New school speed limits from 20 July

Published on 02 July 2026

New speed limits around Palmerston North schools will be in place from the start of term 3 to improve safety for children travelling to and from school.

Fulton Hogan installed new variable speed limit (VSL) signs outside schools across the city in June.

A variable speed limit is a static and/or electronic speed sign that only lowers the speed limit during school pick-up and drop-off times, when there are more children and families travelling to and from school. Outside these times, the normal speed limit applies.

The electronic signs go live for the start of term 3 on Monday 20 July.

Council staff have worked with each school to confirm their start and finish times and have programmed the signs accordingly.

Mayor Grant Smith says these changes will make roads safer at the times our children are most at risk around busy school gates.

“We know school drop-off and pick-up times can be some of the busiest and most unpredictable periods on our roads. The electronic signs are about creating safer roads around our schools and reminding drivers to slow down when children are around.” 

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is installing variable speed limits for three schools located on state highways – Queen Elizabeth College, Longburn School, and Aokautere School.

NZTA will also be refurbishing two rural electronic school warning signs near Turitea School following concerns raised by the school about speed limits on SH57 during consultation. While these advanced warning signs won’t reduce the speed limit on SH57, they will provide better warning to drivers when children are likely to be present around the school.