Reduced speed limits could be coming to Regina school zones

There could be changes on the way to how school zones operate in the Queen City.

The City of Regina’s Executive Committee will look over recommendations brought forward by the Traffic School Zone Safety Committee. The committee was made up of members from the Regina public and separate school boards, members of the Regina Police Service as well as City of Regina traffic staff in 2016.

Adam Hicks is a trustee on the Regina Public School Board and is glad the city is taking steps to possibly change policies surrounding school zones.

“Typically, policy changes when something major happens, some type of incident happens,” Hicks said.

“I’m so glad that the City of Regina for the last year, year-and-a-half, (has) been looking at this (and) is doing something proactive without having a major incident having to happen.”

Some of the changes which will be recommended include reducing the speed limit from 40 to 30 kilometres per hour, banning U-turns in school zones and changing fines to align with the provincial Traffic Safety Act.

In regards to reducing the speed limit, Hicks said other cities have already implemented it, including Calgary and Saskatoon. He said it would only take drivers a few extra seconds to get through the zone with the new speed limit and it increases a person’s chance of survival if they are hit by a vehicle.

But along with a reduction in speed, there could be a decrease in the amount of time the limit is in effect; it would change to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“The longer hours you have where there’s no students, no children there, you get compliant. You don’t see somebody there, you’re more inclined by human nature, you might be more inclined to speed up if you don’t see any children playing,” Hicks explained.

U-turns have also been targeted by the committee, indicating they have become a problem within school zones. In order to help curb them, recommendations include signage and physical barriers.

Other recommendations will include making crosswalks more visible and increase signage around schools.

Hicks said he understands some people will view these proposed changes as an inconvenience.

“But as a parent, I want to make sure that if I’m dropping my child off at school or if my child is playing around there or they’re going to a field trip, I want to make sure that I know everything is being done to protect my child.”

Executive committee will look over the recommendations before giving it approval to be presented to city council for debate.