Winnipeg, MB - A by-law amendment to add 120 new reduced-speed school zones around Winnipeg schools will be considered by City Council on Wednesday. The City is adding these new zones to the existing by-law as a result of amendments made in August to the provincial Reduced-Speed School Zones Regulation, which allows for more zones to be implemented in the city.
It is expected that the majority of the new reduced-speed school zones will be signed by the end of January 2015 and all will be signed by the end of February 2015. The new zones will come into effect as soon as signs are installed. There will be approximately 5,000 signs installed as part of all reduced-speed school zones in Winnipeg.
“The implementation of reduced-speed school zones is intended to make the transportation system more forgiving for children, who tend to have the most difficulty gauging the speed of vehicular traffic,” said Luis Escobar, Manager of Transportation.
This by-law amendment builds on the first round of reduced-speed school zones which was implemented prior to the beginning of the school year this past September.
“Reduced-speed school zones enhance the safety of children around schools where they may not pay as much attention to vehicular traffic as older kids,” said Winnipeg Police Service Staff Sgt. Rob Riffel. “The Winnipeg Police Service will continue to monitor speeds in these zones utilizing both traditional and photo enforcement techniques.”
Reduced-speed school zones are in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday during the months of September to June. Reduced-speed school zones apply to any street that:
- borders a private or public school which includes grade six or lower,
- is not a regional street, and
- can meet the requirements for signage set out in the Manitoba Reduced-Speed School Zones Regulation.
A list of the new reduced-speed school zones can be viewed by visiting the Council agendas page on Winnipeg.ca