We really do need a visible distinction between zip merge situations and other situations where merging is possible but it's better to wait until you can see a gap in the traffic before starting to accelerate.ac83 wrote:It seems that we all agree on this issue being a major factor on incidents, road rage and plain stupidity on the roads. Why the government has failed to notice this is beyond me. There has been 2 accidents in 2 mornings on the Southern Expressway in the same location. Possibly caused by lack of attention and rear ending or stupidity in rapid lane changing and clipping a car. Tom Kenyon would argue that it is speed. And only speed. Forget about other factors. A couple of things needed I believe:
1. Remove the dashed line where 2 lanes merge. Simple re-engineering for all future roads and current is a minor thing and would even save on paint! Some merging lanes also need to be made longer to allow cars to speed up to the posted limit before they enter the main road.
That alone is probably better than all other measures combined.2. Advertise exactly how a zip merge works.
Why? Local studies have shown saturation advertising isn't very effective at improving road safety - it's better to advertise a range of different messages.Forget about this 65kph in a 60 zone bullshit.
Making it illegal in Australia this would not keep the slowies on the left!3. Enforce the keep left unless overtaking rule. Why do people drive on the expressway 10kph under in the right lane. In UK it is illegal to undertake and this keeps the slowies on the left.
That would effectively prevent any new rules from being brought in, which would be bad for safety as the usual reason new rules are brought in is that there's a problem with the old rules.4. Driver education. When new rules are brought in the only way we find out is if read AdelaideNow (Bad choice all round) or get the RAA magazine. Shouldn't there be some sort of mandated re-testing everytime they bring a new bunch of rules in?
True, but few will actually need to know that (reverse parallel parking is common by comparison) and for P platers it's probably more important to know how to avoid getting in that situation in the first place. It's probably better to make this sort of thing a condition of getting a full licence.This goes with far better driver education when first gaining your licence. All P platers are experts and reverse parallel parking but have got no idea what to do if they start aquaplaning in the wet.
Surely keeping to the speed limit is one of those many basics?I believe they are simple things. Not too costly and can be implemented quite effectively. More advertising on simple things like indicating. Yes it really is going back to basics but so many drivers are apathetic to their surroundings.
