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READER REPORT:

Make our roads safer for everyone

SARAH QUINLAN

Last updated 05:00 12/02/2013

DON'T SLOW US DOWN: Get rid of traffic lights, says Sarah Quinlan.

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I use a car a lot due to the distances I need to travel and I usually have kids in tow, but I would really like it if our roads were much safer for cyclists - for me and my kids.

It seems we shut down our thought process at the providing cycleways stage, instead of thinking about other alternatives.

I propose we get main roads flowing as quickly and simply as possible by getting rid of traffic lights and using roundabouts and merging lanes instead.

We should allow drivers to travel these roads at 50km per hour, but reduce the car speed limit on side streets down to 30km at all times, to encourage cyclists to use the side street options.

The benefits would be safer and quieter neighbourhoods, and kids would get to experience independence and freedom again. It would reduce the road toll and encourage car drivers to take a bus or a bike instead.

It goes without saying that we probably need to increase the traffic fines for travelling over the speed limit, say $100 for each km over the limit.

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