Paintball shooting threat slows traffic

Photo / Thinkstock

Residents of a Canterbury village are applauding a mystery resident who has erected a sign warning speeding motorists they risk being shot at - with a paintball gun.

Southbound State Highway 1 traffic through Chertsey is being diverted down the side road while drainage and improvement work is carriedout on the highway.

But it's not the diversion that's the problem, Chertsey residents say, it's the motorists who are opting to use Chertsey Line Rd as a racetrack.

After the diversion is removed each evening, traffic still continues to use the side road as a way to beat traffic on the highway, resident Helen Spicer says.

"Long after it's finished they're flying down here at 100km/h, they're all turning off now so they can beat the roadworks and beat the rest of the traffic."

Chertsey Line Rd had become the default highway with motorists travelling at highway speeds.

The origins of the paintball sign were a mystery, but if it had the desired effect of slowing traffic it was a winner, Ms Spicer said.

Resident Jenny Jamison said she didn't know where the sign came from and was not aware of any paintballers who lived in Chertsey.

"But since the sign went up, it's amazing how many people slow down.

"They're slowing to read the sign but at least they're slowing down."

- Ashburton Guardian