A 110km/h speed limit is set to be introduced on some New Zealand roads, and the Tauranga Eastern Link may well be one of them.
The TEL, Transmission Gully motorway being constructed north of Wellington, the soon-to-be-open Kapiti Expressway, the Waikato Expressway and the Northern Gateway toll road north of Auckland are also candidates for the new speed limit.
Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says a new Speed Management Guide released today will modernise New Zealand's approach to managing speed and enable a limit of 110km/h on some roads.
'The Speed Management Guide combines a wide range of information to help councils, the New Zealand Transport Agency and other road controlling authorities decide where and when to make safety improvements or changes to speed limits.
'New Zealand roads are unique and conditions vary from towns to cities, north to south. The Guide strongly encourages community involvement as local knowledge and perspectives, backed by the information and data provided in the Guide, will help ensure the best possible safety results.”
Changes made under the Guide may include altering road design, lowering speed limits, or in certain circumstances, raising them.
'To be eligible for a 110 km/h limit, a road will have to meet very strict conditions, including having a median barrier, at least two lanes in each direction and no direct access to neighbouring properties.
'New Zealand's road toll is much, much too high. The Guide, developed as part of the Government's Safer Journeys road safety strategy, is about ensuring all road authorities are making sound, evidence-based decisions with an emphasis on safety,” says Craig.
'The Government is investing heavily to make the country's roads safer. This includes over $11 billion for seven roads of national significance and $212 million for 13 important regional road projects.
'We have also significantly increased our investment in road safety, with about $550 million more in the National Land Transport Programme than three years ago.”
The Speed Management Guide will replace the speed setting guidance in the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2003. Consultation on the changes will begin in early 2017.
For more information: www.transport.govt.nz/land/safety
11 comments
Re: Variable speed limits.
Posted on 10-11-2016 14:10 | By Pamaxx
Its great to see the Govt taking a more realistic approach to NZ's road speed limits. Can I suggest Govt utilise existing technology, introduce more solar powered speed controlling road signs which are sensitive to changing weather/road conditions and also to traffic density to better inform motorists to adjust their speed and following distance to suit the prevailing conditions. Investment in intelligent road signs does induce motorists to take more care and drive to the conditions. Max Lewis. Mt Maunganui
Speed
Posted on 10-11-2016 15:25 | By roseh
Thats fine but what happens when they go over that ?Most places already when you stick to the 100k's most others fly past.So just encouraging some people to go faster still.
Average speed cameras
Posted on 10-11-2016 15:39 | By yikes61
The use of these cameras will reduce the number of idiots hell bent on using the roads as a racetrack. Why is NZ so far behind in moving forward (One for Bridges?)
.
Posted on 10-11-2016 16:31 | By whatsinaname
how do speed cameras reduce the speed vehicles travel. I dont agree with increasing the speed limit. 110 will turn into 120 or more. .
What a dumb idea
Posted on 10-11-2016 17:23 | By Angel74
hardly anyone drives to the speed limit as it is, they go much faster so why increase the speed........ maybe police should carry spades, to scrape people off the road after crashing at a out of control speed.
New Zealanders
Posted on 10-11-2016 17:44 | By Kenworthlogger
Looks like most kiwis are still in the stone age when it comes to speed. If you dont want to do 110 kmh then dont do it. Simple.
Good Speed
Posted on 10-11-2016 18:53 | By Tauranga Local
I travel along either the Eastern Link or Waikato Expressway twice a week, and 100kph is just too slow. These are good quality roads (Well as good as NZ engineers can build) and lend themselves to having an increase. To say that because the limit is increased to 110kph, then people will naturally go faster is ridiculous, if people want to go fast, they will. For all of those people who are critical of the increase. Can you all honestly say you stick to the 50kph or 100kph EVERY time or do you find that you might do the odd sneaky, over the limit?
Great news
Posted on 10-11-2016 21:47 | By mutley
Finally some sensible thinking regarding speed limits. These roads would have much higher speed limits in USA, Europe and Australia. Now we need to focus on getting some world class drivers. The next improvement should be to eliminate passing on the left BUT making hogging the right hand lane an offence. In civilised countries it is the law to use the inside lane unless you need to overtake. Dawdling along in the outside lane, sanctimoniously blocking the flow of traffic should be illegal and punished.
speeder
Posted on 11-11-2016 07:55 | By dumbkof2
yes make it 110 and no tolerance. exceed 110 and expect a ticket and fine of $100 for every k over that
Highway max speeds same for all
Posted on 11-11-2016 09:00 | By Murray.Guy
If safety is the first consideration then the FIRST change should be to increase the maximum speed limit for heavy vehicles from 90kph to 100kph. If a vehicle is considered unsafe at 100kph then the NZTA must put in place requirements to 'make it safe' or remove it. I have absolutely no doubt that the 90kph maximum speed is a significant contributor to road tragedies as frustration and impatience influences irresponsible behaviour, poor passing choices. Professional drivers will drive to the conditions, within the capability of their vehicle and load. To have a mostly consistent maximum speed of 100kph must reduce confusion and enhance safety. Is the potential few minutes time saving worth the increase in fuel consumption, the increase in accident severity? I doubt it.
Totally agree with you on this Murray
Posted on 16-11-2016 11:59 | By Kenworthlogger
In Australia heavy vehicles are allowed to do the same speed as cars but then they are a way more advanced country then ours......
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