Taupō Area Police are warning motorists that patrols on the roading network will include areas with recently changed speed limits.
In late January the government announced that speed limits dropped in 2020 would revert to 100km/h on several of the country’s highways – affecting three sections of State Highway 1 (Hatepe to Hallets Bay, Motutere to Waitetoko, Motuoapa to Tūrangi) which would go up from 80km/h and one (Hallets Bay to Motutere/Bulli Point) which jump up from 60km/h.
These four sections of State Highway 1 between Taupō and Tūrangi were then consulted on but all received less than 50 per cent support to stay at the lower limit in a New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi survey.
Changes back to the pre 2020 limits are all due to be in place by July 1, rolled out in monthly tranches.
Road users travelling over the posted speed limits can expect to be stopped, the police said in a release.
“Police will continue to enforce speed limits on all roads. We would like to remind people that speed limits are not targets and quite often over the winter months posted speed limits can be too fast for the conditions, such as when there is snow and ice on the road.”
Driving to the conditions was a crucial strategy to remember, the statement noted.
“We implore road users to take safety seriously. Slow down, wear your seatbelt, make sure you are well-rested and not impaired by drugs or alcohol, and put any distractions away.”
The statement also reminded motorists that they could report unsafe driving as it was happening to 111 or, after the fact, through the 105 service.
