Speed limits will be reduced to 40 kilometres per hour on major roads fronting schools and 30 kilometres per hour on minor roads fronting schools and local roads leading to a school driveway. Local roads with walkway access to school property will receive a 40-kilometres-per-hour speed limit.
Work will begin this summer to install the new speed limit and Community Safety Zone signs in accordance with Highway Traffic Act regulations and the road safety treatments for five pilot school areas are expected to be in place this fall. A public education campaign will take place in time for back-to-school travel.
“School area safety is a priority for Council. We want our children to be safe,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Reducing the speed limit on the roads around our schools will create a safer environment for children and families walking or cycling to school. Watch for new signage and public education to be rolled out for the next school year.”
“Community Safety Zones in school areas will add another layer of safety, in addition to the City’s effective Crossing Guard program and school bus safety laws,” said Peterborough Police Chief Stuart Betts. “These important reduced speed limits will be enforced through doubled fines set out by the Highway Traffic Act. Reduced vehicle speeds help save lives.”
The school area safety project comes from key infrastructure policy initiatives established through the Transportation Master Plan that was approved by Council in March 2022. This project implements several of the measures recommended in the Safe School Zones section, including education, engineering and enforcement measures to improve the safety in school areas.
