Take your time

Take your pedal off the metal as you approach any school throughout the Hurunui District.

From the beginning of Term 1 this year, there will be variable speed limit signage around the district’s 13 schools, in response to the government’s new speed limit rules.

Last year Hurunui District Council’s variable speed limits proposal was adopted by the Ministry of Transport, to ensure vehicles slow down during the busy drop-off and pick-up times.

Consistent district-wide travel periods have been adopted, with speed signs of 30km/hr or 50km/hr in effect during schools’ drop-off and pick-up hours of 08:20-09:00, and 14:40-15:20.

Outside of these times, the speed limit will remain as currently sign-posted.

During the consultation process Police worked closely with Council staff and assessed each individual school site to ensure that the most practical and safe speed zones around schools were proposed.

Sergeant Rob Irvine said Police will be educating the public in the first instance with enforcement to follow, if people don’t get the message.

The goal is to ensure all children around Hurunui’s schools’ public roads are kept as safe as possible.

“Remember to slow down and comply with the new speed zones,” said Sergeant Irvine.

Schools were consulted by Hurunui District Council (HDC) to gauge desirable times while police were consulted with to gauge enforceability. These changes have been welcomed as a positive step towards enhancing student safety.

Omihi School principal Maree Lucas said it’s hugely important to have lower speed limits during pick-up and drop-off times. Omihi School sits on the corner of Omihi Rd (SH1) and Reeces Road. Both roads are 100km/hr. On Reeces Road the speed limit will be 30km/hr past the school during drop-off and pick-up times, where the entrance and exit is.

“We have a number of trucks, tractors and big vehicles, as well as cars that drive past our front gate, so to have lower speed limits is crucial to keep our tamariki safe.”

Principal Lucas wanted to remind the wider community to lower their speed in front of the school and the school bus when dropping children off on the side of the road.

HDC’s Safer Roads Facilitator Emma Feathery said the lowered speed limits were seen as a welcomed change and long overdue, when consulting the district’s schools.

“We took time to talk to school communities, ensuring we had their concerns and wishes in mind,” said Feathery.

Ultimately, a balanced approach was adopted, optimising clarity of reading static signage, identifying safety gains from lowered speeds and navigating compliance concerns.

“The message is simple. If you see children, cars or buses waiting outside a school, please adjust your speed and stay alert.”

Feathery said the goal is for children of Hurunui to get to and from school safely, whether that’s walking, biking, scootering, riding in a private vehicle or catching a bus.

Mayor Marie Black said Council is committed to working alongside the district’s schools and wider communities to ensure these changes are well understood, effective and reflect local needs, adding that this approach aligns with making sure local infrastructure is appropriate for the future.

“It’s about changing travel patterns while keeping people at the centre of our decision making. I urge all road users to embrace these changes and protect our young people and their families as they travel to and from school.”

Photo:

Names from left to right:

Arty Hughes-Games, Theo Hughes-Games, Michael Hughes-Games (back), Alex Hughes-Games (back), Principal Maree Lucas, Holly Burrows.