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Headlight upgrade for fire brigade PAGE 3
Poets’ poems published PAGE 4
Freestyle day Californian Jett Elkins, pictured on Mount Turner above the Wilkin River, is one of 22 competitors taking part in this year’s World Heli Challenge. PHOTO: WANAKA.TV
Tournament a success PAGE 10
sunviews PAGE 11
Strong finish for rugby juniors PAGE 12
Olympian skiers charge PAGE 16
Road crossing revisited Tim Brewster Wanaka Sun A rear-end collision when a vehicle stopped on Ardmore Street to allow a pedestriantocrossa‘courtesycrossing’has re-opened the debate on the structures. The concern from several correspondents is that out-of-town visitors would view the design and the use of coloured tiles as an indication the structures were officially pedestrian crossings and a serious injury or fatality could occur. A police Crime Scene comment following the incident suggested vehicles should not stop for pedestrians, which also prompted comments from some Wanaka residents. Wanaka Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell said he did not agree with the police comment regarding vehicles not stopping and he had not seen that week’s Crime Scene as he was out of town. A clarifying statement was made this week by Constable Mel Twyman: “Ifdrivingbehindanother vehicle which
stops for a pedestrian while crossing the street, it is your responsibility to be able to stop safely behind that vehicle.” Allan said drivers should follow the basic rule of being able to stop in half the distance they can see ahead of them.
pedestrian area and it is the driver’s responsibility to drive to these conditions and be able to safely stop, even when turning. It is perfectly within the right of the driver to stop and let pedestrians cross the road anywhere and particularly
These pedestrian movements will happen regardless of what is provided for them in terms of crossing facilities. The question is what environment do we want these pedestrians to cross the road in, with vehicles travelling at 50kph or a calmer and safer 15-20kph? If they do not stop, and cause injury to a person or damage a vehicle, they can be criminally liable. QLDC councillor, Lyal Cocks, has reaffirmed his view traffic should be more considerate, a matter he first raised in an open letter to the Wanaka Sun in February 2012. “This is now a slow speed, high
so where courtesy crossings have been installed,” he said. “The purpose of the courtesy crossings is to discourage unnecessary vehicle traffic in this area and slow the traffic down so that it is easier for pedestrians to cross from the town centre to the foreshore, which is the public desire expressed in the Town Centre Strategy.”
Both Lyal and the police have suggested drivers who do not wish to slow down to show courtesy to pedestrians avoid the lakefront road and use Brownston Street instead. QLDC project manager Rob Darby said creating a zebra crossing will not necessarily provide a solution. “Pedestrians have a habit of not checking for oncoming vehicles at pedestrian crossings (zebra crossings) because pedestrians have right of way. This, combined with lack of care on the driver’s part, is the probable reason why zebra crossings are reported to attract a higher accident rate than uncontrolled crossings. “We want locals and visitors to negotiate between the lakeside reserves, iSite, car parking and the CBD in a seamless, enjoyable and safe manner. These pedestrian movements will happen regardless of what is provided for them in terms of crossing facilities. The question is; what environment do we want these pedestrians to cross the road in, with vehicles travelling at 50kph or a calmer and safer 15-20kph?”