Matt Hancock is desperate for some light relief. The frustrated commuter is being driven mad by the number of traffic signals on his route to work.
A 14th set newly-installed on his 5.5km journey from Ellerslie to Newmarket means he has to negotiate lights every 390m.
"Isn't this
bordering on ridiculous?" he asked.
On a "good day" Hancock can drive to work in about 25 minutes but the journey takes three-quarters of an hour "worst case scenario".
"When I bike it takes me about 15 minutes but stopping at all the lights can add about five minutes on to the trip."
Auckland City Council transport safety assets and operations manager Barry Williams said the number of traffic lights had increased in line with population growth and would continue to do so.
Traffic lights were considered the best solution for moving vehicles and pedestrian safety in Auckland because roundabouts needed too much space.
"Roundabouts are only efficient in terms of moving traffic if there is equal demand from all approaches."
Williams said all traffic signals in Auckland City were monitored from a control room and could be changed manually to keep traffic flowing.
Lights were primarily controlled by buried sensors that "counted" vehicles approaching intersections and balanced red and green lights.
"The phases are changing all the time ... they are coordinated so people can keep driving."
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority estimates there are 876,796 vehicles in Auckland - one for every 1.5 people.
The 2006 Census revealed 324,906 Aucklanders drove their own vehicle to work, compared with 277,923 in 2001.
Another 68,742 people drove a company vehicle, compared with 56,349 in 2001.
AA spokesman Simon Lambourne said motorists concerned about being held up at traffic lights should take time to plan their trip before leaving home each morning.
"Regardless of which time you are travelling, keep in touch with traffic information on the radio and check websites so you know what's happening."
