Red-light runners rack up $160,000 in fines

Southern red-light runners have clocked up more than $160,000 in infringement fines in just 12 months.

Figures released under the Official Information Act show 1105 drivers were issued with fines for non-compliance at traffic light-controlled intersections for the year ending June 30.

The majority of those $150 infringement notices were issued in Dunedin (805), followed by Southland (209). Traffic-light infringements include running red or late amber lights, failing to give way, moving into the wrong lane and speeding through intersections.

Acting road policing manager Senior Sergeant Steve Larking had a simple message for those who deliberately ran red or amber lights: ''This is dangerous to them and all other road users.

''The lights are there for the safety of everyone - take your time at intersections and get to your destination safely.''

Crash statistics showed Dunedin had one of the highest crash rates at urban intersections in the country, traffic-light offences being partially to blame for this high rate, Snr Sgt Larking said.

''When a crash occurs at an intersection, it is always more likely that a driver may face a charge rather than simply be issued with an infringement notice.''

In addition to policing poor driving, police also ran specific road policing operations targeting high-risk intersections, Snr Sgt Larking said.

He welcomed an announcement by Associate Minister of Transport Michael Woodhouse about exploring the use of red-light cameras, as ''anything that makes the road safer for all road users is positive''.

The Dunedin-based National list MP said he supported the use of red-light cameras at intersections, for which an evidence-based benefit could be shown, he said.

''Red-light running is a significant safety issue and red-light cameras could prove an important tool to reduce injuries and save lives.''

Between 2008 and 2012, there were 11 fatalities, 169 serious injuries and 1466 minor injuries where the running of a red light was a contributing factor. A red-light camera trial in Auckland between 2008 and 2010 showed an average 43% reduction in red-light running, and an average 69% drop in crashes attributable to red-light running.

However, some high-incident intersections could benefit by other solutions, including clearing visual obstacles and improving the phasing and timing of traffic lights, he said.

The next step was for local councils to work with the New Zealand Transport Agency to ''identify and select appropriate sites for these cameras - and there are a couple of candidate intersections I can think of in Dunedin'', Mr Woodhouse said.

''There is still work that needs to be done, including an upgrade of the police IT system, but I'm expecting to see new red-light cameras appearing at selected intersections from the end of next year.''

- hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz

The numbers
Traffic light infringements in the Southern police district for the year ending June 30.
-Dunedin area: 805
Otago rural area: 27
Southland area: 209
DHQ*: 64
*Traffic Alcohol Group, Rural Drink Drive Team and Highway Patrol staff, who were all Southern district staff.

 

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