Confusion over blank speed signs

By CHRIS HARROWELL

Blanked out speed limit signs on roads across east Auckland are causing confusion but the agency responsible says it’s followed the correct process.

Auckland Transport (AT) announced last year that following a public consultation period, it was reducing the speed limits on 1600 roads in the city, including numerous local roads.

It’s part of an ongoing effort to save lives and prevent serious injuries resulting from traffic crashes.

The changes are coming into effect in stages between December last year and March this year.

“Evidence shows speed is a factor in more than 70 per cent of injury crashes in New Zealand,” AT said last year. We need to do everything we can to create safe school neighbourhoods so parents feel confident their children can walk, bike, or scooter to school.”

The lower speed limits are opposed by people including Pakuranga MP

Simeon Brown, who previously told the Times the reductions should be focused on high-risk areas and roads.

“Speed is just one factor when it comes to traffic accidents and things like driver inattention or inexperience and poor road maintenance are just as significant.”

Numerous busy local roads will see their speed limits reduced as part of the changes including sections of Pakuranga Road, Ti Rakau Drive, Botany Road and Te Irirangi Drive.