Intersection death prompts fresh speed-limit calls

Soraya Peke-Mason

Rangitikei councillor Soraya Peke-Mason has joined the call for the speed limit at Turakina to be investigated.

Anthony Shramka, 27, died on Monday last week after being hit by a truck at the SH3-Wanganui Rd intersection, Turakina. The accident happened just after 10pm.

There has been no indication speed was a factor but the death revived residents' calls for the speed limit through town to be reduced from 70km/h to 50km/h.

Turakina community committee members commented on that when they met last week, Ms Peke-Mason said.

Her fear had always been that a child would get hurt, because Turakina Primary School was next to the highway.

"One death is too many, in my view," she said.

Ms Peke-Mason was keen to hear the outcome of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) investigation into the accident and speeds through the township. An earlier agency survey found vehicles were doing an average of 64km/h through the town, with a top speed of 77km/h.

That didn't sound right to her.

"I go to Wellington often, after school hours and at night. I have followed traffic that just speeds through there," she said.

The NZTA survey took place during the day, at times suggested by a concerned resident, and it used accurate equipment, regional highways manager David McGonigal said.

But he was keen to know more.

"We will now be carrying out a more comprehensive speed survey that will take readings at all times, day and night. We want to ensure the speed at Turakina is the most appropriate speed for its environment."

He said a coroner would also be investigating last week's accident.

"Speed can often seem like the most obvious contributing factor of a crash, but there are numerous other potential factors that we need to look at with the same degree of scrutiny."