New safety cameras are tackling red light runners at a number of high risk Auckland intersections.
The high-tech devices were switched on this week and operate remotely with data collected in a single location.
Auckland Transport chief operations officer Andrew Allen says the technology is about reducing unnecessary death or injury on the road.
“We know that safety cameras work … and save many lives.
“Red light running is very common, especially with drivers aged 20 to 39. This group causes 58% of crashes where red lights are ignored and someone is injured.
“We have been working closely with the New Zealand Police, the NZ Transport Agency and other groups like the Automobile Association to bring down the number of crashes resulting from red light running.
“We are sending a clear message by adding more red-light safety cameras to the network. You need to stop at red lights and stop risking lives on the road,” Allen says.
NZ Transport Agency’s crash data shows that in Auckland between 2012 and 2016, there were 69 fatal and serious injury crashes caused by red light running.
AA spokesperson Barney Irvine says few road safety issues get its members as fired up as red light running.
“Our members are sick and tired of red light runners putting other road users, and themselves, at risk.
“Ninety per cent of Auckland AA members say they want to see more cameras at intersections.
“We’re delighted to see Auckland Transport push ahead with this, and we’d love to see the same approach rolled out in other main centres,” Irvine says.
Waitemata road policing manager Inspector Trevor Beggs says the consequences of choosing to run a red light can be “life or death”.
“Increased speed, regardless of vehicle type, puts vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists at greater risk.
“For them, drivers stopping at red lights and even a small reduction in vehicle speed could save their life,” Beggs says.
The six new cameras are operating at Lincoln and Swanson Roads, Lincoln Road and Te Pai Place, Albany Highway and Oteha Valley Road, Great North and Karangahape Roads, Blockhouse Bay and New North Roads and Esmond Road and Fred Thomas Drive.
Image courtesy of DT Driver Training
