Crashes add to city's bad traffic safety record

I can concur with TheWatcher. While working as a traffic light technician in New Plymouth in the 1990s we had a situation where the council instructed us to remove the Barnes Dance traffic light controlled system in a central city intersection.
The replacement was just a give-way system with four pseudo-pedestrian crossings and trust put into motorists' kindness to allow other vehicles or pedestrians to cross. The result was chaotic with more delays to traffic than ever before and also many near misses on both other cars and pedestrians.
Another poster suggested that human nature adapts to the system when you allow the motorist (or pedestrian) freedom of choice. Although the majority adhered to the system, a large minority did not and this is not good enough for any system to work. Needless to say traffic lights were again re-installed at this intersection. I left before I had found out whether the Barnes Dance was again in operation.
It seems that no one seems to want to learn from other people's mistakes, but rather from their own. The Barnes Dance system does work.

In September, 2011, DCC General Manager Sue Bidrose claimed that spending $200,000 on switching to Barnes Dance type pedestrian crossings between Pitt Street and Cargills Corner would be "a waste of money" and that traffic would become chaotic. Well she was wrong because it is already chaotic between the Octagon and Frederick Street at intersections when left turning traffic is held up by pedestrians unless drivers break the law.

Sue Bidrose is avoiding solving a problem within a short street length by expanding the problem and the cost to a much greater area. The cost estimates are ridiculous. Once again, how much value does the council place on pedestrian lives? Barnes Dance crossings are proven to be safer then the present "system" and would not cost a fortune to implement in George Street.

Yes, The Watcher, but the pedestrians and the car turning left are all on Green. An incomprehensible circuit.

Re comments about driver responsibility - I recently drove behind another car to the corner of the one-way North and Frederick Street in the left lane preparatory to turning left. When the green traffic light turned on, the driver in front of me immediately turned left and crossed the pedestrian crossing despite the fact that about ten people were already on the crossing and according to the law had right-of-way. When the crossing was clear, I followed the other driver and stopped beside her when she parked. I asked why did she ignore the pedestrians. She apologised but I felt it was an extremely hollow apology.

Her action is very common around Dunedin streets. I suggest that the countless DCC parking police would be better employed standing at street corners in mufti taking note of drivers flouting the pedestrian crossing laws rather then policing parking meters, and checking WOF and registrations. Drivers breaking the law could then be sent a "you were observed" notice by the Police. Surely pedestrians' lives are worth more then parking fines ?

I have cycled all around the world but my home town Dunedin is still the most scary for my daily commute to work. I would love for my kids to cycle to school as I did growing up in rural Southland - but I am not confident they could survive the after-school traffic!

I can't help but wonder if we're compounding the problem with the solution.

Greater levels of technology, in the form of more traffic lights, create an additional new problem. If you look at the countries around the world who have been successful in consistantly reducing their road toll, they have all taken the same approach, which is to place more responsibility back on to the driver.

These countries have reduced the numbers of traffic lights, compulsary stop signs etc, in favour of standard Give Way rules at intersections. This serves to keep the driver alert to everything happening around them at all times.

Three factors contribute to road safety: vehicle, road, and driver. Our roads are what they are, our cars are what they are. People, we can fix. Make the driver an active part of the solution, rather than the bystander they are at present. It works elsewhere, don't tell me that people here can't also learn about self responsibility. [abridged]

It was good to see a free Tibet march through George Street today. Shows that locals do care and are willing to make a stand.

Good on them!

Why not reduce the speed limit (including buses) between the Octagon and Frederick Street to 30kmh? Why not mark proper pedestrian crossings at the mid-point in each block over the same stretch instead of the silly "pseudo-crossings"?
Why not once again revert to Barnes Dance crossings over this street? Where is the DCC report about reverting to Barnes Dance crossings?
Why not install a few speed cameras over this stretch? Why not install CCTV cameras at each intersection to catch drivers who ignore pedestrians? Why not have a few police at intersections now and then?  Why do city buses stop with their rear end sticking way out into traffic thus creating one more needless hazard ? Are such drivers encouraged to block traffic in order to meet timetables?
Why not create a mall over this stretch between say 8am and 5pm? Why not ban skateboards from this stretch of street?

Yes, there are drivers out there not looking out for people walking on roads, but what of the people crossing the roads when and where they shouldn't be?
I have on several occasions had people cross to and from the post office on Great King street at the intersection when the lights are definitely green for traffic going north - meaning there is no 'little green man' allowing them to cross.
People were just crossing the road and not even considering whether they were allowed, let alone looking to see if any cars were coming - so who gets in trouble for that then?
We have to pay registration, ACC levies and then some more on the fuel we buy. What do they get? ACC payments for the injury they get from crossing the road when they should not be.
What of cyclists? They don't even have to pay ACC. But if they do not comply with the traffic signals and end up colliding with a car they can claim ACC payments for recovery. Fair go! How about user pays? [Abridged]

I have major concerns when I'm on the footpath or crossing the road when it comes to drivers here in Dunedin. I literally fear for my life when I walk past the supermarkets or Meridian Mall, Filleul Street entry/exit, and are constantly subjected by numerous drivers who refuse to stop at the compulsory stop signs that are clearly present and visible, and who take over the footpath with their vehicles as they ignore the signs. It's also the same with people coming out of driveways at extreme speed, with no acceptance by them that there may be a person walking or running on the footpath.

This does not surprise me at all. Apart from the sequencing of traffic lights at the two main five way intersections in George Street and Princes Street where traffic is still merrily going through when the little green man has signalled for pedestrians to cross.  Nothing, and I really mean, nothing has been done to rectify this.  There needs to be a delay before the little green man comes on to allow for cars to get through.  The intersections are so large and this has not been taken into account in the timing of the traffic lights. 

Having worked as a traffic light technician in New Plymouth, I know what I am talking about.  Also there is zero traffic police control in Ccntral Dunedin.  I have sat in a restaurant above the Meridian watching all the near misses in one hour period, where three pedestrians during this time had close calls.  The cars were not adhering to the speed limit or the pedestrians themselves thought that the pseudo pedestrian crossing there was actually a spot where the traffic would stop. 

[Abridged]

Coming from Wellington I was at first surprised at how bad Dunedin driving is. Every day I see a lack of indicating, turning into the correct lane when turning into the one way system and constant orange/red light running. Down here we're not used to traffic, I get that, but the lack of politeness even letting people in when there is traffic is disappointing. Dangerous, selfish and arrogant driving is too comon. 

Pitt St and Herriot Row is a shocker, people don't get that a Stop sign gives way to a Give Way sign...

I walk to work everyday along George St and unfortunately these accidents do not surprise me in the least. Running red lights, speeding up to make it though the orange light and in turn driving straight though crossings when the green man is flashing is a mulitiple daily occurance.

At intersections, pedestrians and left turning vehicles simultaneously go on green. Go figure.