A new speed limit proposal could change the way we drive around Tauranga in a bid to keep people safe.

Tauranga City Council is consulting on a Speed Management Plan which proposes 30km/hr speed limits on roads around local schools, some marae, and the city centre.

Council’s manager of transport infrastructure outcomes Kelvin Hill says speed is the biggest factor in whether a crash is avoidable and how serious it is.

“Speed limits have a key role to play in keeping people safe, especially vulnerable road users such as people walking and cycling.

“Our local schools in particular have told us that increased traffic and people driving vehicles at high speeds is a significant risk to student safety.”

The plan proposes a mix of permanent and variable 30km/hr speed limits around the city’s 45 schools.

Marae will also be able to opt for reduced speed limits outside their gates.

Some of these speed limit changes will be ‘variable’, which means they will only apply during peak periods such as school drop-off and pick-up times.

Kelvin says the speed management plan proposes to make the city centre’s current temporary 30km/hr speed limit permanent and extend the existing area slightly.

Council is also proposing reduced speed limits at the State Highway 2 interchange at Domain and Tara roads in Pāpāmoa, as well as nearby Parton Rd, and Welcome Bay Rd near the council boundary with the Western Bay of Plenty District.

Consultation on the Speed Management Plan opens on Friday, April 5.

Have your say by visiting: https://letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/projects/safer-speeds