Wellington's "killer highway"

**Hitcher** · 24th August 2004, 09:02

Most Wellingtonians will know that the "killer highway" (SH1 from Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki) struck again at the weekend. If you've been following the news you will also have noted that the speed limit on this stretch has now been officially reduced to 80kmh. You may have also noted suggestions to put a braided wire median barrier along this stretch of highway (similar to the Haywards Hill road).

Rather than get my hobby horse out of the gargre at this time, I was wondering what you dudes though of all this?

The poll is only attached as a rough guide and conversation starter (you can tick more than one box, by the way).

**James Deuce** · 24th August 2004, 09:07

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Most Wellingtonians will know that the "killer highway" (SH1 from Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki) struck again at the weekend. If you've been following the news you will also have noted that the speed limit on this stretch has now been officially reduced to 80kmh. You may have also noted suggestions to put a braided wire median barrier along this stretch of highway (similar to the Haywards Hill road).

Rather than get my hobby horse out of the gargre at this time, I was wondering what you dudes though of all this?

The poll is only attached as a rough guide and conversation starter.

Cheese cutter is the Govt's attempt to reduce the motorcycling population.

We have a responsibility to avoid crashing into it. Rather than start a protest movement we should always ride in convoy when approaching a stretch of road with cheese cutters in place, block the lane, and travel at 20km/hr whilst traversing that particular piece of road.

If "independent studies" are ever quoted claiming that cheese cutters are no more likely to injure motorcyclists than armco or concrete barriers, I would be happy to construct a dummy and hurl it from a vehicle at 80km/hr into the cheese cutter and film the results.

**jrandom** · 24th August 2004, 09:10

I'm not familiar with the bit of road in question, but I voted anyway, for proper median barriers and warning signs. ("Warning - stupid driving may kill you", perhaps?)

Those cheesecutter barriers are a motorcyclist's death waiting to happen.

Also, it's pretty poor if we can't build a main route, SH1 in this case, to be safe at 100kph. If it really *isn't* driveable at that speed (which I doubt) then a new road should be built. Funded by reductions in welfare payments.

**vifferman** · 24th August 2004, 09:19

Originally Posted by jrandom

Also, it's pretty poor if we can't build a main route, SH1 in this case, to be safe at 100kph. If it really *isn't* driveable at that speed (which I doubt) then a new road should be built. Funded by reductions in welfare payments.

NO!! Funded by the other two-thirds of the road tax that the Gummint takes and doesn't spend on roads. Why do you think the Gubmint lets the oil barons do whatever the hell they like with fuel prices? "Free market economy" my arse - it's because 46% of petrol is tax (with the GST on top), and every time it goes up, it's a windfall for the Consolidated Fund. If the Gumbint were seriously worried about the efrect rising fuel prices are having on inflation and the economy, they could cut back the tax a few cents (like remove the "special levy" for fixing D'Auckland's roading problem.
If they were serious about fixing the roads, they'd spend more than a third of the road tax take on roading.

[rant mode off]

That's better.

**Blakamin** · 24th August 2004, 09:34

wheres the one that says "stop people doing 20k below the speed limit" on that piece of road?

speed limiting that stretch is stupid, as most people do 80 anyway as they are ignorant of the road signs.

public transport wont help as 90% of the accidents aren't even locals.

Building a road that will get you out of the city when it rains, (after all the slips etc) is really the only option.

i spose the only REAL option tho is this >>>

**riffer** · 24th August 2004, 10:02

They won't care about the effect of wire rope barriers on motorcyclists.

Let's face it, there's three things they have to take into account when considering these barriers:

1. How many motorcyclists have lost their lives through crossing the centre line on this road?

2. How many motorcyclist deaths per year can be attributed to wire rope?

3. How many potential fatal head ons can be saved using wire rope?

To answer 1 and 2. Probably not a lot. Thus using statistics one can assume that motorcyclists are a pretty careful lot who are better at keeping in their lane that some cage drivers.

To answer 3. Possibly 5 deaths every 2 years.

So they would assume that the motorcyclists are a secondary consideration as:

a) They tend to stay away from the wire rope
b) Wire rope will save lives
c) It is the cheapest option
d) and therefore will look like they are actually doing something.

Wire rope gives me the shits. So I stay well clear of it and ride safely when its around. Does that mean it works? Quite probably yes. Doesn't mean I like it though...

**boris** · 24th August 2004, 10:18

I live in Waikanae, this road is the reason i go to p/north if i need anything,over summer I do use piecoc hill. Its not that that its dangerous i just hate getting stuck behind cars doing 70-80kph and having to dick head behind me sitting a bit to close for my comfit..

