NZ Transport Agency Information sheet 01: August 2016
SH23: Hamilton to Raglan Safety Improvements
Safer roads for safer journeys
Plans are underway to make State Highway 23, from Hamilton to Raglan, safer. This project is part of the national Safe Roads and Roadsides programme which aims to prevent 900 deaths and serious injuries on rural state highways over six years.
Open Days to find out more:
August 25
Te Uku Hall
3pm-7pm
August 26
Whatawhata
Rugby Club
3pm-7pm
What are the issues on the road?
SH23 is classified as a high-risk rural road. The most common types of crashes are:
- vehicles crossing the centreline
- crashing head-on
- losing control on bends
- running off the road and hitting hazards such as trees, power poles and ditches
These kinds of crashes often result in serious injury or death. Driving too fast for conditions is a common factor in many crashes on SH23.
What we are proposing to make the road to Raglan safer
We want to improve the safety features on the road and roadside on SH23 between Hamilton
and Raglan. We have divided the road into three sections to review and would like to hear what
you think about our proposals.
Between Hamilton and Highbrook Way
»» install side safety barriers in high-risk areas to stop vehicles running off the road
»» widen the centrelines in areas to reduce head-on crashes
»» look for opportunities to make the road safer for motorcycles
»» review speed management
»» minor intersection improvements.
Between Highbrook Way and Waitetuna
»» we’re analysing this section of the highway to see what safety improvements are appropriate
»» we’re also reviewing speed management on the route.
Between Waitetuna and Raglan
»» shoulder widening at high-risk locations
»» improved signage
»» look for opportunities to make the road safer for motorcycles
»» install side safety barriers in high-risk areas to stop vehicles running off the road
»» minor intersection improvements.
How does this work fit into the government’s road safety strategy?
Improving the safety of rural roads and roadsides is a key action of the government’s road safety strategy, Safer Journeys, which is based on the Safe System approach. This approach acknowledges that people make mistakes and aims to create a more forgiving transport system where mistakes do not result in death or serious injury. The approach looks across the entire road system to improve safety – including the safety of roads and roadsides, vehicles, encouraging safer speeds and driver behaviour.
Who is delivering these improvements?
This work is being carried out as part of the government’s Safer Roads and Roadsides programme. The NZ Transport Agency has established the Safe Roads Alliance to deliver this programme of work over the next six years.
It will make safety improvements to high-risk rural state highways around the country, helping to reduce deaths and serious injuries.
Have these road safety improvements been successfully implemented elsewhere?
Improvements such as shoulder widening, side safety barriers and rumble strips have been systematically tried and tested on other rural state highways. They have been proven to significantly contribute to reducing deaths and serious injuries on rural roads.
Your feedback is important to us
Your views are important and will help us to design the most effective improvements for this road. After all, as regular users of the road you know its challenges and understand how any safety improvements could benefit our communities.
Will landowners be affected?
A small amount of land is required to widen the road in some areas. We’ve started to talk to affected landowners.
Will there be delays during the construction?
We’ll work hard to keep any disruption to a minimum.
Will access to my property be affected if safety barriers are installed?
Gaps in the safety barriers will mean you can access your property easily.
Will speed management be reviewed?
We are having a look at how speed is managed along this route and we are keen to hear your thoughts.
Proposed for Raglan to Waitetuna
Proposed for Highbrook (West of Whatawhata to Newcastle Rd [Hamilton])
To download a PDF of this Info Sheet NZTA InfoSheet SH23
The Safe Roads Alliance is a newly-established delivery arm of the NZ Transport Agency.
To get a quarterly emailed newsletters contact:
team@saferoads.co.nz
Maclean Hastie
Project Manager 07 834 8533
I’m concerned road surface hasn’t been highlighted as a safety concern. The poor surface after resealing of the corner at Waitatuna for example is very dangerous. All major corners should be hotmix.
Where are the statistics about how many of these accidents were caused by people overtaking inconsiderate drivers travelling under the legal limit? How many were caused by alcohol or drugs? How many were accidents involving debris on the road (unavoidable)and how many were single driver accidents? How many involved excessive speed?
Of these accidents how many could have been avoided by installation of crash barriers or a 80kmph speed limit? I would hazard a guess that it would only be a small percentage.
Reducing the speed limit is just a revenue collecting exercise. You are now enabling those who refuse to drive the legal limit to now drive 60 kmph rather than the 80kmph they now drive.
I’m not saying there aren’t some absolute idiots travelling SH23 but these muppets also are in my opinion a small percentage of those of us making the daily commute.
The junction when turning right into Okete Road from H23 (NOT at Te Uku) is blind to a great extent. traffic comming from Raglan is only visible late. Suggest a widening of the road here to smooth off the left hander – opening up the road view and allowing an additional “turn right” lane to be created (as people often nearly rear end me when making this turn. Development is continuing on Okete Landing and along this area – so traffic will increase and a simple action now will avoid the likely accident.
The corner where H23 meets Waitetuna Valley Road needs to be proper tarmac – the road surface here was poorly done (having watched them do it) and has already broken up due to corner forces and the large trucks using the area. Rough Chip is not suitable here. Much of the road generally is of poor quality throughout the “rural sections” – even for Rough Chip
In the end we all want to get through safely and if slowing down and taking an extra ten minutes is what it takes then that’s ok. I do agree that road surface can contribute to crossing the centre line and also losing control and going off the road.
Hope the rumble strips along “edgelines in high-risk locations” don’t make cycling more dangerous – https://www.adventurecycling.org/bicycle-tourism/national-advocacy-projects/rumble-strips/.
No comment.
I am astonished about how little directions NZ drivers get when it comes to passing safely. Why does NZ leave it up to drivers to judge if the oncoming traffic is 100 km away after passing? In any other country you have lines on the road or do not pass signs to keep drivers from making wrong decisions. This is before bends in the road, before hills, etc. – not just when an intersection is coming up. I ask you, can it be any easier to save lives? Dangerous passing manoeuvres are mostly due to inexperience not planned suicide. My suggestion is: Make SH23 a test road for passing restrictions (road markings and/or road signs) and I am 100% sure it will catch on nation-wide.
Where is the evidence that this will make a difference, and by how much? Clearly a speed limit of 10 km/hr would prevent almost all fatalities – but is 80 km/hr actually different to 100 km/hr? How many fatalities caused by speed were caused by drivers who were ignoring the speed limit anyway?
The idea that an 80 km/hr limit will significantly reduce fatalities is woefully simplistic.
http://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/Import/Documents/ACC672-Down-with-speed.pdf
I think that lowering the speed limit will increase the number of passing manoeuvres and this will definitely increase the number of accidents. People trying to pass slow drivers is one of the main contributors to accidents along with inexperienced drivers not driving to the conditions or being aware of the roads.
Currently with 100km limits slow drivers <80km cause people to overtake. If the limit is reduced to 80km then slow drivers will be even worse and slow down to 60km. The amount of frustration and passing will not decrease. More passing areas and education of people who drive slowly or in slow vehicles to respect other road users and GET OUT OF THE WAY if you are travelling under 90km