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https://theconversation.com/why-nz-should-lower-motorway-speed-limits-for-suvs-and-other-high-emission-vehicles-201466>
"By the end of this month, speed limits on more than 2,000 roads across Tāmaki
Makaurau/Auckland will have been reduced by between 10 and 60 kilometres per
hour (km/h). Part of the Auckland Transport (AT) safe speeds programme, the aim
is to reduce serious injuries and fatalities.
According to AT, areas where speeds have already been reduced have seen a 30%
reduction in road deaths, compared to a 9% increase in deaths where they have
not.
But there is another benefit to reducing speeds on our roads – a reduction in
carbon emissions. Cars and other passenger vehicles were responsible for 27% of
New Zealand’s gross carbon dioxide emissions in 2018. At lower speeds, vehicles
use less fuel and emit less carbon dioxide.
Ultimately, it’s about climate change. The recent extreme weather events that
have wreaked havoc across many communities in Aotearoa are only an entrée. The
main course is yet to come.
But to see a significant emissions reduction from the country’s motor vehicle
fleet, local and central government agencies must go beyond lowering speeds on
small sections of inner-city and rural roads. Motorway speeds should targeted,
too."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
