Be careful out there

Wellington's most dangerous streets named

BY REBECCA THOMSON - THE WELLINGTONIAN

Be careful driving at the intersection of Taranaki St and Courtenay Place.

It is Wellington's most dangerous intersection according to a New Zealand Transport Agency report.

The report, published in September, identifies 62 black spot city and suburban intersections, which had a total of 1186 accidents between 2004 and 2008. The cost of those accidents totals $173 million.

During that period there were 65 motor vehicle accidents at the Taranaki St-Courtenay Place intersection, costing more than $7 million in medical bills, legal costs and property damage.

Seventeen of those crashes resulted in serious injury.

Many crashes were caused by inattention, bad judgment, speed and alcohol-impairment.

Wellington City Council monitors intersections and keeps track of crash rates.

Transport spokesman Andy Foster said the council was considering making changes to the Taranaki St-Courtenay Pl intersection.

"Depending on how we do Manners Mall, there are opportunities to simplify traffic movements at that intersection."

If the Manners Mall bus lane went ahead, the council would also look at upgrading the Willis-Boulcott St and Victoria-Dixon St intersections.

In terms of cost, the Willis St-Lambton Quay-Willeston St intersection is the second most dangerous.

There have been 21 accidents, costing $4.4 million.

There were more accidents at the Riddiford-John St intersection in Newtown, but the cost, $1.39 million, was lower.

Mr Foster said the cost of crashes was high, but the number was far more concerning.

"Fatal crashes blow out the costs. It's the number of crashes that's important, and there is a very fine line between what turns a minor crash into a fatal one."

An Italian tourist died after a crash last year at the Taranaki St-Courtenay Place intersection.

It is understood she was unfamiliar with New Zealand roads and looked the wrong way when stepping on to the street.

The council is monitoring Auckland's red-light camera trial.

The introduction of cameras to 10 major intersections has been credited for a 40 per cent reduction in red-light runners.

Other safety measures include reducing speed limits in Newtown, Berhampore, Thorndon and Aro St.

The NZTA figures come on top of a Wellington Regional Council report showing the region experienced its highest road toll for more than a decade. In the past year 21 people died on the region's roads, up 40 per cent on the previous year. Serious casualties rose by 10 per cent, to 355.

Council spokesman Richard MacLean said Wellingtonians were no better or worse at driving than other New Zealanders.

"We try to encourage motorists to keep speeds down, drive to the conditions and not break the law.

On the other hand, it's important for pedestrians to pay more attention when crossing the road."

In the past week there have been three serious traffic incidents.

Last week 42-year-old Ling Phang died when she was hit by a bus in Brooklyn.

On Monday, a 30-year-old woman was hit by a bus on the corner of Cuba St and Dixon St and on Tuesday a cyclist was hit by a car near the Basin Reserve.