Wheel of Risk at Hamilton intersections

This week and next the Wheel of Risk will be nearby selected intersections in Hamilton. The Wheel of Risk strongly features on the recent New Zealand Transport Agency’s national TV campaign.

In seeing the wheel drivers will be reminded of the TV ads and think twice about taking a risk that isn’t worth it.

All road users have a responsibility for themselves and others when travelling. By taking more care many crashes and injuries can be reduced.

Transport committee chairman Dave Macpherson says that accidents happen at intersections because unnecessary risks are taken.

“Drivers know how to be safe at intersections but at times will take high risks that have serious consequences. Often it’s because they are running late, misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic, red light running, conflict with crossing pedestrians, or didn’t see an approaching vehicle. The most common cause of crashes is drivers failing to give way.

There are more crashes at intersections in Hamilton than any other city in New Zealand. About 55 per cent of all crashes occur at a variety of types of junction. It’s a statistic that road agencies in the city are seeking to change.

The Give a Damn at Intersections campaign involves education that includes promotion and raising awareness, engineering improvements, and enforcement.

A series of engineering projects to improve intersections has begun. Improvements range from adjusting the phasing of traffic lights to replacement of a roundabout with light signals and the banning of right turns. The upgrades are intended to remove or reduce crashes and the severity of injury.

Improvements have recently been made or will soon be made at the intersections of Peachgrove/Clyde, Mill Street with Victoria Street and Anglesea Street, Greenwood/Killarney, Kahikatea/Lorne/Ohaupo and Norton/Avalon/Rifle Range Road.

A related example of engineering intervention is the very effective 40kph zones around 27 schools in the city which Council is seeking to roll out to all schools in the near future.

The police will be monitoring intersections and in particular compulsory stops.