KEY POINTS:
Speed restrictions of 40km/h will be introduced at seven schools around Auckland in a bid to reduce traffic accidents involving young pedestrians.
The scheme will be introduced by July next year.
More schools will follow if funding allows, Auckland City Council announced yesterday.
The move follows a successful speed zone trial at St Joseph's School in Onehunga.
"Since the trial began in June, average speeds at the end of the school day have fallen from 47km/h to 42km/h," Transport and Urban Linkages Committee chairman Richard Simpson said.
The council is working with the police to ensure the speed limits are enforced.
The schools were identified as "high-risk" based on the number of crashes near the school, pedestrian congestion at the school gates, and average speeds before and after school.
"In the last five years, 258 young pedestrians were involved in traffic accidents, with more than 50 per cent of crashes occurring during morning and afternoon travel to and from school," Mr Simpson said.
The council plans to introduce speed zones at all schools which meet Land Transport New Zealand criteria.
The requirements include: speeds above 50km/h before and after school, speed-related crashes on the road outside the school within the past five years, and a high level of on-road, school-related activity.
Seven sites
Gladstone Primary, Mt Albert
Ruapotaka Primary, Glen Innes
Te Papapa School, Onehunga
Christ the King, Mt Roskill
St Mary's School, Avondale
Three Kings School, Three Kings
St Heliers School, St Heliers
By Maggie McNaughton
