People from Tikitere to Whakatane are being asked to share their local insights, as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency continues to review speed limits on state highways around the region.

State Highway 30, between Tikitere and Whakatane in Eastern Bay of Plenty, is the latest state highway to come under the spotlight, after being identified as a road where safer speed limits could make a big difference in preventing deaths and serious injuries.

Waka Kotahi director of regional relationships David Speirs says between 2010 and 2019, 10 people died and 73 were seriously injured on this road.

'We're working toward a future where no-one is killed or seriously injured in road crashes in Aotearoa New Zealand,” he says.

'Lots of change is needed to get us there but there is one thing we can do that will make a huge difference immediately – making speeds safer on our roads.

'The speed of a vehicle at impact is the single biggest factor in determining whether you or someone you love walks away from a crash.”

Speirs says Waka Kotahi has heard concerns from people in the community about the speeds people are travelling on SH30 between Tikitere and Whakatane.

'Engaging with the community helps us get feedback and local knowledge on how people feel about current speeds in the area, including on roads around their local school, marae, business or workplace.”

This information helps when deciding if a speed limit change is the best thing to improve road safety, where new speed limits might begin or end, and if any other safety improvements might be needed.

The feedback also helps determine if and what speed limit changes will be formally consulted on.

'We'd like people to tell us about places that are hard to get to or from, how safe they feel crossing the highway or letting their children walk or cycle to school in certain areas, and if there are any other sites or information that we need to be particularly aware of.

'Reviewing speed limits is something we can do now to prevent avoidable deaths and help us achieve our Road to Zero target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by 40 percent over the next 10 years.”

Have your say

Feedback is open Wednesday, June 9, to Wednesday, July 7.

Come and see us at a pop-up event

• Rotoiti Sports Club, 1303 State Highway 30, Rotoiti - Saturday, June 12, 10am – 1pm
• The Hub (outside Farmers), 3 Phoenix Drive, Whakatāne - Saturday, June 19, 11am – 2pm
• Awakeri Event Centre, SH30, Awakeri - Thursday, June 24, 3pm – 6pm

If you are unable to attend in person and wish to provide feedback, visit: nzta.govt.nz/bop-speed-reviews or email: bayofplenty.speed.reviews@nzta.govt.nz

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey this summer. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)