Latest news with #schoolZones
ABC News
5 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Push to reduce ACT school zone speed limit to 30kph
Just like countless young families across the ACT, Veronica Fortune and her children love walking to school most days. But there are dangers. The biggest one is the volume of traffic at pick-up and drop-off times. Parents, public servants, tradies and teenagers all drive, jam and jostle through the bumper-to-bumper snarl. And just like every road, some motorists don't care about the laws. "I've had a near-miss myself … thankfully, I had my sons in a pram at that time and my daughter was standing right next to me," she said. Veronica said the road past her local school is an accident waiting to happen. She's written to members of the ACT Legislative Assembly and submitted a petition about safety improvements that can be made. "Speed bumps are not close enough to the crossing and we may need more of them. A wombat crossing [raised zebra crossing] … would really help because it would force cars to slow down right before they got to where children are." Veronica has also pushed for adjustments to the surrounding roads, but so far, nothing has changed. The key improvement, according to new research focused on the ACT by a University of Adelaide team, would be to change the rules that govern school zones. Dr James Thompson is a road safety expert based at the Centre for Automotive Safety Research who led the research. He said reducing everyone's speed was crucial, and that 30kph was the tipping point. "But if you're hit under 30 kilometres, you have a pretty good chance of surviving." The evidence the team collected points to a clear recommendation — that the speed limit in ACT school zones should be 30kph or less. South Australia is the only state or territory in Australia that has a sub-40kph school zone limit (25kph) with that being standard practice there for decades. He was surprised during the work by his team at just how many motorists sped through school zones across the ACT, especially during "active" school zone times (36 per cent) and when the default road speed limit was 60kph (50 per cent). Along with installing "traffic calming measures" such as speed bumps and narrower lane widths in all school zones, the report recommends extending the school zone time limits in the ACT. This would mean 7am-5pm Monday to Friday (replacing the ACT's existing 8.30am to 4pm) to protect children at pre- and post-school care, lunchtime and other extracurricular activities such as sport. Dr Thompson acknowledged these would be big shifts, but is unequivocal these moves must be made. "You know, when are we going to start taking the safety of school children seriously?" he asked. The ABC has spoken with several school communities, and they all say speeding traffic in and around schools is a constant danger for pedestrians. The risk is exacerbated by many schools being surrounded by 60 and 80kph roads. Earlier this year, the principal of St Clare's College Dr Ann Cleary led a months-long consultation asking families about road and pedestrian risks that surround St Clare's, with over 200 families making a submission. "That's a huge response, which first tells me parents are really taken by the topic" she said. St Clare's is next to St Edmunds College, which faced near-tragedy earlier this year when two students were seriously injured by a speeding driver while they were walking to school. Both colleges are located next to several roads that pose significant risks to pedestrians. The concerns reported in St Clare's survey were numerous, but those that repeatedly came up the surrounding 60kph roads, bus drop-off/pick-up areas and other hazards within the designated school zone. Dr Cleary believes families would support a 30kph school zone speed limit and extended school zone times, but that the 60kph roads immediately around St Clare's need to be reviewed too. Dr Cleary cited the University of Adelaide research that found "the higher the speed limit outside of school zone times or places, the more likely cars are to speed through the school zone". She also highlighted the need for flashing or electronic signs, to stand out from what she described a "white noise" of road markings and symbols in the area. The ACT government wasn't available for an interview to discuss the likelihood of changing school zone speeds and times (as well as other recommendations in the University of Adelaide report). In a statement, a spokesperson said the "ACT government welcomes the outcomes of the research and will consider future actions as part of the current development of the next ACT Road Safety Strategy". Change can't come soon enough for the people who prioritise children's safety. Dr James Thompson is convinced that ACT residents, and those in other jurisdictions, are ready and willing. "If you explain to them what's at risk and what can be gained by improving the safety of school zones, they would absolutely get on board with it. So it's a funny thing … that we haven't had that change in all the other jurisdictions." Veronica Fortune's desire for change is driven by a simple hope.
