Communities across the province now have the power to lower speed limits in school zones, but some want more changes made.
The province has overhauled the Highway Traffic Act, allowing municipalities, local governments, First Nations and community councils to change the school zone speed limits in their areas.
Speeds in school zones can now be as low as 30 km/h, if the original speed was 80 km/h or less.
The province says there will also be clear signs needed to warn drivers as they approach a reduced speed zone.
Lorraine Bobrowski, a grandmother, supports the changes to allow municipalities to lower speed limits in school zones to 30 km/h.
“When it comes to the kids’ safety, it’s important. Whatever we have to do,” she said.
Where the existing speed limit is more than 80 km/h, communities can still lower it in school zones, but only to 50 km/h.
The City of Winnipeg doesn’t want to lower speeds on major routes around schools, in order to keep traffic flowing and to avoid rear-end collisions.
“In residential areas, I think it’s a no brainer. In other areas, I think you have to give it some serious thought,” said Mayor Sam Katz.
The Winnipeg School Division wants a 30 km/h maximum for all streets in school zones.
“It doesn't matter what street it is on…because I think in the end it will make it less confusing for drivers and safer for our students," said Dale Burgos, a spokesperson from the division.
Overall, the division said it is pleased with the overhaul made by the provincial government to allow lowering speed limits in school zones.
City council first passed a motion on the idea more than a year ago.
The province said it took time to consult several communities.
“I think it's important that we do it right. This is a major change in the legislation,” said Andrew Swan, provincial justice minister.
Lorraine Bobrowski said the change is long overdue and points to the case last week of a 10-year-old child hit and seriously injured in a school zone near Langside Street and Westminster Avenue.
Under the changes, communities need to outline areas with reduced speed limits.
They also get to decide what hours of the day to have reduced speeds in school zones.
The Winnipeg School Division said it should be in effect 24 hours each day.
Mayor Katz said he’s open to that idea.
Katz also said that the city had been waiting on the province to introduce the Highway Traffic Act change, allowing Winnipeg to move the lowered school zone speeds forward.
Katz said the bylaw outlining speed limit changes in Winnipeg school zones could go to council for a vote in October.
- with a report from Jeff Keele
