Why did you have to set new speed limits?
Now the Christchurch Southern Motorway stage 2 project is nearing completion and the new Dawsons Road Roundabout up and running, a safe and appropriate speed limit of 80km/h will be implemented to fit the new road layout. This is the most appropriate speed to balance safety and the efficient movement of people through this corridor.
The lower speed limit will create consistency with speed limits on side roads and will help to regulate the speed of traffic travelling off the new motorway and into Templeton township. Speed also increases both the likelihood of crashes and the severity of crash outcomes, regardless of what caused the crash. Lowering speed limits on the road will make it more forgiving of human error so simple mistakes don’t cost lives.
When will the Dawsons Road roundabout be completed?
Construction of the new Dawsons Road roundabout is complete and the roundabout is up and running. The Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2 Project is expected to be fully completed early 2021.
Why does the new motorway change this stretch of road?
Significant changes to road layouts, such as building a new motorway, changes the driving environment of surrounding roads. The new roundabout being built as part of the Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2 Project creates a new road layout at the south-eastern end of the SH1 highway corridor to Templeton and a changed traffic environment in which people will be travelling. As a result, we have examined the new environment and determined the speed limit needs to come down. In addition, local knowledge and experience of using this road gave us very useful information and we value the feedback sent in from residents and regular users of this road, which helped reaffirm our assessment. To ensure the speed is safe and appropriate, we’re implementing a new permanent speed limit of 80km/h.
In other words, this road will no longer look and feel like a road you should be travelling 100km/h on – an 80km/h speed limit will feel much more appropriate.
Why was this speed review consulted on over the holiday period?
We want to ensure everyone had a chance to have their say on the proposed new permanent speed limit for this stretch of state highway. We also want to ensure the safe and appropriate speed is in place before the completion of the Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2 Project.
To give enough time to hear back from the local community, we consulted on the proposed new permanent speed limit from 16 December 2020 until Monday 1 February 2021. Because consultation coincided with the holidays, we extended the feedback period from four to six weeks, to ensure everyone had a chance to have their say.
Did you engage with the local community before consultation?
Because this speed review is so closely aligned with the construction of the Southern Motorway and temporary speed limits have been in place regularly for at least the past two years anyway, the engagement period is shorter than a typical formal speed review. Public consultation on the new speed limit was open for six weeks between Wednesday 16 December 2020 and Monday 1 February 2021. This was done to ensure everyone had a chance to have their say on the new speed limit.
What about the northbound passing lane at the south-eastern end of this corridor?
The existing passing lane will remain in place with the new permanent speed limit.
We will be monitoring the passing lane for speed compliance, speeds while overtaking, and the number of passing vehicles after the new speed limit comes into effect.
Local police will be in the area on the day the new speed comes into effect and for a while after to help remind drivers of the new limit.
Why are you not changing the speed limit through the Templeton township?
Speed review areas are prioritised nationally by the greatest potential for reducing deaths and serious injuries. Templeton is lower on the list so may be reviewed at a later date; however, it is not included in the scope of this project.
What speed are you implementing?
A new permanent speed limit of 80km/h, reduced from 100km/hr, will take effect on this stretch of road from Wednesday 24 February 2021.
How did you decide on the new permanent speed?
We carried out a technical assessment of the route to help determine what the right speed should be – and how it lines up with the current speed limit.
We looked at the average speed vehicles are travelling on the road, the number of vehicles a day using the road, what is happening around the road in terms of housing, development, businesses, and other activity on the road.
We believe the speed we are implementing is safe and appropriate and will help create a consistent speed environment that makes sense to drivers.
How does speed affect road safety?
Speed can be the difference between a correctable mistake and a fatal error. Every extra km/h increases the likelihood of someone having a crash. Regardless of what causes a crash, speed always plays a part.
As a vehicle’s speed increases:
- the distance needed to stop increases
- there is a greater probability the driver will be unable to react in time if there is an unexpected change in road conditions
- there is a greater chance other road users will misjudge how fast that vehicle is travelling.
The severity of injuries resulting from a crash is directly related to the impact speed of the vehicle – whether speeding was a factor in the crash, or not.
How many crashes have there been on this stretch of SH1?
Speed related crash statistics information are available for this corridor; however, the new road layout changes the environment to make it safer, making past crash data redundant. Crash data collection at this location will recommence once construction of the motorway is complete and fully operational.
When will the new speeds be in place?
The new permanent speed limit will take effect on Wednesday 24 February 2021.
Find out more about the process for deciding speed limits(external link)
Why wasn’t this speed review done earlier?
Changing speed limits is a legal process and all speed reviews are developed and delivered in line with the Speed Management Guide and the Setting of Speed Limits Rule. We are doing a number of speed reviews around the country which are coordinated and prioritised
The Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2 project has had challenges which have affected construction timeframes, including COVID restrictions timing with the onset of winter. (Favourable temperatures and weather conditions are critical when laying new pavement.)
Sometimes it isn’t possible to coordinate all aspects of a complex process within a major construction project.
The good news is, the southern motorway is catching up on delays and the fully completed Dawsons roundabout is helping to reduce traffic speeds through the corridor in the meantime.
Why is the speed limit not being lowered to 70km/h?
When reviewing speed limits, we carefully consider the credibility of any new speed limit. Compliance is greatest when people perceive the speed limit to be consistent with the road’s function, design, safety risk and use, and is therefore judged to be justified and credible.
A 70km/h speed limit between Templeton and Dawsons Road would be difficult to implement due to the road environment in this rural section. In Templeton township, the road environment is different and appears more urban. The average operating speeds are less than 70km/h, which suggests good levels of compliance.
Will there be improvements to the SH1 Kirk Road intersection?
A level crossing upgrade at Kirk Road is proposed for 2021 to improve safety at this site. This upgrade will redirect trucks away from this crossing point to an official heavy vehicle route.
When will the Templeton cycleway be completed?
Christchurch City Council has plans for the South Express cycleway in this area.
South Express cycleway construction information(external link)
