A new Ministry of Transport report indicates the number of drivers travelling over the speed limit on both urban and open roads continues to fall.
It is welcome news to associate transport minister Craig Foss who says it’s particularly encouraging to see heavy vehicles moving slower in urban areas.
“The speed limit is not a target, it’s the maximum safe speed, assuming fine conditions and no other hazards or distractions,” says Foss.
“The Ministry’s annual speed survey shows drivers are choosing to travel slower, especially in urban areas where there are more vulnerable road users, including cyclists and pedestrians,” he says.
“Over the last decade, the proportion of cars travelling over the speed limit on urban roads has dropped from 63 to 46%, while the percentage of vehicles travelling over the speed limit on open roads has dropped from 32 to 23%,” says Foss.
“No matter what causes a crash, a driver’s decision to travel at a certain speed directly affects the force of impact, and, therefore, the result of the crash,” he says.
“Driving within the limit will help ensure drivers keep themselves, their passengers and other road users safe,” says Foss.
The latest report is available at: http://www.transport.govt.nz/research/roadsafetysurveys/speedsurveys
