People from Mangatarata to Katikati are being asked to share their insights as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency continues to review speed limits on state highways around the region.
This year, State Highway 2, from the SH2/State Highway 25 Mangatarata roundabout in Hauraki to Katikati in Western Bay of Plenty, will be under the spotlight after being identified as roads where safer speed limits could make a big difference in preventing deaths and serious injuries.
Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships David Speirs says between 2010 and 2019, 21 people died and 95 were seriously injured on this road.
'We're working toward a future where no-one is killed or seriously injured in road crashes in Aotearoa New Zealand,” he says.
'Lots of change is needed to get us there but there is one thing we can do that will make a huge difference immediately - making speeds safer on our roads.
'The speed of a vehicle at impact is the single biggest factor that determines if you or someone you love walks away from a crash.”
Speirs says Waka Kotahi has heard concerns from people in the community about the speed people are travelling along this road and through the towns of Ngatea, Paeroa, Waihi and Katikati.
'Engaging with the community helps us get feedback and local knowledge on how people feel about current speeds in the area, including on roads around their local school, marae, business, or workplace.”
This information will feed into technical reviews to help determine if a speed limit change will improve safety and help shape new proposed speeds, which will then be formally consulted on.
'We'd like people to tell us about places that are hard to get to or from, how safe they feel crossing the highway or letting their children walk or cycle to school in certain areas, and if there are any other sites or information that we need to be especially aware of,” says Speirs.
'Reviewing speed limits is something we can do to prevent avoidable deaths and help us to achieve our Road to Zero target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by 40 per cent over the next 10 years.”
People can find out more about the speed reviews and have their say online or at a number of pop-up events being hosted by Waka Kotahi.
A map showing the current speed limits along SH2. Image: Waka Kotahi Transport Agency.
Pop-up event details:
-Fairview Country Club
34 Sharp Road, Aongatete (6 minutes from Katikati)
Thursday, March 25 - 4pm-6pm
-Woodturners Café
3815 State Highway 2, Mangatarata
Thursday, April 1 - 9am to midday
-L&P Café
2 Seymour Street, Paeroa
Thursday, April 1 - 2pm to 5pm
-Waihi RSA
71 Seddon Avenue, Waihi
Tuesday, April 6 - 2pm to 5pm.
Feedback closes at 5pm on Monday, April 26.
For any questions or queries, please contact [email protected]
For more information about the State Highway 2 Mangatarata to Katikati speed review, visit: https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh2sh25-mangatarata-to-katikati-speed-review/
For more information about the speed review process, visit: nzta.govt.nz/safety/nz-road-safety-strategy/safe-network-programme/speed-management/
For more information about Road to Zero, visit: nzta.govt.nz/safety/nz-road-safety-strategy/
6 comments
Road design
Posted on 23-03-2021 07:39 | By Kancho
Certainly there are sections of road everywhere where 100kph is pushing it . It's a maximum speed but many think it's the minimum speed or a challenge to keep up to. Interesting TCC announced speed changes for Tauranga roads a long time ago and yet nothing seems to have happened. It's odd that some council decisions seem to happen quite quickly and yet the speed on the mentioned roads hasn't changed. I know of two petitions over several years to reduce speed on Tauranga roads but no action ?
Bring back the 100k
Posted on 23-03-2021 08:26 | By hapukafin
Until the Police and NZTA accepts it that drivers cause accidents and changes need to be had in driver training and license testing and its not the road that moves and cause accidents.SH2 was nearly all 100kph AKL to Tauranga,it was a 2 hour trip,now its nearly 3hrs.On a recent trip I notice crash cables along a section of bank about a meter away from it,yet the next section of road the edge of the road drops off to a deep gully and there was no crash barrier..I dont understand the reason.
Getting beyond a joke!!
Posted on 23-03-2021 08:33 | By The Professor
This speed review thing that the Transport Agency and Councils are fixated on is getting beyond a joke!! There is nothing wrong with the current limits - it's the few moron drivers who shouldn't be on the roads who cause the accidents. When 'safer speed limits' are being referred to, presumably consideration will be given to raising the limit in some areas? Yeah right!!! I am a strong believer that lower limits add to fatigue and allow the minds of drivers to wander, thus making the roads more unsafe. As for the feedback - seriously........the decision has already been made to reduce the limits. Before any changes are made, the authorities need to review the effectiveness of the reductions already put in place between Katikati and Bethlehem, because it feels to me as if it hasn't made the slightest difference....we are still getting moron drivers causing accidents.
Ridiculous
Posted on 23-03-2021 12:25 | By Told you
The way these speed zones are done only fostered confusion in the motorists mind, you are not sure what speed area you are in and subsequently incur fines for speeding. A more uniform speed would be better.
Dumbing down............
Posted on 23-03-2021 21:17 | By groutby
.....more rules, confusion and social media....coming to a town near you soon ( if not already there!) ...beware of total stupidity from the masses !!..speed restrictions and barriers 'aint going to fix that!
Sensible speeds
Posted on 24-03-2021 08:47 | By Kancho
I am in favour of sections of road being signposted for lower speeds where road design or conditions warrant it. Sadly the bad drivers take no notice anyway as no matter what speed one is travelling tailgating and overtaking happens all the time. Just try going on Takitimu drive at 80 kpm and the bridge at 70
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