Observer and traveller of the road who has seen a lot

I have lived and worked at Te Pohue for some years. I have driven the road for over 50 years and still use it regularly. I have seen improvements on sections of the highway which have helped driving conditions. Sensible drivers drive to the conditions and reduce speed accordingly be it rain, hail, snow, wind, or traffic regardless of speed limit or recommended speed signs. I’ve noticed low quality road and pothole repairs which keep failing. Is this underfunding or what?

Much more realignment work, passing bays/passing lanes up and down the hills. Three areas where a 70/80km/h speed limit could and should have been introduced. The 1km through Te Pohue settlement, Te Haroto settlement and Tarawera cafe area. NZTA should not lower the speed limit over the83km/h but improve the state of this essential highway.

John Sutton

Te Pohue

Better to be slow than dead

I have driven State Highway 5 a lot over the years.

Over Anzac weekend, I brought a horse back from Auckland, and was appalled by the amount of big trucks that intimidate you by driving close and not following road code, the 2-4 second rule.

These are professionals and should not do this. A lot of other drivers in ordinary cars do this too. I do move over when I can, and let them pass, but if I needed to suddenly stop if there was something on the road, then a crash would occur, pushing me forward and possibly into oncoming traffic.

When I drive without a float, this happens too. There are a lot of drivers that just want to treat the road as a speedway, endangering those around them. Passing at totally inappropriate even dangerous times. Complete idiots.

Kiwi drivers are very impatient. I agree that in certain segments of the road, the speed limit needs to be reduced. Too many curves, very dangerous. Slow down segments of the road would be my answer and truck drivers need to review the road code and comply and be safer. Honestly, by reducing the speed limit, it might add another 15 minutes to the journey but it is much better than losing your life. Dzidra McHenry

Clive

Lack of MPs’ support

Not only has there been a total lack of support by all East Coast MPs from Central Hawke’s Bay to Wairoa, (all Labour) and four being ministers, for the improvements required to all main highways in and out of Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa but staying silent and allowing the “fix” to be speed reduction is a total lack of understanding of the importance of these major arteries to Hawke’s Bay’s wellbeing.

Their lack of support for the horticultural industry to get this season’s harvest picked and packed.

We will all suffer the dramatic loss of income into Hawke’s Bay that is needed to provide the social services that they proclaim to support.

Of course, their personal incomes have not been affected.