Call on Government to Lower Speeds Outside Schools

Yesterday 3 children were injured on route to school after being hit by a car. The Police blame the fact that the children weren't accompanied by an adult, but Lucinda Rees from New Zealand School Speeds wants the Government to act so that children can walk to school safely, with speed limits consistently reduced outside schools to 30km/h at peak times.

"Safe speed limits outside schools", says Ms Rees, "would indicate to drivers what speed limit is safe near children". The World Health Organisation recommends the maximum speed of 30km/h outside schools. School speed limits range from 40km/h to 100km/h in some rural areas. At 100km/h there would be no survivors, but rural children, just as urban ones make mistakes even when adults are present.

At 30km/h children have a chance of surviving an absent minded mistake and possibly walk away from it, but at higher speeds this is unlikely. "This accident was actually the fault of the Minister of Transport Simon Bridges and those before him who haven't lowered speeds outside schools to the recommended speed limit. They proclaim to follow safe systems, but don't, resulting in three young children fighting for their lives.

"Don't blame the parents and don't blame the driver, put in place laws that make roads safer for children."

Consistent 30km/h speed limits within school zones and no more than 60km/h at other times of the day would be cheap to introduce and would be a safe haven for children to cross. It would encourage more children to walk and cycle, easing congestion outside schools. Rees' message is: "It's a no-brainer it just takes someone with guts and consideration to introduce. Over to you Mr Bridges."

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