Risk in highway use

Press, 21 December 1977, Page 21

Risk in highway use

Wellington reporter A report has been called for on the control of fundraising activities on Sate highways, in the interests of safety and the convenience of road traffic.

A fatal accident occured •on a highway earlier this ;year during a relay run. A report by the District Commissioner of Works in Christchurch for the National Roads Board, on •the increasing number of requests for permission to hold such activities has outlined the problem. Requests have come from groups organising fairs, open markets, and

the like: from sports bodies for established events such as annual cycle and relay races; and from other sports bodies and clubs for fund-raising activities.

Requests from some organisations have been for such things as relay running races, bed-pushing (including one effort over Arthur’s pass, wheelbarrow pushing, sulky-pulling, dribbling hockey balls over quite long distances, and walk-a-thons.

The recent telethon brought applications which included bedpushing, relay running, skating, pushing a pram, and pushing a car — the last three cover the 100 miles of highway from Timaru to Christchurch. Such activities can be dangerous. In August, an accident occurred during a relay ' running event outside Greytown, in Wairarapa.

A s 1 o w-travelling ambulance accompanying the group of runners was overtaken by two other

vehicles in succession. The second overtaking vehicle and a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction collided head-on, causing the death of the driver. This accident occured on a dark evening in heavy raid.

In view of the potential hazards caused by such activities, the National Roads Board considers road-controlling authorities should take a more active interest, even though the extent of their rights is uncertain.