Editorial: Rural speed limits

OPINION: The notion of cutting speed limits on roads in rural areas might not appeal to people who pass through occasionally during the holiday season but it makes a lot of sense to those who live alongside built-up parts of country roads.

It is encouraging to see the Tasman District Council recognising this in its proposal to reduce speed limits on a long list of roads in the Golden Bay, Motueka, Mapua, Wakefield, St Arnaud and Murchison districts.

It is appropriate that the main focus is on Golden Bay, where the roads are often less than ideal for the traffic volumes experienced over the peak summer season and where visitors, often unfamiliar with New Zealand driving conditions, are drawn throughout the year. The move is somewhat belated recognition that what was once a sleepy corner of New Zealand – and still is for much of the year – is now subject to traffic volumes that pose as many dangers as can be found in more populous areas and, when rural speed limits are taken into account, sometimes even greater risk.

The growth of settlements across the district, combined with changes in land use, lifestyle, recreation and leisure pursuits continues to blur the line between town and country. It is a trend that won't be halted, and it is accompanied by improvements to the vehicle fleet that have put high speed in everyone's reach and made driving to the speed limit – or slightly above it – an almost universal expectation. Any small inconvenience to road users will be outweighed by the enhanced safety and reduced noise that residents along the affected stretches of road will experience when the changes are made.

Golden Bay residents are reportedly supportive of the proposed changes, and continue to agitate for a reduction of the speed limit on the Onekaka stretch of State Highway 60 where a teenager was killed in an accident last year. Such changes can also be contemplated for urban roads. Wellington City Council is looking at dropping the speed limit from 50kmh to 30kmh in 21 suburban areas. A pedestrian has a 95 per cent chance of survival if struck by a car travelling at 30kmh, 58 per cent if the vehicle is travelling at 50kmh and little chance of living through a 70kmh collision. Is it time for Nelson to follow the capital's example?

- © Fairfax NZ News

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