Legislative amendments to the Highway Traffic Act have been introduced that would provide local governments control over speed limits in school zones. This announcement was made by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton.
“Every community wants to do everything it can to ensure the safety of young people as they travel to and from school,” said Ashton. “These changes would empower local governments to enact the most appropriate speed limits for schools in their communities.”
The proposed amendments to the Highway Traffic Act would allow local governments such as municipalities, band councils and community councils to establish maximum speeds lower than 50 km/h in school zones.
The province will hold consultations with local governments and other stakeholders to help determine the regulations on the type, size and position of appropriate notifications and signage, and how high-speed roads would be treated, Ashton said. The Highway Traffic Act already authorizes local municipalities to establish certain traffic-related bylaws including the parking of vehicles on streets near public schools.
A working group has been studying traffic safety in school zones, the minister said, adding the study will determine the most effective ways of improving safety in school zones including new guidelines for school area traffic safety. The study, led by representatives of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Manitoba Education, Manitoba Public Insurance, the City of Winnipeg, Green Action Centre (Active and Safe Routes to School Program) and the RCMP, is expected to be completed later this year.
