Cutting down on black spot crashes
April 20, 2004
North Shore City Council is investigating 91 intersections for safety improvements as part of its new Crash Reduction
Programme.
The intersections have been ranked in order of priority based on Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) statistics on
fatal, serious, minor and non-injury crashes between 1996 and 2002.
Works and environment committee chairperson, Joel Cayford, says safety is the most important consideration for any
roading network.
"Already this year more than 130 people have lost their lives on our country's roads. Of these deaths, two have occurred
on North Shore City roads. This programme means we'll be spending money where it really counts in our own city.
"That doesn't mean, however, that drivers don't need to take responsibility for their own actions," Councillor Cayford
says.
"For us, it's safety first and foremost."
Between 10 and 15 sites will now be analysed in more depth each year in a continuing programme to improve safety at
intersections.
The audit team - made up of North Shore City Council roading engineers, LTSA staff and police - have already begun
assessing 12 sites on the priority list.
Remedial measures could include anything from traffic signal phase changes to adjustments to the layout of the road.
Intersections targeted include amongst others: Anzac St and Pupuke Rd; Constellation Dr and East Coast Rd; Target Rd and
Link Dr; Browns Bay Rd and Beach Rd; Wairau Rd and Diana Dr; and Kitchener Rd and Fenwick Ave.
At the Anzac St and Pupuke Rd intersection there were a total of 52 accidents between 1998 and 2002, seven of which
resulted in injuries.
The annual budget for minor traffic safety improvements is $100,000.
Other intersections ranked on the black spot crash list are already being addressed or will be through capital works
projects already planned such as the widening of Lake Rd, Esmonde Rd, Glenfield Rd and Onewa Rd.
ENDS