AA says speed limit on approaches to Waterview Tunnel should rise to 100kmh

Monday, 16 October 2017

The AA says the speed limit approaching Auckland's Waterview Tunnel should be raised to 100kmh.

In the first six weeks after it opened, $1 million in fines were issued to 10,000 motorists caught speeding inside the $1.4 billion tunnel, which has a speed limit of 80kmh.

The approaches to the Waterview Tunnel have a variable speed limit of a maximum of 80kmh.

The Automobile Association believes sections approaching the tunnel, which were formerly 100kmh, may be contributing to the number of people getting pinged once inside.

The $1 million in fines equates to around $22,000 in revenue per day, far surpassing former 'top ticketer' the Ngauranga Gorge in Wellington, which generates an average of around $6000 worth of infringements daily.

* Wellington's Ngauranga Gorge speed camera reclaims title as NZ's top ticketer**

Motorists caught speeding in the Waterview Tunnel generated $1 million in revenue in just six weeks after opening.

AA Infrastructure and Auckland Transport spokesperson Barney Irvine said it's likely that motorists are still getting used to the new layouts surrounding the Waterview Tunnel.

'Part of the issue is there are sections of the motorway near the tunnel that were previously 100km, people will still be adjusting to the new speed limit.'

The AA says wide sections of motorway approaching the tunnel may be causing some motorists to believe the speed limit is 100kmh.

Irvine dismissed suggestions the cameras were an example of revenue-gathering by police.

'Police aren't trying to trick anyone,' he said.

Wellington's Ngauranga Gorge used to be the 'top ticketer' on New Zealand's roads. Not anymore.

However, the Association is lobbying for performance reviews of speed camera sites.

'The reviews should be carried out by an independent body to figure out what an appropriate infringement rate is. It would help us see if there are too many tickets being issued.'

Irvine said the Association has no issue with the speed limit inside the tunnel being 80kmh because it complies with international standards.

'The consequences of a crash in a tunnel are dire but we think the speed limit approaching the tunnel should be 100kmh.'

Irvine believes part of the problem is the section of motorway approaching the tunnel is wide and straight, which makes it look like motorists may drive at 100kmh.

'It's the natural speed of the road and that's a problem that should be addressed.'

Last week NZTA released data that showed the Waterview tunnel had on average one traffic incident a day in its first three months of operation.

From 96 documented incidents, three quarters were recorded as either breakdowns or a vehicle stopping in the tunnel.

An average 60,000 vehicles use the tunnel each day.