Traffic Signs (Amendment No. 17) (Jersey) Order 2008.

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A decision made (15/08/2008) regarding: Traffic Signs (Amendment No. 17) (Jersey) Order 2008.

Decision Reference: MD-T-2008-0075
Decision Summary Title :	Traffic Signs (Amendment No.17) (Jersey) Order 2008		Date of Decision Summary:	12 August 2008
Decision Summary Author:	David St George, Manager – Transport Policy		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Traffic Signs (Amendment No.17) (Jersey) Order 2008		Date of Written Report:	12 August 2008
Written Report Author:	David St George, Manager – Transport Policy		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: This Order prescribes the signs required to implement part time speed limits at schools.
Decision(s): The Minister approved, signed and sealed the attached Order Amendment.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Order amends the Traffic Signs (Jersey) Order 1968 to prescribe the signs required for part time 20 mph speed limits to be introduced at schools. The Amendment also prescribes a sign which indicates that the island-wide speed limit applies.
Resource Implications: The implementation of part time speed limits at schools will cost money, dependant on the site, which is not available in the Department’s budgets. However, the Minister will shortly be asked to consider the use of the Community Safety Grants Fund to provide the necessary resources to progress this initiative.
Action required: Minister to sign and seal the attached Order. TTS to send the hard copy of the Order to the Publications Editor at the States Greffe as soon as it has been signed.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Traffic Signs (Amendment No. 17) (Jersey) Order 2008.

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

Traffic Signs (Amendment No. 17) (Jersey) Order 2008

Purpose of the Report

The attached amendment to the Traffic Signs Jersey Order 1968 prescribes the signs necessary to enable part time 20 mph speed limits to be introduced at schools. It also prescribes a sign which indicates that the island-wide speed limit applies.

Background

The States approved the Environment and Public Services Committee’s proposed speed limits policy on March 15th 2005. The policy included that 20 miles per hour speed limits would be appropriate in areas outside schools, signed electronically to apply only at school times. The Road Traffic (Speed Limits) Amendment No 3 (Jersey) Order has been approved by the Minister which allows part-time speed limits to be introduced at schools. However, a specific sign is required to indicate the start and end of these limits and such signs are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Jersey Order 1968 (with amendments).

Discussion

The issue of speed limits in Jersey has been the subject of a significant level of consultation and debate. Many issues have been contentious but the proposal for electronically signed mandatory part time 20 mph speed limits at schools has been welcomed by all. The electronic signs will flash when children are expected to use the road (normally at school opening and closing times or during evening activities) so drawing motorists’ attention to the need to slow down. The two most common reasons for non compliance with a speed limit are failure to observe the signing of the lower limit, and failure to respect the need for the lower limit. The use of flashing electronic signs at appropriate times, as prescribed in the attached Order, should overcome both of these issues. Part time limits at particular schools would be provided after consultation with the relevant Connétable and school.

The prescription of a sign indicating that the island-wide speed limit applies is included in the amendment. This sign indicates that the end of a lower limit has been reached and that the island-wide limit, (30mph for certain categories of large vehicles and vehicles drawing trailers, otherwise 40) applies.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve and sign the attached Order Amendment.

Reason(s) for Decision

To enable part time mandatory speed limits to be applied at schools in order to improve road safety.

Resource Implications

The implementation of part time speed limits at schools will cost money, dependant on the site, which is not available in the Department’s budgets. However, the Minister will shortly be asked to consider the use of the Community Safety Grants Fund to provide the necessary resources to progress this initiative.

Action Required

Minister to sign and seal the attached Order.
TTS to send the hard copy of the Order to the Publications Editor at the States Greffe as soon as it has been signed.

Written by:	David St George, Manager - Transport Policy

Approved by:	Caroline Anderson, Director - Transport

Attachments: Traffic Signs (Amendment No.17) (Jersey) Order 2008

12 August 2008

I:\Minister\2008\Ministerial Decisions\MD 0075 Traffic Signs Amendment No 17\WR Traffic Signs Amendment No 17 080812 DStG.doc