Group CEO

LETTERS

Passing lanes

In response to your article about the increasing level of traffic accidents in Tasmania despite the improvement in the quality of vehicles and the government spending a massive amount on the major highways (‘Rethinking road safety’, Journeys, April–May, p. 58).

I think a portion of the money allocated for road improvement should be allocated to developing passing lanes on some of the state’s most winding roads.

Take, for instance, the Channel Highway between Woodbridge and Cygnet. There is not a single passing lane, which means that if you’re stuck behind a slow-moving truck or campervan or a towed caravan or motorist crawling under the speed limit there are very few opportunities to pass. After a considerable number of kilometres this brings about frustration, leading to people taking risks.

Further to that, an education campaign should be mounted on driver courtesy. If people wish to meander well below the road speed limit, they should observe the traffic stuck behind them and pull over to let them pass.

I always do this when I have my utility well laden, and I wish others would give people this simple courtesy.

Howard Wilcockson // Garden Island Creek

Thank you

Just a big shout out to one of your roadside angels, David, for his fast and professional service. On Easter Monday we headed out for a drive until our car battery gave up the ghost. Within no time at all we had a new battery and were on our way. Bathurst 1000 pit crews eat your heart out! Thank you RACT Roadside.

Kelvin Ball // Claremont

Do you know your road safety?

Q

If you look at your mobile for two seconds when driving 60km/h, how much distance do you travel?

Flip to p. 58 for the answer.

It all starts with spirit

spiritsuper.com.au

Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.

Rethinking road safety

Congratulations on bringing this topic to the forefront of our efforts this year.

You are right in saying that if our thinking and actions don't change then the results will not either. However, in the short term could we consider heavily increased speeding fines together with mandatory loss of licence based on the number of kilometres over the prevailing speed limit on the road where caught? For example:

• For 10km over, a fine of $1000 and loss of licence for three months. • For 20km over, a fine of $1500 and loss of licence for four months. • For 30km over, a fine of $2000 and loss of licence for five months – or some variation thereof.

Since cars are getting more refined, better handling and faster overall, could we look at governors limiting all cars to 120km/h? There must be a lot more that can be done in the technology area to help keep the road toll from getting any worse than it already is.

Jim Pawson // Blackstone Heights

CAR

MEDIC

QMy car has a space saver spare tyre – how safe are these wheels to use if I get a flat tyre?

Michaela Williams // Riverside

AThere are two types of space saver spares in vehicles. The first, referred to as a ‘temporaryuse spare’, is generally a fullsized wheel that differs in size and appearance to wheels normally fitted to the vehicle. These can be fitted on any corner of the vehicle, should you have a flat. The second type is known as a ‘space saver’. You may have seen one of these odd-looking, often brightly coloured wheels on a car. There are restrictions on some vehicles as to where this tyre can be fitted. If it can only be fitted to the rear wheel of your vehicle and you have a flat on the front, you’ll need to swap a good wheel from the rear to the front and then use the space saver on the rear. For both types of spares, maximum speed is limited to 80km/h when fitted and they are only intended as an emergency replacement to get your vehicle to a place of repair.

RACT expert // Darren Moody

WRITE TO US

We’re keen to hear your thoughts on any motoring or travel-related topics and auto questions. Please keep them brief – we reserve the right to edit.

journeys@ract.com.au

@ractofficial

Elly and Natalie

Spirit Super members

Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.