KEY POINTS:
Over recent times there have been a few earthworks that yield huge amounts of spoil, particularly from motorway construction. One recent major site has seen the removal of approximately 100,000cu m of spoil. Where does all this material go to die? They can't just move it off to one side and dump it. Graeme McDermott, New Lynn.
Apparently part of the design of a new motorway involves balancing the volume of cuts required with the volume needed for fill, in order to achieve the least amount of waste. In other words, making sure that whatever material is removed from one part of the site can be reused in another.
This could be part of the same project, which is the best solution as it minimises haulage costs, or part of a nearby project. Makes economic sense to me.
Why this recent epidemic over the last two or three years of people driving with fog lights on, when there is no fog? The Road Code states that fog lights should be switched off when not needed. Is it legal to use them otherwise?
Many of these so-called fog lights are set higher and are thus brighter to oncoming drivers, than dipped headlights, and are often used simultaneously. This makes them less effective for their intended purpose than if they were aimed low, as they should be.
Joe Woollaston, Henderson.
Clause 8.4 (1) of the Road User Rules 2004 states: A driver may use a fog lamp only in conditions of severely reduced visibility, including fog or snow, but not under clear atmospheric conditions, even during the hours of darkness. So that's pretty explicit.
A few years ago the Land Transport Safety Authority, as it was then, put together a guide on getting your lights right. It covers the legal requirements for fitting lights, and how you can use them.
These include approval to have up to two front fog lamps on your vehicle, but if the vehicle already has these as part of the original equipment, you may not add more. Similar restrictions apply to rear fog lights.
Front fog lamps must be white or amber, and rear ones red. All fog lights must be wired so that they can be turned off independently of the headlamps.
The guidelines can be found online at www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicles/get-your-lights-right.html
And, as a deterrent, the Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999 also contain an offence of "inappropriate use of fog lights". In other words, it is an offence to use fog lights in clear weather, even at night.
Earlier this year I read of proposed changes to the Land Transport Rules in respect to motorcyclists. I am considering buying a motorbike, and I remember there are several changes that would affect my learner licence, such as speed limits and engine size. I am struggling to find information on when the rules will take effect, especially the one pertaining to engine size. Can you help? Patrick Brennan, Auckland.
Yes I can, or rather, the always helpful Andy Knackstedt of the New Zealand Transport Agency can.
In March, Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven announced a range of proposals to improve motorcycle safety. These include restrictions on the use of powerful motorcycles by novice riders, and changes to the graduated driver licensing system to encourage riders to take up more training.
These proposals will need to go through an amendment to the Driver Licensing Rule. The amended rule is unlikely to be released for public comment before early next year and, allowing for the usual to-ing and fro-ing and drafting etc, it is unlikely that the requirements would come into force before late 2009.
You can find a full list of these proposals at www.beehive.govt.nz/release/motorcycle+safety+package+aims+cut+high+crash+rate
