Opinion: How much tragedy is needed to prompt change?

When so many lives are being lost, something needs to be done. Photo / File

We've all heard the story before.

One of the most dangerous roads in the country runs right through our neck of the woods, State Highway 2 between Tauranga and Katikati.

Serous and fatal crashes feel like they're occurring on that stretch of road on a weekly basis.

As reporters, we're frequently called on to cover some horrific accidents. They stick with you long after the stories are filed, and the wreckage is removed from the scene.

Many colleagues have fears about driving along certain stretches of road where they've witnessed tragic outcomes of car crashes - the flashbacks can come on suddenly when you recognise certain landmarks.

State Highway 2 is one of those roads for me.

I turn a corner and remember the person who died at that same spot, or see a car pulling out of a dangerous intersection and have a quick moment of panic remembering how someone else died in a similar manner.

The sad thing about this road is just how many sites can trigger that kind of reaction.

The road itself is fine, we all know that. Roads don't kill.

But with so many people dying or being seriously hurt on the same stretch of road, something needs to be done.

We need to improve the road so that when drivers make mistakes, they are less likely to die or kill someone else.

From 2012 to 2016, 18 people died on that particular stretch of road. There were also 35 serious crashes and 95 minor crashes.

Could that misery have been avoided or had far less tragic outcomes if calls to improve the road were acted on in the 90s, or since?

It's hard to know.

But if spending millions of dollars on safety upgrades can save even one life, it will be worth it.