Got the monthly email from Megarider, and this is in it.. Thought it was an interesting read, and might be grounds for a petition to the government about the ongoing problem of road markings in the wet..
I came across your website while doing some research on a problem I have
been trying to highlight for a year now, with mixed success. Personally I
have sorted out my issue, but I think there is a national problem that
affects all road-users on two wheels.
I have been riding bikes for 15 years, and never had problems with
roadmarking paint until I arrived in NZ. Every biker you talk to has a near
miss story, usually when applying the brakes in the wet. I had several
heart stoppers near my previous home in West Auckland, until last November,
on my new bike.
I approached a stop sign, it was sunny but the road had a light coating of
rain from earlier, and as I applied the front brake gently at under 10kph
the front wheel skidded on the white lettering spelling (ironically) STOP.
As you can imagine, I was furious, the damage was slight but I knew I had
done nothing wrong and was not about to lose my no claims bonus or pay for
it, so I took it up with the council.
After trying to fob me off they came and inspected the site, then passed
the buck to Transit. Transit tried to fob me off too, but they sent out a
technician to assess the paint. I argued that if a rider could not safely
apply brakes on the surface in any conditions then the system was
inadequate and Transit was failing in their duty to the public. They spent
some weeks reviewing it, then declined my claim, telling me to "adjust my
riding style in the wet"!
I went ballistic, and insisted on seeing the report. Contrary to my
expectations the surveyor had agreed with me, stating there was no evidence
of anything but careful driving. At this point I requested the
specifications of the paint system under the Official Information Act, and
found that it had not been applied in accordance with the document. This
prompted another investigation, at which point I contacted the Minister for
Transport pointing out the grave danger posed to NZ motorcyclists by
inadequate road marking paint. Only recently a Wellington cyclist had died
after skidding on such paint.
Finally Transit admitted that their sub-contractor had not put non-skid
granules in the paint, and paid for full repairs on my bike, and the
Minister assured me that it was an isolated incident, and nationally there
was no problem.
I now live in Wellington, where the poor cyclist was killed by slippery
white paint, and I can tell you quite categorically that as soon as it is
wet the paint surface is as slippery as ice. There is a national problem on
the roads, cyclists are at risk. In a car there is exactly the same loss of
grip, but the other three wheels compensate. On two wheels we do not have
that luxury.
Something needs to be done. I have tried accessing information from
Statistics NZ and ACC on causes of accidents, but they cannot give me it
(or cannot be bothered trying). The insurance industry is aware of the
problem, but do not feel there are enough accidents attributable to road
markings to warrant the resources necessary to tackle the problem. The
general opinion seems to be that as riders we are all aware of the risk and
make a conscious effort to avoid road paint. Is this right? Just because it
is common, should we stand for it?
I suppose what annoys me is the fact that it is just a matter of
maintenance.
When applied properly, the road markings have sufficient grip for safe
braking, but it wears off quickly as the glass particles become loose or
are covered with debris. I cannot understand why a rubberised paint has not
been developed similar to that used on marine decks, which maintains its
grip as it wears down through the layers.
It all comes down to cost, and no doubt the bean counters have decided that
it is not worth spending millions to save a few injuries and the occasional
death.
My next port of call is the NZ motorcycle press. I hope that if I can get
every biker who has been affected by the problem to harass Transit and
their local MP's, something might get done. I would value your opinion.
Just thought it was a good read..
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Originally Posted by DingDong
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