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Authorities have successfully demonised "rat runners". However motorists
have every right to use public roads. It is extremely undemocratic to
close off "local streets" and use traffic calming without taking into
account the views of motorists who use those roads.
Using the term "local streets" is also of
concern as it may convey the message to children that playing on the
roads is acceptable. Anything which encourages children to put
themselves in the path of vehicles is irresponsible.
It is desirable to distribute traffic
throughout the road system to reduce congestion at times when main
roads cannot accomodate the traffic.
Steps need to be taken to address the
causal problem rather than simply making it worse - particularly when
another result is turning some streets into dangerous obstacle courses
which obscure the visibility of pedestrians, force erratic driving and
riding, and cause pain to sensitive drivers or riders.
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National Motorists Association Australia 
