Skid marks spur call for safety measures at ‘dangerous’ corner
AN Alexandra woman wants to see new safety measures installed on a ‘‘dangerous’’ corner near the town on which her exhusband was killed in a motorcycle crash.
Richard Kohler (54), of Poolburn, died at the scene on February 28 after his motorcycle and a truck collided at the intersection of Springvale Rd and State Highway 85, northeast of Alexandra. The truck driver was not injured.
His exwife Kate Jensen said she was at the intersection with their two children this week laying flowers when she saw new skid marks. They seemed to be from a vehicle travelling on the highway from Omakau tightly turning right on to Springvale Rd over double yellow lines, and driving over the wrong side of the road before ending up in the left lane.
The skid marks were similar to those left after the February crash, she said.
Mr Kohler was driving on the highway towards Omakau and it seemed as though the other vehicle, coming from the opposite direction on the same road, tried to sharply turn on to Springvale Rd, but then turn back on to the highway when they saw him coming, she said.
‘‘That’s why he hit the front righthand side instead of the left hand.’’
It was ‘‘upsetting’’ to see new skid marks as nothing had been said about why the crash happened, she said.
Ms Jensen said she wanted to see something put in place on the highway before the turnoff, such as a median strip, which forced vehicles to turn more safely.
Mr Kohler’s death was ‘‘devastating’’ for their children.
‘‘He was my exhusband, but the father of our two younger children. So it had a huge impact on their lives and on my life.
‘‘It’s not just us, but the truck driver’s family as well. I’d hate to think how he’s feeling.’’
There was very little time for drivers on the highway going from Alexandra to Omakau to react at that intersection, as it was shortly after a rise in the road, Ms Jensen said.
New Zealand Transport Agency senior safety engineer Roy Johnston said there was an earlier 2012 incident where a vehicle on Springvale Rd failed to give way and hit the safety barrier on the opposite side of State Highway 85.
‘‘The Transport Agency will consider the concerns raised about corner cutting and if appropriate implement a suitable solution.’’
A police spokeswoman said no charges had been laid regarding the crash which led to Mr Kohler’s death. However, charges were being considered.