That was reported to be the third fatality and 46th crash in the 3km between Ellison St and Awatoto Rd since the wire-rope barriers were installed in 2016, primarily focused on stopping vehicles from hitting the trees at the side of the road.
With landmark Norfolk pines lining either side of the narrow 100kmh stretch, there have been no major structural changes to the road, national highways managing agency Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency saying removal of trees had not been a consideration because of a lack of public uptake.
Social media comment after that crash popularly supported a lowering of the speed limit, and, as a longer-term solution, an extension of Marine Parade by restricting the existing lanes to northbound traffic and creating a southbound lane on the seaward side of the trees.
Asked about possible improvements, agency regional transport systems manager Oliver Postings said the agency's Safe Network Programme is a collaborative programme delivering proven safety interventions on highest risk local roads and state highways across New Zealand.
It uses the Safe System approach, with focuses on speed management (setting speed limits that are safe and appropriate for the level of risk on each road), safe roads and roadsides (investing in proven infrastructure improvements on our existing roads and intersections) and safe rail level crossings, of which there are one each on Ellison St and Awatoto Rd, just off the highway.
"These safety interventions delivered through the programme will help create a road transport system that is forgiving of human mistakes and reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads," he said.
"We have already installed wire rope barriers along this stretch of highway, which is a measure that has a strong track record of reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads," he added. "The barriers along SH51 were installed in front of the trees to protect motorists from roadside hazards."
