Appetite for a 110km/h speed limit

An AA report on attitudes to speed found the number of members who want to increase the open road speed limit to 110kmh has reached a strong majority.

Support for increasing the speed limit on top-rated motorways has risen steadily since 2013, from 44 per cent of members to 71 per cent.


More and more drivers are wanting to see an increase in the open speed limit.

The report was compiled from a number of AA member surveys and polls over the past four years.

A 110kmh limit has been considered for more than a year for motorways built as part of the Government's Roads of National Significance programme.

The roads that could qualify would be flat, straight, have at least two lanes in each direction, a median barrier and good shoulder space.

The AA's findings showed people wanted to go faster where it was safe to do so, says AA motoring affairs general manager Mike Noon.

"What our members are saying is they want speeds which are consistent and fair.

"If that road has higher inbuilt safety, then it's fair that road gets a higher limit."

The proposed 110kmh speed limit was about as fast as many people could imagine themselves driving, the report found.

AA asked members how fast they would go if there were no speed limits. Men would go as fast as 115kmh, while woman peaked at 105kmh.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says the Government is still open to the idea of a 110kmh speed limit.

"But only on the country's best motorways being built as part of the Roads of National Significance programme.

"Ministers are currently considering advice from officials on speed limits. No decisions have been made."

Seven roads are identified under the programme, including the Wellington Northern Corridor from Levin to Wellington Airport.

Meanwhile, drivers' appetite for lowering the urban speed limit is rapidly waning.

The report found opposition to having an urban speed limit of 40kmh rose from 46 to 70 per cent between 2013 and 2015.

Mike says the tougher attitudes towards lowering the speed limit might be linked to more chatter around the idea.

"People are getting more aware that there may be some speed limit changes, and to me [the opposition to it] means we need to do a better job of explaining good reasons why speed limits need to be changed, if they do need to be changed, so the public can understand."

He also says people were opposed to blanket speed reductions on urban roads, but would be open to taking it community by community.

You may also like....

11 comments

Yeah

Posted on 25-08-2015 07:48 | By Kenworthlogger

Again We lag behind the rest of the western world.


Minority

Posted on 25-08-2015 08:48 | By Towball

You will always get inconsistent speeds on all roads with a percentage of people who are oblivious to all other road users. These are the people who need to be targeted. Majority of people manage to self regulate to all road conditions. Better cars now than ever & drivers worse than ever does not make sense.


?

Posted on 25-08-2015 09:24 | By Capt_Kaveman

Police people who hog the right lane at 80kph, 40kph in urban? at schools yeah but main urban routes some could goto 60pkh


Great news

Posted on 25-08-2015 10:52 | By mutley

This is very good news and makes complete sense. These new roads are very safe at 110 km/h and/or higher speeds. Higher speeds are common place overseas. Just need our drivers and cars to improve to the same standard as the roads.


Common Sense

Posted on 25-08-2015 12:58 | By carpedeum

Having just used the Tauranga Eastern Link for the first time- this REALLY makes sense to lift speed limit up to (at least) 110 kph Well done all round. A GREAT asset to the region- Hope the other Roads of National Significance are as successful - great Governmental planning around this !!!


Overit

Posted on 25-08-2015 15:51 | By overit

Sorry I don't agree. If the limit is set at 110kmh, silly people will push their speed out to 120kmh. Whats the bloody hurry anyway.


Stop the hand wringing...

Posted on 25-08-2015 16:12 | By Alex Wills

All this silly hand wringing over a measly 10km/h increase on a road where people would be doing at least 150km/h overseas. Get over it already, stop believing your own nonsense propaganda and give these new motorways a sensible speed increase to at least 130km/h. Then there would be some useful time savings on these toll roads and people would feel they were getting value for money.


speed

Posted on 25-08-2015 16:37 | By dumbkof2

can someone please explain to me this obsession with speed. I quite happily travel at 95 to 100 and get to my destination just as quick and not stressed out like the speeders. Also its easier on the vehicles and saves petrol.The speed should stay at 100 and no tolerence, thats the law. If i was to break into a shop there is no tolerence so the same should apply to traffic rules


WOW

Posted on 25-08-2015 17:24 | By NZgirl

110Kph won't even let the Delorean DMC get back to the future. Thats 142 Kph or 1.21 gigawatts!


Time and place

Posted on 25-08-2015 17:31 | By Mel Function

I can see a place for it on expressways and motorways, in good conditions. but the majority of NZ roads, especially the Coromandel Peninsula, you're lucky to even get over 50k.


But what about

Posted on 25-08-2015 20:52 | By s83cruiser

the revenue stream.???? it would dry up if we were able to use the road at the speed they were designed for...We have 2015 quality roads in the TEL and we are doing speed which was restricted in the 80's as a fuel conservation measure when the world was going to run out of oil. What next? Carless days back again. The whole BS about speed kills is propaganda sold to us all to be used as an excuse to fine anyone 4 kms over an archaic speed restriction. Speed doesn't kill it's the nuts behind the wheel that kill.


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.