Another fatality

[Naki Rat]

Sooooooooooo, he has to go beyond the driveway, with his fat arse tractor and somehow do a 72-point turn in order to swing around back to the entry he wanted to go into?

Take a look at the width of SH3 in this area by looking at the Google Maps link earlier and edit your post as you consider necessary

[rebel]

That practise is a nightmare waiting to happen.

In the 90's I came across a nasty crash in the Mamaku's. A car had puled over to the left to let cars go past before he turned right. Trouble was he didn't see the bike coming from behind, and turned across his path. I was cradling the riders head in my arms when the ambos arrived. He lived but is munted for life.

No wonder people don't do it.

So because one incompetent dickhead fucked it up it shouldn't happen? Should we ban U turns as well? It's common sense to pull to the left if there is oncoming traffic, you may have a death wish if you prefer to sit in the middle of the open road whilst waiting to turn right, haven't you realised most of NZ drivers are half asleep behind the wheel.

[rebel]

The Road Code has no legal standing. The actual Rule says you must move as far as practicable to the right before turning, but you may move to the left and not be in breach of the Rule if you can prove you did it for safety reasons. Which is why you don't see it policed.

Yep I just checked out of interest, and you're correct that there is no legal standing, but the road code does advise to pull to the left if turning right at open road uncontrolled intersections. This should be policed on a case by case basis.

[PrincessBandit]

Take a look at the width of SH3 in this area by looking at the Google Maps link earlier and edit your post as you consider necessary

Nah, ok, maybe not a 72-point turn then.....

[FJRider]

Yep I just checked out of interest, and you're correct that there is no legal standing, but the road code does advise to pull to the left if turning right at open road uncontrolled intersections. This should be policed on a case by case basis.

I find it hard to believe that you can suggest/imply/declare ... "advice" with "no legal standing" ... can be "Policed" ...

[rebel]

I find it hard to believe that you can suggest/imply/declare ... "advice" with "no legal standing" ... can be "Policed" ...

Policed was the wrong word, a precautionary warning might be better, much in the same way it could be applied to those who drive in fog/overcast rain/twilight with no lights.

[FJRider]

Policed was the wrong word, a precautionary warning might be better, much in the same way it could be applied to those who drive in fog/overcast rain/twilight with no lights.

Under the current "Police Quota" rules .... this offence carries little penalty and therefore is seldom enforced (except to relieve the boredom of the officer concerned)

[ynot slow]

Luck or whatever you want to name it,we all need it on the road.Sure riding is safe or as dangerous as we make it,but there are the unknown situations we have no avoidance of,i.e a blow out,cars doing stupid manouveres,engine seizure(especially a single cylinder mid corner),bloody hawks or other large birds,all these things can be catastophic to us,if they don't happen we may say that was good luck.

Usually when I arrive home I think,that was choice and think I am lucky to enjoy the ride and arrive home safely,tonight was one of those nights,left in sunny weather,mid way wind(strong)and rain,temperature drop pretty impressive,so yes I think it was luck that I didn't fall off,get knocked off(cars on my side of road)no slips in gorges etc.

The saying "there for the grace of God go I " is apt at times,who cares what we think,a biking comrade lost his life,whether the accident was preventable is a mute point,as most accidents are.

[Patrick]

.... (I rode that road 24 hours earlier). At 100kmh the motorcyclist would have had fak all choices when confronted with a lane full of tractor, or do you suggest slowing for every brow?

This happened on the main road north out of Taranaki and could just as easily ended with a tractor munted by a B-train. It was not a clever manoeuvre on the tractor's part.

I drive this piece daily, its just around the corner from home.

The brow isn't that severe even at more than normal pace. That tractor was big enough to be seen quite early, over the brow. So was the rotary it was hauling.

A B-Train would have spotted it sooner, being higher up and all... The bike is higher up than most cars too...

[MSTRS:Me]

I drive this piece daily, its just around the corner from home.

The brow isn't that severe even at more than normal pace. That tractor was big enough to be seen quite early, over the brow. So was the rotary it was hauling.

A B-Train would have spotted it sooner, being higher up and all... The bike is higher up than most cars too...

Which leaves 3 scenarios...
1. Rider going at a gazillion miles an hour
2. Rider distracted/not paying attention
3. Rider misjudged the room available, and/or the tractor moved into the space

Sorry - 4 scenarios
4. A combination of the above

All of which involve the rider, in greater part than the tractor driver.

I still think that turning across yellows is not a great idea, but looking at Google street view (to refresh my memory of the area), turning here is not the problem. The opposing traffic is 2 laned and yellowed because they are still approaching the brow plus passing lanes are usually yellowed so as to not be greedy. Why the downhill lane (tractor and bike) are yellowed is anyone's guess...it's not a visibility thing at that point.

[Naki Rat]

......

I still think that turning across yellows is not a great idea, but looking at Google street view (to refresh my memory of the area), turning here is not the problem. The opposing traffic is 2 laned and yellowed because they are still approaching the brow plus passing lanes are usually yellowed so as to not be greedy. Why the downhill lane (tractor and bike) are yellowed is anyone's guess...it's not a visibility thing at that point.

No so much a criticism as a point to ponder is that Google takes its photos from a mast well above the car roof it is mounted on with a wide angle (panorama) type lens, which provides a less than realistic view compared to that of a motorist (e.g. the brow appears significantly 'flatter' in GSV than it is in reality).

[MSTRS:Me]

Yeah, I know that. But I also know the road somewhat, so Streetview just helps to clarify what is where. Like Armco, hedges, driveways, passing lane/s, etc.
It was Patrick that said the brow is not 'sharp'...

[rocketman1]

Very sorry to hear about this my thoughts go out to the remaining family and friends.

[miloking]

correct you didn't, but if life is about ....fucking luck and nothing else. there's not really anything else you have to rely on

+1 so you noticed that too?

Yeah sure i said that and whether its true or not that our lives are based on mere chance/luck most of the time, still that doesnt mean i FUCKING RELY on it... are you two stoned or something???

[Patrick]

Which leaves 3 scenarios...
1. Rider going at a gazillion miles an hour
2. Rider distracted/not paying attention
3. Rider misjudged the room available, and/or the tractor moved into the space

Sorry - 4 scenarios
4. A combination of the above

All of which involve the rider, in greater part than the tractor driver.

........ Why the downhill lane (tractor and bike) are yellowed is anyone's guess...it's not a visibility thing at that point.

Go for 4....

The downhill also approaches a slightly blind bend and a busy T intersection, hence the yellows there.....