Auckland Transport Proposes 30km/h Speed Limit in Auckland CBD

The Auckland CBD has never been a place you want to spend your time driving. The amount of traffic lights on Queen Street alone is very off putting as it can take 10-20 minutes to simply drive the length of the street. That being said, there are a lot of people who need to get in and out of the city centre each day and whether that is by car, foot or public transport, it is important that everyone makes it to where they need to go safely. That is why Auckland Transport (AT) is proposing a 30km/h speed limit for the CBD.

Is 30km/h necessary to achieve safer roads?
According to the NZ transport agency’s speed management guide, 30km/h is not necessary to achieve safer roads. Rather, the guide suggests a 40km/h speed limit for most roads in the CBD and there is no evidence from AT that suggests anything below that will make a significant difference.

A big part of this conversation is about the high number of pedestrians in this area, and that with a 10-20km/h reduction in speed, the extent of an injury suffered from being hit by a car would be less. However, what is not mentioned is:
Why they are getting hit by cars in the first place.
Who is at fault?
Does the CBD need to incorporate even more places to cross the road or rules and regulations around that?
Does the public support the change in speed limit in the CBD?

The NZ Automobile Association, the AA, has asked their members what they think of the idea. Out of the 14,000 Auckland members surveyed, only 16% favour a 30km/h limit in the central city.

These 16% definitely agree with AT’s argument that it would be a good initiative to curb accidents and injuries. However, that means that 84% of those surveyed agree that it will have a big effect on traffic and the time it takes to go anywhere around the city. Even to just consider the impact it will have on the inner city postal service to make them less efficient, you can see why people would be opposed to it.

What are the other implications of a CBD speed limit change?
The implications of changing the speed limit do depend on the way in which they are decided and enforced. According to Barney Irvine, a spokesperson for AA, the success of this decision will largely depend on how involved the public are in making it because

If the public are not supportive of this change, there is a risk of low compliance coupled with high frustration when the public are driving in these zones.

If the public does not support it, the only way to enforce it would be relentlessly and no one wants it to turn into such a negative ordeal.

Alongside this, it could become a matter of politics where the conversation around speed limits becomes a no go zone.

What does Bonded think about this situation?
We at Bonded Insurance, NZ’s specialty insurance broker, believe that like all decisions that will affect the public and public spending, the public should be allowed to have their say. We encourage people to speak up and let AT know if you are for or against this change!

We know that everyone is an individual and has their own needs and opinions. For a public liability insurance quote or a other specialist insurance advice, be sure to contact us to see how we can help you.