New speed cameras across Auckland

‘‘The consequences of choosing to run a red light can be life or death’’

More speed cameras are being installed across Auckland in an attempt to make they city’s roads safer.

Auckland Transport (AT) has announced six new red light cameras, at intersections across Auckland, would go live in July.

The cameras would be set up at the intersection of Lincoln Rd and Te Pai Place in Henderson, Lincoln Rd and Swanson Rd in Henderson, Blockhouse Bay Rd and New North Rd in Avondale, Great North Rd and Karangahape Rd in Grey Lynn, Albany Highway and Oteha Valley Rd in Albany and Esmonde Rd/Fred Thomas Rd in Takapuna.

According to AT the combined social cost of the accidents at the intersections was nearly $6.5m.

A recent Ministry of Transport report said the social cost of a road crash or a road injury included: loss of life and life quality, loss of output due to temporary incapacitation, medical costs, legal costs and vehicle damage costs.

The NZ Transport Agency’s Auckland statistics between 2012 and 2016 showed there were four deaths and 75 ‘‘serious injuries’’ at signalled intersections due to red light running.

The average social cost per fatal crash was about $4,729,000, the ministry’s report said.

Waitemata road policing manager Inspector Trevor Beggs said in a media release run- ning a red light was a risk nobody should be willing to take.

‘‘The consequences of choosing to run a red light can be life or death,’’ he said.

‘‘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.’’

The average social cost was about $912,000 per reported serious crash; and about $99,000 per reported minor crash.

The total social cost of motor vehicle injury crashes in 2015 was about $3.79 billion, the Ministry of Transport report said.

Police could issue a $150 infringement notice for failing to stop at a red signalled traffic light, or failing to stop at a yellow signalled traffic light – unless you are so close to the intersection that you can’t stop safely.

An AT spokesman said preparation work was underway, and all cameras were expected to go live in late July.

The intersections of Lincoln Rd and Te Pai Place and, Lincoln Rd and Swanson Rd, Henderson, have had a combined 5 serious and 21 minor crashes in the past five years.