Newly erected speed zone signs around schools are encouraging drivers to take their foot off the pedal.
The first two of a number of new variable speed zones Nelson City Council is planning are now operating on Nayland Rd and Main Rd Stoke.
School speed zones encourage motorists to slow down to a maximum speed of 40 kilometres per hour at the beginning and end of the school day, making it safer for children near their school. Three more signs are planned for the region, including around schools on Vanguard St, Nile St and Muritai St.
Road safety adviser for Nelson City Council, Margaret Parfitt says the signs have been well received by parents and teachers.
“Reducing speed limits by just 10km/h on our local streets will bring significant road safety benefits to all road users, particularly children on their way to and from school, cyclists and walkers. The difference between hitting a pedestrian at 40km/h and 50km/h literally is a matter of life or death.”
Nayland Primary School principal Janice Gulbransen says the signs are great news for students in the area. “It makes it safer for students and we think the traffic speed over the few days it has been active has slowed, which is great.”
Janice says there has been near misses in the past, although she hasn’t seen any. But she says she is happy the council has decided to take a proactive attitude to the area.
“Let’s not wait for an accident until we do something, let’s be proactive, so I commend the council for not waiting for a fatality before they did something.”
