Watch on speed

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 53, 4 July 1974, Page 1

Watch on speed

Traffic patrols are to mahitahi a watch on State Highway 1 — Spa Road intersection. This move follows a letter to the editor of the Taupo Times which alleges trucks speed round the corner — with scant regard for the pedestrian crossing in Spa Road. Taupo's relieving senior traffic officer, Mr Doug Wilson, said his department had so far received no complaints about the matter. But patrols would be instructed to carry out observations, he said. The letter is as follows. —

Sir, It never ceases to amaze me that somebody has not been killed on the pedestrian crossing outside Woolworths by many of the large trucks charging from the north into Spa Road. Over the past six months I have seen articles, varying in size from a builder's concrete mix up to several bundles of metal roofing material, crash to the ground while the driver of

the truck had his foot planted firmly on the floor trying to get a good run at the hill — instead of being aware of the pedestrian crossing which is just around the corner. Last Wednesday at 4.30 p.m. a truck from a major haulage company lost •several bundles of metal material. Each bundle was about 20 • feet . long and weighed several hundred pounds. So heavy in fact that the large front-end loader from a near-by

excavation had to strain to lift the bundles on to the truck. One bundle landed three feet on to the footpath — and would have killed anybody waiting to use the crossing. The way many truck drivers approach this corner is not good enough. I suggest that all haulage firms take heed and use a little more of that grey matter between their ear$. Further, the public should take numbers of trucks considered to be approaching this corner in a dangerous manner. Obviously, the load in question on Wednesday wasn't even tied down. Some buses which transport schoolchildren could also take note here. Forget about getting a good run at the hill and exercise a little more care. If somebody were on that crossing as you (the driver) came tearing around the corner, would you be able to stop in time? I doubt it. I doubt it, also.