Canterbury police will be actively policing the intersection of Orchard Road and Wairakei Road, near Christchurch airport, over the next few weeks in a bid to reduce the number of crashes at the site.
Inspector Al Stewart, Canterbury Road Policing Manager, says the intersection has been identified as a high risk location after eight crashes were recorded in the past 24 months.
"We have seen a number of crashes there over recent months, and have had reports of a lot of near misses and high speeds in the area," says Inspector Stewart.
"It is likely that many of the drivers involved travel through this intersection every day and our aim is to get them to slow down and take more care as they approach and travel through the intersection.
"Drivers should always approach an intersection at a speed at which they can stop safely if they need to.
"Unfortunately, many drivers approach intersections too fast and don't leave themselves enough time to react to unexpected situations, resulting in crashes."
There are about 3,500 hundred crashes in Canterbury each year, about half of which occur at intersections.
The aim of this and other similar operations is to educate drivers, prevent further offending and increase the safety of all road users.
ENDS