29 Jun 2015

'Issuing tickets isn't the answer'

2:01 pm on 29 June 2015

The large number of speeding fines in the Ngauranga Gorge shows signage on the road needs to be reviewed, the Automobile Association says.

Wellington's Ngauranga Gorge.

Wellington's Ngauranga Gorge Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Figures obtained by Radio New Zealand show that in the first 10 months since the camera began operating last July, nearly 21,000 speeding tickets have been issued to motorists.

That is more than double the number issued over the same period between 2010 and 2011 when a film camera was used.

The AA's general manager of motoring affairs, Mike Noon, said most motorists were unaware they were speeding along that road and they should be given more notice to slow down.

"Twenty-one thousand tickets in 10 months indicates that the road is not explaining well to motorists and that unsafe speeds are occurring," he said.

"Issuing tickets isn't the answer. There needs to be a review of the site to see how we can make that site a slower speed zone and [make it] easier for motorists to comply."

Mr Noon said the review needed to look at potential road engineering and signage.