Crash site being re-vamped

The previous Give Way intersection has become a Stop-signed one with a screen also being built to ensure motorists have to come to a complete halt to check for approaching traffic. Photo/Duncan Brown

One of Hawke's Bay's high-risk crash sites is undergoing a revamp.

Motorists approaching Kennedy Rd from the expressway off-ramp will now be faced with new signage and a screen designed to make drivers stop to see if the way is clear.

The intersection, up until the start of this month, had been under Give Way signage but was now controlled by Stop signs.

Hawke's Bay Road Policing Senior Sergeant Greg Brown said the stop signs would be monitored.

"I have had a complaint already from a resident about motorists running the stop sign," he said, adding the complaints would be followed up.

"Our role will be in enforcing the new change."

Mr Brown said it was simply a case of "do the right thing and you will be doing your bit to keep everyone safe".

The intersection had been identified by the New Zealand Transport Agency as one of 12 dangerous crash sites and was one of the first to get the makeover treatment.

Nine injury crashes involving cars and cyclists, five of them resulting in serious injuries, had been reported at the intersection over the past five years.

There had been 12 collisions in total - the others being a car hitting a moped and two involving car verses car incidents.

In 11 cases the cause was failure to give way while a car running into the back of another waiting to give way made up the 12.

As well as changing from Give Way to Stop signs, NZTA had begun work on a screen on the grassed bank of the overbridge base.

It would reinforce the need for motorists to come to a complete stop to look for cyclists and other traffic before moving across the Taradale-bound lane of Kennedy Rd.

NZTA traffic and safety engineer Ken Holst said it became clear motorists coming down the off ramp were looking to their right to check for cars in the distance, but were looking past cyclists using Kennedy Rd.

"Putting the screen up means people will have to stop, and they should then see oncoming cyclists.

A similar screen had been put up at an intersection on SH27 near Matamata which had become notorious for "horrendous" crashes," Mr Holst said.

"It forced motorists to completely come to a stop - and the crashes went away."

The screen would be completed by the end of the week.

Mr Brown said drivers ignoring the new Stop signs faced potential injury as well as an immediate $150 infringement notice.

"For the few seconds gained it is just easier to stop and take a proper look."