A vehicle crossing the centreline in a 100km/h area crashed head-on with another, forcing the closure of State Highway 2, south of Katikati.
Emergency services were called to the crash, which was outside 2899 SH2, at 3.15pm.
A vehicle travelling northbound towards Katikati has crossed the centreline and struck oncoming vehicle being driven by a 45-year-old woman, says Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion.
'Both drivers had to be extracted by the fire service and were taken to Tauranga Hospital in serious but stable condition.
'The road was totally blocked by vehicles and debris. One lane was opened at 4.40pm and both lanes were re-opened at 4.53pm.”
Both vehicles sustained significant damage in the crash.
'This is another example of vehicles crossing the centreline on SH2 North, which is one of the main causes of crashes on that highway.
'Police urge people to take extreme care and to make sure they're not distracted.
If you are tired after a long drive, make sure you take plenty of breaks,” says Ian.
'When we get a crash at that time of the day on SH2 North, it's going to result in huge back-logs of traffic and a significant number of people are inconvenienced.”
Police are continuing to investigate the crash.
Debris left after the crash near Katikati on Tuesday.
13 comments
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Posted on 11-01-2017 08:01 | By whatsinaname
What is it with drivers crossing the centre line.happening far to often.
Another one
Posted on 11-01-2017 08:03 | By namxa
That's what happens when you have cars driving on a road designed for horse and carts.
Not the roads
Posted on 11-01-2017 09:10 | By Politically Incorrect
Let's not blame the roads, while they may be poor in places, they are wider and better than many European countries. Let's blame the person who crossed the centre line for whatever reason, shall we? That's the only actual factor here, the road didn't suddenly move beneath them or lift them up and throw them in to the other lane. Until people take responsibility for their own actions, this will continually happen. If you're on a bad road, drive as such. It's pretty simple folks, YOU have to drive to the conditions, the conditions cannot adapt to how YOU want to drive. if you don't get that, please hand in your licence and do us all a favour.
Agreed Poli Inc
Posted on 11-01-2017 09:52 | By RawPrawn
Well said! That stretch of road is almost dead straight with good visibility both ways. More like one of the drivers designed for horse and cart only
@polically incorrect
Posted on 11-01-2017 10:38 | By namxa
You're quite right, of course. But still, the road needs a huge birthday.
Politically ...
Posted on 11-01-2017 11:20 | By waiknot
Your quite right. But for some reason certain roads highlight poor driving more than others
So Preventable...
Posted on 11-01-2017 13:11 | By Jaybee
Road users on this stretch need to appreciate their actions, because once the road is closed for such preventable accidents such as these, there is no where else to go, very few options of diversions, so drive to the conditions and let us all get to where we are going in one piece and on time. Two major accidents in 4 days on that stretch? It's driver error in every instance. It's not rocket science, make the right decision cause these accidents are really hacking us all off, spare a thought for our local volunteer rescue fire crews who have to attend these incidents and then go back to their daily lives. Thanks
another comment
Posted on 11-01-2017 20:12 | By Captain Sensible
Waiknot comments on yet another crash story. Must be an expert or something. A serial commenter on crashes.
Cap'n Sensible
Posted on 11-01-2017 23:40 | By nerak
Pot, kettle, black???
One last comment
Posted on 12-01-2017 07:51 | By waiknot
After a lifetime in the automotive, driver education, transport etc industries I know a little bit. My comment was more about driver attitudes, failings and what catches them out. I comment on what I know and ask about what I don't know
@ waiknot
Posted on 12-01-2017 10:46 | By Captain Sensible
That's fine. But the man in the uniform ( don't want to get him in trouble) attending Saturday's crash who told me that he reckoned 4.5 hours is ridiculous, is also working in this field. That is his current job and he was there. His opinion was that there is incompetence, laziness and too much reactive instead of proactive planning. And from what I saw, and the amount of people sitting down doing ....not much, I would certainly agree with him. Of course you are entitled to an opinion, but why the animosity when someone else's opinion differs? Namecalling etc does not make any winners.
road crashes - any excuse is better than none?
Posted on 12-01-2017 12:16 | By jaydeegee
Drive to the Conditions - that's the police message. If the road is not built for speed - don't drive at speed. If visibility is poor, drive slowly and carefully. If you feel sleepy - pull over and have a nap.Do not take drugs/alcohol before or while driving. Treat the vehicle as a lethal weapon at all times!
Namxa
Posted on 18-01-2017 16:57 | By Kenworthlogger
If you seriously cant drive on these roads properly then those people should be surrendering their licences. There is nothing wrong with these roads.. Its the bad driving Kiwis that are the problem.
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