New speed limit around schools?

[placidfemme]

Ehhh... I can't remember what the exact speed limit is around schools since they changed the laws...

Is it 40kph? or 45kph?

I'm going to be going past at least one primary school during my test this afternoon and don't wanna screw it up...

Thanks in advance

[Finn]

I'm going to be going past at least one primary school during my test this afternoon and don't wanna screw it up...

I heard it was 75 kph.

EDIT: Yip - confirmed.

[sunhuntin]

i cant remember, but the grace limit is now 4k. i go past a main primary school to get to work, and i usually cruise past about 45k [i start at 3, so i go past before school lets out.] 9 times out 10, ill be tail gated the whole way. and 9 times out of 10, its a parent thats doin it.

this school sits on a main highway [to new plymouth] so speeds can be excessive [i was doing 60 in the holidays, lol.] it has a pedestrian crossing right outside the gates, which helps to slow things down, cos you never know when its gonna be used.

best of luck with the test, and i hope someone can help!

[placidfemme]

I heard it was 75 kph.

EDIT: Yip - confirmed.

ah huh... So it must also be true that if I flash the instructor he'll just make me start my bike and tunr it off again and I pass?

[Kwaka14]

It's just the posted speed so if it says 40 then do 40.... I'm pretty sure they have just reduced the posted speed. Best of luck in the test

[Thomas]

When I went for my licence I made sure I took close notice of every speed sign - but the speedo was out anyway, so even if I'd kept to the speed limit, I would have been well under!

We're all going to have to be even more careful around schools now as the speed looks like it has dropped to 40.

[DMNTD]

Saw on the news last night that they will be changing it to 40...some schools have posted a 40kmph restriction but it is not enforceable yet.
Re licience....do 40kmph :yes:

[yungatart]

The speed limit around schools is 50 unless posted otherwise. Some schools, mainly in Auckland have 40kph limits.
The tolerance allowable is now only 4 kph over the posted limit. It is the tolerance that has changed, not the sped limit

[crashe]

Last night on the news....... I saw a item about this....
They had a flashing light up stating 40kms.....
someone did 60kms and got a ticket for $120.

Because this law is so new and it is changing yet again....
it may pay to ring up LTSA or the AA and get their advise on this.

Dont let on that you are going for a test this arvo....
Be an enquiring driver who is having a debate at work..... :whistle:
and that you want to win the bet..... :rofl:




Then come back and tell us what is the correct speed when passing schools...
and is only during certain hours or is 24/7 when passing schools.

As schools are NOT open 24/7

What about if its a high school having night classes. again what is the speed limit?

[placidfemme]

lol I'm surpirsed that not many people know the answer to this question...

I'm sure I heard on the news that they have reduced the speed limits around schools during certain hours (start and finish of school). Just not sure if its 40kph or 45kph.

Edit Posted the above after Thomas's post and found 3 more replies lol

I guess I'll just play it safe and stick to 40kph

[Ixion]

In general, the change is that police have reduced their TOLERANCE to 54kph. The speed limit stays at 50 but the police have reduced their discretion . This reduced discretion applies 6am to 7:30pm , and "other times when children are at risk" , within 250 mtrs of a school boundary (which is very dubious)

As a separate initiative, the government has allowed schools to apply to have "school zones" declared (with signs) which will have a 40kph LIMIT at specified times (times on the signs). So far only two such zones have been declared . One is at Gladstone Rd school in Mt Albert, I do not know where the other one is.

Other schools are applying

Basically, stick to 45 - 50kph unless you see a sign saying "School Zone"

[crashe]

lol I'm surpirsed that not many people know the answer to this question...

I'm sure I heard on the news that they have reduced the speed limits around schools during certain hours (start and finish of school). Just not sure if its 40kph or 45kph.

But what hours thou....... you see some schools allow the kids to enter at 8.30am and some at 8am....... some finsih school at 2.30pm and some at 3pm...... and then some schools have after school care for kids..... they get picked up anywhere from 3.30 to 6pm........


So as you can see the hours are all over the place.

Not everyone knows which school has after school care.

Then some schools are community based schools (Freyberg primary in Tat south) where they have activities (learning to play guitar etc) after school hours.

Some high school have night classes....... do we also have to travel past them at the slow speed during that time as well.
They run from 7 - 9pm. But people arrive at 6.30onwards throu to leaving as late as 9.30pm to 10pm...

