Mall speed limits could be extended to schools

A move to slash speed limits at shopping centres across Wellington could be extended to schools.

A Wellington City Council committee yesterday agreed in principle to the plan to cut the speed limit to 30kmh at 21 areas across the city. It also agreed to investigate the possibility of extending the slow-down to roads outside Wellington's 85 schools.

There were 1524 accidents, including 24 deaths, outside schools nationwide from 2000 to 2005, according to the Transport Agency.

Twenty-three Auckland schools already have a 40kmh zone in place outside. Sixteen more are due by the end of the month after an Auckland City Council traffic safety programme.

Wadestown School acting principal Lloyd May welcomed the move. He said the road near the school was winding, so cars travelling at 50kmh did not have a clear view until they were very close. Otari School principal Clifford Wicks also said the slower speed was a good idea.

The initial motion to cut speed limits in the shopping centres met stiff resistance. Councillors at the strategy and policy committee lined up to attack the plan, pointing out the council's own report showed the average speed of cars in most shopping areas was already 35kmh.

"This is putting up a solution where there isn't a problem," councillor Jo Coughlan said. "It's annoying, it's unnecessary and it's anti people who have cars."

Councillor John Morrison said there was "a desperate" feel about the move "that we need to do this and we need to do it now".

However, councillor Andy Foster said lower speeds would save lives. "The concept is to design a system so people won't be injured or killed." Between 2004 and 2008, there were 417 pedestrian injuries in Wellington City, and four deaths.

A vote on the motion was tied seven-all before chair and deputy mayor Ian McKinnon used his casting vote to support it. The amendment to include schools in the slow-down passed easily. The public will now be asked for their views.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Matt   #1   10:17 am Jun 12 2009

A reduced speed limit to 30km/hr is the first step. The next step is is to restrict parking around the schools. Drop off zones for kids being let out of cars shouldn't be in front of the schools or even that close. It should be normal for a kid to walk or cycle to school. Move the traffic away from the front gate.

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