New 30km/h Variable Speed Limit
To help keep young New Zealanders safe, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is setting a new variable speed limit that targets the times when vulnerable children are most active around our schools.
What this means for your school
As required by the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, a variable speed limit of 30km/h outside your school on the state highway has been approved by the Director of Land Transport.
We’re working through the details for installation and will do our best to minimise disruption. Details will be shared via school communications channels once confirmed, such as timings for installation and if there will be any impact on travel around school.
When will the variable speed limit operate, and how will people know it’s operating?
The variable speed limit will be active when students are travelling to and from school, at the beginning and end of each school day. The school and NZTA may also turn the signs on for activities such as late starts, or early finish times, or school functions, when there is similar risk to tamariki.
When operating, the variable speed limit will appear on a flashing electronic sign. If the sign is not turned on, the normal permanent speed limit applies. Variable speed limits are legally enforceable.
How was 30km/h chosen for the variable speed limit outside my school?
International best practice is that 30km/h is the safer speed on roads and streets where a high number of tamariki are present or where we are wanting to
encourage more walking, biking or scootering to and from school.
This is because people who walk or ride bikes have a strong chance of surviving a crash and avoiding serious injury if the person driving is travelling at 30km/h or less. The risk of death or serious injury doubles between 30km/h and 40km/h, and doubles again at 50km/h.
The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 (the rule) requires that a variable speed limit of 30km/h be applied to the road outside the school gate of all category one schools unless the permanent speed limit on the road is already 30km/h or less.
For more information see the flyers attached.