I thought it was dropped from 50km to 45km....... but having seen last night news item it seems it is now 40kms

[oldrider]

All this political talk about "protecting the children" by posting a 40kph speed limit around schools!

while they post 30kph at deserted road works to "protect the road workers" ?

Strange priorities in my book! :mellow: John.

[NighthawkNZ]

I do hope they are also spending more time and money educating the kids about road safety... because it doesn't matter what speed you are doing... if a kid runs out in front of you...

[placidfemme]

I do hope they are also spending more time and money educating the kids about road safety... because it doesn't matter what speed you are doing... if a kid runs out in front of you...

Thats a very good point...

Back home we had a course for school kids (aged between 6 & 9) called "Happy Roads". The best way I can explain it is like a go-cart track specially built for these safety classes, the go cart track had Pedestrian Crossings (called Zebra Crossing back home), it also had traffic lights.

The kids were split into two groups, half got onto bicycles and rode around the track obeying the lights and stopping at zebra crossings, the other group of kids walked around the track obeying the lights and road rules. There were instructors (or whatever) in both groups explaining things to the kids. They covered the correct methods of crossing the roads (whether at lights, zebra crossing, un-marked roads etc). They did spot prizes for kids who got the answers right and so forth.

It was fun and educational. They should do something similar here.

[MSTRS]

All this political talk about "protecting the children" by posting a 40kph speed limit around schools!

while they post 30kph at deserted road works to "protect the road workers" ?

Strange priorities in my book! :mellow: John.

Good spotting, 86. It is the old double-standard trick as promulgated by the forces of Kaos. 99.

[Busy]

As mentioned the speed hasn't changed, just the grace limit has been reduced, the 40k signs have been put up by the school, and cant be enforced.

When I sat my licence the guy told me to go with the flow of traffic, a slow biker is more prone to being knocked off.
The rule of thumb, follow the flow of traffic, if there is no traffic do the speed limit - just comfirm with the person first, it may even work in your favor as it shows you dont want to be another victim ...

[davereid]

Just do 40 around schools, busy pedestrian areas etc etc. You are unlikely to fail youlicence for being a nana 10 km/hr under the correct speed. But you'll fail it pretty quickly being 10km/hr above the speed limit.

Good luck with your test !

[Postie]

when I did my test last year, there was a lot of talk about the speed limit around schools then and I thought it was 40 past schools, when I asked the instructor about it, he said it was still 50 but ride to the conditions, if there are small kids around and school run mums in 4X4's, you will probably want to go slower to observe all the potential hazards. You can do 54kph past the kiddies before you fail and/or get a ticket if the plod is around.

[pritch]

There are discussions about a 40kph limit but they are as yet apparently just that. At least one school has posted an illuminated 40 kph sign but it has no legal standing.

What bothers me is when you are on a cross country trip you don't necessarily know where the rural schools are. When the focus on schools was first announced the two HP cars I saw were both parked outside rural schools.

Also I see that somebody wants the lower tolerance extended to weekends to cover school sports activities.

We might as well extend it to the evenings too so the little shits don't get injured on their way to torch the school buildings...

[Ixion]

Thats a very good point...

Back home we had a course for school kids (aged between 6 & 9) called "Happy Roads". The best way I can explain it is like a go-cart track specially built for these safety classes, the go cart track had Pedestrian Crossings (called Zebra Crossing back home), it also had traffic lights.

The kids were split into two groups, half got onto bicycles and rode around the track obeying the lights and stopping at zebra crossings, the other group of kids walked around the track obeying the lights and road rules. There were instructors (or whatever) in both groups explaining things to the kids. They covered the correct methods of crossing the roads (whether at lights, zebra crossing, un-marked roads etc). They did spot prizes for kids who got the answers right and so forth.

It was fun and educational. They should do something similar here.

They used to do exactly that when I was at school (in New Zealand). I don't know when it was stopped.

[yungatart]

They used to do exactly that when I was at school (in New Zealand). I don't know when it was stopped.

The cops still go into schools and do pedestrian safety courses and safe cycling courses... well, they do here anyway.

[mynameis]

Placid,

This might be of interest to you as it specifically applies to the Shore, all the best. I'd say just cruise at 40 down the hill where that Primary school is and GO with the TRAFFIC flow as they seem to be picky when you clog the roads up!

http://subs.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10414947

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10422967

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10422806

[NighthawkNZ]

Shit i'm only guessing my speedo is out buy 7 or 8 km... I could be wrong... sheese... it could be more it could be less...

