Putty Road Blues

I just can’t believe what the safetycrats are doing to the Putty Road in the name of safety. The latest effort has been to cover the existing broken centreline on quite a few of the short- and medium-length straights down the Windsor end, with double yellow lines. Why? The only reason that I can fathom is that if you stop people from overtaking, it will slow them down, and we all know that speed causes accidents!

- Gregor Reynolds

The reality is a long way from there. The Putty is 170km long and is quite windy for most of its length. There are a few long straights along the flats in the middle, and a few overtaking lanes, but other than that the legal overtaking opportunities are limited to the odd short- or medium-length straight. These are the areas being targeted with double yellows.

Bear in mind that most of these sections have clear vision and enough room for any car to pass slower vehicles safely. Any motorcycle could pass a line of slow vehicles, but it is now illegal. The problem is that now you can be held up behind slow vehicles for 10 kays plus, before the first chance to overtake. Imagine the frustration when that opportunity finally arrives and you know you could overtake safely, but you are restricted by the double lines. What’s worse is that you could follow along patiently for several more kilometres, only to have your next opportunity thwarted in the same way.