GIS and Maps outage
Hutt City Council no longer approves the installation or replacement of convex mirrors on public roads — including on bends or near driveways.
This decision is based on safety concerns and cost considerations, it is also consistent with the approach taken by many other Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) across New Zealand.
Road safety concerns
Safety is our top priority. While convex mirrors may seem to improve visibility around corners or blind corners, they can introduce new risks:
- Misjudged speed and distance: Convex mirrors can misrepresent the size, speed, and distance of approaching vehicles, leading to unsafe driving decisions.
- False sense of security: Drivers may overly rely on mirror images rather than using appropriate caution or making safe gap judgments.
- Visibility issues: Mirrors are vulnerable to fog, grime, scratches, and obstruction by weather or vegetation, making them unreliable.
These issues can increase the likelihood of crashes or near misses. Our position aligns with safety principles from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and is consistent with the approach of many other Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) across New Zealand.
Ongoing maintenance and costs
Convex mirrors can be easily damaged by vandalism, vehicle impact, theft, or severe weather. Repair or replacement costs must come from Council budgets. As they do not consistently improve safety outcomes, the cost of repair or replacement outweighs any potential benefit.
Our approach to road safety
We acknowledge that certain road locations — particularly sharp bends or blind curves — can present safety challenges for drivers. While convex mirrors are not supported, Council engineers are open to exploring alternative safety improvements where there is clear evidence of a genuine safety concern. Potential measures may include adjustments to the roadside layout or vegetation clearance to improve sightlines, the installation of appropriate traffic‑calming measures or additional warning signage.
We acknowledge that certain road locations — especially sharp bends or blind corners — can pose safety challenges for drivers. While convex mirrors are no longer approved for installation, we are committed to exploring alternative solutions when genuine safety concerns are raised. These may include:
- Vegetation clearance to improve visibility
- Road layout adjustments
- Additional warning signage
- Traffic calming measures
What you can do
If you believe a bend or curve in the road presents a safety risk, please contact us. Our team will assess the situation and determine if any appropriate measures can be taken to improve safety. Any changes must meet modern safety standards and be viable within Council’s budget and maintenance resources.
Contact us
If you have any questions you can get in contact with us at contact@huttcity.govt.nz