The speed limit on a notorious stretch of Northland highway has been lowered to try to save lives.
The NZ Transport Agency, in co-operation with the police, will lower the speed limit from 100km/h to 80km/h on State Highway 1 from 1.3km south of Waipu Gorge Road to the southern end of the Piroa Stream Bridge next to the quarry - a distance of 5.9km - starting on May 27.
The speed reduction will mean more police patrolling the road and enforcing the new speed limit.
In the past five years 79 crashes on that section of road have killed four people.
The last deadly incident was in February when Glen Rickard, 27, of Whangarei, died and his 29-year-old passenger was seriously injured in the crash on the north side of the area known as Brynderwyn Hill.
When the reduced speed is introduced 21 signs on the roadside will tell drivers the maximum speed is 80km/h.
Motorists entering the zone will encounter a warning sign displaying the message: "Slow Down - High Crash Rate."
Northland Road Policing Manager Inspector Clifford Paxton said officers were well aware of the carnage on the stretch of road and the tragic results of driver inattention.
"In many of the crashes we're called to, motorists have not necessarily exceeded the speed limit but have been driving just too fast for the conditions," Mr Paxton said.
"What it will do, at the end of the day," he added, "is improve safety for everyone crossing the Brynderwyns."
NZTA's State Highways Northland manager Tommy Parker said the lower speed was introduced to make it safer for everyone using that section of SH1.
It was a challenging stretch of road because of its narrow lanes, tight corners and limited visibility, he said.
"It is a section of highway that demands full driver attention," Mr Parker said.
"Many people have been caught out and crossed the centre line or left the road with disastrous results."
The speed limit on SH1 in Dome Valley, between Wellsford and Warkworth, was lowered to 80km/h in December 2007.
In the three years before it was lowered, 36 crashes and seven fatalities were recorded in Dome Valley.
Since the introduction of the lower limit, there have been 23 crashes and three fatalities.
Because of the winding nature of the highway over Brynderwyn Hill, lowering the speed limit from 100km/h to 80km/h was not expected to add significant travelling time for drivers.
Northern Advocate
