23 March 2005

Council supports campaign to reduce crashes

Wellington intersections were the scene of 559 crashes last year - a figure Wellington City Council is keen to see come down.

The Council’s Road Safety Co-ordinator, Kate Brockett, says all intersections are potentially hazardous but some intersections have higher crash rates than others because of higher traffic volumes and other factors.

The intersection of Ruahine Street and Wellington Road topped the list last year with 12 crashes. The intersections of Taranaki Street and Courtenay Place, and Taranaki Street and Wakefield Street both had nine each, while the intersections of Courtenay Place and Blair Street, and State Highway One and Abel Smith Street both had eight.

Nearly half (47 percent) of the city’s road accidents happen at intersections which is why the Council is again supporting Land Transport New Zealand’s campaign to encourage people to take another look at intersections. The campaign ties in with the Government’s strategy to reduce crashes by a third by 2010.

People were injured in 132 crashes at city intersections last year. This included 35 pedestrians and 26 cyclists. Statistics show most intersection accidents happen because people fail to give-way, or stop, or because they don’t look or notice approaching traffic.

Miss Brockett says intersections are dangerous places and taking more care can prevent devastating consequences. Accidents that involve death or injury are obviously hugely traumatic for everyone involved and their families, but even non-injury accidents cost a huge amount in time, repairs and inconvenience.

“It’s vital that people know their road rules, do what they’re supposed to and avoid taking risks. They also need to drive defensively to guard against others who may be doing the wrong thing. People do make mistakes,” she says.

“Drivers need to concentrate, slow down, indicate their intentions and give-way or stop as required. They also need to watch for pedestrians and cyclists as well as other vehicles. Pedestrians need to keep an eye on the traffic, cross with care and be aware that not all drivers give way when they should.”

ENDS

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