Road toll - Police stupid obsession blaming speed

[eldog]

They need to actually look at the road condition as well. Just done the NI1600 and the State Highways are in shocking condition. We had rain most of the time and the tar bleed is pathetic and we are still in winter conditions. Their idea of fixing the road is to put a stupid bloody sign that says "slippery when wet".

Get the roads up to a decent standard and maybe 50% of road accidents wouldn't happen.

I had a conversation with a law enforcement office along time ago.
they enforce the law.
they can't/won't/don't have anything to do with road design/condition etc.

he agreed with me, that there needed to changes, but that was outside his job description.
he policed a dangerous intersection. Just wrote tickets. Wasn't concerned that changes could be made.

if i wanted to I could make a public suggestion to the local council.
yeah right that will be effective.

yes there were parts of the road where the bike slithered like a snake underneath me, wasn't a nice feeling. I did the 800, that was enough of sliding around in the wet and fog.

definitely we need to change the way roads are design/repaired there were NEW portions on that ride that had almost no grip, the water/oil pooled on the surface. others were just wrong surface material. Tar snakes usually indicate larger problems under the surface.

[eldog]

You wouldn't age much if your wife found out either ...

You just never know.

i have heard of a lucky chap who had such a successful relationship as described.

[rastuscat]

Education.
The responsibility of NZTA.

Engineering.
The responsibility of NZTA.

Enforcement.
The responsibility of NZTA.
Subcontracted to Police.

[Scuba_Steve]

Education.
The responsibility of NZTA.

Engineering.
The responsibility of NZTA.

Enforcement.
The responsibility of NZTA.
Subcontracted to Police.

NZTA - "We have no idea what we're doing"

[AllanB]

Education.
The responsibility of NZTA.

Engineering.
The responsibility of NZTA.

Enforcement.
The responsibility of NZTA.
Subcontracted to Police.

And they will blame lack of funding, and that's the government, who are funded by the tax payer, thus we are all responsible!

It's a fantastic system - I need to find a job where everyone but me is responsible for my actions :-)

[Ocean1]

I wanna argue the bike position thong.

The right hand tyre track of your lane is the safest place to be. Period.

It offers the largest range of escape for any situation. There simply isn't a spot you are most likely to miss something unexpected.

Nope. The safest place to be is the one balancing a lot of potential sources of injury for a lot of different situations, and there isn't a simple rule that defines that for every situation.

[FJRider]

... Get the roads up to a decent standard and maybe 50% of road accidents wouldn't happen.

Improve the driving standards ... and 98% of the accidents wouldn't happen.

[jellywrestler]

The quickest way to end up dead if you believe that especially on a bend. I saw a FB video recently when a guy would have ended up dead if he had not been to the far left of the centre line.

were you shaken as a baby? it would explain a lot

[jellywrestler]

I saw a video of two attractive 25 year old Swedish girls kissing each other

can you please post a link

[caspernz]

They need to actually look at the road condition as well. Just done the NI1600 and the State Highways are in shocking condition. We had rain most of the time and the tar bleed is pathetic and we are still in winter conditions. Their idea of fixing the road is to put a stupid bloody sign that says "slippery when wet".

Get the roads up to a decent standard and maybe 50% of road accidents wouldn't happen.

Can't argue that some accidents can be largely attributed to roading standards, will take issue with the % you quoted though. Someone who applies the old "riding to the conditions" approach will do much better your numbers suggest. Add a bit of advanced rider training and the 50% you say are caused by the road, will now be in the low single digits, IMHO.

I wanna argue the bike position thong.

The right hand tyre track of your lane is the safest place to be. Period.

It offers the largest range of escape for any situation. There simply isn't a spot you are most likely to miss something unexpected.

Don't often disagree with you Drew, but hey you're just wrong on this occasion. You apply a rigid thinking approach, use Roadcraft and you'll be varying position to be as safe as practicable for the conditions.

Education.
The responsibility of NZTA.

Engineering.
The responsibility of NZTA.

Enforcement.
The responsibility of NZTA.
Subcontracted to Police.

The limiting factor being money, although the couch consultants will argue all officialdom is dumb, without ever improving their own skills/attitude.

Improve the driving standards ... and 98% of the accidents wouldn't happen.

Oh you're a wise one, and I can't argue with your assertion.


The way I look at things from the cab of a truck, I see lots of people tailgating, talking on cell phones, texting, dawdling in places where one can easily do the limit, cross centre lines needlessly, overtake in a dangerous fashion, drive in poor vision conditions without lights, to name but a few...that speed in and of itself isn't an issue, but I accept it's what the boys in blue can easily measure

[eldog]

Improve the driving standards ... and 98% of the accidents wouldn't happen.

While I agree about improving driving standards, improvements in vehicles, tyres would also help. As well as attitudes on the road.

this would reduce accidents, but 98% ?

you must have much better roads and drivers down in your neck of the boonies

there's no accounting for dumb, you should visit akl..... bring plenty of cotton wool.

[eldog]

If possible I just dont ride in the wet now and take the car. This means the lack of money to repair the roads no longer is an issue. It all comes down to money over safety in roading budgets in the end.

What? It doesn't cost anything when you use your car?

cars don't crash? People don't die in cars?

ok I will take the car on my next ride.... it will be safer and cost less.....

[HenryDorsetCase]

Nope. The safest place to be is the one balancing a lot of potential sources of injury for a lot of different situations, and there isn't a simple rule that defines that for every situation.

Yeah: I mean I'm with Drew: usually its the best place, but sometimes its not. Thats part of the fun innit: being active: head up, scanning, situational awareness.

[george formby]

I would agree with you as people who blame the roads jus need to buy a vehicle or learn to handle them better

Fair dinkum question. What learning process did you have in mind?

[FJRider]

While I agree about improving driving standards, improvements in vehicles, tyres would also help. As well as attitudes on the road.

this would reduce accidents, but 98% ?

you must have much better roads and drivers down in your neck of the boonies

there's no accounting for dumb, you should visit akl..... bring plenty of cotton wool.

A drivers attitude has a lot to do with their ability to drive safely. 98% of "Accidents" are caused by the mistakes of drivers. Mistakes (however minor) of all drivers involved ... have an impact (excuse the pun) on how serious the end result will be. A mistake of following too closely may involve you in what could/should have been a non-issue for you.

We have our share of shit roads ... I've traveled most on a motorcycle and most of my prangs were of my making. Better drivers ... ?? I doubt it. I've found it easier and safer to back off ... and allow ROW to those that are not entitled to ... or deserve any.

Dumb is believing if a speed sign tells you you can ... you MUST. And ... MUST be perfectly safe in ALL road, traffic and weather conditions ...

We should be all familiar with the attributes and failings of our own vehicles we operate ... so we should be making allowances for the failings. And use the attributes to our advantage ... to ensure our safety. Not to increase the risk.

And I have been to Auckland ... and I doubt anything has improved ... the drivers or the traffic.