School zones in and around high schools could become a thing of the past in Saskatoon.
On Monday, the City’s transportation committee adopted a series of recommendations surrounding school zones, high school zones and playground zones to better align with national standards issued by the Transportation Association of Canada.
A City report states that “Children of middle age and high school age are typically better able to understand traffic and to control their own movements.”
Jay Magus, Director of Transportation says the City will instead implement “school areas” near high schools. This means signage will still be in place notifying motorists that they’re passing school and that U-turns are illegal, however motorists won’t be required to slow down.
Magus adds the City will implement appropriate crosswalk infrastructure near high schools before eliminating them. An additional pedestrian signal crossing is slated to be installed on Lenore Drive, east of Bishop James Mahoney Catholic High School.
In the plans moving forward, the City is also looking at removing select school zones on major corridors including two on Diefenbaker Drive on the City’s west side. The one located next to the Westgate Alliance Church would be removed along with the one near Confederation Park’s Catholic elementary school, Bishop Roborecki.
The City will also look at introducing playground zones in areas where there are playgrounds without a school.
Councillor Randy Donauer asked Magus if there will be confusion between school zones and school areas for drivers. Magus said the plan is to invest in an education program and over time the public will catch on. “If the odd driver is driving too slow, I’m okay with that as a transportation official.”
The proposed changes would also see school zone speeds extended year round from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Currently the 30 km/hr speeds are in place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from September to June during weekdays.
The changes could come into effect as soon as next year.
City Council will still have to okay the adopted recommendations later this month. Maps of the proposed changes in every Saskatoon neighbourhood can be found by clicking on this link.
