People are being encouraged to have their say on safer speed limits for sections of State Highway 5 and State Highway 30 in Rotorua.

Public engagement on current speed limits for SH5 and SH30 Rotorua is now open and runs through until Monday, August 10.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Director Regional Relationships Steve Mutton says engaging with the community on this speed review will help Waka Kotahi get feedback and local knowledge on how the locals use the road and their concerns.

'This feedback is then used to decide if a speed limit change is the best thing to do to improve road safety, where new speed limits could begin or end, and if any other safety improvements might be needed.”

Between 2009 and 2018, there were 629 crashes, six people were killed and 26 were seriously injured on these roads.

'SH5 and SH30 are used for everything from commuting, to freight, to tourism, and with planned developments they are only going to get busier. This route also has a number of different speed changes, dangerous intersections, and pedestrians and cyclists negotiating the busy road.

'We know that there are other changes people want to see on these roads and we have other projects in the area addressing some of these concerns. Changing speed limits to ensure they are safe and appropriate is one of the best things we can do to help prevent deaths and serious injuries.

'No matter what causes a crash, speed is always a factor in the severity. The speed of impact can be the difference between walking away or being carried away from a crash.”

The review of speed limits on SH5 starts from just south of the Hemo Road roundabout and continues along SH30 to south of the Rotorua airport. It is part of Waka Kotahi's Safe Network Programme.

The Safe Network Programme is delivering proven safety interventions on our highest risk intersections and corridors across New Zealand.

Aligned to New Zealand's Road Safety Strategy, Road to Zero 2020 – 2030, the Safe Network Programme aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by focusing on safe roads and roadsides, safe and appropriate speeds, and safe level crossings.

You can learn more about the Programme here www.nzta.govt.nz/snp

Feedback is open from Monday 13 July until 5pm Monday, August 10.

You can provide feedback by:

Visiting: nzta.govt.nz/BOP-speed-reviews

Emailing bayofplenty.speed.reviews@nzta.govt.nz

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP

Twitter: twitter.com/NZTAwaibop

Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)