NZ's most dangerous intersections

Police at the scene of a rush-hour crash involving an ambulance and an Audi. Photo / Richard Robinson

New Zealand's most dangerous intersections have been revealed for the first time.

The New Zealand Transport Agency disclosed the 15 intersections that have claimed the most injuries and deaths - showing the number of injury crashes had increased 25 per cent in the past year.

There were seven injury or fatal crashes on the corner of Auckland's Great South Rd and Main Highway, Ellerslie, and the same number on the corner of Customs St West and Albert St in the city.

There were 60 injury crashes on the worst 15 intersections - up from 48 the previous year.

Auckland City Road Policing Manager Inspector Gavin Macdonald said drivers needed to be more patient around intersections.

Most intersection crashes were caused by drivers not stopping at stop signs, running amber lights and being stuck in the middle of blocked roads.

"People start to get really angry and start to take risks," Macdonald said. "The big effect is if you crash into someone you could permanently injure or kill them, all for the sake of beating a red light.

"It affects their whole life and their family's life - all for the sake of 30 seconds." Macdonald urged drivers to pay more attention and to remember the basic road rules - such as looking right, left, then right again - when driving through intersections.

A Transport Agency spokesman said drivers needed to remember the importance of giving way as failure to do so was a leading cause of crashes.