WBOP Police target intersections

The Western Bay of Plenty continues to be over represented in intersection crashes with the main causative factors being failure to stop and give way, not checking properly and too fast for conditions.

Crashes at T-junctions in urban areas are the most common type of intersection crash followed by crashes at urban roundabouts.

The Strategic Traffic and Highway Patrol Units focussed on Intersection Compliance over the week commencing 5 September, targeting high risk intersections in addition to those which have attracted a number of public complaints.

A total of 177 drivers received infringement offence notices for various intersection breaches including Failing to Stop at Stop signs and Failing to comply with Traffic Light Signals. With this high level of offending Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Holmes says he is not surprised intersection crashes are occurring.

Mr Holmes also said "Crash statistics confirm that driver's don't always pay attention when driving and often drive on 'auto pilot'. Their attention is frequently diverted or distracted by children, passengers, cell phones or vehicle accessories such as CD's or radios in addition to failing to check that the way is clear and for other road users in their immediate vicinity."

"There are also a number of drivers who don't understand the road rules and others who deliberately ignore them. Some drivers take unnecessary risks squeezing into small gaps, many have close calls or near misses and think they can get away with it however sooner or later they won't be so lucky.

"Intersection breaches and speed around intersections are all too prevalent and drivers who fail to stop or give way are taking a risk not only with their own lives but also the lives of their passengers and other road users. Drivers need to slow down, drive defensively at intersections and take more care making a thorough search to ensure the way is clear.

"Police will continue to take a hard line with intersection compliance and ask all drivers to "Take that second look at Intersections & Get it Right"."