Representatives from Hurunui Youth Council joined the first meeting of the triennium for Hurunui District Council’s Strategy and Policy Committee, Tuesday 17 March, to present their submission on the Canterbury Highway Speed Management consultation.

Their submission went one step further however, recommending the speed limit be reduced to 50 km/h from the proposed 60 km/h, considering current use and future development in the growing area.

The Youth Council members in attendance, Zinnea Cohen and Lexi Thomson-Hall are both on their way to earning their full divers-licenses and strongly support efforts to improve road safety for residents, cyclists, pedestrians and local businesses.

“As young people who live, learn to drive, travel, attend school and work in Hurunui, road safety directly affects us, our families and our wider community,” said Lexi.

“The environment surrounding this stretch of SH1 is changing and the speed setting should reflect that change.”

Zinnea, whose family has been directly affected by dangerous driving, knows the importance of keeping your speed down.

“My stepfather was hit at an intersection a couple of years ago while he was on his motorcycle. It was quite a horrible thing to experience and really important it doesn’t happen again to anyone else,” said Zinnea.

Consistency was another important factor in the submission, stating that when drivers move between different speed zones over a short distance, it can create inconsistent driving behaviour. Some drivers will maintain 50 km/h, while others may accelerate early to 60 km/h.

This variation in speed increases risk and creates unnecessary tension on the road. A consistent 50 km/h limit the whole way through Amberley would reduce speed fluctuation and promote safer, more predictable driving.

Mayor Marie Black initially brought the Speed Management Consultation to the attention of the Youth Council, knowing it was a crucial piece of local legislation they should be a part of. “The Youth Council are making such a positive contribution to everything we do at Council. Introducing their voice into wider system change, is vital to the decision-making process and their influence within the community is incredibly valuable.” said Mayor Black.

Submissions for the proposed speed limit change on SH1 south of Amberley from 80km/h to 60km/h closed before the committee was able to sit, but ratification formally endorses the submission and acknowledges the time and effort the Youth Council members invested in preparing the submission.

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