'Oh hell no': Crash survivor on stretch of SH3 speed limit increase

Trevor Dodunski understands the consequences of a head-on crash better than most.

In 1987, the car he was travelling in collided with another vehicle that had crossed the centre line on a stretch of State Highway 3 between Waitara and Urenui.

"I was driving along the road on a nice day happy as Larry and came around a corner and there was a car in front of me going flat out on my side of the road.

"It's hard to live with I tell you. It turned me into a vegetable, I couldn't read or write when I came out of hospital.

"Everything was changed, my whole life changed," said the former engineer who was trapped inside his wrecked vehicle for three hours.

Almost 40 years on, the Waitara community board member was angry about a plan to reinstate a 100km/h speed limit on SH3 between Waitara and New Plymouth.

"Oh hell no, we don't want that. Mine was probably an 80km/h crash head-on and you're doing 160km/h when they're coming the other way.

"The impact is phenomenal. Your windscreen leaves the car. You feel all your bones breaking and your teeth and everything are gone.

"Everything changes in a matter of seconds."

Dodunski, who suffered a brain injury and has not worked since, helped campaign for the construction of four roundabouts between Waitara and New Plymouth.

He reckoned the lower speed limit should remain in place.

"This should stay at 80km/h because if you're going to go up to 100km/h back to 80km/h and up to 100km/h again all the way through to New Plymouth, what's the point?

"It's a hell of a lot safer at 80km/h than it is at 100km/h, and I for one have had an experience I never thought I would have in my life and wouldn't wish that on anyone."

The government's new Speed Limits Rule required lower limits set on some roads in 2020 to revert to their previous limits by July 1.

The Transport Agency could retain the 80kmh limit on SH3 from Waitara to Bell Block if the public supported the lower speed.

But only 43% of those who took part in an online consultation process backed keeping the lower limit.

New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom found the consultation method curious.

"Having an internet-based opinion poll to set a State Highway speed limit is certainly an interesting legislative approach.

"But any local person will tell you the road is a patched-up and potholed shambles with significant work needed to be done.

"There's no doubt once they've thrown a bit of money at it it could go back to a 100km/h speed limit, but right now it's simply not safe."

Holdom, who described the stretch of highway as a "shooting gallery", said the lower limit was saving lives.

"Since we dropped the speed limit from 100km/h to 80km/h we've seen a reduction of serious injury accidents of around 60% and given that we've had 11 people die on this section of highway in the last 12 or 13 years we don't think they should increase the speed limit to 100km/h until all the safety upgrades are done."

New Zealand Transport Agency director of regional relationships Linda Stewart said for the speed-limit reinstatement process, the consultation result was the only factor NZTA could take into account in its decision-making.

"During consultation, the majority of respondents submitted in opposition to retaining the lower speed limits which is why this Waitara to Bell Block stretch makes up some of the 43 locations which will return to its previous higher speed limit."

Stewart said typically consultation feedback was only one factor used by NZTA to help inform the outcome of a speed review.

"Other factors, including safety or technical guidance, are normally weighted alongside consultation feedback to determine the outcome of a speed review.

"For a full speed review in the future, as we have always done in the past, themes from both the local community and key stakeholders from consultation will be considered alongside safety and technical data, including a cost benefit disclosure statement, to help inform decision-making."

Stewart said safety remained a key priority for NZTA and was a factor in decision making around road design, layout, modifications and speed.

She hoped new roundabouts being constructed at the intersections of Princess Street, Waitara Road, De Havilland Drive/Airport Drive, and SH3A, along with flexible median barrier and other improvements, would improve the safety and efficiency of the highway.

"But we appreciate the speed change will come into force ahead of the completion of the entire project."

On Waitara High Street there were mixed views on the speed limit change.

Bulk carrier driver David did not think putting up the speed limit was a good idea.

"Coming through there, they do dumb enough shit at 80km/h let alone if you put it back up to 100km/h again. I don't think it's a good thing."

A woman, who preferred not to give her name, thought the limit should go back up.

"I think the accidents that happen are usually through poor driving not so much the speed."

Jeremy could not see the reasoning behind changing the speed limit.

"They've gone and put all these roundabouts in, so what's the point of sticking the speed limit back up to 100km/h. You're just going to get to a roundabout faster. May as well keep it at 80km/h."

Another David was in favour of the change.

"I reckon it should go back to 100km/h because you're slowing traffic down and it's piling up, and with the road works in the meantime it's just pathetic trying to go to town."

rnz.co.nz