Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Dangerous Slowing Down Near Schools Needs Ministerial Action

Media Release 23rd May 2016


Dangerous Slowing Down Near Schools Needs Ministerial Action

Last week was Road Safety Week and pressure groups and the police were asking drivers to slow down near schools. Lucinda Rees from the lobby group NZ School Speeds says these good intentions could prove dangerous with speed limits outside schools ranging from 40km/h to 100km/h and some drivers being unaware of these recommendations.

"The World Health Organisation recommends a maximum speed limit of 30km/h outside schools when children are coming and going. The Ministry of Transport and New Zealand Transport Agency acknowledge this, but that is all..."

Furthermore Ms Rees claims that "with our varied school speed limits posted - some up to 100km/h - and some slowing to the recommended speed limit, could pose severe danger to both drivers and vulnerable road users alike.

"Unless there are consistent speed limits of 30km/h maximum outside schools at peak times and no more than 60km/h at other times of the day, this danger will continue. School zones are currently lawless zones."

30km/h at peak times will bring speed limits in line with existing rules and ultimately make them safer especially for children: drivers need to slow to 20km/h when passing a school bus dropping off children. Road workers have 30km/h speed limits, even when they are not working nearby. "Drivers will learn what speed they should slow to near children, who can behave unpredictably", says Rees who would like to see consistent speed limits introduced outside all schools and for more than just Road Safety Week.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Political pressure is building, with the Green Party and NZ First endorsing 30km/h outside schools and other parties reviewing their policies.

Rees concludes: "Consistently slowing speeds outside schools is common sense. Most would expect that the Government did their best to look after our children on the road, but sadly this is not the case. The Minister of Transport, Simon Bridges and his Associate Craig Foss continue to ignore the safety of our most vulnerable road users. Perhaps the responsible thing would be for the Ministers to resign and let someone who has the safety of vulnerable road users in mind, get the job done."
ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.