How bad is the NZ road toll really?

[Ixion]

Well, let's get a bit of perspective here.

There were 29,188 deaths registered in New Zealand in the year ended December 2008 (gubbermint figures). Of those, 366 were "road" deaths.

So , the odds are 98.8% percent probability that whatever kills you WON'T be a road crash.

Seems to me that we (as a country) are doing an almighty amount of chest beating and angst about the 1% , and yawning past the 99%. There are probably more people die in NZ each year because of the pollution caused by vehicles, than die of road crashes by said vehicles (says the guy who rides a two smoker!).

Personally, dying in a road crash doesn't figure even remotely high on my list of daily worries.

[Rogue Rider]

The funny think with numbers is that people them to reflect their own views.

The speed limit is NOT 130kph in Europe.

In France the Motorway limit is 130 - but the 'open road' limit (being roads like our very own SW1 - being one lane each way for most of it) is only 90kph (or 80 if its wet). In the UK the single carriageway (one lane each way) is 60MPH (100kphish), Even Germany is only 100kph once off the motorway. Spain 90 to 100kph, Italy 90kph. (again on like for like roads).

Perhaps if NZ had motorways like some in Europe (and we never will) - then we could have limits to match - but the upshot is that they just arnt that different.

We could have motorway roads like europe, infact we do through the cities.... SH1 in my view should be a 4 lane highway from north cape to bluff. Hell I'd ride up and down it all the time, maybe, though they are a bit boring.......... actually no I wouldn't, I'd more likely go the scenic twisty routes...... and leave the cops to police the motorways.......

Toll roads suck by the way, $2 should cover the whole road from auck to cape reinga..... not 6kms.

[Tank]

We could have motorway roads like europe, infact we do through the cities....

Even thru the cities - they are not as good as the 8 lanes each way of Europe (which are generally constructed out of better materials also BTW)

Given the cost required making the northern gateway a toll road (and taking a predicted 35 years to pay off) for 9km ish of road - how do you propose (realistically) that NZ could fund European type motorways?

[Tank]

Just working this out.

365 million for 7.5 km (northern gateway) = 48 mil per km.

Lets round it down to 25 mil as we dont need tunnels / viaducts everywhere. Its about 456 from the cape to Dury - so that Equals $11,400,000,000 - yep 11.4 billion dollars.

If we want cape to bluff as you suggested = $50,000,000,000 (2000km).

Thats a lot of peanuts

[Bald Eagle]

Even thru the cities - they are not as good as the 8 lanes each way of Europe (which are generally constructed out of better materials also BTW)

Given the cost required making the northern gateway a toll road (and taking a predicted 35 years to pay off) for 9km ish of road - how do you propose (realistically) that NZ could fund European type motorways?

Cheaper to keep stringing the pot-holes together and calling them State highways, just like knitting really and holes are cheaper than roads.

[Dave Lobster]

A lot of Europe are considerably worse drivers than NZ - by a margin. Its not all driving Gods from Germany - you get Polacks who have never gone over 20km in their car or people from Portugal who simply scare teh shit out of you on the roads over there.

But there aren't so many of them over there. We have about 1/3 of the population of Auckland who have only just migrated from horse and trap getting licences in their corn flakes.

[Tank]

But there aren't so many of them over there. We have about 1/3 of the population of Auckland who have only just migrated from horse and trap getting licences in their corn flakes.

I dont know how long it has been since you have been over there - but there are cities in the UK where being English is the minority.

[scumdog]

Personally, dying in a road crash doesn't figure even remotely high on my list of daily worries.

Same here 'cos dead is dead.

Now being made a tetraplegic DOES feature.......

[Dave Lobster]

I dont know how long it has been since you have been over there - but there are cities in the UK where being English is the minority.

Not long enough. Most places beginning with B in the north. And Leicester/Birmingham and London.

[Brian d marge]

but those deaths and injuries cost NZ health and hence the government a lot of money.

Watch how quiclkly they wouldny care if it was privatized. Which is what they want to do ( You ever get the feeling they are working as a team , lairbor sets it up national completes!)

We have private insurance here , cheap works for me , and sod all road safety campaigns ( a 20 lecture when u get ur licence

Stephen

PS NEVER LET THE AMERICAN MODEL BECOME THE NORM NEVER !!!!!!!

[Ixion]

Same here 'cos dead is dead.

Now being made a tetraplegic DOES feature.......

If that were a general concern, Rugby would be illegal.

[Ixion]

I researched this a bit further. In NZ, there are about 8000 people have a stroke each year (excluding "mini-strokes" TIAs) . Which (if it doesn't kill you), likely leaves you in a similar case to a MVA spinal injury. (figures from the Stoke Society)

In comparison, we have about 1500 serious spinal injuries per year (figures from 'Catwalk Trust') . Of which, about 40% are motor vehicle related (probably not all road related - eg MotoX and quads). That's about 600.

So, you should be 13 times more worried about being left in a wheelchair from a stroke , than being left in a wheelchair from a MVA.

Like I said - motor vehicle accidenst should be well down the worry list. Spend your worry time worrying about the things that are most likely to bugger you. Raod crashes aren't in that list.

[firefighter]

Yes, it wold seem when it comes to vehicle related deaths (and remembering most of NZ roads lack the "safety barrier" and motorway provides), Kiwi's road deaths it would seem are no different to other countries, half a world away, that can legally go faster. on safer more well constructed roads

Just needed to finish that sentence for ya.

Our limit will never go over 100 because;

A) We have too many retards who would'nt be capable of handling an increase in speed.
B) We have limited roads where you could actually limit the speed to over 100.
C) Our roads are not in as good a condition, or as well built. Before we even thought about increasing our speed minit, removing off-camber corners would need to be done. That costs money.

[Dave Lobster]

Spend your worry time worrying about the things that are most likely to bugger you. Raod crashes aren't in that list.

Priests?

[Ixion]

Priests?

Honda riders !