The Transportation Group of Engineering New Zealand is concerned that increasing speed limits could pose a risk to public safety and is asking that Government consider how we can make our roads safer.
Many New Zealand roads by 1st July will have their speed limit increased back to previous speed limits, in line with Government’s new Speed Limits Rule.
Transportation Group Chair Mark Gregory noted that when the speed limits were previously lowered, assessments were done that took into account a range of factors including the likelihood and consequence of injury. This assessment was scientific in process and resulted in safer limits that reduced the potential for crashes and the likelihood of harm in the crashes that did happen.
“We are concerned that this assessment has not been redone and has not informed the upcoming increase in speed limits on some roads. Therefore, we believe that the risks associated with these increases were not adequately considered in the Speed Rule.”
The Group is also wary that decisions informing speed limit changes have been primarily informed by opt-in public vote on a case-by-case basis for State Highways, and by direct instruction from the Government for Local Authority roads.
“Although our roads should service the needs and wants of the public, putting speed limits to a public vote and Government direction while prohibiting any other professional assessment is not a process we support,” says Gregory.
With these changes set to roll out, the Group is asking that Government work to make roads safer on the basis of scientific evidence and good practice. The Group acknowledges that speed limit increases are appropriate and beneficial in some cases with accompanying engineering measures, but any changes to speed limit should be based on comprehensive risk assessment.
As a specific example, the speed limits of SH6 between Nelson and Blenheim were lowered to 60-90km/h in 2020, and a 70% reduction in deaths and serious injuries has been observed since. Under the new Rule, the speed limits will be raised back to 100km/h.
The Group recommends that the potential safety implications of reverting speed limits back should be closely monitored.
ENDS
Founded in 1956, the Transportation Group is a ‘technical interest group’ of Engineering New Zealand, consisting of 1,400 transportation professionals, including Chartered Professional Transport Engineers and Planners. The Group continues to serve a leading function in the development of good practice and standards.