Media Statement
For immediate release
Monday, 11 October, 2004

Adams backs 'intelligent' open road speed limits

United Future's Paul Adams today came out in support of a move away from a blanket 100kph open road speed limit.

"No two stretches of road are the same and it makes sense to have appropriate speeds for appropriate roads," Mr Adams said in response to a government advisory committee probe into raising the speed to 110kph on open, straight roads, and a reduction in speed limits on some sub-standard roads.

"The reality is that on some of our better stretches of road, one can safely travel at well over 100kph, while there are other stretches where 80kph is unsafe," the former New Zealand rally driving champion said.

Mr Adams said the current 100kph limit was actually unsafe was for passing manoeuvres - notably when passing trucks sitting on a 90kmh limit.

"The less time a vehicle spends in the wrong lane in a passing manoeuvre, the better. Holding drivers to the current open road limit in passing is actually dangerous," he said.

Mr Adams also called for ticketing of those who travel well under the limit and holds banks of traffic behind them.

"They are a menace on the road, and there can be few things more dangerous than the frustration and risk-taking they engender in other drivers," he said.

Ends.

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