20mph Restrictions at Skye Schools

A 20mph part-time speed limit is now in operation at Uig Primary School on the Isle of Skye.

Uig Primary is the first school in Skye and Lochalsh Area that is benefiting from the introduction of part time speed limit signs. The signs installed on the A87 trunk road by Scotland TranServ at Uig Primary are part of an ongoing programme which will see all schools in the Highlands with 20mph speed limits by 2008.

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.

Local Highland Councillor Iain MacDonald said: "Reducing speed is about driving a change in attitude – I urge all drivers to realise that they share responsibility for the safety of our children on our roads."

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 Uig Primary should be aware that the 20mph part time speed limit applies on school days, Mondays to Fridays from 08:55 to 09:15, 12:30 to 13:15, and 15:15 to 15:30.

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 drivers must abide by them. The Highland Council hopes that the new 20 mph signs will raise awareness of the 20 mph speed limit outside Uig Primary and encourage drivers to slow down.

Mary Holt, Head Teacher at Uig Primary said: "I am delighted that Uig Primary now has a 20mph zone around the school. However, we are aware that familiarity can lead to complacency and I would urge that our pupils’ parents take heed of the 20 mph speed limits, watch their speed, and leave enough time for their journeys."

Catherine MacCrimmon Uig Primary School Board Member said: "We hope that the 20mph scheme will help safeguard our children but we appeal to drivers using the roads around the school to watch their speed. Speed and speeding are among the most contentious issues in road safety today – choosing the wrong speed at the wrong time can kill."

Motorists are reminded that if they speed in the vicinity of Highland schools then the penalties will be tough. The Highland Council, Northern Constabulary and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (Highlands and Islands Area) are clear that if motorists are caught speeding near Highland schools where a part time 20mph limit is in place, then robust enforcement action will be taken by both the Police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.