Poor Decisions at Intersections Cost Lives
31 May 2013
The Wheel of Risk' is once again being seen around intersections in the Waipa district. The wheel is part of a road safety campaign that began last week and is aimed at preventing intersection crashes in the Waipa district. The wheel has featured in previous New Zealand Transport Agency television advertising and reminds motorists to not risk it' at Intersections.
The wheel will be located at intersections within the district as well as at high pedestrian flow areas where people will be able to stop and ask questions about give way rules. The wheel is seen as a useful tool in getting people to talk about road safety.
Waipa Road Safety Coordinator Megan Jolly said there were 209 intersection crashes in Waipa in the five-year period from 2007 to 2011. These crashes resulted in eight people dying and 201 people injured. These crashes were predominantly in urban areas, with 72% of drivers at fault' holding a full licence.
This campaign will encourage motorists to take intersections seriously and check properly that the way is clear. At a stop sign this can only be done if a car fully stops. There is also the need to specifically lookout for approaching cyclists and motorbikes. Often we don't see things unless we make a special effort to look for them. The speed of motorbikes and cyclists can be deceptive- it can be hard to judge how fast they are going. From 2007-2011 6% of crashes at intersections on local Waipa roads included motorcyclists and it was higher on state highways at 11%
As part of the campaign electronic message boards at key intersections will also be visible in the district reminding people that they need to stop their vehicle at intersections governed by Stop signs. The message board will remind motorists of the $150 infringement fine.
Dawn Inglis , Waipa District Council Road Manager says It's important to stop fully at a stop sign and not be tempted to roll through it. Intersections governed by a Stop sign are intersections with poor visibility and it is therefore only safe to gauge approaching traffic if you are actually stopped.'
Further to the campaign, Council have been working to improve intersection safety for pedestrians. Motorists are reminded not to park closer than 6 metres to, an intersection, unless there are parking spaces marked. Parking within the 6 metres will often occlude vision for pedestrians, particularly children, wishing to cross the road. Council gets frequent complaints about people parking near intersections and enforcement can mean a $60.00 fine.
Sergeant Warren Shaw says that Police are supporting the campaign. Motorists need to be more vigilant at intersections as these are the locations of the vast majority of crashes in the Waipa, this is especially so during winter months when the visibility is often poor. Taking another look at intersections only takes a moment. Police will continue taking enforcement action for those drivers that do not comply with intersection rules' he said.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Megan Jolly
Road Safety Co-ordinator
