Drivers should be aware that speed limit changes have been made to a number of state highways in the Waikato region.
The NZTA say the changes (listed below) have been introduced with the aim of improved safety, and have been met with strong community support.
To determine safe and appropriate speed limits, the NZTA undertook a rigorous speed limit review process which involved consultation with the police, AA, Road Transport Association, local authorities and working closely with affected communities.
The changes are:
-SH1 at Te Rapa – the current 80km/h speed limit outside The Base reduces to 60km/h.
-SH1 at the Cambridge south approach – the current 80km/h speed limit at the Shakespeare Street intersection reduces to 70km/h.
– SH23 at Whatawhata – the current 80km/h speed limit will be extended past Maori Point Road.
– SH25 at Te Mata – the current 50km/h speed limit will be extended to Tapu.
– SH25 at Te Rerenga – the current 100km/h speed limit reduces to 80km/h.
– SH25 at the Kuaotunu west approach – the current 100km/h speed limit past Bluff Road reduces to 70km/h.
– SH25 at Kuaotunu south approach – the current 100km/h speed limit past Pumpkin Flat Road reduces to 70km/h.
– SH25 at Wharekaho – the current 100km/h speed limit between Wharekaho (Simpsons Beach) and Whitianga reduces to 80km/h.
– SH25 at the Whitianga south approach – the current 80km/h speed limit will be extended past Golf Road.
– SH25 at the Whangamata north approach – the current 70km/h speed limit will be extended past Herbert Drive.
– SH29 at Te Poi – the current 70km/h speed limit will be extended further past Stopford Road.
NZTA state highway manager Kaye Clark says the changes are part of the NZTA’s ‘safe system’ approach to road safety.
“We’re aiming to reduce deaths and serious injuries by taking action in four key areas – safe roads and roadsides, safe vehicles, safe road use and safe speeds,” she says.
“The NZTA is making significant investments in safety improvements on the region’s roads – we are working with police to promote safe driving through advertising and enforcement, and we are encouraging people to buy the safest vehicles they can afford.
“In addition to investing in safer roads and roadsides and promoting safer driving and safer vehicles, lowering travel speeds on some of our high risk sections of road will help to reduce crashes and reduce the severity of those crashes that do occur. Even small reductions in speeds can greatly reduce the likelihood of a crash occurring and increase the chances of people surviving those crashes that do occur.
“The NZTA is improving basic features such as road markings and signage to help road users to identify and understand the speed limit. These changes have been made to better match speed limits to the safety features present on our roads and the mixture of road users. If a road is difficult to read, or if it carries a high level of community activity, and is used by pedestrians and cyclists, then it’s speed limit should reflect these conditions,” says Clark.
