The NZ Transport Agency has received the Coroner's recommendations into the tragic multiple fatality that occurred on 11 July last year on State Highway 4 between Ohakune and National Park, and confirms that it has given effect to the recommended actions.
Transport Agency regional highway manager David McGonigal says the Agency agrees with the Coroners' recommendation for double yellow 'no passing' lanes to be extended, and took action to install these in early January.
Mr McGonigal says the Transport Agency investigated the crash immediately after it happened. Its investigations recommended the extension of the existing yellow no-passing lines from a vertical curve south of the crash site for another 380m north to include the corner on which this crash occurred. These recommendations were approved and the new lines were painted on 9 January.
Mr McGonigal says the crash was investigated following the Transport Agency’s normal procedure which included a site visit and review of the possible road and roadside contributions to the crash based on what the Agency knew about the crash at the time of the review.
"The Transport Agency takes its responsibility for road safety very seriously and if there is a simple change which can be made that can reduce the risk of future crashes, we endeavour to do it as soon as practical. "
