Speed Limits to be Reduced in School Areas

To protect students and make roads safer, the province is introducing legislation today, Nov. 2, to reduce speed limits in school areas.

The speed limit would be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h when children are present in school areas where the surrounding speed zone is 50 km/h.

In school areas where the surrounding speed zone is higher, the speed limit would remain 50 km/h when children are present.

"As a former teacher, I know the importance of being careful in school zones," said Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "By slowing drivers down in school areas, we're giving them extra time to react and helping to keep children safe."

There would be a driver education awareness campaign to support the revised act once it is proclaimed. New speed zone signs would also be posted at the beginning and the end of school areas.

Alberta, British Columbia and New Brunswick already have a 30 km/h speed limit in school zones as do many U.S. states. The legislation is supported by numerous groups in Nova Scotia, including The Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association, Safe Communities HRM, the Ecology Action Centre and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

"Safe Communities HRM is pleased that the Department of Transportation is introducing this legislation today," said Ismael Aquino, chair of Safe Communities HRM. "Our organization feels that reducing the speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour in school zones will make it safer for children in our communities."

The legislation would go into effect in fall 2012.