Mr McGonigal said speed was just one of the factors that may have led to the accident. It was important to investigate every aspect and it was too early to speculate on the outcome.
Ms Spratt and Mr Griffin moved to Turakina about a year ago. They live on the highway and say they have repeatedly seen school children running to cross it "with speeding cars and trucks bearing down on them".
Commuter times are especially bad, they say, "with trucks often being the worst offenders leading the charge in their 20-tonne 99km/h lethal projectiles".
In June last year, they complained to Rangitikei District Council assistant roading manager Reuben Pokiha and Palmerston North Police about speeding traffic and lack of enforcement for the 70km/h speed limit.
Mr Pokiha referred the matter to the New Zealand Transport Agency, and Mr Griffin had at least two phone conversations with a staff member.
Mr McGonigal understood his key concern was that drivers were speeding through the town in excess of 90km/h.
"We take these concerns seriously, and acted quickly to carry out a speed survey of vehicles travelling through the town."
The survey found an average speed of 64km/h, and the fastest speed noted was 77km/h.
"We are prepared to revisit concerns about the speed limit but it is important we first undertake a full investigation of this tragic crash," he said.
Rural mail contractor Nick Heap said he backed local comments about the need for a reduced speed limit.
"I'm in Turakina every day and people tear through there. Particularly from the Bulls end, they come down off the hill and a passing lane and they are flying.
"There's a school with the kiddies, vehicles using the service station and it's a very busy road. Perhaps there also needs to be more notices of the limit further back to give people better warning."
