30 km speed limits in CBS school zones next week

By Mark Squibb/September 2, 2022

Beginning next week, motorists will have to slow down in school zones, a lot, as the Town of Conception Bay South introduces new reduced speed limits.

“Safety in school zones has been a chief concern of council for a number of years now,” said CBS Mayor Darrin Bent. “We’re expanding our lights in school zones, we’ve expanded sidewalk programs in school zones, and of course, moving forward with a reduced speed limit in school zones is the next natural step.”

Drivers will have to reduce their speeds to 30 km/hr between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on school days.

“Reduced speeds in school zones across the town has been something that many parents have been calling for for years, and we’re very pleased that we’re finally able to get this done,” said Bent.

Residents should expect to curb their speeds near Topsail Elementary, Villanova Junior High and Holy Spirit High School in Manuels, Frank Roberts Junior High and Queen Elizabeth High School on the Foxtrap Access Road, St. Edward’s and Admiral’s Academy near Red Bridge Road, Upper Gullies Elementary near Roberts Road, and St. Georges Elementary in Long Pond.

The decision to increase or decrease speeds in school zones does not rest entirely with the Town, as schools within the town are located along provincial roads.

Bent said CBS requested a speed limit reduction in school zones a number of years ago, but the Town and Province could not nail down what the exact speed limit in school zones should be, and a resolution was never reached.

“So, this council, on day one, accepted the 30-kilometre speed offer from the province to implement in our school zones as soon as possible,” said Bent. “The Province has worked with us hand-in-hand to ensure that this gets done, so we’re very pleased with the partnership that we have with the Province, when it comes to the speed limits in the school zones within our town. And that’s what really made this happen as quickly as it has. We wanted to get this done as soon as possible.”

Bent said that signage is already in place in school zones indicating the new rules.

“They’re covered, and people have seen them and probably wondered what was going on, but I can tell you, when school starts next week, these signs will be unveiled, and the 30-kilometre speed limit will be in place,” said the mayor. “Once the signs are unveiled, it’s in effect.”

Bent added the new limit is here to stay.

“It won’t change with this council, I guarantee it,” he said.

Bent said that over the last number of years, the Town has undertaken various traffic calming measures, including the installation of speed humps and pedestrian activated lights at crosswalks. But, he allowed, despite the rules and regulations, folks will no doubt still speed if they want to speed. If you should see dangerous driving throughout the town, Bent said to go straight to the RNC with your concerns.

“We’re urging motorists to be extra mindful in school zones, but not only school zones, everywhere,” Bent said. “If something goes wrong, there could be a tragedy that you can’t take back. So, we’re asking people to be extra mindful, especially as we get ready for school next week.”