A moment of clarity - speed and danger

**Moi** · 17th April 2015, 13:39

Originally Posted by Ulsterkiwi

That's actually a pretty smart suggestion, even if it was laced with just a smidge of irony at the end

I am not saying the suggestion would never work but it would certainly be heavily influenced by two factors

1. Road user knowledge and skills
2. The design of our roading network

I would make the following observations about those two variables (in no particular order of importance):

1. When the average road user in NZ can consistently demonstrate that they can negotiate a roundabout, merge with flowing traffic, use overtaking lanes, understand traffic light commands, corner without drifting over the centre line, travel at a sensible following distance and plan safe and efficient lane changes I think we might be making progress.

2. Our network as it stands is not conducive to consistent travel at speed. So long as we have the continued use of top dressing instead of actual resurfacing, turning right while still on the main carriage way of a two lane road, traffic joining main highways from perpendicular roads (from a standing start and no slipway), few urban areas bypassed by highways, turning left from highways without the assistance of slipways, the continued use of single lanes for what are designated State Highways and the enforcement of minor speed infractions over good lane discipline and following distances then I think we will continue to have problems.

Point 1 needs to be said often - hit-nail-on-head statement...

**R650R** · 17th April 2015, 18:58

Originally Posted by Berries

But think about the [school] children.

Yes your right, too many of the little junior terrorists are driving now.... http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crim...er-and-younger

**R650R** · 17th April 2015, 19:00

Originally Posted by Moi

I think it might have something to do with the standard of driving training there and the German belief that driving or riding requires both skill and thinking...

And... the one good thing Hitler did, decent roads and motorways....

**R650R** · 17th April 2015, 19:01

Originally Posted by mossy1200

I do think the speed differential between the fastest and slowest vehicles in multi lane situations creates huge issues. The fastest tend to weave and change lanes without warning and the slow travellers tend to create rolling road blocks everyone is trying to avoid.

Yes good to see someone gets my angle here...