The province has proclaimed amendments to the Highway Traffic Act providing local governments the authority to set lower speed limits in school zones. This announcement was made by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton.
“All families want their children to be safe while crossing streets as they travel to and from school,” said Ashton. “The new regulations will permit local governments to establish lower speeds in school zones to ensure greater safety for children in their communities.”
Local governments, such as municipalities, local government districts, First Nations and community councils, now have the ability to:
- set maximum speeds as low as 30 km/h in school zones where the regularly posted speed is less than 80 km/h,
- set maximum speeds as low as 50 km/h in school zones where the regularly posted speed is 80 km/h or above, and
- designate specific dates and hours when reduced speed limits are in effect or set the limits to be in effect at all times.
Reduced-speed school zones are limited to streets and highways that abut the school property and the designated zone must be within 150 metres of the boundary of that property.
Any local government that wishes to reduce the speed limit in its school zones must pass a bylaw that provides the detail required in the new Reduced-Speed School Zone Regulation. The bylaw must:
- list all schools that will have reduced-speed zones;
- indicate what roads and what portions will have the reduced speed;
- describe the reduced maximum speed; and
- be clear about what hours the speed limit is in effect.
“These guidelines will allow local governments to determine the best course of action for their community,” Ashton said. “No matter what the speed limit is, children are vulnerable on the road. Drivers have to take responsibility and slow down.”
The minister noted the regulations include provisions for the type, size and position of appropriate notifications and signage erected to inform drivers. Signs must be:
- reflective so they show the same colour and shape by night as by day;
- erected facing vehicles entering the reduced-speed school zone;
- on both sides of one-way streets and multi-lane roadways with medians where there is sufficient room to place signs.
To ensure drivers are aware they are approaching or leaving a reduced-speed school zone:
- warning signs must be erected not less than 100 metres and not more than 250 m before the zone begins;
- signs must be erected identifying the beginning of the reduced-speed school zone and include the maximum speed, the times and days the reduced speed is in effect and the bylaw number;
- signs must be posted advising where the school zone ends; and
- signs warning drivers of the lower speed limits will also be required at intersections on the roadways in the zones.
The minister noted these specific requirements for signage will help to ensure drivers can easily recognize they are approaching or are within a reduced-speed school zone.
Municipalities can also choose to have the speed reduced at all times in a school zone, recognizing that schools are often used year-round and in the evenings as gathering places for children, Ashton said.
