Time for a major rethink about how we are driving on NZ roads

YES, Graham McNabb (ODT, 27.12.18) and Graham Spencely (ODT, 28.12.18) are right — I totally agree with your comments and have often said that improving roads only encourages faster driving, especially with the highpowered vehicles on today’s roads.

Gone are the days when vehicles were much fewer and precious to owners, the tourist routes of today were sparsely used (everyone used to wave as they passed each other) and roads were negotiated carefully. Breakdowns were mostly the worst thing that happened!

All the progress of road improvements plus the masses of road users has far outstripped driver skills by the proverbial mile.

Time to have a major updated rethink on driver skills/education — that includes visitors to New Zealand, many more passing lanes and road signs specifically made for nonEnglish speaking tourists. For example, ‘‘if you see traffic behind you, pull over to allow them to pass’’. This means nothing to them if it isn’t written in their language. Common sense should tell them but in their own countries they may well not be able to drive faster than 50kmh and they use courtesy and respect. Tougher penalties, too.

We New Zealanders are mostly inconsiderate risktaking drivers — maybe because we are a small country and know the roads so well?

Throwing money at ‘‘improved’’ roading and maybe encouraging bad driving could be better spent on ‘‘improved’’ and more intensive driving education across the whole spectrum. A major overhaul.

Roberta Laraman

Cromwell

Climate change

B.A.A. Field ( ODT, 22.12.18) says: ‘‘Richard Treadgold couldn’t be more wrong in saying methane doesn’t add to climate change and climate change isn’t happening.’’ I didn’t say those things. Mr Field says last summer was ‘‘the hottest I’ve experienced’’. It wasn’t the country’s hottest.

He does not see me as a climate authority (nor should he) but raises no argument against my letter, so it stands.

Ian Breeze ( 22.12.18) claims I said livestock methane emissions ‘‘don’t contribute to global warming’’. I did not say that, but it’s clear that ruminant emissions are cyclic and part of the environment.

Global ruminant populations, about 2 billion, are little changed in 12,000 years since the Pleistocene. As wild herds declined, growing domestic populations replaced them, so claims of manmade emissions ignore reality.

Whether or not this cyclic methane causes warming, it’s not our doing.

Richard Treadgold Climate Conversation Group

convener ......................................

BIBLE READING: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. — John 4:18