The driver of an SUV involved in a near-miss with a child at a Christchurch intersection has come forward to police and been dealt with through “enforcement action”.
The incident, captured on video and shared by police last week, showed the grey SUV turning right through a red arrow while a green pedestrian signal was active.
As the vehicle crossed the intersection, a child began to run across the road but stopped just in time after being called back by a parent — narrowly avoiding what police described as a potentially “catastrophic event”.
Police thanked the public for their “huge response and commentary” and said they wanted to acknowledge the driver’s “genuine remorse” for their driving and “impulsive actions” on that day.
“This is one example of how quickly an error can develop into unforeseen consequences when other unpredictable behaviour contributes to the initial poor driving,” a police spokesperson said.
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including a cash boost for regional airlines, sellers re-enter the housing market, and Donald Trump’s social media fury. (Source: 1News)
Police also acknowledged comments that referred to the “impulsive action” of the child running across the pedestrian crossing.
“Whilst [it] was on a green pedestrian light this illustrates how important it is for everyone to be educated on road safety and care.
“Police see this cumulative risk all the time, especially at serious injury and fatal crashes when failure to comply with basic road rules then amplify into much serious events.”
Motorists were urged to take “extreme care” at intersections, especially during school drop off and pick up times, and to make sure lights and road signage were read correctly.
“Everyone deserves to be safe on the roads.”
