Speed limit changes on SH33

The speed limit on State Highway 33 through Paengaroa has been reduced from 70km/h to 60km/h.

New reduced speed limits have come into effect on State Highway 33.

The new permanent speed limits through Paengaroa and between O¯ kere Falls and Rotokawa Rd came into effect on Monday.

The limit on State Highway 33 in Paengaroa has dropped from 70km/ h to 60km/h.

State Highway 33 around Okere ¯ Falls has dropped from 100km/h and 70km/ zones to 60km/h from 390m north of Trout Pool Rd to 1.57km south of Trout Pool Rd.

Between August and September 2019, Waka Kotahi Transport Agency consulted the local community and road user groups on safe and appropriate speed limits. Director of regional relationships Steve Mutton said this route was one of the highest risk roads in the Bay of Plenty.

Five people died and 26 people were seriously injured in crashes on these roads between 2009 and 2018.

“While we are making State

Highway 33 safer with improvements like wide centrelines and road safety barriers, lower speed limits are needed. Human beings are fallible.

“We all make mistakes, and we will never eliminate crashes, but speed is a factor in every crash and it's the factor that determines whether you are killed, seriously injured, or walk away from a crash unharmed.”

He said he wanted to thank everyone who made submissions on the proposed speed limit changes.