Rural Women New Zealand has urged the government to factor in the quality of country roads before making any decisions on amending speed limits for vehicles.
In its submission to Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport (MOT) on the Setting of Speed Limits 2024, RWNZ said any cost benefit analysis must determine if roads have been maintained to a standard that will accommodate changes to speeds safely.
“Alongside the quality of rural roads, gradients, road widths and curves also need to be considered when setting appropriate speed limits,” the submission says.
“Logically it would follow that the roading network needs to be repaired significantly before increasing speed limits safely. We would advocate that speeds should be reduced for roads in poor condition.”
The analysis “should also factor in robust ongoing maintenance to support any additional anticipated maintenance as a result of increased speed”.
In December, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced that speed limit rules will be amended and the Minister of Transport released the draft Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024 (the draft Speed Rule) for public consultation with submissions closed on July 11.
RWNZ said it is important to keep in mind many rural roads do not have footpaths, berms or verges and often lack cycleways, lighting or signage.
It also questioned the irregular maintenance of rural roads in addition to their inconsistent quality.
“When combined with inappropriate speeds, unsafe driving behaviours, poor signage and a diverse range of road users, these issues can lead to serious injuries and fatalities in rural regions.”
RWNZ said it would also like to see the government run a campaign to ensure New Zealanders are aware of the speed limits in rural school areas and when passing buses, due to concern that many people do not know the speed limit is 20km/h.
“RWNZ has been requesting signs on school buses warning passing drivers to travel at 20km/h if the bus is stationary. We have also been asking for all school buses in rural areas to have flashing lights activated by the driver when the bus is slowing to drop off or pick up children.”
This has been trialled, yet national usage has not been made mandatory, it said.
Federated Farmers highlighted speed limits in its submission to the Ministry of Transport in September last year.
While it acknowledged the challenge to bring down the road toll and did not disagree with the objective of attempting to ensure safer use of the roading network, it disagreed with moves by Waka Kotahi and local authorities to both reduce speed limits and install “impractical” safety measures that reduce the functionality of parts of the roading network.
“We are aware of instances where median barriers are proposed along stretches of state highway that significantly extend travel times and make it near impossible for necessary farm vehicles to travel along them safely.
“This demonstrates an implied preference by road controlling authorities to take the easy or cheaper route of affecting how road users use the roading network, rather than instead ensuring the roading network is fit for purpose for road users,” the submission said.
“It remains our preference that roading infrastructure be improved before considering further road safety measures that reduce the functionality of rural roads and bridges.”
