Editorial: Speed limit there for a reason

The council is considering public requests to lower the speed limit on three roads, extending a 50km and deciding if a 100km existing speed limit is appropriate for the extension on another. Photo: Warren Buckland

Here we go again - the Napier City Council is reviewing speed limits.

The council is considering public requests to lower the speed limit on three roads, extending a 50km and deciding if a 100km existing speed limit is appropriate for the extension on another.

While I have no issues at all about lowering speed limits, judging by the response from readers to the Hastings changes there are plenty of people that do.

There was a huge backlash last year when speed limits were lowered on some of the roads in and around Hastings.

In fact some of the decisions were eventually reversed so here's hoping that this time if it goes ahead there is no need for another round of consultation.

If it makes our roads safer, then well and good.

What would make our roads and the people who work on our roads safer is if drivers would adhere to the restricted speed limits around road works.

I travel on State Highway 2 between Hasting and Napier a lot. The roadworks between Hasting and Clive asks motorists to drive at 30km in parts. One car in front of me on a trip this week was nearly at the end of the works by the time I was halfway along, they certainly were not going 30km. The car behind me had no choice but to follow me at 30km but it was practically on my bumper.

The speed limits are in place for a reason. There are road cones, machinery and, more importantly, people all over the place along this stretch of the road.

Drivers need to be going at a speed where they can stop quickly for the safety of the road workers and themselves.