The Government’s Road to Zero road safety strategy is underdelivering on safety improvements and overdelivering on speed restrictions, says ACT transport spokesperson Simon Court.
Documents released to ACT through the Official Information Act show that the programme is failing on key objectives. The board’s quarterly report for the June 2022 quarter shows that Waka Kotahi aimed to have 1000km of median barriers installed by 2030. So far there have only been 67km, and the forecast is for 587km to be installed by 2030.
Court says this is in “stark contrast” to speed management targets with Waka Kotahi already surpassing its 10,000km target. “They’re on track to triple this by 2030,” he adds.
“The report states that lowering speed limits is the most rejected ‘safety initiative’ possible. They’re excelling in the one area that no one wants them to.
“Lowering speed limits causes immense frustration for motorists and reduces productivity. This report shows that Labour prioritises this over practical safety improvements.
“The report also states that many of its objectives are in such bad shape they’re considered unachievable, including proposed improvements to investment in infrastructure improvements, enhanced safety of foot paths and cycleways, higher safety standards for vehicles entering the fleet, and better road policing.
“Barring one, every objective listed is suffering from ‘significant issues’. The only priority that is considered to be on track is mandatory anti-lock braking systems for motorcycles, which have been in place since 1 November 2021,” Court says.
“ACT supports moves to lower the road toll – but that comes from better roading infrastructure, not slowing people down, causing frustration and putting further restrictions on businesses who have quite frankly put up with enough under this Government,” he says.
