Minister cautious on raising speed limit

Increasing the speed limit on some open roads would have to be widely publicly debated before the Government considered such a move, says Minister for Transport Safety Harry Duynhoven.

Mr Duynhoven said in many areas the strict 100km/h rule was inappropriate.

"On some roads with the 100km/h speed limit, it would take a world-class rally driver to get anywhere near that mark.

"On others you can travel faster and more safely."

Mr Duynhoven is floating the idea of different speed limits for different categories of open roads.

These classifications could also take into account different weather conditions.

"On many occasions, drivers will diligently keep right on the speed limit despite appalling weather, reducing their braking ability and and making it plain dangerous to drive at the speed."

A number of European countries had different speed limits for different categories of road and confusion was reduced by a strict regime of enforcement and signs.

Local bodies now had the ability to set different speed limits on roads and maybe it was time to widen the approach.

The idea would be examined next by the National Road Safety Committee.

The Government is aiming to reduce the road toll to 300 by 2010.

Last year the toll was 461.

This year it stands at 334 compared to 335 at the same time last year.

- NZPA