This road is highly dangerous. Can someone tell me why?

**Ixion** · 24th June 2010, 16:29

MoT have just finished classifying all the roads in the country , in an exercise called Kiwirap (Kiwi Road Assessment Program - don't blame me I didn't invent the stupid name).

What they've done is go through all the raods and grade them from 2 star (dangerous) to 4 stars (very safe).

Two problems though.

First, is that they ignored motorcycles. Intentionally.

Second is the ratings often don't seem to make sense.

Like this one, http://www.kiwirap.co.nz/pdf/2-Star%...xample%202.jpg.

Can someone tell me why that stretch of road should be considered as one of the most dangerous in the country. Because I can't any major issues. Just looks like a normal back road to me.

**p.dath** · 24th June 2010, 16:32

Originally Posted by Ixion

Like this one, http://www.kiwirap.co.nz/pdf/2-Star%...xample%202.jpg.

Can someone tell me why that stretch of road should be considered as one of the most dangerous in the country. Because I can't any major issues. Just looks like a normal back road to me.

Just guessing, but is there a hidden intersection on the left hand side there between the power poles?

**MSTRS:Me** · 24th June 2010, 16:34

Multiple driveways? Lots of orchard traffic...

**Stirts** · 24th June 2010, 16:39

Because the two cars at the end of the road force you have to slalom through?

**breakaway** · 24th June 2010, 16:40

Is it because its such a nice straight piece of road, I might be tempted to do a wheelstand which the gubmint considers unsafe?

**bogan** · 24th June 2010, 16:42

hmmm, so now its the roads that are the danger, is there some taboo on blaming the drivers for being morons? It baffles me how there is so little emphasis placed on operator attention, when in the workplace there are many standards and protocol for dealing with simple things such as lathes, saws, even the proper way to lift a library book.

looking at that pic I can't see anything remotely dangerous, maybe it has bad reflections during night driving or something?

**EJK** · 24th June 2010, 16:42

I'll be honest.

I have no fuckn clue.

**Ixion** · 24th June 2010, 16:43

To clarify, I don't know the answer. They've classified it as two star (as low as they went). It has a few issues, I wouldn't want to blat down there at 200kph, but overall it looks a pretty reasonable back road.

What I'm really trying to work out is whether there star ratings are the result of some meaningless formula (like the way they calculate corner speeds), or whether there is some reason why that stretch of road would be considered especially dangerous.

**cowboyz** · 24th June 2010, 16:45

i think youll find it will be based on the accidents in the area in the past. maybe all living int he area cant drive?

**Ronin** · 24th June 2010, 16:46

If that's where I think it is (around Hastings) then it has a high accident rate.

**Banditbandit** · 24th June 2010, 16:49

If that's where I think it is, it's because there've been a lot of fatal crashes there ... and that's because of the idiots on the road ..not the road itself ... there's just enough curve on it that idiot car drivers going too fast in the direct the pix is taken can't hold it on their own side of the road and cause head-ons.

Mind you, I'm one of the idiots ...

the first time I did the Mamaku Road (Tirau to Rotorua) I couldn't resist opening the throttle - what a spectacular Road ... just great ... wonderful surface, cool bends ... 185 klicks plus ...

That's a very dangerous Road on their reckoning ... dangerous because it is too tempting ...

**Dare** · 24th June 2010, 16:51

Originally Posted by Ixion

To clarify, I don't know the answer. They've classified it as two star (as low as they went). It has a few issues, I wouldn't want to blat down there at 200kph, but overall it looks a pretty reasonable back road.

What I'm really trying to work out is whether there star ratings are the result of some meaningless formula (like the way they calculate corner speeds), or whether there is some reason why that stretch of road would be considered especially dangerous.

I suspect the answer you are looking for has to do with the large number of posts and poles on both sides of the road, (any one of which can kill a cager over about 120) combined with intersections, a relatively narrow space considering trucks probably use that road, and grass ditches.
This road is moderately dangerous for bikes but lethal for any car that loses control at speed. I should know, a friend of mine stuck a fence post through his civics passenger seat one night. Lucky stupid bugger.
Also because to most people straight road = safe, therefore speed. Defensive driving should have taught these people better hazard spotting habits but there we are.

Does that answer your question?

**robertydog** · 24th June 2010, 16:52

SH2 between Clive and Hastings. Lots of orchards, nice straights to speed on. Pedestrians like to walk down there at all hrs and get run over.

**Jonathan** · 24th June 2010, 16:53

Nah dudes, it's 'cos there's a Taniwha under it!

**onearmedbandit** · 24th June 2010, 16:54

Originally Posted by Dare

I suspect the answer you are looking for has to do with the large number of posts and poles on both sides of the road, (any one of which can kill a cager over about 120)

Wouldn't even take that speed to kill someone by hitting a power pole.