8 February, 2007

Slow down near schools

School's back and motorists need to be extra vigilant.

Waitakere Councillor and youth advocate Linda Cooper says that while the council is looking to introduce a bylaw which will set a legal speed limit of 40km/ph around all our schools – until then motorists should adopt 40km/ph as a voluntary speed limit when driving past schools.

“We, as a community, need to get into the mindset of keeping our speed down near schools – we need to work together to keep our road toll down and our children safe,” Councillor Cooper says.

“Slowing down near a school may make your overall trip 30 seconds longer but it may save a child’s life, and save you a lifetime’s worth of guilt and regret,” she says.

Police in Waitakere have also launched their “Back to school campaign” which specifically targets motorists near schools.

Anyone travelling five kilometres per hour over the speed limit will be fined in a move Police says is designed to “reduce road trauma involving Waitakere’s vulnerable road users and the speeding motorists”.

Waitakere road safety coordinator Kitch Cuthbert says that while the police are increasing their surveillance and lowering their tolerance of speeding near schools there is simply no need for anyone to be ticketed.

“It’s simple; speed kills kids – so just keep your speed down.”

***ENDS***

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