Another Death Prompts Renewed Call for Action

Monday 5th Mar 2001 Dr Muriel Newman Media Release -- Other

ACT MP Dr Muriel Newman today renewed her call for the dangerous Ruakaka-Waipu highway to be fixed.

“Three months ago, I took a 2000-signature petition to Government calling for the creation of passing lanes on this stretch of highway,” Dr Muriel Newman said.

“Yesterday saw another death, when a car crossed the centreline and collided head-on with a campervan.

“How many more deaths will occur before Transit New Zealand improves this stretch of road?

“In the past five years on this section of State Highway One there have been 26 fatalities, which is far too many.

“Transit New Zealand has decided to look at road widening options. This is still not enough. The widespread for last year’s petition clearly shows that passing lanes are needed.

“The volume of logs transported from Northland forests is expected to increase four-fold. That will mean a logging truck will be travelling on the road every 70 seconds, making it increasingly dangerous.

“This killer stretch of highway must be improved now,” Muriel Newman said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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