An analogue speedo will never ever be as accurate as a radar read out... (being ex radar from navy this is one thing I know)

[Shadows]

I only do about 40 (or less) past schools at times when the kids are coming or going anyway. Particularly with all the dopey tarts U-turning all over the place in their 4x4s.
The current speed limit is definately 50 unless posted otherwise. The LED flashing light thing doesn't count as it is not enforceable. But a good idea anyway.

[sunhuntin]

i just recalled, i heard/read somewhere, that the 4k grace limit will also be put in place in other areas kids are at risk [ie, saturday cricket, rugby etc] i cant remember where i heard it though. damnit.

[GR81]

... It was fun and educational. They should do something similar here.
they do in chch, near burnside high... don't know if its used anymore tho.


i just recalled, i heard/read somewhere, that the 4k grace limit will also be put in place in other areas kids are at risk [ie, saturday cricket, rugby etc] i cant remember where i heard it though. damnit.
stop start, stop start... ripple effect anyone?

[KLOWN]

when I sat my car license i had to drive down parnell rise, i did 40kph down most of it because it was so busy. When I finished the test the tester commented on how well I did and he approved of the speed I was doing down parnell. As they say the speed limit is the LIMIT. you won't get in trouble for doing less, use your judgement. unless your doing 5kph and hold up everyone and generally being a problem

[Motu]

You should do the test in Mt Roskill - it's a stop start 1st gear crawl past the school,not a hope in hell of speeding.

[Alice]

Remember if you are passing a school bus you are meant to slow to -I think 20kph, check your road code before you go for the test, there must be a road code on line or ring the AA and ask them for confirmation.

[pete376403]

As mentioned the speed hasn't changed, just the grace limit has been reduced, the 40k signs have been put up by the school, and cant be enforced....

On CloseUp last night they did a feature on this: showed a cop pulling someone and the illuminated 40km/h sign was mentioned by the cop - to me that looks like it is an enforcable limit.

[DirtMad]

I agree with what they are trying to do!:yes: , however I dont agree with the technical legality of what they are doing.
My speedometer goes up in 10km/hr increments, therefore the accuracy of the meter im using to measure my speed cannot be greater than plus or minus 10km/hr of the displayed reading. :nono:

[NighthawkNZ]

I agree with what they are trying to do! , however I dont agree with the technical legality of what they are doing.
My speedometer goes up in 10km/hr imcrements, therefore the accuracy of the meter im using to measure my speed cannot be greater than plus or minus 10km/hr of the displayed reading.

And if it is calabrated accurately...

[Fooman]

All this political talk about "protecting the children" by posting a 40kph speed limit around schools!

while they post 30kph at deserted road works to "protect the road workers" ?

Strange priorities in my book! :mellow: John.

30 kph signs at road repairs are there for 3 reasons:

1. Protect workers, as was noted
2. Protect the road works - the road needs time to bed in properly, tar to get distributed around etc. If cars/trucks/(gawd forbid even bikes) zoom across it, the road will be damaged and/or will break up quicker once it goes into full service.
3. Protect the road users - Sometimes it is not a good idea to go across roadworks at the limit, AND, ever been on road works while some twat barrels towards you at 100kph, fat tires extending beyond the arches of his holden ute, flinging small missiles at you at 200 kph? Not pleasant...

Cheers,
FM

[sunhuntin]

30 kph signs at road repairs are there for 3 reasons:

1. Protect workers, as was noted
2. Protect the road works - the road needs time to bed in properly, tar to get distributed around etc. If cars/trucks/(gawd forbid even bikes) zoom across it, the road will be damaged and/or will break up quicker once it goes into full service.
3. Protect the road users - Sometimes it is not a good idea to go across roadworks at the limit, AND, ever been on road works while some twat barrels towards you at 100kph, fat tires extending beyond the arches of his holden ute, flinging small missiles at you at 200 kph? Not pleasant...

Cheers,
FM

we got road works about a block away. they are ok to head to town on, but shit to come home through, cos they end right before a giveway, which means loose stones are all over the show.
i made the mistake of coming home that way once....scared myself shitless so now take the long road.
stupid thing is, they are quite fresh, but are not speed limited. i got whacked on a bare arm by a flying stone. lol.

[Oakie]

I just changed my commute-route before Christmas to avoid going past any schools. Problem solved.

[sunhuntin]

i tried changing the route, but no matter what road i take, ill go past at least one school. my current road, i go directly by a primary school, and am a block away from a secondary school. this school is also on a main highway.
if i take a shorter route, ill pass in close proximity to a primary school that is the lower end of the spectrum, and the kids have no road sense.
very busy road, so they just dash across no matter what.
to go this way, i also pass close to another secondary school, and an intermediate school, where the kids are again, willy nilly street crossers.
the intermediate school is a block away from yet another secondary school. these kids are also idiots on the road.

