Let's have a conversation about stopping at stop signs
Today an opinion piece was posted on Stuff.co.nz about NZ being terrible drivers.
www.stuff.co.nz...
The video at the top talks about a Massey University study showing one in three drivers don't stop at a particular stop sign.
This was only a snapshot, and I contend that this is not an accurate representation of all stop signs, as dash cam footage I have collected over the past 18 months shows 99 in 100 drivers don't stop at signs! And that's only the ones recorded in front on me. The drivers behind me don't stop either.
For the record, in my 34 years of driving - despite not being a saint on the road - I have ALWAYS stopped at stop signs. And in my younger days, so did almost everyone else. Now, almost everyone DOESN'T. So, what's changed?
What reasoning do you use for not stopping?
- you're running late?
- the car in front stopped already and you had to stop too, so you didn't need to stop again?
- you drive a big car so so what if you have an accident - you'll be fine?
- you can clearly see there's no traffic to the right?
- nobody else does, so why bother?
- stop doesn't really mean stop?
- there are no Police around these days, so nobody's going to catch you anyway?
- you're more important than all the other drivers on the road?
- you can't be bothered?
- the roads are really quiet, so need to look out for dangers?
- something else... please elaborate...
Please share why you don't stop at stop signs... I'd really like to know.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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77.2% Yes
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21.2% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
Begonia house to be demolished at botanic gardens
It's outrageous that the Wellington City Council are going to demolish the Begonia house at the Botanic gardens. This is an asset. One would have thought the green faction of the council would have supported fixing it. It's strange no one has questioned the price required to fix it. Cycle ways more important than begonia house i think not
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.