Keep eyes on the road
We can’t help thinking Auckland’s traffic woes would be eased considerably if everyone behind the wheel paid full attention to the job at hand.
An informal survey of a busy intersection on Wednesday suggests the evening commute for many would be quicker and far less frustrating if drivers concentrated on driving.
Driven happened to be strategically placed to look down on the intersection of Ponsonby Rd and Hopetoun St, between 5.30 and 6pm.
During that half- hour, three drivers were tooted to get going and — though we couldn’t be certain — it’s a fair bet those drivers were working their phones instead of concentrating on the road.
The intersection is one of the city’s busiest at that time of the day, with two lanes of traffic stretching along Hopetoun St. Traffic authorities acknowledge the huge volumes by having a clearway in place between 4 and 6pm, creating space for the second queue of cars lining up at the traffic lights. A reasonable person might think these circumstances demand focus on the road.
Three miscreants during that half- hour might not seem many, but it is likely the situation is repeated at intersections across the city.
No wonder frustrated motorists resort to their horns when they get stuck behind distracted drivers texting, causing them to miss the green phase of lights.
With house price increases in the Super City levelling off, it is hardly a surprise the city’s traffic congestion is quickly taking over as the major talking point.