Like all other drivers, SWMBO is worried sick about so many serious lethal road accidents in our region recently.   Also, as usual, She also has Her solution.  Turangi is halfway to everywhere. This makes it an absolutely ideal spot to introduce a compulsory rest stop.  But it is more important than just a rest stop.  It is more about survival techniques.

Thank you to the Taupo Mayor, David Trewavas for his plea “enough is enough” to lobby NZTA (NZ Transport Authority) for road improvements although inevitably that will take years.  Comparatively SWMBO has an instant cure that could start to tomorrow.  What’s more, it will cost nothing at all.  Just a change in mind set…

The recent preventable carnage on the roads around the Taupo region have been well documented.  Much of the blame has to be tired drivers losing their concentration and focus on their safety.  The SH 1 corridor could be described as the killing grounds.  So this is to suggest introducing a compulsory 10 minute stop over at Turangi.  Why? 
Turangi is halfway between Wellington and Auckland – half way to wherever tourists are travelling.  To the north it is 50 km to Taupo.  To the south it is way over 90 km to Taihape.  To the west it is beyond 66 km to Taumaranui or over 250 km to New Plymouth.  To the East it is well over 180 km to Napier.  Therefore after driving so long excessive hours to get to Turangi drivers should have to take a short break. In the interests of other road users it needs to be enforced.  

This could be a coffee break to unwind with a caffeine hit to wind up. There are at least ten cafes in Turangi catering for all tastes.  It could be just a five minute stroll along the beautiful Tongariro River bank.  Just long enough to get the body moving out of the car seat to admire the Autumn colours would be enough to revive the senses.   Any rest stop is critically needed to recharge batteries, to have a pee, to have a refreshing – deep breaths – walk around in natures garden, to revel in the fresh unpolluted mountain air.  In the end it is just common sense really.

Most of the tourist traffic comes down SH 1 via Taupo.  If you are at all concerned about doing something to improve road safety and reducing the chances of accidents, SWMBO strongly suggests considering an alternative route option.  Why?  This alternative route has approximately one fiftieth (1/50th) of the traffic of SH 1.  i.e. Recently we drove to Hamilton when SWMBO did our own very basic traffic count research on the relative density.  We were amazed! From Turangi She headed north-west on SH 41 and then turned north at the Kuratau junction to head towards Whakamaru on SH 32.  Every vehicle heading south was counted.  On a busy SH 32 we counted a total of forty. OK? Then on our return trip on the SH 1 corridor we measured how far we travelled to pass 40 vehicles.  The longest distance was about one and a half km.!

Anyone can do the simple sums.  That suggests that SH 32 carried about fifty times less traffic density or likelihood to have a collision or “head on” prang.  That is fifty times safer!  Look at the odds…  It has to be safer, more relaxed, less stress, more enjoyable views, easier on nerves and exhaustion driving at your own pace rather than being dictated by other impatient cars behind others held up in a never ending queue.  Just as an aside, we did not see one camper van.  We are not suggesting that means anything (Otherwise Faye will attack me).  Just a casual observation…

TRM probably get more fishy visitors from Auckland (323km) than any where else.  For the last fifteen years TRM have encouraged all drivers from the north to return on SH 32 and continue north towards Kihikihi adjoining Te Awamutu – that is the halfway mark to Auckland and the first town after leaving Turangi.  After the coffee stop rest and pee stop we recommend heading further north-west to link up with the road (from Otorohanga) to Ngaruawahia, known as SH 39.   Obviously that has to be more than fifty times safer with fifty times less traffic than the main north-south corridor. Between Ngaruawahia and Auckland it is all motorway lanes reducing any chance of a “head-on”.  OK?

Many regular TRM inmates have used that route for many years and swear by it as being far better to reduce driving stress levels by having so much less traffic.  

Happy motoring and Happy Mother’s Day.