Paul Hickey: Some will just never get the message

Using your phone while driving can be a deadly distraction. Photo / Thinkstock

So another long weekend has been and gone, with the usual emphasis on driving and the road toll.

Six people lost their lives on the roads over the weekend due to a number of factors, including the always emphasised speed and alcohol.

Two years ago, in 2013, we were lucky enough to have a zero road toll over Queen's Birthday Weekend, which was a first since records began.

However, within that statement, I put most of the emphasis on the word lucky.

Yes there is plenty of advertising promoting safe driving and the like, and while most of us do get it, there are a small number who don't.

And while the law allows for extremely light sentences for causing road deaths (like the one dished out in Dunedin this week), these idiots probably never will.

Plus "legitimate" accidents are always going to happen as well which no amount of campaigning and advertising will be able to stop.

The goal of a zero road toll that some agencies are pushing? Purely a pipe dream.

My only travel over the long weekend was to the Mount and Tauranga on Monday and, while I knew the roads would be busy and I had factored in additional travel time, it's the drivers who take the message too seriously that also get on my nerves.

The weather wasn't perfect, but doing 60km/h in a 100km/h zone is just taking the mickey right?

Once again it's great to see our Kia Magic netball side into the finals of the ANZ Championship,continuing a run of qualifying unequalled by any Kiwi side.

They play tomorrow at Claudelands over in Hamilton in the NZ Conference Elimination final against the Southern Steel.

I MC'd the finals games for the Magic in Hamilton last year and, boy, the atmosphere was electric.

I'm sure it will be again tomorrow.

I was asked to go over and MC again this year, but other commitments will keep me away, which is a little gutting, but I will be tuning in to support the girls - good luck.

Happy doughnut day.

Yes for some reason today is International Donut Day, and who am I to deny everyone the chance to celebrate with some delicious doughnuts?

So, if you are reading this edition of the Rotorua Daily Post early enough, get on to our Facebook page (The Hits Rotorua) and register to win a visit from our Street team who will be out and about delivering doughnuts today thanks to Dunkin Donuts.

There's something about that deep-fried treat that brings a smile to everyone's face.

Apparently. back in the mid-1800s, a guy called Hanson Gregory invented the look we know today -- out of a distaste for the undercooked centres -- so he just got rid of it, thus creating the hole.

Smart guy.

Paul Hickey is the host of the locally based 9am-3pm show on The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM. Follow on Twitter @paulhickeynz or at The Hits Rotorua on Facebook