Poor visibility and driver impatience cause problems at Dannevirke intersection

This Dannevirke intersection can get very busy during the day. Photo / Leanne Warr

A Dannevirke intersection considered a trouble spot by some locals isn't slated for safety improvements by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency but is part of a speed review.

The intersection of Allardice and High St/State Highway 2, has been something of a concern for a while, according to the Community Board chairman Pat Walshe.

As High St is the main street through town, with a lot of heavy traffic, it tended to get busy from around 8.30 in the morning.

There had been times when drivers had come very close to colliding with other vehicles.

Walshe said he had seen in one morning three vehicles each almost cause a collision.

"It's impatience," he said.

He felt drivers were getting frustrated with waiting too long to cross the intersection and that led to errors in judgement.

Police said only one accident per year on average was reported from the intersection.

In May this year, a driver was charged with careless driving causing injury after an accident at that intersection.

William Mosen appeared for sentencing in the Dannevirke District Court last week.

His lawyer told the court that Mosen had been waiting to turn right into High St, but his view had been obstructed by another vehicle.

He had started the turn when a motorcyclist collided with his vehicle.

After seeing footage of the accident, he accepted that he should have seen the motorcyclist.

Mosen was discharged without conviction due to his lawyer's argument that a conviction would also mean a mandatory loss of licence, which would affect his ability to work.

The motorcyclist suffered extensive injuries and was still having difficulties, but had taken part in restorative justice and accepted it was an accident.

Some residents perceived Allardice St to be a dangerous intersection and would go out of their way to avoid it.

Walshe said if a campervan was parked on the side of High St, that would reduce visibility.

"You can't see what's coming down," he said.

He believed there should be some further measures to improve the intersection, which at present is controlled by a stop sign.

Waka Kotahi Regional Relationships director Linda Stewart said the intersection had previously been looked at to see if safety improvements needed to be made.

She said the crash rate remained low, especially when compared to other intersections elsewhere in the country.

"We have prioritised safety improvements for high risk areas across New Zealand and do not currently have any plans to make physical changes at this intersection."

However, a speed review of SH2 from Norsewood to Woodville was in the works.

"We are in the very early stages of this speed review and are currently undertaking the technical assessment of the road. We currently expect to engage with the community in late 2022."