Despite 18 crashes in the last five years, including three serious crashes this year, there are no plans to install traffic calming measures at SH6 between Albert Town and Lake Hāwea.

Of primary concern is the stretch of road between Camp Hill Road and Te Awa Road where SH6 traverses the Maungawera Hill with several sharp bends.

“This stretch of highway is included in the SH6 Haast Pass to Wānaka corridor as an area of concern for Waka Kotahi,” Waka Kotahi safety engineer team leader at Roy Johnston said.

“Unfortunately the collective safety risk rating was low-medium for the corridor based on the five-year period from 2018-2022, which meant it was given a lower priority for safety improvements nationally. 

“Obviously our programme development work didn’t include the serious crashes that have since occurred in 2023, so we will have to see if the safety priority for this section of highway changes when the collective risk rating is updated.”

Information obtained by the Wānaka App through the Official Information Act request shows the three-kilometre stretch of road has been the site of at least four crashes per year since 2019.

This illustration shows the number of crashes and locations over the past five years.

The severity of these incidents has ramped up in 2023, with three crashes recorded as ‘serious’ since January. 

Roy said that the Maungawera Hill area has been treated several times in the past with marking, shoulder widening and curve signage improvements, but Waka Kotahi does not consider it meets the criteria for more speed management measures at this time.

The data received by the Wānaka App included a list of causes relating to crashes on the stretch of road, with 70 percent relating to driver behaviour.

“If drivers either drove to the conditions or followed the advice then that percentage would be a lot less,” Wānaka Police senior sergeant Chris Brookes said.

Chris said police commit a lot of time to ensuring roads are safe but it was up to the community and the owner of the road (Waka Kotahi) to determine if roading improvements or speed restrictions are required.

PHOTO: Wānaka App