Care urged after five Rotorua pedestrians hit by cars in just two weeks

Jogging the Powerpoles members Leonie Annett (left) Aiden Ingram, Kerris Browne, Angela Gattu and Anna Nazmi make safety a priority. Photo / Stephen Parker

A number of pedestrians have been hit by cars on Rotorua road in the past two weeks, including one teenager who is facing a lengthy recovery after being told she will not walk again. The spate of incidents has prompted police to issue a safety warning for both drivers and pedestrians. Zizi Sparks finds out what recommendations the police, the NZ Transport Agency and regular runners have for pedestrians and drivers when it comes to staying safe on the roads.

The police and NZ Transport Agency have urged both pedestrians and drivers to pay attention when commuting after at least five pedestrians in Rotorua were hit by cars in a fortnight.

On Monday night a female pedestrian was critically injured after being hit by a vehicle on Old Taupo Rd outside Bunnings Warehouse about 7.15pm. The road was closed until 12.20am, the person was taken to Rotorua Hospital in a critical condition and later transferred to Waikato Hospital in a stable condition.

It followed an incident where a person was hit by a car at 4.50am on Fairy Springs Rd on Sunday. Just 12 hours earlier, at 3.05pm on Saturday, a pedestrian was hit at the intersection of Lake and Old Taupō Rds and taken to Rotorua Hospital with moderate injuries.

Prior to that, two pedestrians were hit in separate incidents on Te Ngae Rd.

Oceana Cameron, 16, was told she would not walk unassisted again after she suffered a severed spinal cord when hit by a car on Te Ngae Rd on April 16 about 6.35pm.

Just over a week later a pedestrian was injured in a collision with a vehicle on Te Ngae Rd, near the intersection with Sunrise Ave, shortly after 6.30pm on April 24. They were taken to Rotorua Hospital with serious injuries and later transferred to Waikato Hospital.

The serious crash unit is investigating the April 16 crash and Monday night's crash.

Investigations into the April 24 and Fairy Springs Rd crashes are also taking place .

Senior Constable GaredMcLaughlin from the Rotorua road policing team issued a warning for drivers and pedestrians.

"Drivers, things can change around you in a split second and if you're not paying attention you may not have time to react and avoid a crash.

Police investigate the scene of the April 24 crash. Photo / Ben Fraser

"It's important for pedestrians to pay attention too. Don't be looking at your phone when you're crossing the road. Look both ways before you cross any road, and keep looking."

NZTA Bay of Plenty system manager Rob Campbell said pedestrian deaths and injuries could be prevented.

"It's especially important to drive at a safe speed; if a pedestrian steps on to the road unexpectedly it can be the difference between life and death.

"It's also very important [pedestrians] follow the basics of safety."

Nationwide an average of 36 pedestrians are killed and 1000 injured each year.

Campbell said the agency was working on the Eastern Corridor Stage 1 project of Te Ngae Rd from Sala St to Iles Rd and that included shared path upgrades, signalising the Tarawera Roundabout, street lighting improvements and improvements to a pedestrian underpass.

It was also planning a speed limit review of the road and investigating street lighting improvements to stretches further along.

"NZTA will continue to work with the council on identifying safety issues and options to address these issues in short and medium term."

Kerris Browne, who started running group Jogging the Powerpoles, said safety was always at the front of her mind, especially now daylight saving had ended.

"We always wear bright colours and we stick to the footpaths. The only reason we wouldn't be on the footpath is if there isn't one.

"If there isn't one we go on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic so we can see what's coming, how far away it is and how fast they are going."

Browne said they ran in packs of five to 20 people of a similar pace and each group had a leader who looked out for cars. When crossing roads they made sure there was space for the whole group to cross.

"In a defensive driving course, the first thing you're taught is to drive like everyone else is an idiot. When we run, especially at night, we're doing the same, we're running like every driver is an idiot."

Fifty-five members of the running group are doing the Rotorua Marathon this weekend.

Rotorua Lakes Council infrastructure general manager Stavros Michael said the council worked with NZTA but also had a safe and sustainable journeys team which worked on road safety education.

"Our current programme includes pedestrian safety and walking activities that support users to be skilled, unimpaired and alert when using the networks.

"The programme continuously monitors trends and where emerging issues are identified the programme can be adjusted to address them."

He said the team was making plans to deliver an NZTA programme which would prioritise pedestrian education.

"Road safety is everyone's responsibility and it's important we all make good decisions when using any mode of transport."

Incomplete data from NZTA shows in Rotorua from 2014 to 2019 there were three pedestrian deaths, 17 serious injuries, and 64 minor injuries following crashes.

Pedestrian safety

- Use a footpath if available.
- If not, walk facing oncoming traffic.
- Walk off the road or as close as possible to the edge.
- At night wear light-coloured or reflective clothing or carry a torch.
- Stay alert.
- Always use safe crossing areas.
- Take the time to make sure it's safe to move.
Sources: NZTA, Rotorua Lakes Council