Motorists warned not to go crazy on faster Tauranga Eastern Link

Bay of Plenty Inspector Brent Crowe warns motorists there will be penalities if people exceed the new 110km/h speed limit on the Tauranga Eastern Link from Monday. Photo/file

Police are warning motorists they will be out in force to ensure no one gets over-excited on the Tauranga Eastern Link when its speed limit is increased to 110km/h next week.

The highway joins the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway as the fastest stretches of road in New Zealand when the speed is officially changed on Monday.

Cars using the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) for first time at sunrise. Photo/file A_030715jb02bop.JPG

The new speed limit will only apply to the tolled section of State Highway 2 between the Domain Rd intersection and Paengaroa roundabout.

Bay of Plenty Inspector Brent Crowe said the police's role was to enforce speed limits.

"We are focused on encouraging people to drive responsibly and to the conditions," he said.

Any drivers who don't can expect to get in trouble.

"Over the holiday period (from 6am, December 18 to 6am, January 8), if you're detected by a safe speed camera exceeding the area's posted speed limit by more than 4km, it is likely you will receive a fine," Crowe said.

"Our officers will still have discretion in how they deal with incidents and how they are enforced. Their focus will be on preventing harm on our roads."

New Zealand Transport Agency's Harry Wilson said in a previous article roads supporting 110km/h travel speeds had been engineered, designed and maintained to a level that supported an increase in the speed limit.

Mr Wilson said the current 90km/h speed limit for heavy vehicles and towing vehicles would apply to 110km/h roads.