Changing speed limit no brainer

Thank you for your clear analysis on the complex challenge of ‘‘Driving down the road toll’’ (Perspective, Nov 22).

Despite the challenges you did highlight a couple of areas where greater public education and enforcement could make a significant difference. Namely, that seat belts must always be used, even on short journeys and handheld phones never used (while driving), even on long journeys.

One other change which would surely help to significantly reduce the road toll, especially in rural areas and at little cost, would be to reduce the open-road speed limit to

80kmh.

There are hundreds of sections of rural road where it would be madness to drive at the legal limit of

100kmh, due to their narrow, twisty nature and steep drop offs.

Experienced locals will of course drive to the conditions, knowing full well a logging truck or milk tanker maybe hurtling towards them around the next bend. Inexperienced urban drivers and overseas visitors not used to such conditions, are more likely to see the recommended speed limit as an indicator of the maximum safe speed to drive.

Some may protest, that it is their God- given right to drive at 100kmh on the open road, just as so many Americans believe it is their right to carry guns, but surely in both cases the statistics speak for themselves.

An open road speed limit of 80 kmh will save lives . . . it’s a no brainer.

Deliberately provocative?

leader (editorial article) headlined ‘‘Driving down the road toll’’ (Perspective, Nov 22) was either deliberately provocative or written by someone who hates motorcycles.

The placing of the sentence ‘‘Motorcycles are quite simply death traps and rational people would rarely mount them’’ after a reference to a report by Deloitte (for the Ministry of Transport) is blatant bias.

The Deloitte report says ‘‘being a motorcyclist, cyclist or pedestrian greatly increases the risk of a severe or fatal injury’’.

The common denominator between these three groups and the driver of the impacting vehicle (who will often claim they didn’t see them), is the individual themselves.

Experienced riders evaluate developing situations and put in place steps to avoid or reduce their exposure to risk. Inexperienced (or over-confident) riders have limited ability to do this which is why they should take advanced training and join organisations like the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Readers of the would have been better served by a positive call for training rather than an emotional, inaccurate and uncharacteristic throw-away line.