Chris Blackford
A second crash at Arrow Junction in a week occurred on
Tuesday, leading Queenstown police to warn local drivers to err
on the side of caution in an area used by many tourist drivers.
A 34-year-old Chinese man allegedly failed to give way at the
junction while heading towards Cromwell and his vehicle
collided with a vehicle going in the same direction.
No injuries were caused and there was only minor damage to
both vehicles.
The collision comes exactly one week after a 9-year-old
Chinese boy was taken by ambulance to the Lakes District
Hospital after three vehicles were involved in a crash at
Arrow Junction.
The collision involved a rented Hyundai people carrier driven
by a Chinese man in his 30s, who had also allegedly failed to
give way.
At the time, Sergeant Keith Newell reminded overseas visitors
to make themselves familiar with New Zealand's road rules.
Yesterday, Senior Constable Chris Blackford echoed that same
message, but said it was up to local drivers to look out for
those less familiar with the roads.
"It's the same old message, isn't it? This is a tourist area
where a huge number of people are driving rental vehicles and
have never driven on the left-hand side of the road.
"Local drivers need to be on their guard."
Drivers needed to keep their vehicles up to a good standard,
insure their vehicles and wear a safety belt at all times, he
said.
"Tourism is the lifeblood of this town and it is part and
parcel of living in a tourist town."
An offence notice was issued to the 34-year-old Chinese man,
who is likely to face an instant fine or appear before a
justice of the peace on November 1.
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