SH23, SH31 and SH39 West Waikato speed review

• Between 2009-2018, there were 17 fatalities and 104 people seriously injured as a result of crashes on the highways under consideration in this speed review. While crashes are caused by a number of contributing factors, even when speed isn’t the main cause of the crash, it is most likely to determine whether anyone is killed, injured, or walks away unharmed.
• The West Waikato state highway network is used for moving freight between regions, agribusiness, commuting, tourism and local residents. This mix of road users are not always complementary and can lead towards safety issues for everyone using the road.
• For many this part of the state highway network is the ‘street’ they live on and the place they call home. Petitions relating to speed limits being too high have been received by Waka Kotahi for some of the towns in this area.
• SH31 out to Kawhia is a particularly winding road, with numerous roadside hazards along the route such as large trees and steep drop-offs.
• The Waikato and Waipa District Councils have either lowered or are in the process of lowering speed limits on a number of local roads connected to the state highway network. Otorohanga District Council is proposing making similar changes to their local road network and are also engaging with their community at the same time as Waka Kotahi is engaging on speed reviews on the state highways.
• Our priority is to make this state highway network safer as soon as possible so that everyone living on and using it can get where they are going safely.

The following table outlines the number of crashes, deaths and serious injuries sustained across the three state highways during the ten-year period (2009-2018). 

Along with the devastating effect on families and communities, crashes on this route can cause extensive delays and long detours if there are road closures.

Speed limits on these state highways are as high as 100km/h, but the average speeds are much lower as shown in the following table.

Project area

How speed reviews work

More information about speed and the speed review process is available on the Speed Review Programme webpage.

Speed Review Programme