Intersections Intersections
Auckland is now a Vision Zero region, which means Auckland Transport is committed to a goal of no deaths or serious injuries on Tamaki Makaurau roads by 2050.
This means as people, we all make mistakes, but a mistake should not cost a life or cause serious injury on our roads.
AT is committed to raising awareness of the dangers of crashes at intersections and for drivers to adopt safe road behaviour relating to intersection safety. There is an unacceptable number of people being killed or seriously injured on Auckland’s roads. One road death is one too many.
Take care at all intersections
There are two kinds of intersections: Signalised and non-signalised intersections.
- Signalised intersections are controlled by traffic lights.
- Non-signalised intersections do not have traffic lights but can have either Give way or Stop signs. Examples are roundabouts or T-junctions. When a driver approaches a non-signalised intersection where there is no Give way or Stop sign, normal Give way rules apply.
The chances drivers take at intersections, like nipping into small gaps, may seem inconsequential and many drivers feel they can get away with them.
The truth is that taking risks at an intersection can result in serious injury and even death.
- At intersections controlled by stop signs always stop completely. Don't just slow down or do a “rolling stop”.
- At intersections controlled by traffic lights; when the light turns amber, always stop if safe to do so and stop completely when the light turns red.
- Take special care to look for people on bikes, people on motorcycles and any pedestrians who may start crossing on the road you’re turning into.
Regional Non-Signalised Intersection campaign
Overall, there is an upward trend in the number of deaths and serious injury (DSI) crashes at non-signalised intersections across the Auckland region. These intersections do not have traffic lights and include roundabouts and T-junctions.
Crash facts and statistics at non-signalised intersections**
- There were a total of 779 DSI crashes at non-signalised intersections across the Auckland region between 2017 and 2021. These crashes resulted in the death of 43 people, and 736 people sustaining serious injuries.
**NZTA Crash Analysis System (CAS) Data.
Increasing safety at intersections is one of the Government's main priorities in its road safety strategy. Intersection crashes are of concern due to the number of deaths and serious injuries and represent a high level of collective and personal risk.
Use your intersection smarts
Drivers who are familiar with intersections can become complacent, but even if they know the layout of the roads, they can’t know how traffic is flowing and should prepare for the unexpected by using their intersection smarts:
- Slowing down
- Giving way to others
- Stopping at stop signs
- Looking both ways
- Not tailgating
Drivers that are rushing tend to make more mistakes so look out for yourself and others and take your time at intersections.
Regional Red Light Running campaign
Auckland Transport (AT) is running a campaign to address red light running offenders. This campaign consists of reminders for drivers to encourage them to do the right thing.
The main message is “Good drivers stop at red traffic lights”.
Drivers receive a $150 infringement notice if they failed to stop at red lights.
To improve road safety and reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Auckland roads, we have invested in red light safety cameras at high-risk intersections. Between 2017 and 2021, there were 13 deaths and 95 serious injury crashes as a result of red light running.
Red Light Safety Camera Programme
Red light safety cameras are funded in part by the Regional Fuel Tax. They are an effective tool to reduce red light running.
Cameras are currently operating at the following Auckland intersections:
- Balmoral Road/ Sandringham Road
- Blockhouse Bay Road/ New Nth Road
- Buckland Road/ Massey Roads
- Bush Road/ Mercari Way
- Cavendish Drive/ Lambie Drive
- East Coast Road/ Constellation Drive
- East Coast Road/ Sunrise Ave.
- East Tamaki Road/ Bairds Road
- Esmonde Rd/ Fred Thomas Drive
- East Tamaki Road/ Great South Road
- East Tamaki Road/ Huia Road
- East Tamaki Road/ Otara Road
- Glenfield Road/ Kaipatiki Road
- Great North Road/ Blockhouse Bay Road
- Great North Road/ Rata Street
- Great South Road NB/ Cavendish Drive
- Great South Road SB/ Cavendish Drive
- Great South Road/ Reagan Drive
- Great South Road/ Redout Road
- Greenlane Lane East/ Ascot Ave
- Hibiscus Coast Highway/ Millwater Park Way
- Hobson Street/ Cook Street
- Lincoln Road / TePai Place
- Lincoln Road/ Swanson Road
- Main Highway/ Great South Road
- Manuka Road/ Eastern Park Parade
- Neilson Street/ Selwyn Street
- Ormiston Road/ Murphys Road
- Oteha Valley Rd/ Dairy Flat Highway
- Pakuranga Road/ Aviemore Road
- Pakuranga Road/ Pigeon Mountain Road
- Pakuranga Road/ Reeves Road
- Ponsonby Rd/ K' Rd
- Princes Street/ Church Street
- Redoubt Road/ Great South Road
- SH1/ Great South Road
- Symond Street/ Kyhber Pass Road/ Newton Road
- Te Atatu Road/ Mcleod Road
- Te Irirangi Drive NB/ Accent Drive
- Te Irirangi Drive SB/ Accent Drive
- Te Irirangi Road/ Smales Road
- Ti Rakau Drive/ Botany Road
- Union Street/ Nelson Street
- Wiri Station Road/ Lambie Drive South Bound.
The cameras are owned and operated by Auckland Transport, and enforcement is undertaken by New Zealand Police.
Traffic Light infringement notices
New Zealand Police can issue a $150 infringement notice if drivers:
- fail to stop at a red traffic light
- fail to stop at a yellow/amber signalised traffic light if safe to do so.
The Government’s Road to Zero strategy for 2020-2030 outlines a plan to stop people being killed or injured on our roads. Road to Zero | Ministry of Transport
Need more information?
For more information check out the official New Zealand Road Code.