NZ road surface condition

**Pussy** · 24th February 2009, 19:11

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

**SixPackBack** · 24th February 2009, 19:17

Originally Posted by Pussy

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

Don't always see eye to eye with Robert but this time he's spot bollocks on. Where do I sign.

**Skyryder** · 24th February 2009, 19:44

Originally Posted by SixPackBack

Don't always see eye to eye with Robert but this time he's spot bollocks on. Where do I sign.

Same and me to. This is an issue that needs serious attention.

Skyryder

**Hitcher** · 24th February 2009, 19:46

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.

**oldrider** · 24th February 2009, 20:00

The crap on our roads these days is way beyond a joke!

There never seems to be anyone held responsible let alone accountable for it either!

Motorcycles are a legitimate form of road vehicle!

Why should we continue to bear the cost of other motorists excesses?

John.

**KingJackaL** · 24th February 2009, 20:03

I was about to say 'yes, but what exactly should be done?', but Hitcher, I believe that is a good idea.

Would leak testing fuel and oil storage devices on vehicles as part of a WoF help much? Would it cost much? I guess I should go see if there's research on the topic...

*pulls out Googlor*

It's doubly interesting for me because I'm wearing a cast at the moment due to coming off (on the pushy though) on oil slicks around a round-about... -_-

**duckonin** · 24th February 2009, 20:14

Yep I would sign that willingly, With COF's it amazes me they do leak oil and diesel from tanks as for effluent from stock trucks, Well they truley are "pigs" one real bad road to watch is the Karangahake gorge when it is wet, it turns a rainbow colour from one end to the other....

**Ocean1** · 24th February 2009, 20:23

Originally Posted by Hitcher

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.

Easy enough to build airtight fuel tanks, but for some reason they don't seem to bother on many trucks. May not be that easy to test, either, need a big figure-8 track. Or a device to tilt them sideways to simulate the same thing...

I was a bit miffed this morning, riding from Gisbourne to Wairoa to find at least 4 moderately extreme examples of deisel incontinence. Compounded, I might add, by an alarming expanse of completely bald blacktop, I found myself looking in vain for a crumb or two of agregate for many metres at a stretch.

I must say the cowshit seems to cause me less angst. So far.

**Pussy** · 24th February 2009, 20:28

Originally Posted by Ocean1

I must say the cowshit seems to cause me less angst. So far.

Don't ride over Mt Messenger around the 1st of June then! (when dairy cockies are shifting herds).
The road is literally awash with cowshit from stock trucks. I kid you not!

**ynot slow** · 24th February 2009, 20:32

And also in this mornings Taranaki Daily News was a story about a farm helper who was killed when her 4 wheel bike crashed,head of Fed Farmers was spouting on about too many injuries/fatalities on farm bikes/quads and serious thrashing to be dished out to owners or workers.Be good if similar could be done to fuel spilling vehicles etc.

**Mom** · 24th February 2009, 20:38

Often it is not a fault of the storage system, but of the dick head that fills it. I can not tell you how many times I see a trail of diesel from the truckstop fill station to the intersection of state highway one here and overflow on every corner for kilometres thereafter. I have been known to ring the Police to advise them. We live between 2 of the blackest pieces of SH in New Zealand, I think the 8th and 10th worst in the counrty for fatalities. Everytime it rains here the fire siren goes off and there has been carnage on the road.

Sadly I am yet to actually see the culprit truck/s.

**howdamnhard** · 24th February 2009, 20:40

You have my full support Pussy.The road conditions in this country suck.

**Renegade** · 24th February 2009, 20:47

i came over the kaimai's last night and to my dismay as i came out of a 45koh bend was a hole in the left wheel track that was easy a half metre in diameter and i would estimate(as i swerved)10-15cm deep, now this stretch of road claims lives every year without fail and if i was on my bike and hit that hole i would have been fucked.

its just not good enough and if i was in a crash due to poor road condition id be going the company that is contracted to maintain that road for costs.

**Ocean1** · 24th February 2009, 20:48

Originally Posted by Pussy

Don't ride over Mt Messenger around the 1st of June then! (when dairy cockies are shifting herds).
The road is literally awash with cowshit from stock trucks. I kid you not!

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?