Be alert at intersections

Driving skills at intersections are to be targeted by North Shore City Council and police in a bid to keep motorists safe.

Intersection crashes have been identified as one of the top three road safety issues across the Auckland region, resulting in three fatalities, 85 serious injuries and 601 minor injuries over the past year.

Helen Whittal, North Shore City's road safety co-ordinator, says residents living in the Glenfield area will receive a "Be alert at intersections" leaflet, which includes a number of safety tips.

By answering some of the simple questions and completing the competition form from the leaflet, motorists also have a chance to win a CD car stereo unit, she says.

"Our intersection safety campaign aims to promote safe driving behaviour and skills, and reduce the number of preventable injuries resulting from intersection crashes."

The campaign is a joint initiative by North Shore City, and also includes Auckland and Manukau cities, Papakura District, ACC and the police.

Conflicts between crossing and turning vehicles predominate in North Shore City, accounting for one third of injury crashes. North Shore City statistics between 1997 - 2001 for intersections were:

* 6 people killed

* 44 people seriously injured

* 421 minor injuries.

Senior Sergeant George Hayden from the Police Traffic Safety Branch says between January 16 - 31 this year, police issued 67 infringement notices to drivers at intersections in North Shore City for breach of red traffic lights and arrows, entering blocked intersections and yellow light offences.

This period was one of the worst in the city, say police, who have an ongoing programme of intersection enforcement.

He warns that injury crashes could be dangerous, "so take another look before you turn".

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