A national speed limit of 40kmh outside all schools is a "no brainer", according to a Blenheim principal who helped champion a lowered speed limit outside his school.

Former Fairhall school principal and Renwick School principal Simon Heath said the behaviour of drivers changed the moment the 40kmh signs on either side of Fairhall School were switched on in 2003 after a six-year battle.

A North Canterbury mother's campaign for a national speed limit outside schools is gaining momentum throughout the country and Mr Heath said the decision to do that is simple.

"To me it's a no-brainer. It [40kmh speed limit] should be in any school on the open road and throughout the country," he said.

The speed limit on Hammerichs Rd by Rapaura School was also lowered from 80kmh to 70kmh in 2008 after a lengthy process with the Marlborough District Council.

However, Principal Helen Williams said despite the reduction in the speed limit, she would like it to be even less.

"It's not enough of a drop – I'd like it to be 40kmh for sake of the safety of our children. It's highly important for us," she said.

The area was often busy with trucks from wineries and sawmills as well as general traffic travelling at speed but safety measures had been put in place around the school including raised traffic islands, she said.

Fairhall School principal Steve Crockett said the signs are switched on manually half-an-hour on either side of school hours.

The signs were "reasonably effective" and he could tell by the speed of the cars whether the signs were off, he said.

Selwyn District Council, just outside Christchurch, last week approved a plan to lower speed limits from 100kmh to 50kmh 250 metres either side of seven of its rural schools.

However, this did not include two schools on state highways.

Selwyn District Council transport and road safety co-ordinator Lee Wright said the next step would be a consultation process with the community, and organisations including police and the AA.

The roads outside the seven schools were mainly used by locals and parents and the five year process was started by a petition which gained 4000 signatures of a population of 34,000, she said.

Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman said he was not aware of the Selwyn District Council's plan but would keep an eye on its progress.

He would look at any initiatives which improved safety, he said.

Call for 40kmh limits

By SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 03/09/2010

SIMON WONG

NO SPEED ZONE: Fairhall School students Oliver Cowley and Grace Tripe, both 10, watch for cars on New Renwick Rd. The 40kmh speed signs outside the school are an effective reminder for cars to slow down