Speed limits around schools are up for discussion, with the Waitaki District Council roading team seeking public feedback.

The council models its road safety programmes using central government direction, research on road safety, learnings from crashes, local strategic direction and community outcomes, and the needs and interests of our communities.

Council has mapped the areas for safe speeds around schools as part of the interim speed management plan consultation, and is asking for feedback on whether these are sufficient.

Council network infrastructure engineer Rodger McGaw said with many families walking, scootering, and cycling to schools, speed limit changes are now focused on the journey to and from school, not just outside the school gate.

 “We have set our own implementation target that exceeds the one proposed by Waka Kotahi, with the aim to get our tamariki to school safer, sooner.”

Newly appointed council road safety coordinator Carrie Hamilton said research showed speed limits around school zones were most effective if they were between 300 and 500 metres long.

“This plan focuses on a wider area with the aim of keeping our children safer on their journeys to and from school,” she said.

Regardless of the cause of an accident, it was known higher speeds led to more crashes and a greater chance of injury or death.

A small change in speed made a big difference, especially when a pedestrian was involved, and the council was focused on ensuring all tamariki could travel to and from school safely, she said.

Phase One schools included Macraes Moonlight School, Hampden School, Kakanui School, Maheno School, Totara School, Weston School, Papakaio School, Duntroon School, Waitaki Valley School, Ōmārama School and Five Forks School. The aim was to have speed changes around these schools implemented by September 2023.

Phase Two schools had been selected because they shared the majority of the frontage with the State Highway, or journeys to and from the schools are closely connected with the State Highway.

The speed limits outside these schools will change when Waka Kotahi produces their speed management plan which is scheduled for later in 2023.

Phase Two schools include Waitaki Girls’ High School, East Otago High School, Palmerston School, Ōamaru Intermediate, Te Pākihi o Maru, St Joseph’s School, St Kevin’s College, Fenwick School, Pembroke School, Waitaki Boys’ High School and Ardgowan School.

Weston School Principal Deidre Senior said she was “very appreciative” of the current focus on reducing speeds around Weston School.

“With an increase in the amount of traffic around our school, reducing the speed limit will be an effective tool to assist us to continue to keep our students safe when coming into and leaving school each day,” she said.

Rodger said the council first engaged with schools late last year, and was now asking members of the school and the wider communities to have a look at the consultation document and have their say.

Council will receive and consider public feedback and be asked to adopt the final interim speed management plan prior to works commencing.

Later this year, council would consult on the full speed management plan, taking into account the whole district, adjacent land-use, the types of roads and road users, with the aim of protecting the wider community on or near Waitaki roads.

Have your say here: Safer Speeds Around Schools Interim Speed Management Plan | Waitaki District Council