Mandatory 20mph speed limits are now in place at a number of South Lanarkshire schools and were introduced through the Spaces for People project. 

New road warning signs, coloured carriageway surfacing and markings remind drivers of the need to observe the limit. 

Kirkfieldbank Primary School Head Teacher Karen Bruce, the school’s Junior Road Safety Officers and a selection of pupils were recently joined by Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Road Safety Forum Councillor Julia Marrs, Chair of Community and Enterprise Resources Councillor John Anderson and Police Scotland to promote the message.

Together they were communicating “20’s the limit – slow down!”. A bright banner was displayed by pupils and the Police used their speed gun to measure vehicle speeds and engaged with a number of drivers regarding the mandatory speed limit in place. 

Councillor Marrs said: “Highlighting the mandatory 20mph limit is something we are really keen to communicate with anyone using roads around our schools.

“The vast majority of drivers do adhere to the limits but there is always a selfish few who continue to blatantly ignore the dangers of speeding.

“Our message is that this is unacceptable and the introduction of the mandatory limits means there can be serious repercussions if you are caught by our police colleagues.”

Councillor Anderson added: “There is a strong link between speed and the likelihood of a collision as well as the severity of injury that may occur. 

“Lowering speed limits can therefore have a positive impact on road safety. 

“Where lower speed limits of 20mph are in place around schools, residential streets or towns then extra care and vigilance is required to keep speeds lower and to have a keen awareness of other road users, especially the young, elderly or those undertaking a journey by walking, cycling or wheeling.” 

All drivers are reminded that mandatory speed limits are shown by a red bordered traffic sign. A list of the new schools where the limit is now mandatory is on the council website.