Crash criteria not meet

Between 2000 and 2023, 21 people have died on SH1 between Blenheim and Picton and there have been 46 serious crashes.

The revelation comes less than two weeks after local truck driver Benjamin Foster, 33, died following a two-vehicle crash at Tuamarina on 11 July.

The Transport Agency’s Crash Analysis System Map shows a fatal accident almost every year on the road since 2000.

Trouble areas include the section of straight road between Mount Pleasant and Koromiko. Since 1996, there have been five fatal accidents, two since 2020.

Between Picton Aerodrome and south of Speeds Road, there have been six fatal accidents since 1991 and in Grovetown since 1982, 10 fatal accidents have been recorded.

A technical assessment looks at crash history, average vehicle speeds, volume of vehicles and development of surrounding areas.

Residents in the area have been calling for lower speed limits for more than a decade, with some questioning why roading authorities are not taking action.

Responding to a social media post in June from Grovetown Hotel about the number of accidents and a call for action, Ann Vallance says change is needed.

“Lowering the speed limit to 80 between Spring Creek and Blenheim would be a good start. It was talked about many years ago.

There are many side roads on that stretch of SH1 with many crossing rail tracks. Hope the authorities take note this time.”

Richelle Hendry travels the road daily and says the speed limit from Spring Creek to Blenheim should be lowered to 80kph.

“…it's scary some of the things you see. No lights, people not following the correct speed and people pulling out from side roads not judging speed correctly.

“I really feel for all the people and families around these accidents.”

The Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) count for Spring Creek to Picton is 6000 to 7,300 vehicles a day, For Grovetown to Picton, the figure falls just under 11,000.

A history of crashes prompted the installation of the Spring Creek Roundabout in 2017 but the area is still seeing fatalities.

Tasman Police District Road Policing Manager Inspector Hamish Chapman says police are seeing far too many preventable deaths on Marlborough’s roads.

“Behind every fatal and serious injury crash are people whose lives are forever changed, whether that be those involved in the crash, family members and loved ones, or members of the public who are often the first to come across the crash.

“Fatal and critical injury crashes also have an effect on emergency services who respond to the scene.”

Police are conducting checkpoints across the Marlborough area, monitoring high risk areas, and responding to reports of dangerous driving and RIDS (Restraints, Impairment, Distraction, Speed) breaches.

It is often officers who are “confronted with the tragic and horrendous results of these crashes,” Inspector Chapman says.

“They are often and are often the ones to pass on the sad news to the families and loved ones of those involved.”

In conjunction with NZTA, Police are looking at areas that have high crash rates and determine the factors involved.

Police are committed to doing everything in their power to see fewer road deaths and serious injury crashes, Inspector Chapman says.

“We continue to make no apology for stopping drivers if they are putting themselves or other road users at risk. i.e., by infringing or breaching any road rules, they are in place to keep everybody safe, and part of our job is to enforce them.

“We make no apologies for this commitment. If you don’t feel safe getting behind the wheel, don’t.

“Don’t drink and drive and speak up if you feel unsafe before we have to push the sad news to your loved ones.”