The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has announced that weather activated variable speed limit signs on the Kaimai Range State Highway 29 are back up and running.
In May, the signs were temporarily shut down because of vandalism, when a number of batteries, storage cabinets and cameras were stolen or tampered with. Now, the NZTA has increased security on the signs by installing anti-theft devices on the cabinetry, including alarms and surveillance. The cost of the replacement equipment was $75,000.
NZTA project team manager John McCarthy said the signs were put in place in an effort to reduce the number of people being killed or seriously injured on SH29 over the Kaimai Range. They were designed to encourage people to drive at safe speeds that are appropriate to the road conditions when rain, ice and fog hit the area.
“With winter settling in we want to remind people to drive to the conditions, reducing their speed and increasing following distances during adverse weather,” MacCarthy added.
NZTA data shows that over 70% of the crashes on the Range happen in wet weather, and that over 40% of these were caused by drivers travelling too fast for the conditions. Initial speed limit trial results suggest a reduction in the number and severity of crashes since installation.
