Average speeds dropping, yet road toll increasing

[scumdog]

I have long been a fan of "everyone" must spend 6 months to a year on a motorbike before they are elligible to apply for a car license anyway. That way, they learn a bit of traffic/road-reading skills or Darwins theory takes them out of the equation and the ones that do survive but couldn't even cope on a lightweight and highly manoueverable piece of machinery would never get to be incharge of tonnes of high velocity bike-buggering tin-tops!

Damn right, I agree almost 100% - a year at least on the bike though!

[davebullet]

I suspect the above is the reason there has been a marked increase in 4wd vehicles over the years on our roads. If I look imposing / tougher than you, that will give me right of way.

The idea of getting everyone to start their driving / riding in a vulnerable category is a great idea.

PS: I think the NZ giveway rule is quite simple. May not be the best for traffic flow, but it amazes me how many people don't understand "give way to your right". This applies especially to traffic right turning out of a major carpark exit. They often never get right of way (as they should) from vehicles right turning into the carpark.

[Pixie]

So ,as all accidents are only caused by speed,alcohol and not wearing seatbelts,drivers must be drinking more or not wearing seatbelts morer.

[MSTRS:Me]

That doesn't sound right - I clearly remember a speed limit of 80kph in the 1980s. New Zealand changed to metric in 1975.

You have that trouble too? Car-less days were in the early 80s.

1948... 50mph

1962... 55mph

1969... 60mph

1974... 50mph

1985... 100kph

[MSTRS:Me]

'Accidents' are rarely accidents - crashes caused by inept driving is a more accurate description.

Try and tell that to the kids of today...and they won't believe you.

[CookMySock]

I suspect the above is the reason there has been a marked increase in 4wd vehicles over the years on our roads. If I look imposing / tougher than you, that will give me right of way.

Have you owned a powerful road-going 4WD? They are a blast to drive, and so useful. They also fit to the kwi culture quite nicely.

Yes, it is quite noticeable how much bigger you are than everyone else, and it soon becomes clear that you should behave in one. To most people anyway.

But I feel "bigger" and more in command on my 650 than I do in my Hilux Surf, by a wide margin. If any 4WD wanted to argue with me I'd just laugh and leave, and there wouldn't be fuck all he could do about it.

Steve

[PrincessBandit]

Bloody hell - Mahia Rd in good ole Manure-wa ranked 2nd highest for ticket issues nationwide!!
Paula Rose did point out that people choose to break the speed restrictions, resulting in receiving a ticket; maybe people are finally getting the message that it is their choice to risk a ticket, not just money gathering road nazis who are "picking on them". Interestingly from what I read today the road statistics for deaths has dropped significantly; second lowest in 40 years if I recall.
I think there is definitely a positive message in there somewhere.

[george formby]

Bloody hell - Mahia Rd in good ole Manure-wa ranked 2nd highest for ticket issues nationwide!!
Paula Rose did point out that people choose to break the speed restrictions, resulting in receiving a ticket; maybe people are finally getting the message that it is their choice to risk a ticket, not just money gathering road nazis who are "picking on them". Interestingly from what I read today the road statistics for deaths has dropped significantly; second lowest in 40 years if I recall.
I think there is definitely a positive message in there somewhere.

Not so long ago the gummint was promoting the effectiveness of their anti speeding campaigns with the same statistic. If I remember rightly the accident rate had increased but fatalities are down. This has no effect on us, we are vulnerable regardless of the speed. I still think it is positive that road users are being forced to think though. I believe the majority of road users just want to get from A to B safely & easily, so if people are slowing down & being more cautious then thats a good thing even if the cause is flawed.

[James Deuce]

B
I think there is definitely a positive message in there somewhere.

The only message is that no one has any money to go anywhere.

Once banks start lending money for holidays again, the road toll will more than rebound as people reward theselves for missing out a holiday or two.

[Ixion]

Actually I seriously wonder how much of it is due to reduced international tourism because of the "global recession". Think how many bikers have been taken out by tourists .

Fewer tourists means fewer campervans and fewer people on the wrong side of the road. A plus not just for bikes but for everyone.

[scumdog]

Actually I seriously wonder how much of it is due to reduced international tourism because of the "global recession". Think how many bikers have been taken out by tourists .

Fewer tourists means fewer campervans and fewer people on the wrong side of the road. A plus not just for bikes but for everyone.

And fewer foriegn tourists binning their rented bikes..don't forget that too.

[Ixion]

I wonder how common that is? It could be a useful argument. Does anyone ahve any "inside knowledge" ?

[george formby]

And fewer foriegn tourists binning their rented bikes..don't forget that too.

I guess that would be mimimal. Riding a bike feels the same whichever side of the road your on (much to my amazement) & NZ doe's not have a monopoly on gravel, corners, cow poo & rain. Anybody wanting to ride a bike here with the associated costs would be pretty clued up IMHO.

[Ixion]

Not so sure about that. I have a perception that a lot of the rental market is to tourists with very little open road experience. And while we don't have a monopo;y on stuff, many Yank riders don't actually ride in the rain. And probably aren't familiar with gravel, either.

[scumdog]

I wonder how common that is? It could be a useful argument. Does anyone ahve any "inside knowledge" ?

Dunno how many but have been to one or two (one a fatal) - I guess you have even less reminder to keep to the left on a bike (no steering wheel on the 'wrong side' to remind you).

I think a certain level of "I've only got XXX days in this country and XX days with this rented bike so I had better keep going" involved - plus the odd one who is tail end of a group playin 'catch-up' and overcooks a corner in doing so.