Safety might be improving on the stretch of road between Ōtaki and Levin. While frequent congestion is still obvious, and perhaps even getting worse, the number of crashes and fatalities has declined between 2018 and 2019.
In response to an Official Information Request we received the following information.
Crashes reported to the Wellington Transport Operations Centre on SH1 between Mill Road (Ōtaki) and Hokio Beach Road (Levin):
In 2018 there were 64 crashes. 12 incidents required the road to be closed and 2 were recorded as causing delays. The remaining 50 incidents were recorded as the road remained open with no delays.
In 2019 there were 43 crashes. 4 incidents required the road to be closed and another 3 were recorded as causing delays. The remaining 36 were recorded as the road remained open with no delays.
In 2018 four people died as a result of four vehicle crashes.
In 2019 one person died as a result of one vehicle crash.
See also: Crashes and congestion nearby in 2019.
Attached is the actual reply to the Official Information Request: OIA-6257 response (120 KB PDF).