Wellington crash causes severe delays

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Wellington crash causes severe delays

3News NZ

Stills from a traffic camera, just north of Wellington city

Stills from a traffic camera, just north of Wellington city

All lanes on a major motorway in Wellington have been opened but motorists have been told to expect "extensive" delays.

A northbound and southbound lane on State Highway 2 were closed after two crashes near Horokiwi, west of Lower Hutt, early on Thursday morning.

A northbound car smashed into a power pole leaving one person seriously injured.

A short time later a southbound diesel tanker and fruit truck collided, spilling diesel over the road.

The Upper Hutt and Melling train lines were shut down for more than two hours as a precaution because the diesel had spilt near the tracks. All lines have since reopened but delays were expected.

A New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman told NZ Newswire all SH2 lanes have been opened although motorists can expect "extensive" delays and the motorway remains congested.

Alternative routes through SH58 and SH1 are also congested.

 NZN

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Comments

3/08/2012 10:00:02 a.m.

MikeR wrote:

I was taught to drive by an AA instructor - an ex-British Para, the kind of guy you made sure you listened to!! The best thing he ever told me was to "look ahead to where you will be in one minute's time". I've always tried to do this and not just zone out in my own little world inside the car as far too many do - including it woukd appear, the driver of a certain produce truck.... Sure it was dark when the crash ocurred, but how the heck do you not see a parked tanker truck???!! All of what happened yesterday goes to show how vulnerable Wellington city is to being cut off from the rest of the North Island.

2/08/2012 3:31:25 p.m.

Liz wrote:

Just shows what a narrow neck there is connecting Wellington to the outer suburbs.

'Driving to conditions' and 'Searching ahead' and are two basic things that most Kiwi drivers don't do. Most seem to be in a dreamworld, only looking at the car in front, whereas you need to search ahead as far as you can see on a regular basis, to be ready to stop or take evasive action.
Add to that following too closely (i.e. not keeping at least 2 seconds between you and the car in front) and you can quickly get mayhem when something unexpected occurs.

2/08/2012 3:16:31 p.m.

Gary wrote:

Human error is un avoidable, it happens in every profession, situation and daily just that sometimes it causes serious problems.

2/08/2012 2:47:19 p.m.

lettie wrote:

Imagine the next earthquake! John Keys will have an underground tunnel built by then for him to get out!! Nevermind the rest aye John.

2/08/2012 12:45:29 p.m.

mmm wrote:

All this for a couple of crashes! Imagine an earthquake!

2/08/2012 11:07:59 a.m.

Martin wrote:

LUKE missed the point of JULIANA she said "in the rain..." not "today" or when the accident happened today. It was an example of past happenings and drivers not driving to conditions. At least thats what I got from her comments. Maybe I can't read or understand context of writing.

2/08/2012 9:33:13 a.m.

Luke wrote:

Its not even raining Juliana so im not sure what youre on about.

2/08/2012 7:37:26 a.m.

Juliana wrote:

Driving to conditions seems not to be understood. In the rain, I frequently see trucks and large vehicles speeding, there is also wind to contend with on State Highway 2 in these conditions. We need more highway Police patrolling,I have had on another wet day to call an ambulance for a motorcyclist who underestimated rain and wind and hit a wall of rock. My daughter has been injured by a car driver also ignoring speed and wet road conditions. Care driving is crucial.