Road risks rise with traffic back
Winter conditions add to the dangers on BOP roads
Police warn extra caution and sensible driving are needed on Bay of Plenty roads after two recent deaths and prelockdown traffic levels returning.
In just two weeks since Covid-19 alert level 2 restrictions came into force, two people have been killed on Bay of Plenty roads.
A driver died in a single vehicle crash on SH5 near Ngongotaha¯ on Monday and, on May 18, 49-year-old Corey William King of Tauranga died in a two-vehicle crash in Judea.
Bay of Plenty roading police manager Inspector Brent Crowe is urging drivers to do all they can to ensure safe journeys with more vehicles on the road and hazardous winter conditions.
Crowe said for the most part driver behaviour had been good, however, police were concerned at a rise in speeds in the upper limits, especially on open roads.
“As we ease out of level 4 and 3 restrictions, traffic volume on Bay of Plenty roads is returning to pre-covid levels,’’ he said.
“With increased traffic volume
Tips for driving in poor, wintry conditions:
Check your route is free from slips and closures.
Don’t rush – slow down and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
Go back to basics – mirror and blindspot checks, indicating three seconds ahead of turning and leaving a foursecond following distance.
Drive defensively – scan the road 12 seconds ahead of you and ensure you can smoothly stop in the distance you can see.
and high speeds comes more crashes and unfortunately the Bay of Plenty has recorded two fatal crashes since our move out of level 4.”
Triple One Towing and Transport owner Billy Macfarlane said he had definitely been busier since moving to level 2.
“Level 4 was quiet, just a couple of crashes but not many call-outs, just about nothing. Usually we’re on the go, non-stop all day. In normal times, we probably got to between three and five crashes a week.
“We were really busy in the first couple of weeks, there was a lot of backlog with general cartage of equipment and machinery which couldn’t be done during lockdown. There have been a few more crashes and I’m definitely seeing a lot of near misses.”
It was not just accidents which had increased in level 2. Macfarlane said a lot more people were having mechanical issues after their cars had been out of use for so long during lockdown.
“[Heading into winter] vehicle maintenance is really important. Check your tyres, check your lights, all that sort of thing.”
Ensure you can see and be seen – use your headlights correctly.