An investigation is under way on safety concerns around the scene of a crash at Papamoa yesterday where a boy riding to school was hit by a car on the Sandhurst Drive/Grenada St roundabout.
The boy, who appeared to be uninjured, was taken by his mother to be checked over by the family doctor.
The crash highlighted safety concerns with Grenada St and the roundabout which opened to traffic nearly a year ago.
Nearby resident Sherri Spencer said cars were travelling too fast and not slowing down enough when entering the roundabout.
''They are screaming through way too fast. We need speed humps.''
Ms Spencer said the problems were compounded by young drivers hooning around, adding to the dangers for cyclists and other road users.
Her driveway was just past the intersection and she said she almost had to enter it at speed to avoid being hit from behind by cars coming through the roundabout.
Ms Spencer said she often heard the sound of heavy braking and said there had been quite a few minor accidents that did not need police involvement.
She partly blamed the design of the roundabout, saying the centre island was so small that cars barely needed to slow down.
Dawie Kleinhaus, a South African visiting family who live by the roundabout, already has a keen understanding of the problems even although he has only been in New Zealand for five weeks.
''Cars come charging past here in the evenings, people are in too much of a hurry to get home.''
He has seen motorists travelling too fast through the roundabout which he linked to the feeling of openness. ''It is a psychological thing.''
Mr Kleinhaus from Durban said the area needed a bit of policing to get the traffic culture back to where it should be.
Arataki Primary School principal Shelley Blakey said they had noticed a big change this year in the speeds and volume of traffic along Grenada St.
The crossing patrol on Grenada St had previously been quite capable of being managed by pupils but now it needed a teacher.
''The cars are travelling really fast, even though they are supposed to slow down.''
Mrs Blakey said drivers were also showing less patience than before. She put it down to all the development taking place further down Grenada St and people finding alternative ways to drive to work.
Council transportation manager Martin Parkes said an investigation into safety along Grenada St was under way, including concerns about speeding.
''The council will also investigate the concerns raised regarding the Sandhurst/Grenada roundabout and consider options to improve accessibility and safety.''
He said speed humps certainly reduced vehicle speeds but could be noisy and may not necessarily contribute to improved cycling and walking connections. Speed humps would however be considered as part of the study, he said.
Preliminary investigations should be completed by mid-April.