Call to “look twice” for pedestrians at carparks
Far North drivers exiting carparks or driveways are urged to look twice for pedestrians amid concerns that motorists ignoring basic road rules are putting lives at risk.
Far North District Councillor Ann Court says she has fielded numerous complaints from pedestrians who have narrowly avoided being run over by motorists crossing footpaths when exiting shopping centre and business carparking areas.
She says many motorists seem to have forgotten that pedestrians have right of way on footpaths.
“This isn’t a new problem. I raised this more than 20 years ago, but it is getting worse as traffic gets busier, vehicles get bigger, and our population grows.
“The road rules have not changed. The Land Transport Road User Rule 2004 is very clear: A driver entering or exiting a driveway must give way to a road user on a footpath, cycle path, or shared path.”
Councillor Court says near misses are occurring almost daily in the district’s main towns where buildings can make it difficult to see pedestrians. “I’m concerned about the most vulnerable in our communities – small children, the elderly and those with disabilities, who may not see or hear vehicles easily.”
According to figures provided by the Northland Transportation Alliance (NTA), there have been nearly 50 vehicle crashes resulting in pedestrian injury, including fatalities, in the Far North over the past 10 years.
Councillor Court says NTA figures do not paint the whole picture as they do not specifically identify accidents occurring on driveways and only represent reported incidents – most near misses never get reported.
She acknowledges that some carpark exits can look like roads, with curbing and painted Stop or Give Way markings, and that pedestrians must also check before crossing carpark exits. “However, that does not change the fact that pedestrians have right of way where a footpath crosses a driveway! I’m asking drivers to slow down and check twice before crossing a footpath. It only takes a few extra seconds and could save a life.”
Far North crash statistics involving pedestrians and bicycles – past 10 years.
Kaitāia:
- Crashes resulting in pedestrian injury (this includes fatals) = 20
- Crashes where pedestrian involved/hit but no injury = 2
- Crashes involving bicycles causing cyclist injury = 3
- Crashes involving bicycles but no injury = 3
Kaikohe:
- Crashes resulting in pedestrian injury = 16
- Crashes where pedestrian involved/hit but no injury = 1
- Crashes involving bicycles causing cyclist injury = 3
- Crashes involving bicycles but no injury = 1
Kerikeri:
- Crashes resulting in pedestrian injury = 12
- Crashes where pedestrian involved/hit but no injury = 2
- Crashes involving bicycles causing cyclist injury = 3
- Crashes involving bicycles but no injury = 0
Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004
4.4: Giving way when entering or exiting driveway
A driver entering or exiting a driveway must give way to a road user on a footpath, cycle path, or shared path (as described by clause 11.1A(1)).
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2004/0427/latest/DLM303078.html