New Westminster would like cities in the region to work together on extending enforcement hours in school zones – but it’s prepared to be a leader if that can’t happen.
In February, council supported a motion directing staff to bring back a report on how to extend the enforcement of speed zone hours in school zones. That included consideration of the length of those extended hours, such as 24 hours a day or 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
In a report to council, staff said the topic had been put forward to TransLink’s regional transportation advisory committee as a point for discussion at the regional level.
“This discussion has not yet advanced,” said the report. “Staff are expecting further discussion to occur later in 2023 and to subsequently report back to council in early 2024.”
Coun. Tasha Henderson, who raised the issue at council in February, supported the approach recommended by staff.
“I appreciate the approach that staff have taken here by bringing that motion to extend school zone hours to the regional table,” she said. “I think that this, for me, is a great example of staff taking a council motion and applying their expertise and sort of making it, hopefully, more effective in practice.”
Henderson said she’s looking forward to hearing what neighbouring municipalities have to say about this possible change, and hopes they’ll support extended enforcement hours in school zones.
“I also would like to say that if it doesn't look viable, then I support New West taking the lead on it, with direction from staff around what those times might look like, and hopefully encouraging the region to follow suit,” she said.
Mayor Patrick Johnstone agreed that a regional approach to managing this issue is preferable.
“It's better to have a consistent rules for road for safety around the region,” he said.
However, like Henderson, Johnstone supports New Westminster taking a leadership role on this issue if the region doesn’t support a coordinated approach.
“I don't want that to prevent us from taking some more aggressive action to make sure that the roads around our schools are safe. And I do very much support 30 kilometres an hour around schools,” he said. “For the record, I've always supported 30 kilometres an hour for all residential streets.”
In a March report to council, staff said B.C.’s Motor Vehicle Act specifies that school zone speed limits are in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days, unless extended times are stated on signage. Some Metro Vancouver municipalities, however, have extended their school zone speed limit hours; Vancouver’s speed limit hours being effect 24 hours a day, Burnaby’s operating from 7 a.m. to 10 pm. on school days and Langley Township’s being in place 24 hours a day on school days only.
Earlier this year, the New Westminster District Parents Advisory Council wrote to council asking that school zone speed limits be in effect between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., so they’re aligned with those in place around Burnaby schools.
