By GEOFF CUMMING
The price of safer New Zealand roads is tougher rules or costly engineering measures.
Road safety managers say such reforms could halve road fatalities by 2010 and reduce serious injuries by a quarter.
The 10-year plan could cost as little as $28 million a year - if motorists are prepared to accept tougher safety rules and policing.
But officials do not believe road users will wear such measures as reducing the open road speed limit to 90 km/h, introducing demerit points for speed camera offences and raising the driving age to 17.
A more expensive alternative involves spending up to $350 million a year on engineering measures. They range from building extra lanes and barriers to lighting and signage.
But the engineering option would raise vehicle licensing fees by up to $122 a year or add nearly 12c a litre to petrol prices. Road-user charges could rise up to 52 per cent.
A compromise package of engineering and enforcement would cost up to $250 million a year.
The choices are outlined in Road Safety Strategy 2010, a Government consultation document. A round of forums giving the transport industry and the public a chance to comment begins today in Rotorua. Submissions close on December 22.
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