Editorial: Faster cars, better roads, same old drivers

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THE FACT THAT a Ministry of Transport survey has found more drivers want the open road speed limit extended to 110km/h shouldn't come as a surprise.

As our highway network improves -- albeit it gradually -- and new vehicles are more responsive and safer, little wonder attitudes are changing.

Upping the limit is not new. Roading authorities have tossed this idea around before now and some of the country's major expressways -- the Waikato expressway and the Northern Gateway toll road north of Auckland -- could be the first to see such a limit imposed.

These roads are generally flat, straight, have two lanes in each direction, a median barrier, and good run-off space each side.

Two years ago Transport Minister Simon Bridges said Government was warming to the idea of a 110km/h limit on the best roads but, given the disproportionate number of deaths and serious injuries on urban roads, ratcheting up the limit would be rare.

Around the world, open road speed limits vary but usually sit at our present limit of 100km/h. The exceptions include Germany's autobahn, where there is no limit.

This latest survey had more than 70 per cent of respondents wanting the open road limit to remain as it is. Conversely, AA said about 71 per cent of its members polled recently supported the increase on top-rated motorways.

There are many unanswered questions. While new vehicles are safer, New Zealand has an ageing car fleet, so questions must be asked about older vehicles and higher speeds. But the key issue isn't the vehicle but the person driving it, and giving some drivers the legal right to go faster is concerning enough.

We have issues with people speeding and too many are driving under the influence of drink or drugs, with others illegally using cellphones while they're driving.

Sure, new vehicles go faster and are safer, but they still rely on the person at the wheel. Until we can improve driver behaviour, adding higher speeds will create a toxic cocktail.