A road closed near Ōkere Falls in November after a fatal crash. Photo / File
A road closed near Ōkere Falls in November after a fatal crash. Photo / File
The NZ Transport Agency is reviewing speed limits on some Bay of Plenty highways to "save lives".
The affected stretches of road are along State Highway 33 and SH30, between Ōkere Falls and Rotokawa Rd, and through Paengaroa.
According to the agency, the review is an effort to save lives and reduce the number of serious crashes.
It said five people had died and 26 people were seriously injured in crashes on these roads in the last 10 years.
The agency's acting director of regional relationships Ross I'Anson said no matter what caused a crash, speed could be the difference between walking away or being carried away.
The NZ Transport Agency's acting director of regional relationships Ross I'Anson. Photo / File
"While we are making State Highway 33 safer with improvements like wide centrelines and road safety barriers, lower speeds through to Rotokawa Rd will further help prevent deaths and serious injuries," I'Anson said.
The Happy Angler owner Amarpreet Mann told the Rotorua Daily Post he wanted the speeds reduced around Mourea.
"It would be good actually because if people are definitely coming too fast down the hill from the Rotorua... The curves can catch people out too."
He said it was particularly dangerous in summer when there were more lake visitors.
"Trying to turn off to a residential house is not easy... and more children are wanting to cross the road but its really hard for them."
He said the Police were spending more time in the area ticketing drivers "but they can't be here 24 hours a day".
Ross I'Anson said local experience and knowledge of the roads was useful and feedback from residents and communities was valuable.
Go to the agency's website to give your feedback on the review, before September 16.
What's proposed?
Paengaroa - Existing 70km/h speed limit through Paengaroa to be reduced to 60km/h.
Ōkere Falls - Existing 70km/h and 100km/h speed limits to be reduced to 60km/h. The 60km/h zone would extend 76m southwest of where the current 70km/h area ends.
Ōkere Falls south to Waipuna Bay - Existing 100km/h to be reduced to 80km/h. The 80km/h zone would begin 76m southwest of where the current 100km/h area begins and would end 1054m northeast of where the current 100km/h area ends.
Waipuna Bay, through Mourea, to Okawa Bay - Existing 100km/h and 70km/h speed limits to be reduced to 60km/h. The 60km/h zone would begin 703m northeast of Hamurana Road and end 64m south of Okawa Bay Road where the current 70km/h ends.
Okawa Bay to Tikitere - Existing 100km/h speed limit to be reduced to 80km/h.
SH33/SH30 Intersection Speed Zone - An intersection speed zone that extends 150m north of the SH33/SH30 intersection on SH33, and 150m south of the intersection on SH30; the intersection speed zone would temporarily lower the speed limit to 60km/h when people are turning right into or out of SH30 east.
Tikitere to Rotokawa Rd - Existing 100km/h speed limit to be reduced to 80km/h.
