Scott Simpson
MP For Coromandel

Improving road safety at schools

With schools re-opening across the Coromandel from this week, National MP Scott Simpson has welcomed the announcement of two new variable speed limit signs to improve road safety for children and their families.

The signs will be located at Opoutere School north of Whangamata and at Tirohia School south of Paeroa. The electronic signs allow a reduced speed limit to be put in place near the schools during the peak drop-off and collection times.

“The signs target high speed areas. Seven sites are already being trialled around the country including Whenuakite School in the eastern Coromandel which was selected specifically because of concerns expressed by the community.”

“I am delighted the Associate Transport Minister has decided to add 16 further sites by the end of the year, including two in the Coromandel. This will be a great relief for parents and caregivers at Opoutere and Tirohia schools,” Mr Simpson said.

The NZTA’s evaluation of the trial has shown the initiative has been effective in reducing vehicle speeds both before and after school and in improving driver behaviour around schools. The roll-out of the new signs is part of major strategy to improve road safety at schools which will see every rural school assessed over the next few years.

“Working in partnership with the Ministry of Education, local councils and the Police, the NZTA will examine the degree of road safety risk and prioritise all other rural and peri-urban schools and identify actions needed to improve safety at the highest risk schools.

“This will be a comprehensive assessment with a huge amount of community input which will really give the NZTA a realistic picture of what schools are facing. I think this is a fantastic initiative being taken by the Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges and I would urge everyone on the Coromandel to take part in the consultation process when it begins later this year,” said Mr Simpson.

Further information on the speed management trials is available at www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rural-school-speed-management-trial
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