Speed limit scheme should be piloted across all schools in Northern Ireland

Alliance Carrickfergus Councillor Stewart Dickson has called on the speed limit scheme that is being piloted in two primary schools to be piloted across Northern Ireland. Part-time 20mph speed limits are in force at the two schools near Ballybogey and Castlerock, and Cllr Dickson said there’s no excuse for not piloting the initiative on a much wider scale.

Cllr Dickson said: “I want to see the temporary speed limit pilot scheme rolled out at schools across Northern Ireland. This is a commonsense approach to tackling the devastating death toll on our roads, therefore I do not see why the Department of Regional Development and police cannot go the extra step further.

“I have been contacted by a number of people who have asked me to campaign for these measures to be implemented on a wider basis than the current pilot scheme. There will obviously be financial costs to doing so, but I believe the benefits will far outweigh any of them.

“Reducing the speed limit near schools at certain times will help create a culture change amongst drivers. We need to see people changing their attitudes and realising the horrendous implications of driving at speed.”

ENDS