Public board joins push for lower speed limits

Trustees with Edmonton's public school board voted Tuesday to push for lower speed limits along residential streets.

The motion calls on the board to "join the advocacy efforts of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues and other organizations in pursuing lower speed limits within residential areas" and for the chairman, Dave Colburn, to write a letter to Edmonton city council. 

With the vote, the public board joins Edmonton Catholic Schools in pushing for lower speed limits near schools.

"By lowering our speed limits, there's no question in my mind that there will be situations where we will actually save lives." Colburn said.

"I'm surprised that it's taken so long to seriously consider and advocate on this front. I look forward to EFCL, the Edmonton Catholic District and the public district joining hands here and delivering a clear message to the city about the need for change in this area."

The Catholic board asked city council earlier this month to reinstate school zones with lower speed limits throughout Edmonton.

The move was in response to a pedestrian fatality near a school earlier this month. 

Bernice Jingling, 66, died in hospital April 7 after she was struck by a vehicle near St. Pius X School at 128th Street and 122nd Avenue.

Her six-year-old great-granddaughter suffered non-life threatening injuries and was later released from hospital.