New Average Speed Safety Cameras Announced For Two Bay Of Plenty Highways

NZTA will soon install new average speed safety cameras on two Bay of Plenty highways in a bid to improve safety in the area.

A new average speed safety camera will be installed on State Highway 2 Pacific Coast Highway, Matatā, near Herepuru Road. The existing camera near Ōtamarākau will also be upgraded to an average speed camera.

Two more average speed cameras will be installed on State Highway 5 south of Rotorua—one at 126 Thermal Explorer Highway (Rotorua end) and the other near 2028 Thermal Explorer Highway, near Waimangu.

The decision follows speed surveys carried out last June, which found around 45% of drivers speeding on State Highway 2 near Matatā and about 47% speeding on State Highway 5 near Tumunui.

NZTA Head of Regulatory Strategic Programmes Tara Macmillan says speeding has a very real and devastating impact on communities.

“The types of crashes that happen, and are likely to happen, the volume of traffic, and driver behaviour all tell us that there is a serious risk of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes on these roads. We also know that risk can be significantly reduced if more people drive to the speed limit. By installing safety cameras, we can reduce the chance of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes on these roads.” Macmillan says.

NZTA will start work at both sites on Monday 14th July, with construction expected to take three to four weeks to complete.