The following cross-section of views appeared on the Mt Albert Community Facebook page after a link was posted to the “prang alley” opinion piece on Mt Albert Inc site:
Michael Field: “As one who has lived right on the corner for 20 years I can say with certainty that accidents are less frequent now than they were before, and when they occur they are less damaging. Ambulance call used to be common; now it is a rare event (the last one was a motorcyclist coming down from the shops in the fast lane and decided at the last minute he needed to go into Asquith: he turned without indicating and rode into the side of a bus. His girlfriend passenger was unharmed and she walked away – swearing at him. When he came back three months later to collect the ruins of his bike, in my garage, he was on crutches still. His father said he would never ride a bike again). My kids and I even maintained a first aid kit just for the car crashes: it hasn’t been used for a while. My theory on why we have less crashes now is that it is so chaotic at rush hour that it has cut the average speed. Now all that is needed is manners: but, hey, Auckland…”
Peter Janssen: “I live right opposite and there are problems all the time, not just peak times. The only solution is to ban traffic turning right out of Asquith Ave into New North Road. Most of the cars are taking a short cut to avoid the major intersection at New North Road and St Lukes Road, but while it might be a bit slower, it is a good deal safer.”
Andrea Camilla: “People need to learn how to drive! If they’re not confident, go the long way!! Some of us use it frequently without issue, or incident. So, is it the intersection, or the driver, at fault here?”
Dave Melville: “There’s nothing wrong with the intersection. In a lot of cases [the problem is with] impatient motorists who can’t wait more than a few seconds, plus idiots that seem to be unaware of how to use the painted median to merge into New North Rd when traffic is busy. It never ceases to amaze me how some drivers sometimes take risks to save a few seconds and end up sitting at the next set of lights.”
Calab Vincent-goncalces: “Even though the intersection is a nightmare, it’s people that need to learn to drive that’s the problem! I lived on the corner of that intersection and every day, even though I indicated to turn into my drive, I would get horns doing what you are meant to do… I think a large concrete barrier on New North Rd is a good place to start preventing idiots from making illegal right turns onto Asquith and taking out the no-turning sign once a week.”
Victoria Tupou: “In my ideal world, Asquith Ave would be closed at both ends, as well as the level crossing at Rossgrove. That way the whole block would become pretty much residents-only and motorists would be forced to use the main arterials.”
