Police eye on indicating at roundabout

INDICATE PLEASE: Constable Joel Martin of Wanganui Police explains the signalling rules to this driver using the Springvale Rd - Parsons St roundabout yesterday.PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 240315WCSMINDICATE2

Police are monitoring one of Wanganui's busiest intersections in a bid to improve safety for cyclists.

Yesterday, the road policing group were checking driver behaviour after two accidents at the Springvale Rd-Parsons St roundabout in the past 10 days, both involving children being knocked off their bikes.

Constable Trevor Scarrow said the roundabout was seen as a high-risk intersection and had heavy traffic volumes, particularly between 8am and 9am on weekdays.

"We can't say for sure if indicating was part of the issue in those two accidents but we're focusing on that aspect today, as well as looking at seatbelt and cellphone use in cars."

Mr Scarrow said drivers were either forgetting to indicate their intention or indicating wrongly.

He said another problem was that drivers were hesitant largely because they and others weren't indicating their intent. That made other drivers anxious "and that's when they start to take risks".

In the 20 minutes from 8am yesterday, two motorists received tickets and verbal warnings were given to about 50 other drivers.

Mr Scarrow said it was about warning and educating drivers rather than handing out tickets.

"We'd rather educate everyone and get everyone doing things right. Tickets are a last resort."

But motorists failing to indicate at a roundabout are liable for a $150 infringement.

"We find at this time of the morning a lot drivers are anxious, often in a hurry to drop kids off at school and get to work, so some of the road rules do slip.

"The myth is that all we're doing is handing out tickets but this is about educating drivers to prevent accidents and this is one way we hope will do it."

The road policing group plan to be back at the roundabout this morning.