Video: Police ticketing drivers turning into wrong lane

A campaign to get motorists turning into the correct lane at intersections is keeping Christchurch police busy, with many motorists still failing to heed the rule.

The Christchurch City Council "Turn into your Nearest Lane" campaign runs for the month of May, and aims to cut the number of intersection crashes in Christchurch, and educate people on intersection rules.

Sergeant Lachy Garrick of the Christchurch Police said while the first week of the campaign focused solely on education, police had at times been unable to stop all drivers breaking the rule once they moved into the enforcement stage.

"People are certainly being responsive, some negatively of course, as many motorists have either forgotten this rule or simply choose to ignore it and consequently a lot them have developed bad habits at multi-lane intersections. This can confuse and sometimes aggravate other drivers who do abide by the rule, and of course this can, and does, result in crashes.

"In one example, we had six staff at one intersection for one hour, and they issued 36 notices. In short, we couldn’t keep up with the offending. Since the first week of enforcement over 70 notices have been issued and will continue to be issued this week."

Sergeant Garrick said the majority of drivers did know the rule but some tended to ignore it.

"Excuses are offered such as 'I thought it was okay as there was no car in the next lane'. I challenge that with the analogy that, if there are no cars coming does that mean it is okay to run a red light or to fail to stop at a Stop sign? Most drivers tend to understand that argument and accept the rules must apply in all situations," Sergeant Garrick said.

“Drivers need to remember that if vehicles turn into their correct lanes at a multi-lane intersection, neither driver needs to give way, no crashes will occur and both drivers can move on efficiently.

“Police will continue to monitor multi-lane intersections, stopping drivers who break this rule. Education cards are being given to drivers along with a $150 Infringement notice that is now sent out to drivers by post.”

Council Transport Operations Manager Steffan Thomas said that intersections are one of five key risk areas that Christchurch City Council is focusing on with regard to road safety education.  The other four are Motorcycle Safety, Young Drivers, Cycle Safety and Pedestrian Safety.

"When you're at a multi-lane intersection, you always turn into your nearest lane," Mr Thomas said.

"Part of the problem is that motorists are unwilling to merge once they're in the line of traffic, so they try to change lanes as they turn through the intersection."

Ignoring the rule led to crashes, near-misses, congestion and driver confusion, Mr Thomas said.