Speeding Survey
A significant amount of international research shows that pedestrian casualties are dramatically reduced when impact speeds are lowered. In many overseas jurisdictions, speed limits of 30 km/hour are put in place where vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists) can come into contact with motor vehicles. A pedestrian struck at 30 km/hour has a 95% chance of survival while at 50 km/hour that drops to only 55%.
Consideration is currently being given to the possibility of lowering speed limits around schools, where vulnerable road users are clearly present in high numbers during the morning and afternoon periods of school terms as children arrive and leave schools.
NZSTA are working with New Zealand Police in looking at speed limits around schools and also speed limits around school buses and recently surveyed boards on their views regarding Speed Limits past Schools & School Buses. The key findings were reported in the September issues of STAnews. Members can download a full copy of the Speed Survey Report.
Key findings
Here are the results of our recent survey about speed limits around schools and speed past school buses. I would like to thank all those who responded. This research is being carried out in conjunction with Police, Automobile Association, Land Transport, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Education, and Safe Kids.
1. Would you support a general lowering of the speed limits within 250 metres of urban school boundaries (those in 50 and 60 km/hour speed zones)?
No response 8 1%
No 41 5%
Yes 783 94%
If yes, what do you consider the speed limit should be?
Not specified 50 6%
20 108 13%
30 453 54%
40 194 23%
Other 27 3%
2. Would you support a general lowering of the speed limits within 250 metres of rural school boundaries (those in 70 km/hour speed zones and higher)?
No response 22 3%
No 38 5%
Yes 772 93%
If yes, what do you consider the speed limit should be?
Not specified 50 6%
20 55 7%
30 193 23%
40 170 20%
50 282 34%
60 23 3%
70 31 4%
Other 28 3%
3. Would you support police enforcement of these school speed zones?
No response 14 2%
No 23 3%
Yes 795 96%
If yes, at what point should speeding drivers be ticketed
Not specified 31 4%
From 1 km/hr over the school zone limit 106 13%
From 10 km/hr over the school zone limit 99 12%
From 5 km/hr over the school zone limit (current police policy) 596 72%
Who should pay for the signage outside schools?
Local government 98 18%
Government 95 17%
LTNZ 68 12%
Whoever pays now 62 11%
Transit NZ 53 9%
Mix of options 46 8%
MoE 32 6%
MoT 24 4%
Not the board 21 4%
Local government/LTNZ 11 2%
Local/central government 10 2%
Board 8 1%
Local government/MoE 6 1%
LTNZ/MoE 6 1%
Transit NZ/local council 6 1%
Police 5 1%
Local government/police 3 1%
LTNZ/police 3 1%
MoE/MoT 3 1%
4. If the speed limit was to be changed what speed limit would you consider in urban areas? (when passing a stationary school bus which is letting children on or off)
Leave it at 20 683 82%
30 99 12%
40 16 2%
50 7 1%
No response 15 2%
Other 12 1%
5. If the speed limit was to be changed what speed limit would you consider appropriate in rural areas? (when passing a stationary school bus which is letting children on or off)
20 356 43%
30 157 19%
50 82 10%
40 67 8%
70 18 2%
60 11 1%
Other 4 0%
No response 137 16%
6. What signage would you like to see on school buses?
Both hazard lights and speed limit sign 631 76%
Speed limit sign displayed on rear of bus 84 10%
Hazard lights activated on stopping 82 10%
Other 20 2%
No response 15 2%