With more than 150,000 students about to return to school, a study has found that travelling just 10 kilometres over the speed limit can be the difference between life and death.

A study released by the United Kingdom Department of Transport found that a child struck by a vehicle at 50 km/h has an 80 per cent chance of surviving the collision (with injuries). But if the vehicle is going just over 60 km/h, the child’s odds of dying increase to 80 per cent.

“This week there’s going to be much more pedestrian traffic in school zones, and we want drivers to realize that any kind of speeding puts these children at much greater risk,” said Lou Gervino, Manitoba Public Insurance manager of driver education and improvement. “This U.K. study shows why nine or 10 km/h can be the difference between life and death.

“At this time of year, many children don’t take the time to check traffic, and that puts an increased responsibility on the motorist. Increased speed obviously affects the distance needed to come to a complete stop.”

The sobering statistics come as Winnipeggers believe they can travel that extra 10 km/h without hurting anyone. In 2004, Winnipeg police mobile photo radar cameras clocked more than 56,000 vehicles exceeding that 10 km/h threshold. In the first six months of 2005, nearly 22,000 vehicles were going more than 60 km/h in school and playground zones.

“Think about the odds, that’s 22,000 chances that a child may have been killed because someone thought it was okay to go 10 kilometres over the speed limit,’’ Gervino said. “Clearly 10 kilometres over the speed limit is 10 kilometres too much.”

This afternoon at John de Graff School, members of the Winnipeg Police Service Traffic Unit carried out a speed demonstration that clearly showed how much more distance a vehicle needs to stop when speed increases by 10 km/h.

Speeding traffic is an ongoing concern to all Manitoba school administrators and parents. To help raise motorists’ awareness, a three-day program was conducted near John de Graff school last year by parents, grandparents and volunteers for the Manitoba Public Insurance SpeedWatch School Zone program. The group monitored 440 vehicles – most of which were driving much faster than considered safe, given the presence of children.

Drivers are required by law to drive prudently in school zones. When there are children nearby, that means drivers should cover the brake drive much more slowly – as slowly as it takes to keep kids safe. Motorists should be prepared to stop suddenly when children are on or near a road, or close to a school or playground. They should also know that they can’t legally pass another moving vehicle in a school area within 15 minutes of the opening or closing of classes, or at any time when children are nearby.

The SpeedWatch Winnipeg School Zone program is designed to educate drivers about the actual speeds they are travelling. Speed reader boards are used to prompt speeding drivers to adjust their speed appropriately while travelling in school zones. The program is aimed specifically at school and parent groups’ concerns about the speeds in elementary school zones. The SpeedWatch Winnipeg School Zone program is an initiative of Manitoba Public Insurance Road Safety Department, the City of Winnipeg Traffic Assessment Branch and the Manitoba Association of School Trustees.

Groups or individuals wanting more information on the SpeedWatch School Zone program can contact the Manitoba Public Insurance road safety department at 985-7199.

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Contact:
Brian Smiley
Media Relations
Manitoba Public Insurance
(204) 985-7300 or 1-888-554-9549 (toll-free in Manitoba)