Too much speed is one of the biggest killers on our roads. People die every year in Aotearoa in speed-related crashes.
Remember, the faster you go, the more likely you are to be killed or seriously injured if you crash.
You can ride at any speed under or equal to the limit, provided:
ImportantSpeed-limit changes take effect at the sign post. Before reaching the speed-limit sign, make sure you:
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If you're travelling slower than the speed limit and there are vehicles following you, you must:
Don’t speed up on straight stretches of road to prevent following vehicles from passing you.
A speed limit is the maximum legal speed that you can travel on the road under good conditions. Signs showing the speed limit are displayed beside the road. These signs usually have a red border, which means that the sign is compulsory.
You may ride slower than the speed limit shown, but you must be considerate towards any vehicles behind you.
You must ride slower than the limit if conditions make the speed limit shown unsafe.
Some examples of speed signs are shown below.
These signs mean that the maximum speed that you can travel at is 100km/h. When following other vehicles, remember that heavy vehicles and light vehicles towing trailers have lower speed limits and you may have to adjust your speed.
The signs below mean that you're coming up to a crash, breakdown, fire or other emergency. Slow down and ride at 20km/h or less until you have passed the emergency site.
These signs are displayed on school buses. If a school bus has stopped, you must slow down and ride at 20km/h or less:
No matter which way you’re coming from, you must ride at under 20km/h until you’re well past the bus.
ImportantIf a driver or rider exceeds a permanent posted speed limit by more than 40km/h, there's an automatic 28-day licence suspension. If a driver or rider exceeds a temporary speed limit by more than 50km/h, there's an automatic 28-day licence suspension. |
Active school speed limit signs are turned on before and after school, and at other times there’s activity associated with the school.
The sign on the left indicates the start of the school speed limit. If either 30 or 40 km/h is visible the red ring will flash, indicating the maximum speed past the school until the school speed limit ends.
The sign on the right will be on the side road.
These signs warn you that you're coming up to a tight curve or bend in the road. The number recommends a safe and comfortable speed to ride at around the curve – in this example, the recommended speed is 35km/h. The arrows show which direction the curve goes.
Variable speed signs are used to manage traffic congestion and you need to adjust your speed to the speed shown.
These speed limit signs can be used at beaches or rivers. If pedestrians are present, the speed limit is 30km/h. If there are no pedestrians, the speed limit is 60km/h.