Reader photo �� Opinion: Lowering the speed limit was a mistake

Maybe, one might not be aware that there has been no change in speed limits in New Zealand for around 50 - 60 years. When they were first increased was at a time when Pommy and Aussie cars abound, in the main, on our roads. That time also corresponded to when our accidents were at their highest.

Gradually, a newer fleet of cars from Japan entered, and along with the compulsory use of seat belts, New Zealand's accident and fatality rate was reduced by 500 per cent, from approximately 350 deaths per population, down to now 65 deaths per population. Which begs the question, why the need to reduce the overall open speed limit now, on some roads, by up to 20 per cent, i.e., 100kmph down to 80kmph?

Speed segregates traffic and creates conflict, these are the main cause of accidents.

This explains lower accident and fatality rates on multilane highways.

Then there is the conflict at intersections, which roundabouts help enormously to counter, though not when Marlborough Roads plants sight killing bushes or signs over them.

So what is the history behind an increase in the fatality rate between 2013 and 2018?

There was a consistent rise in fatalities from 2013 to 2018, caused in the main, by distraction from the new smart phones and aid- ed by the traffic police deciding to enforce a reduction of vehicle tolerance from 10 per cent to just 4 per cent at holiday times which caused a direct increase of holiday traffic fatalities between 1030 per cent.

Last Christmas, even with a 50 per cent decrease in traffic flow, the fatality rate increased by 30 per cent.

The same happened in Australia, when holiday double demerit points were applied.

As it is at last acknowledged that distraction is the main cause of accidents, why would one want to reduce speed limits, which only leads to more distractions?

Whereas older cars required total attention to driving, the newer ones almost drive themselves and therefore less effort is required to drive, and the more likely of a distraction.

Have you noticed that more newer vehicles are now being involved in accidents? This can be by way of inattentiveness, boredom and drowsiness, not to mention fiddling with the cars dash mounted tablet - more a defacto mobile.

Artificially low set speed limits cause frustration and lead to poor decision making.

Surely what is really required are higher open road speed limits that will lead to better alertness. Even a short burst of speed helps to reinvigorate a tired driver and remind them to slow down for bends, something of a national sport in New Zealand.

All of the overseas countries that the New Zealand roading authority hope to emulate have between 10 - 30 per cent higher speed limits. They also have fewer fatalities. Remember, the longer a given road trip the greater the chance of an accident. Stopping for a reviver has clearly been shown not to work.

Lastly, upon checking recent Marlborough accidents, most are locals. Over familiarity leads to inattentiveness and accidents.

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