We are a young family who recently moved to the beautiful rural side of Waiuku. 

Shortly after settling into our new home, we welcomed a young kitten into our family. However, this past long weekend brought some difficult days that we wouldn't wish on anyone.

Our new house is situated on Karioitahi Road, you may know this road if you are Waiuku Local or if you have ever been to the famous Karioitahi Beach. The beach is famously known for 4x4 driving and unfortunately, the road is also notorious for reckless driving...

Going back to why this past long weekend turned out horribly for us: Friday night, as we sat down to have our dinner, we heard a knock on the front door. It was our neighbour, we opened the front door and our hearts instantly dropped as they asked "You would not happen to own a ginger kitten, would you?". 

Experiencing loss is difficult, but knowing that it could have been prevented makes it even harder to bear.

After chatting with a couple of the locals, it was for sure confirmed that reckless driving with terrible outcomes is a recurring problem around Karioitahi Road. Some even say they are afraid for their children to be playing in their yard as the cars go flying past the road, with one even ending up in someone's front yard. Home is where you feel safe, not where you have to worry about your property, pets, or children. 

As the new subdivisions are going up in a blink, this means more people, more pets, and more children in the area - restrictions must be put in place to prevent reckless driving along the Karioitahi and connecting roads.

The current speed limit is 80km. This petition aims to address the lack of traffic safety measures by proposing the installation of hazard reflective signs (high crash area signs, reduce speed signs), safety traffic mirrors, and possibly a speed camera, along with a reduction in the speed limit.

Let's keep our community safe, let's keep our pets safe, let's keep our children safe. Home is where you should feel safe.

Loss is loss, and it only takes ONE irresponsible driver to ruin someone's family, life, future...

Share your experiences and opinions on the road here.