Minister touts 120kph speed limits
The government has announced plans to reverse blanket speed limit reductions introduced over the past four years and is seeking feedback on a new Land Transport Rule to implement those changes.
Simeon Brown, Minister of Transport, says the government wants to get rid of the blanket limits imposed by the previous Labour government by July 1, 2025, and is also open to lifting the limit to 120kph on some roads.
The draft speed limits rule is part of a National-Act coalition commitment to reverse blanket reductions.
They say the proposals will ensure that when speed limits are set, economic impacts – including travel times – and the views of road users and local communities are taken into account, alongside safety.
“The previous government’s untargeted approach slowed Kiwis and the economy down, rather than targeting high crash areas of the network,” Brown adds.
“Our draft speed limit rule will require speed limits that have been reduced since January 1, 2020, to be reversed on local streets, arterial roads, and state highways.
“It will also require variable speed limits outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times to keep young New Zealanders safe.”
Brown says the draft rule, which is now out for public consultation, will allow speeds of 110kph on new and existing roads of national significance that are built to a high safety standard.
He adds safe road infrastructure should enable higher speed limits, not slower ones.
“As part of consultation on the draft rule, the government is seeking feedback from New Zealanders on enabling speed limits of up to 120kph on roads of national significance that are built and maintained to safely accommodate that speed.”
The Green Party has criticised the government’s plans, warning they will come at the cost of community safety and lead to an increase in the annual road toll.
Julie Anne Genter, the party’s transport spokesperson, says unsafe speed limits result in a higher chance of crashes occurring and the risk of increasing limits outweigh the benefits.
“The government’s fixation with faster, more dangerous roads is the real ideological problem here,” she adds.
“It is high time evidence was prioritised over the shallow soundbite policy that has characterised the course of this government.
“If the government was serious about enhancing the efficiency of our transport network, it would invest in public transport, rail for people and freight as well as walking and cycling to ease congestion.”
For more details about the speed rule consultation document, or to provide feedback, visit www.transport.govt.nz. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, July 11.
