Second phase of speed limit changes comes into effect

In News2 MinutesBy NZ Trucking magazineJuly 1, 2022

The second phase of speed limit changes for Tāmaki Makaurau has come into effect, and will continue until 28 July 2022.

The changes follow positive results from Auckland Transport’s first safe speeds phase in 2020.

“Where speeds were changed on 30 June 2020, we saw a 47 percent reduction in deaths (on the roads with changes) and more than a 15 percent reduction in serious injuries (on the roads with changes),” AT said

The speed limit changes on more than 800 roads in Auckland are part of AT’s safe speeds programme – to reduce the number of people getting seriously injured or killed on the road.

Two out of every three serious injuries on Auckland’s roads are happening to people outside vehicles. In phase two, 57 Auckland schools will have a 30kph safe speed on surrounding streets.

“New Zealand’s road death statistics place us near the bottom when compared to other countries. The research shows that more than 70 percent of fatal crashes in Auckland involve speeding,” said AT’s executive general manager of safety, Stacey van der Putten.

“It’s really simple – the higher the speed, the more likely it is that you’ll die or be seriously injured in a crash. We have irrefutable international evidence that safe speeds saves lives.”

“I encourage all Aucklanders to put human life and safety above all else, including getting somewhere quicker – which most of the time is only a matter of seconds.”

The phase two speed limit changes were publicly consulted on from September to November 2021.