Take Care on the Norfolk Island Roads

The Holiday Season is always busy and here on Norfolk Island the visitors have been arriving by the plane loads with many families and friends of locals as well as lots of tourists have been enjoy a holiday during the past weeks.

With the extra people on the island, it is a good time to remind everyone to take care on the roads when driving or riding around our beautiful island. Remember to take care of the uneven surfaces and Norfolk Island has many potholes and uneven roadways, especially when you don’t expect them.

That is a good reason for the lower speed limits on Norfolk Island. The top legal speed on Norfolk Island is 50km and the area in Burnt Pine is 40km and school zone and Kingston Beach area is 30km. Remember when driving at Kingston to take care of the pedestrians and children as tourist enjoy walking the area and there are families camping in the pines at Emily Bay and lots of people enjoying beach outings.

If riding motorbikes, scooters and bicycles remember to wear a helmet and keep them roadworthy with regular maintenance checks. You want the brakes to work when you need them, especially on steep hills. If riding after dark, please use lights so other vehicles can see you and to keep safe on the roads.

Another hazard on Norfolk Island is the cows and their calves. They have the right of way on the roadways, and they are often in no rush to move. I often see visitors stop to photograph the cows, but please remember to pull off the road if you wish to capture images when out exploring Norfolk Island wonderful views.

If you are enjoying social gatherings and having a drink or two, organise a sober driver and organise a ride home. Call 53840 for a local taxi, its best to prebook with Kisa Cabs and check what hours the service is available.

During the past couple of years, white lines have been painted on some of the Norfolk Island roads, but the majority of roadways are unmarked, so it is important to remember to keep to the left-hand side of the road, not the middle of the road, which is dangerous for oncoming vehicles. Many roadways are narrow, and vehicles are getting bigger, so take care on winding hilly roads.

Sadly, last week, there was a death on Norfolk Island roads, a visitor had a motor bike accident on the roadway near the Norfolk Island Airport at the corner of Douglas Drive and Ferny Lane. The Police Report has been published with details of the fatal accident. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the man who died at the scene of the bike crash early hours of Saturday morning, 30 December 2023.

Thank you to the emergency crew and Police for attending the tragic accident.

Remember to take care on the roads and enjoy your summer holiday season on Norfolk Island.

Betty Matthews

5 January 2024