Speed limits on Tauranga beaches are proposed to be slashed to 30km/h to improve safety after years of concern that vehicles were being driven and riddentoo fast.
City Council this week backed the introduction of a fixed speed limit on all coastal and harbour beaches.
Beaches are legally defined as roads under
the Land Transport Act, with speeds currently dictated by the speed limits of adjacent roads.
And although council already has strict controls on which stretches of beach can be accessed by vehicles, speeds of up to100km/h are legally permissible along the eastern-most end of the beach to Kaituna River mouth.
Council's Beaches Bylaw meant a 30km/h speed limit would apply predominantly to quad bikes from Harrisons Cut to the Kaituna and vehicles launching boats.
The move has the support of Papamoa police who last summer prosecuted about 20 motorists on beaches for offences ranging from using a vehicle to cause annoyance, unsafe driving and careless driving.
Council has long been concerned about excessive speeds posing a danger to beach users.
The 30km/h speed limit will be considered as part of the review of the council's Speed Limit Bylaw which goes out for public consultation from May 11 to June 14.
Police considered 30km/h a realistic speed limit that would not be a major imposition to legitimate beach vehicle users. Speed guns would be used to enforce the rule, with infringement tickets issued.
Part of the problem with driving too fast on beaches was the risk of vehicles striking soft spots. The speed restriction would also cover land yachts and blokarts.
Exceptions would be made for emergency vehicles such as ambulances and surf life saving quad bikes.
