I would like to take Roger Rabbit to task regarding a couple of points in his commentary on "Shite Highway 2".

I am a professional driver on the roads 60 to 70 hours a week, so I see a lot of incidents. While this highway is indeed inefficient, it is not the road that is dangerous. Some drivers unfortunately operate their vehicles in a dangerous manner because of impatience and stupidity.

The mentality of NZ drivers that they must be able to drive at posted speed limits at all times 'or bust” is a big part of the problem.

The new eastern expressway has had an average of about one crash a week occur in the 110km area since it was upgraded. This is one really nice, two-lane, virtually straight road with an excellent surface, but it appears to still be dangerous.

Travelling at 10 to 15 kms below the posted speed limit between Tauranga and Waihi will only cost about two minutes extra time. Until we have more passing lanes to enable us to get to the traffic pinch points faster, we should all take time to smell the roses and enjoy the happy accident of our conception.

A McNeill, professional truck operator, Greerton