School zone speed limits dropping
Posted Aug 28, 2012 06:34:02 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A week before school starts, police have started an education program to inform drivers across the province about the change to speed limits in school zones.
The Nova Scotia Safer Schools Act will be coming into effect on Saturday, ahead of the first day of school next Tuesday.
“Children are our most precious cargo and anything that we can do to promote safety in getting them to and from school, and while they are in and around schools, is of utmost importance,” Halifax Regional School Board spokesperson Kelly Conners told Global News Monday. “We fully support this legislation.”
As of Sept. 1, the speed limit in a school zone will drop from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 km/h.
When the speed limit is greater than 50km/h drivers must slow down to 50km/h when children are near the road.
“If could be 24-hours a day, 365 days of the year. It could be on a Saturday or a Sunday, this speed limit is there,” explained Cst. Raymond Quesnel.
Halifax Regional Police and RCMP were handing out pamphlets on Woodland Road in Dartmouth yesterday, informing the public about the incoming changes.
“I would say the majority of people are aware of the new regulations,” said Cst. Wayne Cathcart. “There were a number of people who were not aware.”
At least one motorist is concerned the regulations will slow down commuting during rush hour.
“For all the traffic to slow down to 30, with the threat of double-speed fines, that’s really slow,” said motorist Mark Crosby. “It’s going to congest, especially the downtown core, and areas that have a lot of traffic.”
The fine for exceeding the speed limit by 15 km/h in a school zone is $340.21. Drivers going 16 to 30 km/h over the limit will be fined $455.21. And drivers going more than 31 km/h over will be fined $685.21.
