Red light camera for Wellington motorway intersection

Police, NZ Transport Agency and Wellington City Council are working together to reduce risk for road users by installing a high-tech red light camera at the intersection of Karo Drive and Victoria Street, on the State Highway 1 inner city bypass.

It will be one of three Police-owned red light cameras going live early next year.

The digital, dual function cameras are capable of recording vehicles that run red lights and/or speed through intersections.

They will initially operate in red-light mode only.

The other two cameras will be installed at intersections in Auckland.

The sites were selected on the basis of NZ Transport Agency analysis, which identified intersections where red light cameras would likely enhance road safety.

Road users will see infrastructure, including poles and camera housings, going up this month.

Cameras will go through a period of rigorous testing before being switched to enforcement mode next year.

Police will announce this before any infringement notices are issued.

The new cameras are part of a wider programme to encourage safer driving through the use of digital camera technology.

Five new digital speed cameras have been switched on in greater Wellington.

NZ Transport Agency Road Safety Director Ernst Zollner says the Agency supports the roll-out of the new safety cameras as a means of reducing serious crashes at high risk intersections.

Wellington City Council’s Transport and Urban Development Committee Chair, Councillor Andy Foster, says he is delighted the camera is going in.

“It has been a very long road to get these first red-light cameras in place.

Red-light running is a terribly dangerous and anti-social behaviour that is almost endemic, and one that can have lethal consequences for motorists and pedestrians alike.

We are quite confident there is strong public support for this initiative and I look forward to seeing a rapid drop in the rate of offending at this intersection.”

Wellington Acting Road Policing Manager, Sergeant Ian Martin, says intersections are a priority for education and enforcement activity.

“This camera is being installed at a main arterial route in and out of the city.

It will raise people's awareness of the dangers of red light running and pushing the amber.”

Inspector Peter McKennie, Operations Manager Road Policing, believes motorists will welcome the push to make intersections safer.

“There’s a sense that red light running is a very selfish action – it’s a genuine threat to people’s safety, which saves one road-user a minute or two.” However, he warns that no amount of regulation can keep us safe from inattention or recklessness.

“Drivers still need to keep themselves safe and check that the way is clear even when they have right of way. Never assume a green light automatically means you are safe to go.”

ENDS

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