Commenting on the story: Paid-ticket entry only to Adelaide NYE fireworks show

As a member of the public, whilst I don’t have any objections to keeping the crowd numbers under control to prevent more Covid-19 cases, I do object to this event being a paid-ticket entry, which is unaffordable to me.

It is very disappointing to me as it is my birthday on January 1st and I used to enjoy immensely the fireworks in Elder Park. Now I have nothing to look forward to. I missed out on my birthday celebrations last year due to complying with Covid-19 rules.

I have been enduring many stressful times/situations on a constant basis since Covid-19. All I ask is for a brief moment to be captivated and enjoy the festivities on my birthday eve. Not much to ask considering there’s people still travelling in these Covid-19 times and I definitely cannot afford the luxury of that. – Julie Craven

Commenting on the story: Truck driver arrested after major freeway crash

In regard to the freeway accident, placing ‘passive’ safety measures in place like signage is obviously the cheapest option for the government, and you can see how well that works.

As reported by InDaily in 2014, the cost to use the arrestor beds can be upwards of $8,000.

I used to drive heavy trucks. The business owner told all his drivers that if we use the arrestor beds, we will pay that cost and that was always in the backs of our minds. Make the cost a realistic $2,500, the same as the fine.

An overpass is the smartest and most practical option for all motorists, but ideally a second arrestor bed where the last freeway bus stop is desperately required.

Sure, the government can sit on its hands with the copout excuse they’re waiting for the report. How many reports do you need? Do more need to get injured or die? Isn’t there a duty of care here? – Andrew Robertson

I am a frequent user of the SE Freeway so noted the Premier’s comments with interest.

My understanding is that the use of an arrester bed can be expensive for the driver/truck company: the cost of removing the vehicle and then the resetting of the arrester bed.

The driver’s details would be ascertained, and would highlight any licensing/offence problems. The driver would be loath to use an arrester bed even if another one was installed closer to the intersection, if there were irregularities of any kind, and would take a chance, hoping to stop in time.

We can legislate, 60kph in the truck lane, slow descent, use low gear and we could build more arrester beds, but we can’t make drivers use them. The only sure-fire solution is keeping trucks/heavy vehicles off the SE Freeway by creating a bypass well before the steeper and more populous part of the freeway. – Terrie Baker

Making truck checking stops a full time operation would go a long way to ensuring enforcement of driver laws and safety.

The fact that an allegedly unlicensed truck driver can drive across the country without the driver or vehicle being assessed is appalling. Sure, I reckon a good five per cent of car drivers are unlicensed and/or uninsured is bad enough, but trucks are so much more damaging when it goes pear-shaped. – Leigh Bunting

A Hills Freight Bypass, more rail freight substitution for Interstate road haulage  and reintroduction of passenger rail transport from Mount Barker will go a long way to improving freeway and climate safety.

Why are our relevant state bureaucrats apparently not promoting all these measures – maybe we have not reached their death toll acceptability limit? – George Hobbs

Sounds like we need numberplate recognition cameras linked to a national truck driver registration and licensing database.

The cameras should be deployed between Crafers and the Heysen tunnel and should trigger an immediate alert to traffic police at an inspection/advisory station. – Stefan Landherr

How many more events such as this do we need to know it is way over time that long-haul freight was put back on trains. It ain’t rocket science! – Peter Hayward

Commenting on the opinion piece: Who is liable for e-scooter injuries?

Whilst I agree with the thoughts behind the article on e-scooter injuries, I disagree on one point.

The article states: “while e-scooters have been praised as a greener form of transport”. I would ask: greener than what? E-scooters are basically replacing the ultimate green energy – walking. They are not used for commuting anything longer than a few kms within the CBD.

So unless e-scooters replace the need to visit different areas within the CBD by driving a car from CBD car park to another CBD car park, which is unlikely, they are not providing any “green” benefit. In fact as their batteries gradually flatten even whilst not being ridden, they are potentially contributing to wasted energy use. – Peter Macdonald

Commenting on the opinion piece: The green is fading from our urban patchwork

Could not agree more. Loss of beautiful old tress to build huge houses on small blocks is a disaster for our urban areas.

It distresses me that people move to “leafy” suburbs then destroy the thing that makes the area attractive to live in.

The developers say they have a legal right  to cut down the trees. But their choice diminishes the beauty and amenity for all. Selfish and destructive. – Geoffrey Weaver

Yes I agree with all this but it remains useless information if it stays at the ‘idea level’ .

It is near impossible for a majority of the community to stand up to government given the difficulties in effectively organising a coordinated approach.

Could the academics who write about this be a voice of reason, and provide an expert opinion to government with a unified approach , perhaps presenting a petition to government with community signatures?

Groups of medical doctors and scientists internationally have successfully banded together as an alliance calling on governments to consider alternative view points on various issues in the past. Why couldn’t those who write about the decline of forestation / greening, take responsibility to do a similar thing? Or are they already?

It is vital that each of us in our own way, with our relative expertise, take responsibility to pressure the government in maintaining our greenery. – Sonya Fennell