Safer Streets Save Kids

Living Streets Aotearoa president, Celia Wade-Brown, welcomes the New Zealand Police “Speed Kills Kids” campaign. Anyone caught travelling faster than 54 km/hr within a 250m radius of schools and kindergartens will receive a speeding ticket.

"This is a good start", the Councillor and mother of two says. "However, children and pedestrians should be able to travel safely all round our towns and cities. Children go to sports and cultural activities, or just to see their friends. 50k should mean 50k. Living Streets Aotearoa supports lower speeds in residential areas or near major destinations.

Weekends are also times when children should be able to get to beaches, pools, soccer, libraries or the cinema independently. The current Police initiative ignores weekends.

The risk of death to pedestrians relative to motor vehicle speed rises from 10 per cent at 30kph to 70 per cent at 50kph and 90 per cent at 60kph. (ARTA figures)

Many places in Europe have traffic calmed 30kph residential zones. These support a more community-friendly environment for the elderly as well as children and families.

Speedometers are more accurate than they used to be. Celia says "There is no excuse for going too fast where children might be crossing. Leave a little earlier if you need to drive somewhere and relax! You'll save fuel, money and reduce carbon dioxide too."

Living Streets Aotearoa supports more community friendly streets - attractive environments, street trees, more moderate speeds and better land use so destinations are closer to people's homes.

ENDS

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