From page 1 // ‘It’s about money to do the work’

2023,’’ the spokesperson said.

At this stage, there was no suggestion speed played a part in the fatal crash on June 19, but Maher said the region’s roads would be ‘‘a lot safer at a lower speed’’.

Although, the highway south of Picton had always been a ‘‘road with issues’’ due to its hilly terrain, he said.

‘‘We don’t want to get too hung up on speed, but quite frankly it is a factor,’’ Maher said.

Maher said he thought people were ‘‘starting to get the message about speed’’ though, following the speed reductions along SH6, from Blenheim to Nelson.

A fatal crash, near Kaituna, the day after the SH1 crash was the first serious crash on SH6 between Blenheim and Nelson since the speed limit was lowered in 2020.

Maher said every time he heard about another fatality he wondered if the road was up to scratch or the speed limit was too high.

But prioritising improvements wasn’t easy, he said.

‘‘If you do one thing tomorrow, the accident happens at a different place the day after. It’s unfortunate we have to learn from other people’s dreadful mistakes and misfortune,’’ Maher said.

Waka Kotahi land transport director Kane Patena said the organisation was helping the police serious crash unit with its investigations into the crash on June 19, and would carry out its own review of the SH1 crash site. This was a normal process after fatal crashes on highways.

There would be a focus on whether any road or roadside factors contributed to the crash, and any safety improvements that could be made, Patena said.

Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.