Your views: Oct/Nov 2022

Bright lights

Why are headlights on modern cars so bright? I am constantly dazzled with moments of temporary blindness when night driving and I feel this is a real safety issue which car manufacturers should address.

Michael Stephan

Scooter debate

A reply to the letter regarding e-scooters by Johnny Chester of Coles Bay (August– September issue of Journeys) is required as it, without evidence, implies that these scooters are a wonderful addition to the roads and footpaths of Hobart and elsewhere. While the argument for getting people out of cars onto scooters might be a sound one from an environmental point of view, there is no evidence available from the scooter companies or councils that this is indeed the overwhelming case when it comes to the awful orange and purple commercial varieties. On the contrary, those like me who live in inner Hobart all too often observe hooning, riders without helmets, children riding them and doubling up – all unacceptable and indeed unlawful behaviours.

Having to dodge riders through areas such as Salamanca is an increasing hazard when walking in this precinct, making the area quite unpleasant for pedestrians at peak times. Surely a visit to historic areas of our cities and towns is best done on foot, not treating these areas as some sort of theme park. A highlight of a visit to our wonderful island should not be hooning around on e-scooters – an experience one can do in many other places and one which does nothing for enhancing an appreciation of Tasmania. Let the profit-making e-scooter companies demonstrate, with serious data, that people are using these devices for commuting when otherwise they would have driven and that there is clear benefit for our communities. At present, they seem to be nothing but novelty toys that are likely to become serious menaces in the height of the tourist season.

Neil Cranston, Battery Point

Road resources

Despite the current “Over is Over” campaign, common high-risk and life-threatening practices — aggressive tailgating, speeding, dangerous overtaking, hooning — continue to be conducted with an apparent strong sense of impunity because Tasmania Police does not appear to have been provided the resources to support any deterrence or preventative strategies that may reduce the frequency of death on our roads. Four new cars won’t do it. Redirecting AFL pipedream money might.

Rob Davis

Change of colours

It would seem that the colour of the lighting at intersections, roundabouts etc. on our main roads like the Brooker and Bowen Bridges is changing colour. I thought that this lighting had to have an orange tone, as it increases the sight distance. Why is the state government replacing blown orange lights with white LED lighting when you can buy orange-toned street lighting?

Belinda

Intersection policing

Police are not being used adequately to service the general population, in particular on our roads and at intersections – especially at road junctions controlled by traffic lights. Far too many motorists try to proceed through an intersection when there is insufficient room for vehicles to clear the intersection.

John Holloway

"Time or distance"

In response to Russell Cross (August–September issue of Journeys) and his dislike of time between points as opposed to distance, I believe that the ‘time between points’ system is used, and is helpful for, visitors specifically. Hobart to Strahan, for example, is 300km and might be 3 hours on a freeway but close to 4.5 hours in Tasmania. This prevents drivers underestimating their journey and any ensuing problems.

Grahame Williams