WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?: Waterloo Region school zone speed limit changes

Residents will see a reduction in speed limits in most school zones that front a regional road beginning in September

Thestar.com
Aug. 9, 2022
Matt Betts

Waterloo regional council has approved a speed limit adjustment on regional roads in school zones beginning in September.

JUST THE FACTS:

• Regional council approved a recommendation to adjust the speed limit on regional roads during the 2022-23 school year.
• Beginning in September, and running as a pilot through June, residents will see a reduction in speed limits in most school zones that front a regional road.
• Speeds will be reduced between 10 km/h and 20 km/h depending on the location and set to 40 km/h in others.
• The reduced speed limits will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the school year.
• School zones currently set at 40 km/h will remain that way.
• Five of the 35 school zones already display at 40 km/h; 27 areas will be reduced to 40 km/h; and an additional four that are on faster moving roadways will be reduced 10 km/h to 20 km/h during school hours.

“Enhancing safety on all our roads is a priority for council,” Tom Galloway, regional councillor and chair of the Planning and Works Committee, said in a media release. “We know most drivers take extra care in school areas, and by further reducing speed limits during school hours, we are doing everything we can to put the safety of children, pedestrians and motorists first.”