Speed review for state highway between Blenheim and Nelson still not finalised
Tuesday, 28 January 2020
A decision on lowering the speed limit on the highway between Blenheim and Nelson has no date in sight.
NZTA wants to decrease the speed limit from 100kmh to 80kmh along parts of State Highway 6, saying lower speed limits save lives. In the 10 years before 2018, 20 people died and 92 were seriously injured in crashes on the highway.
The consultation period last year provoked heated discussion about whether lowering the speed limit was the best way to reduce deaths with many people saying it would have the opposite effect by creating impatience.
NZTA finished collecting public submissions in November, but said last week it was still too early to estimate when a decision would be made.
**READ MORE:
* Median barriers considered for parts of State Highway 6
* NZTA safe-speed calculator deems 100kmh appropriate
* It's not a vote, says NZTA, as SH6 petition collects 17,000 signatures
* Blenheim truckies slam plan to cut speed limit**
Kaikōura MP, National's Stuart Smith responded to the delay by suggesting the Government focus on upgrading roads and enforcing seatbelts instead of 'needlessly' trying to lower the speed limits.
'They are still working through the process. I just think it's ridiculous, and that they would be far better to put their emphasis on other things … if they really wanted to make a difference then enforce wearing seat belts,' he said.
'That would likely save more lives than lowering speed limits … people only respect the laws they can see a reason for. If they put a needlessly low speed limit on it will be ignored, and then we will have dangerous passing manoeuvres on that road.'
Smith said Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter, of the Green Party, was 'ideologically driven' rather than 'evidence driven', referring to her use of the phrase 'car fascist' as proof of her anti-motorist agenda.
In May last year, Genter tweeted calling drivers who opposed cycleway improvements in Wellington the 'car fascists'. She later said it wasn't the best choice of words.
We don’t need to change what people want. We need a few car fascists to stop opposing infrastructure that gives more people the option to walk, cycle or scoot safely if they wish. Especially because that benefits everyone, including those who want to drive.
— Julie Anne Genter (@JulieAnneGenter) May 16, 2019
Genter told Stuff on Friday the ministry received letters 'almost every day' from mayors, principals and parents asking for safer speeds through towns, outside their schools, and on the roads they live and drive on.
'That's why we're upgrading over 3300 kilometres of our most dangerous roads with rumble strips, crash barriers, and safer intersections.
'This is one part of our Road to Zero plan – a 10-year comprehensive plan that moves us towards a people-friendly road transport system.'
In January 2020, a NZTA spokesperson said the speed review had not yet been finalised.
NZTA top of the south system manager Andrew James said NZTA was 'finalising the analysis of submissions and technical safety data to be able to provide an outcome for this speed review and to then implement any changes'.
'As part of the speed review NZTA needs to complete numerous steps, which include a technical assessment, engagement with local community and stakeholders, and formal consultation,' he said.
'After these steps, if the decision is to change the speed limit, it needs to be gazetted in the NZ Gazette for the new speed limit to become legal.
'NZTA will also inform the community of the change, including when new signs will be installed, and when the new speed limit will come into effect.'