[DUCATI*HARD]

the post will tell you.goodluck.

[bikemike]

The times are 07:30 to 18:00


What times will it apply?

The enforcement will be a risk basis. This means that in general speed enforcement and speed camera deployment times will be between 7.30 - am and 6 pm week days when the majority of children are arriving or leaving school. However, it may also occur at other high risk times when the school is being used for events such as sports events, gals and other school-based activities.

Check out the page on the police website:
http://www.police.govt.nz/service/road/speed-kills-kids.html

[SuperDave]

This new 'tough' enforcement of a lower speed tolerance around schools is bullshit. Oooh don't go any more of 5k in the a 50 zone because hitting a kid over that will be much much worse that hitting them at exactly 50.

Last time I checked the speed limit outside Dairy flat school was...80kph, shit don't exceed that limit by the lowered threshold of 5kms, might hurt someone if you do.

Here's a novel idea, how about we make ALL school zones 40kph irrespective of where they are and signpost it properly! Like I've seen it done in Aus.

[NighthawkNZ]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Lou Girardin]

Not all schools have a 40 km/h zone. Those that do, have to be sign posted. The tolerance is 4 km/h.
This'll stop all those kids running out in front of cars. Which, as we're not being told, is the main cause of kids being killed and injured.

[placidfemme]

Oh well... Didn't even end up going past a school. But thanks again for all the help and advise :)

I passed!!!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=929238#post929238

[Fooman]

This new 'tough' enforcement of a lower speed tolerance around schools is bullshit. Oooh don't go any more of 5k in the a 50 zone because hitting a kid over that will be much much worse that hitting them at exactly 50.


Dr FM does quick engineer type calculation:

Assumption: Kinetic energy is the culprit when it comes to damaging pedestrians, everything else (e.g. type of car) being equal.

A car, with constant mass, has 1.21 (i.e. a fifth more) times more kinetic energy travelling at 55 km/h than the same car travelling at 50 km/h and 1.89 (i.e. nearly twice) times more kinetic energy than the same car travelling at 40 km/h.

The traffic boffin on the news the other day quoted that every 1 km/h decrease in speed reduces the likelihood of serious injury by 4%, which sounds about right...

Cheers,
FM

[sunhuntin]

Not all schools have a 40 km/h zone. Those that do, have to be sign posted. The tolerance is 4 km/h.
This'll stop all those kids running out in front of cars. Which, as we're not being told, is the main cause of kids being killed and injured.

like hell it will! i had no less than 5 kids, from an upperclass high school, either run across the road, or start to step out. one dopey bitch stepped out, and decided to look only when half way through my lane. and this was on a corner! who would have been at fault if id bowled her?

never mind the fricking speed, start teaching these kids its not fun to walk out and get hit by a car.

also nearly got bowled myself by some cow who was doing at least 20k coming out of her driveway, the whole time looking the other way up the road. nearly collected me, and two students from the aforementioned school. like the kids, she only looked when i was right on top of her. if i hadnt been unclenching my ass, i would have ripped into her. stupid bitch.

[Toaster]

I did an article to stuff headlines about how its great that they do all the education and enforcement to make the roads safer, but when are they really going to do something about crime? Once they learn how to fine burglars and thieves?

[NighthawkNZ]

like hell it will! i had no less than 5 kids, from an upperclass high school, either run across the road, or start to step out. one dopey bitch stepped out, and decided to look only when half way through my lane. and this was on a corner! who would have been at fault if id bowled her?

never mind the fricking speed, start teaching these kids its not fun to walk out and get hit by a car.

also nearly got bowled myself by some cow who was doing at least 20k coming out of her driveway, the whole time looking the other way up the road. nearly collected me, and two students from the aforementioned school. like the kids, she only looked when i was right on top of her. if i hadnt been unclenching my ass, i would have ripped into her. stupid bitch.

I nearly hit some dopey blond cow that was texting... just worked out on the road with out even looking...

[sunhuntin]

I nearly hit some dopey blond cow that was texting... just worked out on the road with out even looking...

i read in the dom they are making talking on cell phones and ipods illegal while crossing the road. cant remember where...think it might have been aussie, but it sounds like a good idea. should ban texting as well.

i dare say, sir, it is a pity you missed!