Letters: Humans must change their ways on the roads

What will it take to stop people dying on our roads? Photo/File

In 2017 people died on our roads at over one per day. This year so far that trend has continued.

I don't know of any road that has killed or maimed anyone, but I am well aware that humans are capable of this when using roads.

If we humans don't change our ways and do something to stop this carnage I can see two possible ways that will, and I am sure nobody will like this.

1. Ban all motorised transport altogether. Just think back to the horse and oxen days. Just imagine how life would change for us all. That would certainly bring cities to a halt!

2. Insist that all vehicles have a maximum speed of 50km/h. Wouldn't that be a shock to us all.

Unfortunately unless we as a people start to change our ways this may be the result.

I have seen people of all ages doing bloody stupid things whilst behind the wheel. Come on folks wake up!

Remember it's not the road's fault it's the human in charge of the vehicle.

DEREK PACKHAM
Lake Tarawera

Vanity projects
Councillor Charles Sturt's advice on council debt (Letters, January 22) is hopefully only one opinion as Rotorua's debt level is one of the largest in the country relative to population, and is set to increase.

We know there is good debt and bad debt. Good debt is reduced. Bad debt is increased by increased borrowing to pay the debt instalments.

Instead of increasing debt to meet the costs of vanity projects such as the confusing ex sails area, the cycleway to nowhere, countless statues, and meaningless name changes, council should be concentrating on providing core services.

Is councillor Sturt aware that some areas in Rotorua are still without water, sewerage, street lighting, storm water, public transport, and a rubbish collection, yet residents in these areas are paying significant rates to meet his inter-generational debt.

Of course this year is not an election year and so we need to be prepared for an increase in rates above the official inflation rate. I wonder what the reason will be this year. Call me a cynic, no I'm just a realist.

JOHN DYER
Lake Tarawera