Intersection accident adds to a long list

Emergency services help clean up the scene of a crash at the intersection of Hemo and Old Taupo Rds. Photo/Stephen Parker

One person has suffered moderate injuries after a car crash at one of Rotorua's most dangerous intersections.

Emergency services were at the scene of the crash at 8.45am yesterday. Police said it involved up to three cars near the intersection of Hemo and Old Taupo Rds.

Police Northern Communications Centre shift inspector Lou Alofa said one person had been trapped in the car but emergency services were able to free them without cutting them out of the vehicle.

St John Ambulance spokesperson Ngaire Jones said one person was taken to Rotorua Hospital with moderate injuries.

The intersection is one of Rotorua's most dangerous intersections with three serious/fatal crashes between 2007-2011. The other intersection with equally as many crashes is Fenton St and Haupapa St.

Rotorua District Council road safety co-ordinator Jodie Lawson previously told the Rotorua Daily Post the biggest cause of crashes at intersections was failing to stop or give way and crossing or turning vehicles.

A behaviour change was needed to reduce the frequency of crashes, she said.

From the 144 crashes at intersections on local roads between 2007-2011, one person was killed, 31 suffered serious injuries and 136 minor injuries were recorded. Travelling too fast for the conditions was a factor in 17 per cent of crashes, young drivers in 34 per cent of crashes and alcohol and drugs in 18 per cent.

There was a lot of feedback on the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page about how dangerous the intersection was. Several comments suggested a roundabout should be installed at the intersection with one comment saying a the roundabout should also include a way for people on bikes to cross safely.