Urban crashes increase in Franklin

Franklin’s Road Safety Liaison Group has released the latest six weekly report, for the period 16 June – 28 July 2009.

Of the 105 crashes in the district, 16 were serious. These were concentrated in urban Pukekohe, along Mill Rd, Waiuku Rd and State Highway 22. A number also occurred in rural Pukekohe and rural Tuakau. There were no fatalities for the period.

Franklin District Council Road Safety Coordinator Monique Haines says, “A new issue has emerged for this reporting period, with urban serious crashes increasing significantly, particularly in Pukekohe.”

“A particularly distressing crash occurred this period where two cyclists were struck by an unknown vehicle from behind. One cyclist was knocked off his bike over a guard rail, the other through the air into a stream. Both were wearing reflectorised clothing. The driver of the vehicle, thought to be a truck, failed to stop.”

Driver error (8), alcohol (2), driving too fast for the conditions (2) and situational awareness (2) were the main causes of the serious crashes. Twelve of the 16 drivers who had serious crashes were local, seven from Pukekohe, four from Tuakau and one from Waiuku. Failing to give way at intersections and losing control on bends continues to be a problem in the district.