In an effort to save lives and reduce serious injuries, the NZ Transport Agency is reviewing speed limits on State Highway 1 between Taupō Airport and Motuoapa.
Acting Director of Regional Relationships Ross I’Anson says no matter what causes a crash, speed can be the difference between walking away or being carried away; we want to make this route safer for everyone that uses it.
There has been 226 crashes on this stretch of road between 2009 and 2018. Eight people have died, and 30 people have been seriously injured.
“Every death and serious injury has a devastating effect on families, whānau, friends and communities. We want to make this stretch of road safer now so that everyone that uses it can get where they are going safely.”
“As well as the devastation caused, crashes on this route can cause extensive delays and long detours if there are road closures, says Mr I’Anson.
The many different users of this route and the nature of the road means current speed limits may no longer be safe.
“This is a beautiful part of the country which many people come to enjoy throughout the year, and the mix of pedestrians, cyclists, tourists, trucks, buses, campervans and people towing boats and trailers can create safety issues for everyone.
“There are also winding parts of the route with steep drop offs and a number of places where people pull on and off the state highway,” says Mr I’Anson.
The Transport Agency is encouraging people to provide feedback on how they use this road, what their safety concerns are, and their thoughts on the current and proposed speed limits.
“Locals know their roads, so we want to talk to people who live, work and travel along this route; we’ve heard from residents in Motuoapa, Waitahanui and Te Rangiita that speeds feel too high to be safe,” says Mr I’Anson.
This speed review is part of the Safe Network Programme – a $1.4b programme delivering safety improvements on high-risk routes across New Zealand to make roads more forgiving of people’s mistakes. The programme focuses on safe roads and roadsides, safe and appropriate speeds, and safe rail level crossings.
Feedback opens on 5 September and closes at 5.00pm on 27 September 2019 and can be provided by:
Feedback will inform the final proposals which will then be formally consulted on and the public will have another chance to have their say then.
Information on the proposed changes and a map is available at: nzta.govt.nz/waikato-speed-reviews
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