Drivers Urged To Go Slow At Sutherland Schools

A 20mph part-time speed limit goes into operation next week from Tuesday 16th August, 2005 at Dornoch Academy, Dornoch Primary and Kinbrace Primary schools in Sutherland.

With the help of £2.157M funding from the Scottish Executive, The Highland Council aims to get the message across that slowing down near schools saves lives and that reducing the speed limit to 20 mph outside schools significantly improves the safety of children walking or cycling to school.

Edderton Primary school was the first to receive a 20mph part time speed limit in Sutherland area earlier this year, and these additions bring the total number of schools benefiting from part time speed limits in Highland to 18 at present. These schools are part of an ongoing programme for the next four years, which will see all schools in the Highlands with 20mph speed limits.

Highland Councillor for Dornoch Firth Area, Duncan Allan said: "As our secondary school and primary school are on the main road into Dornoch it is essential that cars slow down near the schools and our school children because speed kills and maims easily. I would urge all those who enter and exit the school premises to take particular care during busy times."

Kinbrace Primary school is one of two schools in Highland being trialled where the traffic speed restrictions reduce from 60mph to the part time 20mph; all the other schools so far are in existing 30mph zones. The Council therefore urges driver around Kinbrace to be extra vigilant in reducing their speed to 20mph around Kinbrace Primary.

Highland Councillor for Kinbrace Primary School’s area, Rita Finlayson said: "I am delighted that we now have a 20mph zone around four of our school entrances. I am certain that the initiative will make a great difference to the safety of our pupils. I would urge all drivers to be vigilant in observing these new speed limits."

Roads outside schools can be notoriously dangerous places for children travelling to and from the classroom. Injury accidents have fallen by 60%, child pedestrian accidents by 70% and child cyclist accidents by 48% where these 20mph designated measures are put in place.

Drivers travelling near the Sutherland schools should be aware that the 20mph part time speed limit applies on school days, Mondays to Fridays as follows:

Dornoch Academy and Primary from 0830 to 0905; 1430 to 1500 and 1530 to 1550; and Kinbrace Primary from 0840 to 0905 and 1530 to 1550.

With research showing that 20 mph speed limits are an effective vehicle for reducing the number of accidents and severity of casualties on our roads, it is clear to see why all drivers including parents must abide by them. The Highland Council hopes that the new 20 mph signs will raise awareness of the 20 mph speed limit outside Sutherland’s schools and encourage drivers to slow down.

Murdo MacLeod, Highland Council’s Traffic Technician said: "Since implementing the part time 20mph zones around Highland primary schools we have had positive feedback from the public and school staff that the signs are making a difference. However, we cannot be complacent and I would urge those drivers who are still ignoring the signs to give more consideration to the speed limit which is only in operation part time when pupils are coming to and from school."