Blackspots to get new speed signs

Variable speed signs that sense cars’ approach could be installed at blackspots but one Waikato woman thinks the safety measure doesn’t go far enough for one of the region’s highway blackspots.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is taking public submissions on using rural activated warning signs (RIAWS) on 10 intersections around the country.

RIAWS are electronic signs that sense when someone is turning into or out of a side road and temporarily display a reduced speed limit usually from 100kmh to

60kmh or 70kmh.

If there are no vehicles waiting or approaching on the side roads, then the speed limit of 100kmh won’t change.

The Piarere intersection of SH1 and SH29 is one under consideration for the signs.

Karyn Outen, a vocal critic of the current layout, has pushed for changes at the intersection after seeing a number of near misses.

Having a RIAWS installed would mean the speed limit on SH1 would temporarily reduce from

100kmh to 60kmh when someone was trying to turn into or out of

SH29 from Tauranga.

‘‘I guess it’s better than nothing. But I think they need to reduce the speed limit right through there, full stop,’’ Outen said.

Five people died and 14 were seriously injured in crashes on the route between 2011 and 2015.

Outen also has other reservations about the proposal.

‘‘Imagine if the light didn’t work. Or are tourists going to understand what that light means?

‘‘I guess big danger signs, if they were lit up, would get drivers’ attention and get them to slow down. It still needs to be policed if it has a speed limit as people don’t follow the speed limit.’’

NZTA safety and environment director Harry Wilson said difficult intersections for people trying to turn into or off a busy state highway all have high crash rates.

‘‘Most intersection crashes on high-speed roads involve crossing or turning vehicles, and the risk of a serious injury or death increases with higher speeds.

‘‘Getting people to slow down when there is another vehicle approaching these intersections will help prevent these types of crashes,’’ Wilson said.

NZTA said RIAWS are successfully used in 13 other locations around the country to slow traffic in high-risk locations with minimal disruption to road users.

The agency is proposing 10 intersections around New Zealand would get the signs. Six of those would be in the Waikato. The others would be installed in South Canterbury, Otago and Northland.

The proposed intersections that the signs would be placed at would be SH29/SH27 intersection near Hinuera, SH1/SH29 intersection at Piarere Waikato, SH27/Horrell Rd intersection at Te Puninga, Gordonton Rd/Taylor Rd (SH1B) intersection, SH25/Hauraki Rd intersection, south of Thames, SH29/Hopkins Rd intersection, south of Matamata, SH1/SH79 (the Rangitata turn-off) intersection South Canterbury, SH6 (the Luggate – Cromwell Rd)/SH8A intersection Otago, SH1/Mangapai Rd intersection Northland, SH1/ Shoemaker Rd intersection Northland

Public consultation closes on March 30.