Editorial: Intersection problem is only human

A STORY in this paper last week about a cyclist and car colliding at the intersection of Great North Rd, Victoria Ave and London St prompted its share of head-nodding and tut-tutting.

The immediate reaction was predictable - a call for the authorities to "do something" about the intersection.

That the Whanganui District Council and state highway roading authority (NZ Transport Agency) had done just that may have escaped some, and will continue to be ignored by many.

This confluence of roads - and not forgetting the State Highway 3 slip road that runs above the "tri" intersection - carries a great deal of motor traffic and a share of pedal-powered traffic so by sheer numbers the chance of a collision are amplified.

What has to be considered is how many changes can roading engineers make to this intersection - indeed, any intersection - to make it failsafe. That will never be, unless the motorists and cyclists are being carried about in robotised transport that is accident-proof.

When I was learning to drive, my father gave me sound advice that I carry with me today. I was to assume everyone else on the road was a bad driver and, for that reason, remain on high alert. Fortunately, I have avoided having an accident in more than 50 years of driving.

The same advice could be applied to anyone approaching an intersection. Just because one corner is governed by a Stop or Give Way sign and your side isn't, never ever assume drivers or cyclists are going to pay heed to what the road rules say. At some stage they will ignore the signage through impatience or inattention and the result is a collision that may leave parties injured or, at worst, a family grieving.

NZTA says it will again look at this particular intersection.

Intersections are designed to make entry and exit as safe as practicable. But they only work when people follow the rules of the road. No amount of engineering is going to change that human failing.