Fourth death at blackspot sparks call for action

A fourth traffic death has prompted a victim's mother to push for changes to a Rotorua roading blackspot.

A German tourist was killed yesterday when hit by a car crossing Te Ngae Rd near the Te Ngae Rd Extension on the eastern side of the city on Monday.

The death prompted renewed calls for change by Jacqui Hesketh, whose daughter Tanya died after her car was hit by a speeding car at the intersection three years ago.

A speeding driver hit her vehicle as she turned into Te Ngae Rd.

Mrs Hesketh told The Daily Post she wanted to see Te Ngae Rd blocked off to all right-turning traffic from Te Ngae Rd Extension.

Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor said four people had died at the blackspot, but it appeared yesterday's was different to the others.

Mr Taylor said an enormous amount of engineering had taken place there in response to other crashes and it was a well-designed and engineered piece of road.

- NZPA