Safe new speed limits for district school zones from Monday 6 May
The new speed limits are fixed, meaning that drivers will need to observe the limits 24 hours a day. This keeps school students, staff, and families safe on the streets outside of drop-off and pickup times.
“Many families are taking advantage of school playgrounds and facilities outside of school hours and it’s great to know that these community spaces will be a little safer 24/7,” says Stephen.
Variable speed limits, which lower speeds during school drop-off and pickup times only, would have come at a much higher cost for ratepayers, with the price for a single electronic variable speed sign, reaching up to $10,000.
Councillors made the decision to move ahead with fixed school zone speed limits last year before the change in government. Recently, the coalition government announced their intention to have a new Land Transport Rule in place by the end of 2024 that may make it a requirement to have variable speed limits in place for school zones. The government will seek public submissions later this year and council will consider any implications for Stratford district when more information becomes available.