School’s back this week. We ask motorists to take extra care and to note the new lower 30km/hr speed limit around schools during their opening and closing times.
There is a delicate balance in setting speed limits between making our roads as safe as possible and enabling people to quickly and conveniently get around our city. I was not supportive of the blanket reductions in speed limits proposed by the previous government. The impact on road users and the economy was too great.
I am, however, supportive of the targeted reductions in speed limits around schools at opening and closing times, an approach enabled by the new technology of variable speed limit signs. Council has this week lowered the speed limits during school opening and closing times at 11 sites outside 14 schools – some serve more than one school.
The schools affected are Enner Glynn, Hampden St, Nelson College, Nayland Primary, Broadgreen Intermediate, Nayland College, Nelson Central, Nelson Christian Academy, Nelson College for Girls, Nelson Intermediate, St Joseph’s, Stoke, Tāhunanui and Victory. The speed limit outside Auckland Point, Clifton Terrace and Birchwood schools was lowered last July.
The speed limit in these areas, typically 150m either side of the school gates, and activated up to 45 minutes before school starts and after it finishes, reduces to 30km/hr. It applies for less than 4% of the total time taken over the full year.
There is nothing as tragic as children being killed or seriously injured in road accidents. There are about 40 children and teenagers killed each year across NZ and many more seriously injured. The rationale for these lower speeds is that children are less road savvy, harder to see and most at risk around school entrances at busy opening and closing times.
I salute the dozens of Nelson parents and teachers who give up their time each morning and evening at school entrances and crossings to help keep children safe. These lower variable speed limits that take effect this week further help. Let’s work together in making these new road safety measures work.
