Saskatoon proposes moving to year-round school zones

Two months after the city hit the brakes on lowering the speed limit on residential streets, city council is again debating measures to slow down drivers on city streets.

On Monday, a city committee endorsed a report from administration that would see year-round school zones and the introduction of playground and senior zones.

“The recommendation would align the city’s school zone policy with national guidelines and implement other best practices for pedestrian safety,” said a release from the city.

The proposed changes include:

• New playground zones with reduced speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour.
• Year-round lower speed limits in both school and playground zones seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Removal of lower speed school zones from high schools, designating them a “school area” where U-turns are still restricted.

Senior zones would not see a reduced speed limit, but instead would see traffic calming measures and extended times for crosswalk devices.

City council is to vote on the proposal at its next meeting on Nov. 29.