Five deaths on Western Bay roads in one month could spur a new road safety focus for the region's powerful Transport Committee. The committee which oversees the region's transport policies has backed Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby's call for their meetings to include an analysis of road safety issues. Mr Crosby wants thecommittee to monitor serious accidents following a series of "horrendous" crashes around Te Puke, the Kaimai Range and Pahoia. "I would like to see something on a regular basis on the agenda so we have a clear understanding of what is going on," he told yesterday's meeting. Chairman Andrew von Dadelszen supported Mr Crosby's initiative, saying he made some "very good comments" A paper will be brought back to the next meeting on adding road safety to the committee's terms of reference. Another possibility suggested by staff was a separate meeting to ensure the right focus was being put on the problem by the right people. Cr Malcolm Whitaker said people racked their minds looking for solutions but in the end it often came back to drivers changing their attitudes towards speed and alcohol. He remarked on the very high traffic volumes between Paengaroa and Tauranga. Committee member Tiipene Marr highlighted the many accidents that had occurred on a deceptive stretch of highway heading towards Te Puke, past the Whakatane turn-off. It was when traffic came over the bridge to go downhill towards the turn-off to Rangiuru meat works. He said the lane allowing the left turn gave the stretch of road the appearance of a little motorway which deceived drivers into dangerous manoeuvres. The meeting noted that last Saturday's triple-fatality accident, caused by an out-of-town driver deciding to overtake three vehicles on a sweeping bend, happened near a road sign which said "clever Kiwis don't pass on corners". Recent fatal & serious injury accidents April 20: One man dead and girl injured in two-car accident near Kaimai School. May 10: One man dead and seven injured in two-car crash near Belk Rd, Tauriko. May 14: One man and two women seriously injured in head-on collision involving German tourists at Pahoia. May 16: Two women and a man dead in head-on collision at Waitangi near Te Puke. May 19: One man seriously injured and one man with multiple leg fractures in crash north of Te Puke.
