Speed limit changes implemented throughout Central Otago in August last year (2022) look to have been adopted by motorists, with more requested in the future.  

A Central Otago District Council (CODC) spokesperson said the council had received no negative feedback through official channels and had been encouraged to further review speed limits on the district’s extensive road network.

One Clyde cyclist said he “had waited a long time to see the authorities come to their senses and lower the speed cars were doing coming into Clyde on the bridge side of town”.

“How could it ever have been safe to have such a high-speed limit? There’s no way it was safe doing 100km virtually up to the bridge.” 

Currently, the CODC is reviewing the speed of traffic passing through school zones. 

Any proposed changes are expected to be presented to councillors early this year (2023).

Police enforce the legal speed limit on any public thoroughfare in New Zealand. The police have welcomed the reduction of any speed limit if it contributes to reducing the number of New Zealanders injured or killed on the country’s road network. 

The new 60km limit on McFelin Rd

Speed limits in Central Otago are reviewed periodically to ensure they: remain appropriate through changes to road use; align with national and local objectives; and meet the needs of the local community.

Parts of the network’s speed limits to be reviewed in the future include Gilligans Gully and Letts Gully Road, Alexandra, Fruitgrowers Road, Clyde, Lauder Road, Bannockburn Road, Cambrians Road, Clark Road near Lowburn, and the St Bathans urban area.

All assessments of speed limits carried out by the council are done so in accordance with the criteria in the Waka Kotahi Speed Management Guide, the CODC said.