GOOD SIGNS: Road markings show Police Review action

New road markings … recommended in Police Review report.

Tereora College pedestrian crossing … one of only two on Rarotonga.

SIGNS of the Police Review report recommendations being implemented are showing up around Rarotonga. Literally.
They’re the new markings painted on the roads over the past week.
The report to Prime Minister Jim Marurai commented extensively on the need to improve road safety. It included a special section on problems with road signage and markings on Rarotonga’s relatively narrow roads.
Marurai has pledged to make addressing public concerns on road safety highlighted in the report one of his priorities.
“Road markings on Rarotonga are almost invisible,” the Police Review report said.
“They are badly worn and have not been well maintained.”
The report said there were only two pedestrian crossings on Rarotonga – in downtown Avarua and outside Tereora College. But neither was well marked nor signed.
WORKS
Said the report: “We were not able to ascertain who had responsibility for road signs and road markings.
“The CIRSC (Cook Islands Road Safety Council) advised that they believed the Ministry of Works had prime responsibility for road marking and that they had been in active discussions with the Ministry to improve the current situation.
“In relation to road signs we understand the Ministry claims that the Police have prime responsibility.
“The Transport Act appears to be quite clear on this point. It provides:
“ ‘Traffic Sign means a sign erected by the Erecting Authority for the purposes of this Act and includes the support of the sign.
“ ‘Erecting Authority’ in relation to any road means the controlling authority and includes the Public Works Department.’ ”
The report said it seems clear that the Ministry of Works has prime responsibility for this issue. It should consult with Police and the Road Safety Council “to rectify the inadequate, and potentially dangerous, road signage on Rarotonga.”
On the signage, the report said:
“Signage at the roadside is limited and very poor. This includes speed and intersection signs.
“We noted one speed sign on the main road indicating the boundary between a 40kph and a 60kph zone. This is a circular sign with a diagonal black line on a white background.
“This sign is likely to be confusing to tourists from New Zealand who are familiar with such signs denoting entry to a 100kph zone.
“This is dangerous given the high vehicle use by New Zealand visitors to the island.”
The report recommends:
n The Secretary of Works consults with the Police Commissioner and Road Safety Council to draw up a programme of enhanced road marking and signage for the Financial Year 2006/2007;
n Cabinet gets advice from the Secretary of Works regarding a supplementary budget bid that would enable the necessary enhanced signage and road marking on Rarotonga in Financial Year 2006/2007.

Headlines : Times 193 26 Mar 2007
- Spanish fleet threatens our fishing
- Red Cross meeting will feature HIV, AIDS, STIs
- Area’s not for huts: Minister
- Achievement gets official recognition
- GOOD SIGNS: Road markings show Police Review action
- Training squad chosen for Oceania
- Tony Iro gets coaching job.
- Watch research, warns Sir Tom
- Lagoon Petero’s training ground

Headlines : Times 192 19 Mar 2007
- Government business units fail to meet targets
- Marurai names research boss
- Time to focus budget on real issues
- Bridge on the ball
- Letters: Waiting for Makea family to embrace truth
- Tuesday will be trial for Oceania
- Dengue mosquitoes facing new Tom Wichman threat
- Six super ministries possible
- Glitz and Glamour coming to Aitutaki