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HALIFAX – The union representing school crossing guards in HRM says the province’s plan to reduce speed limits in school zones can’t come soon enough.

Pat Lamont, the vice-president of CUPE Local 4814, says, “With children returning to schools across the municipality, we are asking motorists to be extra vigilant as everyone gets back into the routine of the school year.

The 150 women and men who ensure their safe travel to and from school at crosswalks know all too well how dangerous a school zone can be when motorists are not paying attention, either because they are talking on the phone, rushing to get to work and so on,” says Lamont.

Transportation Minister Bill Estabrooks has said the province intends to introduce legislation this fall to reduce speed limits in school zones from 50 km/h to 30 km/h. Alberta, British Columbia, and New Brunswick already have a 30 km/h limit in school zones as do many U.S. states.

Many crossing guards witness speeding in school zones on a daily basis. Our guards strongly agree that lowering the speed limit would greatly enhance our safety program,” says Lamont.

To be effective, crossing guards would like to see this new speed limit combined with education for drivers, parents and students, in addition to strict enforcement by the Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP.


For more information: 
  
Pat Lamont                         
Vice-President, CUPE Local 4814           
(902) 483-2098 (cell)          

Marianne Welsh
CUPE National Representative
(902) 455-4180

John McCracken
CUPE Communications Representative
(902) 455-4180