School is Out, Speed Limits Still In Effect

School is out for the summer, but the law to reduce speed limits in school areas is still in effect.

"I want to remind motorists to continue to slow down in school areas even though school is out," said Maurice Smith, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "The reduced speed limits are in effect whenever children are present. Motorists must remember to slow down. It's the law. Slower is safer."

There have been many questions about the definition of when children are present, since school zone speed limits were reduced in some school areas in September.

"The caveat that children must be present for motorists to slow down is not new," said Mr. Smith. "This part of the law has always been in effect. The important thing to remember is slower is safer, especially when children are involved."

Motorists must slow down in school zones when they see children on the road in the school area or outdoors, within 30 metres of the road in the school area. The reduced speed limit is in effect 24 hours a day, year round, when children are present in the school area.

The province reduced speed limits last fall from 50 km/h to 30 km/h when children are present in school areas, where the surrounding speed zone is 50 km/h. In school areas where the surrounding speed zone is higher, the speed limit remains at 50 km/h when children are present.

More information about reduced speed limits in school zone areas can be found at http://novascotia.ca/tran/roadsafety/schoolzonesafety.asp .