Cars turning at an intersection into the correct lanes.

Not all drivers in Palmerston North can stick to the correct lane when turning at intersections, a survey has found.

Horizons Regional Council road safety co-ordinator Desley Monks conducted a 15 minute survey of cars turning at the intersection of Victoria Ave and Main St on Friday.

Over that period, 32 drivers pulled into the correct lane, while 24 did not.

Nicholas McBride Palmerston North Police constable Tania Pepere gives a warning to a driver for lane sweeping when going through an intersection.

The 24 were guilty of what is known as lane sweeping; when a car turns at an intersection and turns into the lane furthest away from it, rather than the closest one.

Monks said it was a huge problem. She said there were an increasing number of crashes being caused by lane sweeping.

"We have created this behaviour that people think they can choose whatever lane they can go into.

"I did also notice that often if one driver did the wrong thing, then the rest followed."

Monks said the first car away from the lights often sat out in the middle of the intersection giving way to the through traffic, by then it had gone too far to turn into the correct lane.

Palmerston North constable Tania Pepere said the police were also aware that lane sweeping was becoming a problem.

"We are noticing a large number of people who are not complying with that rule."

Earlier on Friday the council and police teamed up to carry out a lane-sweeping checkpoint to try change that behaviour. A checkpoint was set up down the road from the intersection of Victoria Ave and Main St at 11am.

"It is very much about education, helping people understand that what they are doing is dangerous," Monks said.

Monks said she was surprised to learn that most people they stopped knew they had done the wrong thing.

All drivers that were pulled over for lane sweeping were given a warning by the police, but that would be kept on record and they would be ticketed if caught doing it again.

The police issued 18 written warnings.

Monks said if drivers wanted to be in the furthest lane, they should do so after they have gotten through the intersection.

"Come into the correct lane, then indicate and move over."