The theory – that graphic TV ads are doing anything to help reduce the road toll – crashed and burned over Easter weekend.
While speed and drinking may be a factor in some, the inadequacies of New Zealand's roads and the poor skills of some drivers still seem to be ignored by the government.

It's still hell bent on ramming gory crash scenes down the throats of Kiwis who are passively sitting at home, not sculling woodies, but sipping Earl Grey safely in front of the tellie.
While millions are spent on the fruitless TV campaigns, the nation's highways are woefully under-funded. Police are obsessed with speed and ignore excessively slow drivers – in fact seem to encourage it – while these road hogs are contributing to road deaths just as equally as the idiots who try to pass them in risky places.
'It's not a target” some will whine. Let them. The fact is, there are times when the road conditions, the car and driver are quite capable of safely travelling up to the maximum allowed by law – not regulated by crawlers who won't pull over because they're self-appointed speed monitors.

Passing lanes
In this region, we have not more passing lanes or widened roads, but fewer than a decade or so ago.
The blinkered answer from police and road safety officials is 'slow down” when this is only part of the answer and in some cases, the wrong answer. 'Pull over”, in many instances, would not only be safer but more efficient and environmentally prudent. It would also remove a whole lot of anguish from those stuck behind, and we all know a frustrated driver is a bad driver. Pulling aside also raises morale on the roads, wins respect of fellow travellers and gives the slower ones the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and slower pace without the niggling feeling that there's traffic backed up behind (if it even occurs to them!)
Sure commonsense and patience is part of the answer. But there are some sectors of the society who have neither – and are still allowed on the roads. No amount of blood and guts pouring out of the television, and taxpayer funds tipped into advertising agency coffers is going to change that.
Not until traffic's requirement to travel at differing speeds can be more successfully catered for, will there be a reduction in head-ons and passing accidents. Not until more dedicated cycleways are established will it be safe to get on a bike.
The Easter road toll showed a lot of head-ons and passing errors – drivers not allowing enough room for overtaking, say police.
What about the education of slow drivers to regularly pull aside and allow backed-up traffic to pass? It's not something I've ever seen advertised, however, some common courtesy from those cryogenic handbrakers at the head of the line would go a long way to reducing frustrations and removing the temptation for those who may take risks.
Clearly, if so many overtaking chances are being taken with fatal results, it's overdue to target not only the foolish, risk-takers but those self-righteous and indignant slow pokes at the head of the queue who are causing anguish and frustration for the dozens crammed up behind on single lane roads.

And all that jazz
On a lighter note, the jazz festival seemed to go pretty well with some great sounds and great weather to draw the crowds.
The whole debacle over trading hours again showed what nonsense successive governments have failed to solve; and how confusion reigns on the shop trading arrangements. Time it was sorted, once and for all.

Testing times
The mailbox has been bulging at the seams this week.
First up was a fine collection of Moro bars and chocolate, thanks to our friends at Cadbury who have added RR to the national test panel, following our recent report on the new source of Moro bars.
We will be sure to approach the sampling in a measured and scientific way using the Special Chocolate Observation Function (SCOF) method and bring you further findings.
Next in the mystery packages was a lovely letter from 'Grannie Annie” with a set of Barbie underwear enclosed. (Enclothed?
A delightful little pink number with some lacy gold frilly bits. It wasn't quite my size but I know a five year old with a semi-clad Barbie who will be delighted.
GA says be thankful that we did not have to 'unpackage” Ken, the boyfriend.
'That would not be a very pretty sight.”
Yes, Grannie Annie, we hear that Ken is well-packaged.
Although if the PC Brigade has got to him as we suspect, Ken is more likely to be eunuch than unique.