Waitakere City Council Proposal to Local Government New Zealand for nation-wide introduction of 40kph speed zones around schools by local governments in New Zealand

Safekids has publicly welcomed, via a Media Release issued on 19 March (see rec # 6409), the Government’s recent decision to allow territorial local authorities (TLAs) to set lower speed limits within their areas. We firmly believe that an initiative such as that proposed by Waitakere City Council to Local Government New Zealand will help to save lives and reduce the toll of child pedestrian injuries, which is a significant problem in New Zealand. Child pedestrians are most at risk of injury on the way to and from school, particularly between 3pm and 6pm. Overseas studies show that lowering speed limits past schools both before and after the school day can reduce road related injuries and deaths for children. The extent of the child pedestrian injury problem in New Zealand, and the leading role that motor vehicles play in it, are outlined in the attached document "The burden of unintentional injury in New Zealand: the principal cause of child death". We also firmly believe that under the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, Local Government has a responsibility for children to have a “first call” upon resources.