Speed limits lowered
The speed limit surrounding schools will be lowered to a maximum of 40 kilometres per hour in urban areas and 60kmh in rural areas. Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter made the announcement in Auckland at Mt Albert’s Owairaka District School yesterday morning. Currently, schools and councils have to apply to the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) for lower speed limits. Only 20 per cent of schools currently have speed limits which align with what was announced yesterday. Genter said on busy arterial routes with schools on them, the new limits would operate only during pick-up and drop-off periods. She said many parents wanted their children to walk or cycle to school but felt it was not safe. ‘‘Safer speeds around schools is proven to make streets safer, more attractive and more accessible for children to walk and cycle.’’ It had been normal for Kiwi children to walk and cycle to school ‘‘a few decades ago’’ but today most children got to school in the back of a car, she said. ‘‘That is because our streets are not safe enough. Our Government wants kids to have the freedom to be independent, to get to school under their own steam whether that is walking, cycling or by scooter,’’ Genter said. Lower speed limit rule changes would begin by mid-2020 and would be introduced progressively over the next decade in consultation with local councils. As part of its Tackling Unsafe Speeds programme, the Government will also introduce a ‘‘no surprises’’ approach to safety cameras. Warning signs will warn drivers to go slow through highrisk, safety camera areas; and the ownership and operation of safety cameras will transfer from the police to the NZTA.