A bylaw that has the potential to save dozens of lives received 11,007 submissions.
This proposal is to reduce speeds on high-risk roads around the region, 90% in rural areas. Auckland Transport chief executive Shane Ellison says Auckland is facing a road safety crisis.
Since 2014, we have seen a 78% increase in deaths and 68% increase in serious injuries on roads. Yesterday, on 1 April nine people died in three crashes.
“The old adage that speed kills, is absolutely and tragically true. Lowering speeds and working with police to enforce those limits is a proven tool internationally to be one of the easiest and most effective interventions available.”
Ellison is impressed with the number of submissions from large organisations, such as District Health Boards, universities and school Board of Trustees, the AA, Victim Support and Local Boards.
Auckland Transport are invested in making our roads and roadsides safer. They will work with education and outreach programmes and work closely with New Zealand Police to enforce.
Ellison says they have received submissions from people wanting their local street or neighbourhood to have speeds lowered. It shows that the public is concerned about road safety, and while this is not the focus of the proposal, Ellison says this will be taken into account in the future.
The speed limit changes will commence in August this year should the proposal go through.