Khaleej Times
08-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Roadworks at nine strategic school zones to ease traffic
To improve traffic efficiency and road safety, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started roadworks at nine strategic school zone locations across the city, RTA announced on Sunday. The road projects include upgrades at the Al Warqa 1 school complex; the construction of an additional bus entrance at GEMS School in Al Warqa 3; the widening of access and exit points around The English College in Al Safa 1 on Sheikh Zayed Road, and the installation of a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing on Al Seedaf Street in Al Barsha 1. 'Work will be carried out during the summer holiday to minimise impacts on daily traffic flow and ensure the highest safety standards,' RTA noted, adding the road projects will 'improve traffic flow, road safety, journey times, and connectivity between residential, educational, and development areas across the city.' RTA said the school zone road enhancement is part of the improvements across 40 locations in Dubai, scheduled for implementation between June and September this year. The works will cover 22 major streets, 9 school zones, 5 development areas, and several internal roads in Tolerance District, Al Khawaneej 2, and Nad Al Sheba. RTA will also create direct access route to Al Muhaisnah labour camps from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. There will be an upgrade to Al Mustaqbal Street (Brookfield) for improved access to newly developed residential communities and better connectivity between Al Khail Road and Al Asayel Street via Al Marabea' Street. Additionally, new parking facilities will be developed to serve Zayed Educational Complex in Oud Al Muteena 1. RTA will also complete internal roadworks in various areas, including Tolerance District, Al Khawaneej 2, Jebel Ali Industrial 1, Nad Al Sheba, and Al Warqa. Pedestrian walkways will be constructed in Al Quoz Creative Zone to improve pedestrian safety. The next phase will include traffic enhancements at key locations, such as Jumeirah Village Circle towards Hessa Street, Ras Al Khor Road, Al Thanya Street, and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street. Additional improvements will be made to Al Meydan Street, Al Sa'ada Street, Al Asayel Street, and the junction of Al Wasl Street with Al Manara Street.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Traffic issues in Community Safety Zones continue in the north
Students from Sunset Park Elementary School in North Bay, Ont., show off colouring pages they filled out as part of a campaign to promote safety in school zones. June 3, 2025. (Eric Tascher/CTV News) North Bay police are working with elementary school students as part of a new traffic safety campaign to remind drivers to ease off the gas pedal while driving through Community Safety Zones. Officers were stopping vehicles speeding in school zones where the speed limit is posted at 40 km/h with the help from young traffic enforcers from Sunset Park Elementary School. 'There are a lot of kids here and since there are so many kids, you might hurt one of them,' Grade 5 student Damian Lariviere told CTV News. Lariviere and his classmates drew and coloured traffic enforcement 'tickets' with messages on them reminding drivers to slow down in school zones, where children might be walking to and from school. 'There are a lot of cars that go up and down the street,' said Grade 5 student Noah Degagne. 'We need to make sure cars know to be safe.' 'Think of Me' initiative ticket One of the traffic 'tickets' made by students from Sunset Park Elementary School in North Bay, Ont., handed out as part of the local police service's 'Think of Me' initiative. (Eric Tascher/CTV News) Officers were using radar technology to pull vehicles over who were going over the posted speed limit reminding drivers and instead of writing them a ticket, gave them one of the coloured pages to remind motorists they are in the Community Safety Zone. 'At first, 40km/h, that's an adjustment of your speed and people need to realize that,' Const. Merv Shantz said. 'But those excuse days are long gone.' This campaign is called the 'Think of Me' initiative. Officers got the idea after seeing a steady increase in drivers speeding in school zones. 'Our officers know this and concentrate on those areas because that's areas where drivers need to slow down and be aware of their surroundings,' Shantz said. 'It's really some that's top of mind for us.' North Bay police - Officer - Traffic Stop A North Bay police officer speaks with a motorists in a Community Safety Zone as part of their 'Think of Me' initiative on June 3, 2025. (Eric Tascher/CTV News) At the same time, officers are reminding drivers to make sure they're not passing stopped school buses when their red lights are flashing and its stop arm is out. According to police, speeding fines are based on how much you exceed the speed limit, with penalties increasing. Fines can be doubled or even tripled in Community Safety Zones for speeding, road sign violations, and other traffic contraventions. Vehicles can also be impounded based on how fast the driver is travelling. The campaign also looks to remind students to look both ways before crossing the street and always cross at lights or intersections. 'We want them to be safe and abide by the rules and we also want the drivers to slow down and be cognizant of their speed,' Shantz said.
CBC
08-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Calgary road deaths reach 10-year high, sparking calls for immediate action
City staff seeking $1M for priority projects to improve traffic safety in school zones, key intersections and collector roads.
