September 15, 2017
The City of Edmonton is implementing 30km/h playground zones, with signs starting to go up across Edmonton today.
“Vision Zero looks proactively at where we can prevent injuries and save lives,”
says Gord Cebryk, Branch Manager for Parks & Roads Services with the City of Edmonton.
"Implementing playground speed limits is about keeping vulnerable children safe."
Driving at or below 30 km/h where children play reduces the distance traveled during reaction and braking time, thereby reducing the number of collisions, the force at which vehicles hit pedestrians and the severity of injuries. Traffic safety statistics show a marked reduction in pedestrian and cyclist injuries with the introduction of 30 km/h school zones in Edmonton.
The City is starting with installing signs at 178 stand-alone playgrounds with the goal of all 425 playgrounds and play areas marked by year end. This includes 195 playgrounds adjacent to schools, 36 playgrounds already included within existing school zones, and 16 new schools. Existing school zones will become playground zones by year end. Once the sign is up, the speed limit is in effect.
“Children play on school grounds after school hours and on the weekends. It makes sense to extend protection for them,” says
Cebryk.
The 30 km/h speed speed limit
is in effect every day from 7:30 a.m to 9:00 p.m. (7:30 - 21:00).
