Chris Bishop says we're sick of over-the-top cone use and expensive traffic management plans. 

And he'd be right. They are so annoying and often, to the untrained eye at least, completely pointless. 

They take a $100 job and make it a $1000 job. 

So why is this till happening?

Why are there still cones everywhere, when the government says NZTA's code of practice for traffic management rick assessment - is no longer being used? Obsolete?  

Well, the problem is many councils are apparently still using this code of practice as their north star. 

As a response, the government's now threatening local council funding. 

They have to threaten funding to get these council to change their ways.

What this shows us is just how far and deep the overly cautious, safety-at-any-cost mentality has set in. 

And also, it shows you how scared they are of worksafe coming in a going them if somebody gets hurt or injured.

You have to make sure people are safe, especially when working with dangers. 

But you can't keep everybody safe from harm in all places, at all times and for any reason. 

Fencing every waterway is impractical. So is covering every street in road cones. 

We need to find a sensible middle ground and make sure the officials told to carry out the changes, actually do so.