Editorial: Road v Rail: Let's sort it

Two log trucks crashed yesterday morning in Northland.

Unbelievable. On the day that the last log train rumbles out of Northland, two log trucks crash, as if to say "our roads can't take this any more".

The rail versus road issue has become a hot political potato.

It's about time those of us who aren't politically motivated started shouting at whoever we think might listen.

Northland logging trucks have been crashing on a regular basis for months now.

We are in danger of becoming blase about it ... "another log truck crash, oh really".

What the hell is going on? Why is someone not holding an investigation or inquiry into why?

What are the factors causing these accidents? Inexperienced drivers? Pressure created by demand to empty our forests (some say prematurely) to meet overseas demand?

Too often, the phrase "before someone gets killed" is bandied about or punched out of a computer keyboard. But someone is going to get killed, there will be a bunch of "I told you sos" and then we might decide it's a good idea to sort ourselves out.

There are many angles to the "rail v road" debate. Take the Marsden Pt rail link.

We need it. But we also need trucks. For Northland's sake, these two factions have to sit down and work out how to work together. It's a big pie - no one will get a slice while road and rail are wrestling over the knife. That's dangerous.

Stop wrestling, and, like grown ups, work it out.

Before someone gets killed.