Ōhaeawai locals took safety into their own hands, calling for motorists to slow down on the busy highway through town.
Ōhaeawai locals took safety into their own hands, calling for motorists to slow down on the busy highway through town.
Armed with high-vis vests and painted signs a group of Ōhaeawai residents and schoolchildren lined the state highway passing through their town, urging motorists to slow down.
The action was aimed at reminding motorists of the 60km/h limit through the town and drawing attention to a longstanding issue, hoping itwould prompt action from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Michale Drayton, from the Ōhaeawai Taumai Residents Association, said the group has previously raised concerns with Waka Kotahi.
“But nothing has happened. It feels like we are always fobbed off because we are a small town. We understand that Waka Kotahi has a lot to do, but this is our small town and it’s our children going to school, so we need to do something.”
He said traffic often travels well above the 60km/h as it passes through the intersection of State Highway 1 and 12, an area with some shops, petrol stations and the turnoff to the school.
“There was a fatal crash just outside Ōhaeawai a couple of months ago. We don’t want another tragedy. People go through far too fast and it’s been going on for years.”
He said the action on Friday was well supported and there was immediate response from passing motorists.
Schoolchildren joined in calling for lower speed limit through town.
“Almost everyone waved or tooted and some cars moved through slower.”
Residents have previously discussed putting up their own signs, but Drayton said they want to avoid causing conflict, as there are legalities around such things.
“We’d rather have a constructive conversation with Waka Kotahi, not start by doing something illegal.”
Waka Kotahi acknowledged the community’s concerns and said it has not recently assessed the speed limit through the town, with no current plans to review it.
Waka Kotahi regional manager for maintenance and operations Jacqui Hori-Hoult said it does, however, encourage the community to submit a request via the online request form.
“Requests will be added to our register for future consideration noting that any proposed speed limit changes need to be aligned with the current Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024 and can only be progressed once funding is available to plan, consult and set a changed speed limit. Funding is limited in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.
“If a proposed speed limit change progresses, the final decision will be informed by technical factors, safety and cost analysis, public consultation outcomes and required approvals.”
The agency is currently prioritising variable speed limits past schools, speed changes linked to state highway projects and a small number of high-priority community-requested reviews that meet strict criteria.
Drayton said it was the group’s first roadside action and may not be the last.
“We have had messages from residents that were not aware it was happening and they said they would come along and help next time.
“I think we can just build that voice. Then, you know, we’ve got the community, well, we’re pretty confident we’ve got the community behind us anyway. But we can do that and then have a chat with Waka Kotahi.”
