I feel. Its like everyone wants to be the first one to the top ?

Slingshot

8th August 2007, 18:15

Traffic on the gorge was slower than usual tonight and it wasn't until I was heading up the gorge that I realised why.

They were pulling the trailer out up the bank on the other side of the road...in fact they may have been pulling the truck/trailer up or the trailer may have just been sitting there on the side of the road...not to sure.

Typical rubber-neckers though were slowing up the traffic, in all lanes too. If only the rubber-neckers would move to the left lane.

Colapop

8th August 2007, 18:22

They are Merv.

Edit: In fact the plans are all right here..........

http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/d2p/gallery/interactive/overview.jsp
Sweet! That makes it easy for me...

Actually if you have any complaints at all you should speak to one of the designers... eh DRUM (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=3498)

rwh

9th August 2007, 00:48

They are Merv.

Edit: In fact the plans are all right here..........

http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/d2p/gallery/interactive/overview.jsp

Wow - that's pretty dramatic. It'll make it much quicker to get to TSS :)

I assume the section past Korokoro will be cut back down to the level either side, leaving the bridge at roughly the height of the current intersection (and bridge)?

What's the point of the big carpark in the middle of the intersection by Hume St (by the Dowse Drive interchange)?

Richard