The Visiting Drivers Signature Project has been extended to include the West Coast and several roading initiatives have been fast-tracked, to be completed by July 1.
Associate Minister Craig Foss announced the changes to the project, launched in April this year, after meeting mayors from across Otago and Southland, representatives of the New Zealand Transport Agency and New Zealand Police in Queenstown this morning.
Mr Foss said the planned safety improvements on state highways in Otago and Southland included an additional 50km of centre-line "rumble strips"; 140km of no-passing markings; and 200km of highway marked with "keep left" arrows.
"This work will improve safety for all road users, including the increasing number of overseas visitors choosing to explore our country by car.
"The Government recognises that many people are concerned with poor driving behaviour on challenging roads in and around popular tourist destinations, particularly in the lower South Island.
"That is why we are extending [the project] to include the West Coast - an area that attracts a large number of tourists."
The safety improvements announced today will be additional to a range of measures already in place in Otago and Southland, including 564km of edge-line "rumble strips", 1800km of highway marked with "keep left" arrows, 4755 curve warning signs and 165km of safety barriers.
"Every death or serious injury on our roads is a tragedy and these tragedies can be prevented by improving safety in every part of the transport system - vehicles, speeds, road users and roads themselves," Mr Foss said.
