So… does that make an average of 70kmh?
Monday morning motorists were receiving rather mixed messages from the Thorp St speed limit signs, just north of the Fearon St intersection.
The correct speed limit is 80kmh, with the same point marking the transition to 50kmh in the opposite direction.
Tasman District Council staff have good reason to believe that the 60km/hour imposter signage has been supplanted from another area.
It would appear that someone had quite a rampage over the weekend, with a TDC spokesperson reporting that this was just one of about 16 NZTA signs, as well as one each from the Department of Conservation and Fire and Emergency New Zealand, that were either damaged or interfered with.
The signs spanned from Motueka to Upper Tākaka, and the spokesperson says that it appears a ute or similar vehicle has been driven into them.
TDC transportation manager Jamie McPherson says that it seems an unknown party has been interfering with the signs.
“This is illegal and potentially dangerous, as it is members of our community who are being put at risk by this reckless behaviour.
“It’s very disappointing, and we want to call this behaviour out, and ask people to urgently report to us or police if they observe anyone doing this.”
The Thorp St sign was corrected within an hour of the council being informed of the issue, and Golden Bay staff were also quickly onsite to do repairs to the issues in their area.
Council took to their Facebook page to call out the “dangerous dimwit”.
“It may seem like just a little bit of harmless fun, but it’s not, and it costs us, and therefore ratepayers, every time we need to fix something like this.
“It also takes our contractor away from more important roading work.”
Anyone with any information can contact council on (03) 5438400.
