The success of 40 km/h school zones at Christchurch schools is attracting national interest from roading and education authorities. Road safety organisations, traffic engineers and police representatives from around New Zealand came to the Christchurch City Council’s launch of four new school zone sites last month.

The city now has nine schools using the electronic signs to slow traffic when pupils are coming to and leaving school. Tests show that the zones are effective in slowing traffic, and the project has now moved from pilot phase to wider installation of the signs as funding permits.

Gary Oakes, marketing manager for Roadsigns and Traffic Control Equipment, says CCC deserves high praise for work on child pedestrian safety. The council’s 40 km/h initiative is a first for New Zealand and is drawing the attention of other city and district councils trying to deal with rising traffic volumes outside schools.

“The school zone system in Christchurch clearly meets the diverse needs of school pupils, parents, motorists and roading authorities,” Mr Oakes says.

To qualify for 40 km/h zones schools must meet Land Transport Safety Authority criteria.The signs are activated by each school in conjunction with local police and roading authorities.

The four new 40 km/h zones installed last month are on Sparks Road for Our Lady of Assumption and Hoon Hay schools, on Prestons Road outside Marshland School and on Kirk Road and Banks Street outside Templeton School.

Drivers are alerted to the school zones by