Speed Limits Around South Taranaki Schools to Reduce
Speed limits around schools in South Taranaki are set to be reduced following Waka Kotahi’s approval of the South Taranaki District Council’s (STDC) Interim Speed Management Plan.
STDC Senior policy advisor Anne Sattler says the Council was required to reduce speed limits around schools as part of the Government’s Land Transport Rule - Setting of Speed limits 2022.
“Under the Government’s Land Transport Rule, we were required to reduce speed limits outside 40% of our schools before 30 June 2024. We felt it made sense to consult with all schools at the same time, which is what we did,” says Anne.
Following public consultation held in February – March 2023 which saw 105 submissions made, the Council decided to introduce 30km/h permanent speed limits outside urban schools, and 60km/h permanent speed limits with a 30km/h speed limit during school hours outside rural schools.
“Councillors decided that consistency across the district was needed and therefore all urban schools and all rural schools were treated equally,” says Anne.
“For schools that share a boundary with a State Highway, we will work with Waka Kotahi to reduce their speed limits as and when Waka Kotahi reviews the roads they are responsible for, so there’s a consistent approach for all road users,” she says.
Anne says speed management is about achieving safe and appropriate vehicle speeds on roads that reflect the road’s function, design, safety, and use.
“We want everyone to be able to get home safely every time, and to feel comfortable choosing from a range of safe travel options be it driving, walking, biking, or scootering!”
Over the next 12 months the Council’s roading team will progressively install signs to reflect the new speed limits.
