Northumberland County is taking another step towards ensuring the safety of school children by introducing traffic calming flashing signals in the vicinity of six selected schools that will be subject to speed reductions during school hours. These measures have been put in place to reduce the speed of motorists and promote a safer environment for students as they travel to and from school.
“We are investing in the safety of our children by introducing traffic calming flashing signals near these schools as a proactive step towards creating safer environments for our young residents,” said Denise Marshall, Director of Public Works for Northumberland County.
In response to growing concerns about school zone safety, Northumberland County has enacted a new by-law aimed at controlling speeds near schools during regular school hours. The speed limit on County Roads around schools has been officially reduced to 40 km/h from the previous 50 km/h or 60 km/h. This decision came after thorough consultations with schools and local Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment traffic divisions. There are a total of eleven schools on County roads, with five schools having signage and speed reduction requirements already in place. The six remaining schools that have been specifically targeted for these new safety enhancements include:
· North Hope Central Public School – County Road 9
· Northumberland Hills Public School – County Road 25
· Spring Valley Public School – County Road 26
· Roseneath Centennial Public School – County Road 45
· Dale Road Senior Public School – County Road 74
· Plainville Public School – County Road 18
“These changes are crucial steps towards increasing driver awareness and creating safer environments for the well-being of our children when they are near their schools,” emphasized Denise Marshall.
To further enhance safety and ensure the effectiveness of these speed reductions, Northumberland County offers the following suggestions for motorists:
Obey Speed Limits: adhere to the posted speed limits, especially in school zones. Reduced speeds provide drivers with more time to react to unexpected situations and reduce the severity of accidents.
Be Vigilant: Pay close attention to school zone signage and flashing signals. When beacons are flashing, it is a clear indication to reduce your speed to 40 km/h.
Yield to Pedestrians: Always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, especially at crosswalks and intersections.
Northumberland County is committed to ensuring the safety of our children as they embark on their educational journey. We urge all motorists to cooperate with these measures and contribute to creating a safer environment for everyone in our community
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
