Police launch 3D cycle DVD

File photo / The Aucklander

Police are looking to 3D technology in an attempt to improve how cyclists and motorists share the road.

In a DVD, a cyclist's journey through a busy urban setting is followed as they negotiate traffic and hazards.

The DVD was launched yesterday in Dunedin by Commonwealth Games gold medal cyclist Alison Shanks.

National road policing manager Superintendent Paula Rose said the launch of the DVD was timely as it followed several cyclist fatalities in recent weeks.

"These deaths have such a wide-reaching effect touching both offenders, as well as victims and their families and friends. Everything that we can do to make all road users aware of the hazards for cyclists is of value," Ms Rose said.

The five-minute DVD, produced by Taylormade Media, highlights hazards cyclists experience, including motorists travelling too close, carrying out overtaking manoeuvres, pulling out or opening vehicle doors without being aware of what is around them, and focusing on other motor vehicles not cyclists.

Dunedin Sergeant Jan Craig, who came up with the idea, said the DVD aims to help to reduce the number of crashes between motor vehicles and cyclists, and reduce injuries and fatalities.

"Cycle crashes can be very unforgiving. If we can help cyclists and motor vehicle drivers to see their actions from a different and very real perspective then they may see themselves as equal users of the roads," she said.

Ten cyclists have been killed on New Zealand roads so far this year. At least another 124 have been seriously injured and 632 have suffered minor injuries in crashes involving cyclists.

In the Southern policing district, 15 cyclists have been seriously injured and 29 received minor injuries this year.

In the year to 30 June 2010, national ACC claims for cycle crashes which involved a motor vehicle or occurred on a public road cost over $12 million.

The DVD will be widely distributed nationally and available to driver training and cyclist organisations, and other road safety organisations, and be shown in public spaces such as shopping malls and retail outlets, and in workplaces.

- NZHERALD STAFF