The Waihi\/Otumoetai\/Cambridge Rd roundabout. Image \/ Tauranga City Council, Land Information NZ<\/p>\n
Transport strategy and assurance manager Karen Hay said the investigation found the roundabout\u2019s signs and road markings met standards and clearly indicated give-way requirements.<\/p>\n
Crashes were mainly linked to \u201cdriver decision-making\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, the council would introduce two lanes on the Waih\u012b Rd west approach, install limit lines at the Waihi Rd pedestrian crossing, and refresh road markings throughout the roundabout.<\/p>\n
The proposed two-lane layout aimed to slow drivers down, reducing the chance of crashes and helping traffic move through the intersection more smoothly.<\/p>\n
The limit lines at the crossing would indicate where drivers should stop. <\/p>\n
They would be set back from the crossing so drivers stop far enough away to clearly see pedestrians and pedestrians could see traffic had stopped before they used the crossing.<\/p>\n
These changes are expected to be completed next month.<\/p>\n
A Local Democracy Reporting Official Information Request to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) found there had been 32 crashes at the roundabout since 2020.<\/p>\n
Two resulted in serious injuries and seven caused minor injuries.<\/p>\n
NZTA said of the 54 contributing factors to the crashes, 23 were failing to give way or stop, 17 were poor observation and four were proven instances of alcohol involvement.<\/p>\n
It said 14 crashes occurred around the Ot\u016bmoetai Rd exit and 10 occurred on the eastern Waihi Rd exit.<\/p>\n
Judea resident Chris Brazendale has lived on the corner of the roundabout for 16 years, and motorists have crashed into his fence four times<\/a>. <\/p>\n Brazendale spoke to Local Democracy Reporting at the time of the fourth incident in August. <\/p>\n He said the number of crashes reported by NZTA roughly matched what he assumed, and the council had contacted him about the planned changes. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s better than nothing, but I have to say, I am somewhat sceptical as to whether it will make much difference.\u201d<\/p>\n Western Bay of Plenty area road policing manager Senior Sergeant Wayne Hunter said police encouraged safe and alert driving at all times. <\/p>\n He recommended avoiding distractions, driving within the speed limit and not driving impaired. <\/p>\n He said alcohol and drugs were a factor in about a third of all crashes. \u201cIf you\u2019re under the influence, don\u2019t drive at all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2013 LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.<\/p>\n Judea resident Chris Brazendale says vehicles have crashed into his fence four times in 16 years. Photo \/ Kelly O’Hara<\/p>\n