Some sense at last!

[nerrrd]

I agree that every practical measure that can be taken should be taken to improve road safety, but cost will always be the limiting factor here. As a country we seem to have reached the limits of what is practically affordable in infrastructure and service provision long ago, unless the endless parade of companies or institutions saying they need more funding to provide said infrastructure or service are lying.

I don’t see the emphasis on speed limits as futile, over time it may well be successful in modifying drivers’ attitudes and take some of the impatience out of the equation (which is the main issue I see on a daily basis in my travels.) Like with seatbelts, or drink driving (attitudes have changed towards both over time.)

No doubt there are many drivers out there who are competent enough to drive or ride at speeds on or above the speed limit, the problem seems to happen when they encounter traffic which isn’t, and too many end up making extremely poor decisions in trying to pass. That slower traffic is always going to be there, regardless of the speed limit.

I think we need to ask ourselves what is it really that makes being held up by slower traffic so frustrating, and why that seems to override normally sensible decision making in the heat of the moment.

[jellywrestler]

I think we need to ask ourselves what is it really that makes being held up by slower traffic so frustrating, and why that seems to override normally sensible decision making in the heat of the moment.

being stuck behind trucks with no vision off into the distance is often frustrating, the only warning you often get is when they suddenly react, rather than being able to see way in front of you. The new speed limit between blenheim and nelson means there's no speed difference between trucks and motorists so few opportunities to get past.

[F5 Dave]

In a similar vein today just been over the rapa and bottom of takas. A Sprint has appeared behind me a min ago. Paul in front overtakes when we finally get to straight. I've been indicating and watching my mirror. I'm overtaking following Paul and see Matey pull out behind me.

I'm swinging my torso left and right.looking to see what is happening ahead of Paul either side. I call time and pull back in and see Sprint is accelerating. He wizzes past me and goes to take Paul who has now moved right to the left noticing him and also the car who is indicating and braking to turn into Kaitoki Gardens. He swerves and just misses the car lucky that Paul saw him coming and moved saving his arse.

All to get another car ahead.

His version is now probably now on social media blaming everyone else.

And that is what is wrong with male aggression and vehicles. The more I raced the more respect I had for the road.

[FJRider]

... SH6 between Blenheim and Nelson is a cracking example of how the 'Speed kills' mantra simply isn't working.

Have you actually considered ... that the posted speed limit for ANY portion of ANY roadway in NZ is actually irrelevant .. ???

And have you considered that ... often the speed limit on many parts (and in some cases ... most parts) of those roads is actually dangerous to drive at the posted legal speed limit for those roads ???

And have you considered ... that traveling in such places at "legal" speeds ... you CAN be charged with dangerous driving ... ???


I know SH6 pretty well ... and there are plenty of places on it ... that any speed over 50 km/hr (in/on ANY vehicle) IS dangerous.

I bet you don't know the difference between "Dangerous Driving" and "Exceeding posted speed limits" ... The two are NOT the same.

The Highway Patrol Policy is there (sometimes) to enforce speed limits ... but exceeding the posted speed limits are not always dangerous as such. But that is the starting point of enforcement policy.



One SIMPLE fact that you should seriously consider ... and ... take time to think about. The MAJORITY of the deaths on New Zealand roads and highways ... occurred at LESS than the LEGAL SPEED LIMIT for the roads they were on.


SPEED Doesn't (always) kill. But ... stupidity does it more often. And the really sad part of that bit is ... the stupid aren't usually/always the one's killed.

Go figure ...


And if YOU can stick to the legal speed limit for the entire distance between Blenheim and Nelson ... you are a better rider than I am.

[FJRider]

being stuck behind trucks with no vision off into the distance is often frustrating, the only warning you often get is when they suddenly react, rather than being able to see way in front of you. The new speed limit between blenheim and nelson means there's no speed difference between trucks and motorists so few opportunities to get past.

If you aren't familiar with the road ... it seems worse. Back off a 100 meters or so ... you'll see more of the road ahead of the truck. If you still cant get/see past the truck for/at a safe place to pass ... you'll still be safer and no better off if you were right up the trucks ass.

You profile say's you have a Suzuki ...

[george formby]

If you aren't familiar with the road ... it seems worse. Back off a 100 meters or so ... you'll see more of the road ahead of the truck. If you still cant get/see past the truck for/at a safe place to pass ... you'll still be safer and no better off if you were right up the trucks ass.

You profile say's you have a Suzuki ...

Must admit, more often than not if I hang back from a truck and stay in his mirrors I get waved past at a safe point. Some good truck drivers out there.

[James Deuce]

I went for a nice ride this afternoon except for the twat in the VW Tiguan near Parkvale mushrooms. I indicated to overtake him so he straddled the centreline to "prevent" me from doing so. I did nearly 1500 kms in three days the week after New Year and didn't see anything like that in the boondocks or major highways. Where do these people come from? Is that not more dangerous than me overtaking him? I suspect that those sort of attitudes feed our stats more than my enjoyment of a swift overtake.

[F5 Dave]

The problem is people are cunts

[Scuba_Steve]

Meanwhile the perfectly ok surface of River Road (Upper Hutt) is being scraped up and relaid again because, apparently it's two years since it was last done, whether needed or not. Perhaps being fairly close to Fulton Hogans base in Petone makes it worthwhile for them

Pretty sure it's only a year old. Bloody sure it was re-sealed same time last year.

[James Deuce]

Pretty sure it's only a year old. Bloody sure it was re-sealed same time last year.

Yes, that's true, but up against the hill is a fairly deep swamp that used to drain into the river. It now drains through the strata under the road so the road bed along that stretch needs regular levelling to prevent the surface layer from breaking.

[roogazza]

I went for a nice ride this afternoon except for the twat in the VW Tiguan near Parkvale mushrooms. I indicated to overtake him so he straddled the centreline to "prevent" me from doing so. I did nearly 1500 kms in three days the week after New Year and didn't see anything like that in the boondocks or major highways. Where do these people come from? Is that not more dangerous than me overtaking him? I suspect that those sort of attitudes feed our stats more than my enjoyment of a swift overtake.

People like that deserve their wing mirror to fall off !

[malcy25]

AKL-CHC-AKL return for a race meeting.

We watched 3-4 instances of passing on yellow's, blind brows, or just couldn't keep on the right side of the road.

Kaikoura coast, chip seal tar that was so slick in the wet that I couldn't or more correctly wouldn't stay in touch with the truck ahead of me and had me puckering at times it looks so slippery.

Chip seal that is so fresh they still have signs out and the itls already getting polished or tearing out.

Yeah, speed is an issue......

[pete376403]

Yes, that's true, but up against the hill is a fairly deep swamp that used to drain into the river. It now drains through the strata under the road so the road bed along that stretch needs regular levelling to prevent the surface layer from breaking.

So if the road had been designed properly by engineers (instead of accountants) the required drainage would have been put in place before the road bad perhaps?

[Moi]

So if the road had been designed properly by engineers (instead of accountants) the required drainage would have been put in place before the road bad perhaps?

The road should have been built on the eastern side of the river on top of a proper stop bank...

[pete376403]

The road should have been built on the eastern side of the river on top of a proper stop bank...

But that would have required land from St Pats and the Heretaunga Golf Club - both organisations would have wanted far more than the council would (or could) pay. I recall the mayor of the time crowing about how they saved money for fill by widening Wallaceville Hill road at the same time and reusing the dirt. The whole thing was about cheap, if you dont count the 11 or so people killed on the road in the first year, plus more in subsequent years, then the major reconstructions since then which will NEVER fix the Moonshine bridge bottleneck (and the ongoing resurfacings)