**Mongoose** · 24th August 2004, 10:39

Originally Posted by celticno6

They won't care about the effect of wire rope barriers on motorcyclists.To answer 3. Possibly 5 deaths every 2 years.

So they would assume that the motorcyclists are a secondary consideration as:

a) They tend to stay away from the wire rope
b) Wire rope will save lives
c) It is the cheapest option
d) and therefore will look like they are actually doing something.

Wire rope gives me the shits. So I stay well clear of it and ride safely when its around. Does that mean it works? Quite probably yes. Doesn't mean I like it though...

Well said, the main factor is of course costs. Motorcyclists are seen as a minority, so the majority, ie vehicle drivers, win out.
That road itself is quite driveable, its the Kiwi tendancey to not stay on the left hand side that does the damage.
My tuppence worth

**riffer** · 24th August 2004, 10:41

Originally Posted by Mongoose

That road itself is quite driveable, its the Kiwi tendancey to not stay on the left hand side that does the damage.
My tuppence worth

Yeah, I reckon the road is a lot better than it used to be when it had the passing lanes.

Does anyone know why the car crossed the centreline?

It is possible the driver had a heart attack, given the age of the people in the car? Or was it an overtaking manoeuvre done at the worst possible time?

**MikeL** · 24th August 2004, 10:54

Wellington was a stupid place to build a capital city. You people should come to your senses before more money gets poured down the gurgler. When the big earthquake comes both roads will be completely destroyed and you'll be back to square one. Emigrate now while it's not too late. Only don't all come to Auckland at once. We wouldn't want the value of our houses to keep going up... the rates are getting out of hand already. Your bikes are welcome but leave the cages behind...

**James Deuce** · 24th August 2004, 10:57

Originally Posted by MikeL

Wellington was a stupid place to build a capital city. You people should come to your senses before more money gets poured down the gurgler. When the big earthquake comes both roads will be completely destroyed and you'll be back to square one. Emigrate now while it's not too late. Only don't all come to Auckland at once. We wouldn't want the value of our houses to keep going up... the rates are getting out of hand already. Your bikes are welcome but leave the cages behind...

Auckland's built on 52 dormant volcanoes. I'll take my 2 fault lines thanks.

**Blakamin** · 24th August 2004, 11:03

Originally Posted by MikeL

Wellington was a stupid place to build a capital city. You people should come to your senses before more money gets poured down the gurgler. When the big earthquake comes both roads will be completely destroyed and you'll be back to square one. Emigrate now while it's not too late. Only don't all come to Auckland at once. We wouldn't want the value of our houses to keep going up... the rates are getting out of hand already. Your bikes are welcome but leave the cages behind...

HAHA and become a JAFFA??? no thanks

**Cynic** · 24th August 2004, 11:04

Originally Posted by celticno6

Does anyone know why the car crossed the centreline?

It is possible the driver had a heart attack, given the age of the people in the car? Or was it an overtaking manoeuvre done at the worst possible time?

Fatigue would be my guess... end of a 200-250Km trip to Wanganui which they may or may not have gone there and back in the day... Interesting to note that the "Killer Road" has a bit in common with other stretches notorious for this sort of carry on. Similar to the Waikato probs, for a few km on both sides of the blackspots the roads go from being quite open with good sight lines and passing lanes to being a gently winding one lane each way sort of setup. Wouldn't mind betting that the change in surroundings affect some drivers to the point of overload if they aren't quite on form due to a longish trip. Of course, everyone's idea of a longish trip will vary so makes it kinda hard to quantify....

**spudchucka** · 24th August 2004, 11:06

Originally Posted by celticno6

Does anyone know why the car crossed the centreline?

We can ask but I don't think we'll get a reply.

Opps, how un PC of me.

MD · 24th August 2004, 12:56

Spot on comment Celtic. I'm not aware of any bikes crashing there for years so bikers must recognise that the risk is a bit higher along that stretch and ride to it. We might not like the wire but its the most practical. Drivers somehow don't seem to notice how close the opposing cars are and must enjoy riding the vibrating centreline. Give me the wire anyday over reduced speed limit from what is already too slow at times. Some silly Sheila moaning in the DomPost today how another car overtook her. The question shouldn't have been "who" but "why and what were you doing that someone felt the need to pass you?" I'd guess the moaner was holding up traffic and deserved the fright she got discovering the road wasn't built just for her to use. Secondly, put back the passing bays they removed last year and release the frustration from slow cars.