KUALA LUMPUR: The 30kph speed limit for school zones is in the process of being gazetted and will be enforced by the police and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the move, which has been adopted by the Cabinet committee on road safety, aligns with international standards to ensure the safety of students.
“Internationally, it is adopted and accepted that the safest speed for school zones is 30kph.
“Any increase in speed in front of schools will increase the risk for school children, especially those crossing the school compound,” he told The Star in a special interview.
Loke said they had conducted pilot projects with United Nations agencies at selected schools to determine the best methods for creating safe zones.
“This is something that we need to gazette and the process is ongoing.
“Once authorised, it has to be enforced by various enforcement agencies, including the police and JPJ,” he added.
Regarding infrastructure, Loke said the implementation would go beyond just setting a speed limit, involving physical changes to road furniture.
He said this includes installing speed bumps, speed tables and additional signage to remind vehicles to slow down.
Loke added that priority would be given to schools located along main roads where the danger to students is highest.
“We will give more attention to these schools first,” he said.
In a recent written parliamentary reply, the Transport Ministry said amendments are being made to the Road Transport Act 1987 to formally enforce a 30kph speed limit for vehicles travelling within school zones nationwide.
