FEATURE
The Taupo side of SH5 remains at 100km/h but the 76km section from Rangataiki to Esk Valley now has a blanket 80km/h speed limit.
The Big Slow Down
By Colin Smith
IN THE FACE OF VOCAL OPPOSITION, THE 80KM/H SPEED LIMIT for the Rangataiki to Eskdale section of State Highway 5 came into force on February 18, slowing the traffic flow and freight movements on a major North Island route. The lower speed limit for the 76km stretch of highway wasn’t supported by the majority of formal submissions received during last year’s engagement and consultation process. And that Waka Kotahi NZTA process has been heavily criticised by many who are directly affected by the change. And even the SH5 Napier-to-Taupo Speed Review Summary published by Waka Kotahi NZTA in November 2021 reveals there was limited support for an across-the-board reduction in the speed limit. It did confirm support for reduced speeds at certain sections of SH5 and many submissions highlighted the need for improved maintenance, signage and police enforcement on the highway which links Taupo and Hawke’s Bay. Among the groups to signal they did not support the change were the Road Transport Forum (prior to becoming Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting NZ), the Road Transport Association, the Automobile Association and Gisborne District Council (in a joint submission) and both the Hastings District Council and Napier City Council. The MP for Napier Stuart Nash and MP for Tukituki Anna Lorck made a joint submission expressing support in general for the proposal but also seeking improvements for the highway. They also stated they were disappointed the proposal was being fast-tracked without critical public engagement. Several submissions questioned the accuracy of NZTA accident statistics for SH5. For many transport operators the new speed limit which came into force on February 18 is reducing the efficiency of modern trucks,
creating scheduling issues and bringing concerns that frustrated motorists will make poor decisions while attempting to overtake trucks. Bryan Smith, director of Self Loader Logging which operates logging trucks daily on SH5 says the changes will affect the productivity of his trucks and could mean more hours on the road for his drivers. But his main concern is the blanket 80km/h speed limit doesn’t address the main issues on SH5. “The road is my workplace and the workplace for my staff. We are out there every day, and every day we see people who lack good skills and decision-making ability who are doing meat head things on the road,” Smith says. “All of my trucks have cameras in them, so we see it every day. I fully support Greg Murphy and his views about driver education. “The NZTA approach is an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. I’d like to see all of the $1.5million I pay every year in Road User Charges going toward maintaining and improving the roads,” says Smith. “You can’t say speed isn’t a factor but it’s only a factor if you crash. I’m concerned that NZTA seem to think speed is the only factor.” Smith says the recent “Stay Alive on 5” campaign with an increased Police presence and enforcement proved effective in improving safety on the Napier-Taupo highway “Last year, when the police were allowed to do their job and they had a regular presence on the road, nobody was killed. What does that tell you? As for the consultation process, Smith calls it “an absolute joke.” “They [NZTA] had 100% made up their minds before the so-called Truck & Driver | 71
