National wants to stop speed limit reductions, starts petition

The New Zealand National Party has launched a petition to put an end to Waka Kotahi’s Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan which proposes to reduce speed limits on State Highways across the country.

If imposed, the plan will see the agency slash speed limits on some stretches of highway from 100km/h to 60km/h.

According to National’s Transport spokesperson Simeon Brown, the plan is a “short-sighted, quick-fix attempt” at addressing the problem of road safety.

The reductions are a part of Waka Kotahi’s Road to Zero campaign which seems to be having little effect following last weekend’s six deaths on our roads. 

The fact of the matter remains, speed limit reductions can only go so far while road conditions and driver skill are left by the wayside.

Brown also says the proposal is the possible first step towards reducing the maximum speed limit to 80km/h on all State Highways.

“Blanket speed limit reductions will increase travel times for Kiwis, increase the costs of moving freight, and frustrate motorists trying to move around the country,” said Brown.

“Kiwis need both safe and efficient transport routes, especially for our rural communities and the freight companies that help move our goods around New Zealand.”

It’s not just happening on our highways either as Auckland Transport recently announced it will be changing the speed limit on over 1600 roads throughout the city, costing $33 million.

National want to encourage New Zealanders to speak up against Waka Kotahi’s proposal by signing its petition here.