Slow down, Mr Brown

The Government’s proposed blanket speed-limit increases will go down in history as yet another thing imposed on people that no one asked for, for example when Coca-Cola switched to New Coke or when Apple forced U2’s Songs of Innocence album into everyone’s iTunes account.

After years of careful consideration, detailed safety studies and extensive public consultation, Auckland began implementing targeted speed limit reductions in 2020. As with any change, there were grumbles from a few corners of the city, but by and large the changes went through without any protest.

After seeing the effect speed-limit reductions could have on safety, noise, and pollution, along with many other benefits, many communities have asked for reduced speed limits on their streets, especially around schools.

City leaders have also supported speed-limit reductions, acknowledging that they are crucial for the safety and wellbeing of residents and that areas with a high volume of pedestrians, schools, or known crash hot spots particularly benefit from lower speed limits.

Facing blanket speed increases imposed by the Government, councillors have stressed the importance of keeping reductions that protect vulnerable road users, such as children and older people, and improve overall community liveability. Many local officials agree that thoughtful, targeted speed management aligns with the city’s long-term vision for safer streets and more vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods.

And now there’s even more evidence that most Aucklanders don’t want the blanket speed-limit increases pushed by Transport Minister Simeon Brown. In July, Auckland Transport quietly uploaded a new report assessing attitudes towards speed-limit reductions, and the results should give Brown pause to think about the changes he wants to force on city residents – or, to put it more bluntly, ask, what is he thinking?

The report is revealing in many ways. It shows that 71 percent of 500 residents who took part in the survey are aware of the speed reductions implemented since 2020, which indicates these changes have registered with the public and not in the way the Government seems to think.

It shows more Aucklanders support the speed reductions than oppose them: 46 percent in favour versus 38 percent against. This contradicts the Government’s claims that there is widespread opposition to speed-limit reductions, a claim used to justify the planned speed-limit increases.When people are given the facts about speed reductions, they invariably support them. After being informed about the 30 percent reduction in road deaths and 20 percent drop in serious injuries on roads where speed limits were lowered, support for the reductions jumps to 61 percent, and opposition drops to 23 percent. Aucklanders clearly prefer safer streets.

The numbers continue to stack up against Brown’s misguided crusade. Three in four Aucklanders agree that “where there is a known risk, action should be taken to make roads safer before a serious injury or death occurs”. A similar proportion of Aucklanders believe there should be safe speed limits protecting kids walking or cycling to school, not just at the school gate but also in the surrounding areas.

The vast majority of residents surveyed supported lower speed limits around schools (83 percent), kindergartens (78 percent), playgrounds (65 percent), and local town centres (53 percent). Even on residential streets, more people supported lower speed limits than opposed them. Aucklanders care more about their communities than potentially saving a few seconds on their commutes.

The report also debunks the idea that Aucklanders aren’t willing to sacrifice travel time for safety. Three quarters said they’d accept some increase in travel time on a 20-minute trip if it helped make travel safer. And we’re not talking tiny increases – 30 percent would accept more than a five-minute increase. Safety matters more than speed for most Aucklanders.

However, perhaps the most compelling evidence against Brown’s speed-up scheme comes from the agreement rates on lower speed limits. Nearly 60 percent of Aucklanders surveyed agree that lower speed limits can help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads and the risk of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists being hit. Over 60 percent agree it can reduce the severity of injuries when crashes do occur. These aren’t just opinions – they’re backed by data from places that have already implemented lower speeds.

Considering these findings, Brown’s plan to increase speed limits across Auckland looks increasingly out of touch with what the residents of Auckland want – safer streets, not the permission to drive faster.

They’re willing to trade a few minutes of travel time for the safety of their kids, their neighbours, and themselves. History has repeatedly shown that forcing unwanted changes on people rarely ends well. Minister Brown would do well to take notice.