Following a police speed operation on State Highway 1 in the South Otago town on Saturday, which caught 90 motorists breaking the 50kmh limit during just five hours, local lobbyists said it is only a matter of time before a death or serious injury occurred.
Clinton dairy owner Jo-anne Thomson said the issue was not new.
"We’ve actually been lobbying as a community for five years now, but keep coming up against the same brick wall.
"As a highway, the road is [the NZ Transport Agency’s] responsibility, but for whatever inexplicable reason they seem reluctant to do anything about what is so clearly a major safety issue."
Police reported on Tuesday many of those caught during the weekend sting were travelling at speeds "in the high 60s and low 70s".
One offender had his licence suspended for 28 days after being caught travelling at more than 100kmh.
This level of speed was not unusual, Mrs Thomson said.
"Unfortunately you see it all the time.
"We have schoolchildren, customers and toilet users all having to cross the highway at some point, and it will only be a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured."
Fellow lobbyist, Clinton Lions vice-president Benji Perry, said the community had considered partially funding a flashing speed sign as a countermeasure which could cost as much as $20,000.
"It’s a bit difficult to understand NZTA’s resistance to loaning us a sign, as Lawrence has recently received two, and I know Waihola and Tapanui have also benefited from extra speed reduction measures recently.
"You could pay for it but, in all fairness, why should we have to when it’s a matter of public safety, on a state highway controlled by NZTA?"
He said there were several measures the agency could take to address the issue.
"It's a matter of looking at the bigger picture, and getting ... NZTA to stand up and take account, and stop shunning the Clinton community."
NZTA safety engineers team leader Roy Johnston said the agency was in the early stages of reviewing Clinton’s speed limits, as part of a wider national programme.
"We continue to look for opportunities to manage speeds through Clinton to make it safer for local residents, including, potentially, digital driver feedback signs.
"We encourage all residents and road users to not exceed the speed limit in townships like Clinton for everyone’s safety, and to model safe behaviour to other drivers on the highway."
