Scheme shows traffic dangers, saves money

Press, 8 February 1986, Page 16

Scheme shows traffic dangers, saves money

A potentially life-saving, low-cost scheme for identifying and remedying hazardous traffic areas has been developed by a Wellington City Council traffic engineer. A report on the scheme, to be discussed at the conference of the Institution of Professional Engineers in Auckland next week, shows encouraging progress in accident prevention. Figures in the report, produced by Mr D. Pullen, show that the rate of traffic accidents has fallen in Wellington’s north and north-western suburbs since the introduction of new hazard control techniques. In 1983, 22.3 per cent of all accidents in Wellington took place in the area tested. The proportion fell to 21.9 per cent in 1984, and 17.6 per cent for the first half of 1985. The figures show that the measures introduced predominantly improved the accident rate involv-

Ing cars, motor-cycles, and bicycles. The lower rate of decrease in accidents involving pedestrians is attributed to the need for more expensive solutions to pedestrian-related accidents. According to the study, effective low-cost remedies can be introduced at most hazardous sites with better results than could be achieved with more elaborate methods. The key is to identify the factors in the driving environment which are not perceived properly by the driver and to either remove or highlight them. Techniques such as painting false kerbs, painting no-go areas, reducing lane width, and establishing movement priorities and prohibitions were used in the test instead of costly remodelling and road reconstruction. A budget of $50,000 has been set aside by the council in 1986-87 for more such work.