The speed limit and road safety

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33987, 30 October 1975, Page 16

The speed limit and road safety

A reduction in the number of road accidents since the lower speed limit was set at the end of 1973 appears to confirm the adage that “ speed kills ”. Although recklessly fast driving is undoubtedly a cause of injury and death on the roads, a traffic research report by the Ministry of Transport suggests that the lower speed limit was responsible for only part of the reduction. In the year after the new limit was imposed the number of road deaths dropped 29 per cent on roads where the lower speed limit was imposed, but only 15 per cent in other areas. All road casualties were down 19 per cent in 50 m.p.h. areas and down by only 6 per cent in areas where the limit has always been less than 50 m.p.h. The decline in areas where the limit remained unchanged suggests that explanations other than the lower speed limit must be found for the fewer deaths and injuries. After the initial respect for the lower speed limit it was not observed as faithfully by as many people in the later months of 1974. Yet the reduction in the number of accidents was maintained. This was further evidence that other reasons accounted for the decline.

Other explanations are not hard to find and they would seem to apply with even greater force in 1975. Motor-cyclists are required to wear safety-helmets at all times, and drivers and front-seat passengers in cars must wear seat-belts in cars. Driving standards appear to have improved somewhat and, perhaps most important, people are driving less: the higher price of petrol has reduced mileage. All these elements must have contributed to the smaller number of accidents since the lower speed limit has been in force. Although the figures in the Ministry’s report cannot prove that the lower limit has been primarily responsible, it is impossible to discount its importance in reducing both the number and severity of accidents. Reinforced by the need to restrict the consumption of petrol this is sufficient reason to maintain the lower limit on the open road at what is now 80 km/h. Were the need to save fuel not so pressing the limit might well be lifted on the few properly designed motorways in New Zealand without serious consequence. Such a change would make the limit of 80 km h on the rest of the country’s roads seem more reasonable to most motorists. Since the change cannot be foreseen,’the Ministry of Transport will certainly continue to try to persuade drivers to respect the 80 km h limit. But this should not lead anyone to believe that the lower speed limit has worked some magic that has made the roads much safer. The continuing road toll shows that this is far from being true.