Opinion: Higher speed limit a good idea on certain roads

The Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL). PHOTO/FILE

The speed limit on some New Zealand roads looks set to go up.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss yesterday released a new "speed management guide" that will allow speed limits to be raised to 110km/h.

It's not suggesting limits be raised across the board. On a lot of New Zealand open roads, particularly the narrow and/or windy ones in regions and rural areas, 100km/h is fast enough and in many cases, too fast.

But on certain roads - those with a median barrier, at least two lanes each way and no direct access to neighbouring properties - I have no issue with an increase to the limit.

A couple of the roads suggested by Mr Foss as candidates are roads many in Rotorua regularly use.

Heading to Hamilton we now have the pleasure of the Waikato Expressway. While neither my car or myself are speed freaks, driving 100km/h on this new, open, largely straight highway does feel slow at times.

For confident drivers, I believe 110km/h on this highway is safe and manageable, while those that feel more confident staying around the 100km/h mark can continue to do so in the left lane.

The same can be said for the Tauranga Eastern Link, another that could be in line for an increase.

The fear, as expressed by Labour police spokesman Stuart Nash, is that by raising what is considered the norm, drivers will then think they can do 115km/h and get away with it.

However in my view, the vast majority of motorists are better than that, and should be given the chance to show it.