Intersection crashes common in Waipa

27 April 2011

A road safety campaign to prevent intersection crashes in the Waipa district begins this month (May).

Waipa road safety coordinator Megan Jolly said there were 199 intersection crashes in Waipa in the five-year period from 2005 to 2009. Seven people died and 268 people were injured.

The most common intersection crashes occurred when a vehicle travelling straight through an intersection failed to stop and was hit side-on by a vehicle approaching from a right angle, she said.

This campaign will encourage motorists to take a second look' at intersections to prevent avoidable incidents.

The campaign will use the wheel of risk' as seen on the New Zealand Transport Agency's (NZTA) television road safety advertisements.

People either love or hate the wheel but either way it generates conversation around crashes. It has already been used successfully in Waipa for raising awareness about intersection crashes.

The wheel will be located at high pedestrian areas to generate more interest from the community. People will get the opportunity to spin the wheel, but only after answering some give way' questions.

Ms Jolly said motorists needed to understand the current give way rules, despite the rules being set to change in 2012.

The Waipa District Council and NZTA will run a public education programme about the new give way rules before they change.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Megan Jolly. Ph: 07 8505059.

Email: mfj@xtra.co.nz