NZ road surface condition

[oldrider]

Yes, I had in mind the occasional patch from trucks and herd road crossings. Much worse than that would be annoying. What's failing, the truck containment systems or the users of them?

Both, IMHO. John.

[mujambee]

It's the 21st century indeed. How hard can it be to build a diesel storage tank that doesn't leak? How hard can it be for vehicle inspection services to check such storage systems as part of regular WOF/COF testing?

And the same goes for stock truck effluent containment systems.

It's been done in britain: KillSpills

KillSpill Commended companies

[Lonebull]

Hey folks. Robert Taylor and myself have had a bit of a yarn on this subject.
We have come to the conclusion that this is a national problem, which we feel should be dealt with in high places... i.e on a government level.
Both RT and myself will NEVER get a job in IT, and on request I have copied and pasted for your perusal the following letter that RT has sent to our local paper. Your thoughts?


UNWELCOME ROAD LUBRICANTS

Dear Editor,

This last Saturday 21st Feb I was travelling north over Mt Messenger. The road was wet and clearly visible in rainbow patterns was a substanial amount of diesel spillage. I was towing a substanially loaded trailer, the effect of that being to take weight off the front wheels of the tow vehicle, thereby reducing ultimate grip and initiating more understeer. So my speed was neccessarily extra cautious but I could still clearly feel tyre slippage over the unwelcome diesel spillage.
Also, as an ex road going motorcyclist and now a specialist supplier to that industry I am rather attentive to road surface conditions. And to that end how we as a nation are largely blase about such a problem that has been with us for far too long. At the time I can remember thinking there were going to be a lot of motorcyclists travelling over this road to the Paeroa street races and I hope no one falls off on this. The very next day a motorcyclist sadly lost his life north of Mt Messenger. Im not suggesting for a moment that there is a link between ''road lubricants'' and this particular fatality. BUT, there would undeniably be a direct link over many decades between thousands of motorcycle injuries / fatalities and diesel spillage / effluent spillage, also poor warning of loose gravel.
It is the 21st century, frankly it is unacceptable that vehicles such as ( especially ) heavy trucks can not only spasmodically spill diesel and animal effluent but they can get away with it without penalty.For want of stronger words that is remarkably inconsiderate of and arrogant to other road users, be they 4 wheeled vehicles ( cars ) or motorcycles that have rather less tyre contact patch.
Why has this problem not been firmly dealt with in years past by politicians of all sides? We have a new Government that has come out of the blocks running hard, I challenge them to take decisive action asap to eradicate this needless risk to life and limb.

Robert Taylor, New Plymouth

This is good shit, about time someone spoke up over this. The problem is worse than spills and signage though

I came to the Coast in 2000. The roads here then were beautiful especially after doing so many miles around the North Island. I kinda got used to lots of bald patches, slow response times for repair and shoddy work practices i.e. unmarked gravel patches and bad signage.

Since 2000 the number of Camper Vans and other tourists running around the South Island has skyrocketed and the road surface in many areas have deteriorated accordingly (there are other contributing factors). Trouble is the maintenance regimes have remained the same. I travel regularly back to the North island and those roads have deteriorated as well although not to the same extent.

I work in a tourist related industry and I know that millions of dollars each year pass into goverment coffers on the coast alone, let alone the rest of the country. Time to put something back into infrastructure. This place is starting to resemble NZ Rail.

I will write to my local paper too.

On Ya

[Fly_boy]

Not just "road lubricants" ether in Christchurch its got to the point where i cant ride in a straight line on most roads because of potholes and poor repair of said potholes

[Gubb]

DangerousBastard has already had a resounding success on this issue, but i'll get in behind youse fullas.

[Sam I Am]

Late last week after some in the wet i spun in slow motion my 4x4 legnum ha has good rubber

I was in Aucks doing only 35kmph going from Simon's St down the slip road to Sanley st

FARK ME i didnt see that comming just thank god I wasen't on a bike.

I didnt even see the diesel and just managed to keep it off the barrier, more luck than good driving that I didnt bend the cage

honesly It was like Black ICE

[2 wheel madness]

We have come to the conclusion that this is a national problem, which we feel should be dealt with in high places... i.e on a government level.

Might also be worth a letter of similar affect to ACC since they foot the bill for injury and rehab costs and also claim to be on a big campaign for mc safety at present.

Full support from me

[bones135]

I couldnt agree more but we have more of a problem with corraugations on corners caused by trucks on the Peninsula. They spend mega dollars each year here patching bits of road that dont need doing & ignore the shitty bits.
Somewhat off track from the original post but still a pain in the ass & dangerous all the same.

[The Stranger:Me]

it amazes me they do leak oil and diesel from tanks

Not really amazing - I filled up the bike a few days back at Mobil on Quay st. There sitting on the bowser was a fel cap. I have noted previously that 3 of us got covered in diesel from a truck with no fuel cap. It happens, we are all human.
But why not a flap in the neck of the tank to prevent splashes?

[Mikkel]

Personally I'd get rid of the contact patch part from the letter. Otherwise it's all good.

Another thing that could be quite easily done to help identify hazards on the road would be to colour grit either blue or red so that it would stand out against the road.

[grego]

my real pet-hate is the loose gravel.
As far as i am concerned , any authority that permits loose gravel on any road without proper warning should be charged with attempted manslaughter or at least with something like trying to cause serious bodyly harm.
This we should be able to do WITHOUT first one of us getting bike and "bits" broken.

A simple 111 call on the side of the road with the mobile should be enough to bring in the cops and have somebody charged with above suggested offences.

But I know i am just dreaming.....

grego

[MSTRS:Me]

Try following a truck with bins of 'rendering' onboard...
Each bin is open topped, filled with greasy, smelly, fat-ridden slop that doesn't stay put in its 1000 litre container.

This is, of course, typical of the laissez-faire attitude displayed by individuals and companies that earn their income directly from the use of roads. There is not enough reporting of this shit, nor are there anywhere near enough prosecutions/penalties. Make an EXAMPLE of a few and watch the situation improve overnight.

[grego]

Try following a truck with bins of 'rendering' onboard...
Each bin is open topped, filled with greasy, smelly, fat-ridden slop that doesn't stay put in its 1000 litre container.

This is, of course, typical of the laissez-faire attitude displayed by individuals and companies that earn their income directly from the use of roads. There is not enough reporting of this shit, nor are there anywhere near enough prosecutions/penalties. Make an EXAMPLE of a few and watch the situation improve overnight.

Don't just make an example, start procecuting them and keep on prosecuting them.
We always get done everytime they catch US doing something so catch them and screw them on a regular bases

grego

[kunoichi]

The least they could do is have the truckies call out somebody to divert trafic away from the spill until it can be cleared up. It's not asking for much!

[Robert Taylor]

Not just "road lubricants" ether in Christchurch its got to the point where i cant ride in a straight line on most roads because of potholes and poor repair of said potholes

I didnt suggest for a moment that I wanted potholes etc eradicated! Good suspension allows for a nicer ride over such obstacles.
But hey, submitting that letter to Kiwibiker has tested the water and really confirmed that there is a strong undercurrent of feeling about especially diesel and effluent spillage. I am forwarding this to my local MP.