Winnipeg Trustees Demand Action on School Zone Safety Redesign

Trustees in Winnipeg are urging the City Council to redesign the city’s 30 km/h school zones to enhance safety for residents, students, and staff in their communities. They are advocating for a more significant role in the upcoming infrastructure changes and aim to address ongoing traffic safety concerns in school areas.

Ryan Palmquist, a cyclist and first-term trustee in the Louis Riel School Division, has been particularly vocal about the need for safer streets. His commitment is deeply personal; his son crosses a busy intersection to attend École Varennes, a location marked by tragedy. In 2018, an eight-year-old boy named Surafiel Musse Tesfamariam was killed while crossing at Ste. Anne’s Road. This incident propelled Palmquist into local politics, where he campaigned for reforms in traffic safety.

In the wake of this tragedy, Palmquist promised voters that he would advocate for improved safety measures and learn-to-swim programs. Building on this commitment, the Louis Riel School Division board unanimously supported his motion calling for collaboration among metro school boards. They seek to ensure that their concerns regarding traffic safety are regularly addressed by relevant authorities.

A meeting of the Manitoba School Boards Association is scheduled for Saturday, where trustees from Region 5 will prioritize their concerns for the 2025-26 year. Palmquist’s motion will be considered for inclusion in discussions at the association’s 2026 annual general meeting, which will involve 38 boards. Additionally, there is a proposal to establish a 30 km/h speed limit as the default on all residential streets across Manitoba.

Councillor Vivian Santos, representing Point Douglas, has engaged with multiple school board chairs regarding the effectiveness of school speed zones. She has proposed a year-round, 24-hour reduced speed limit for designated school areas. Santos highlighted the importance of these zones, stating, “School properties and nearby amenities are active well beyond those restricted hours.” Her meeting with board chairs is set for next week, where further discussions on this topic will take place.

An ongoing investigation into school zone safety has revealed that the existing 30 km/h limit has not significantly reduced traffic violations. Currently, Winnipeg has around 150 designated school zones with reduced speed limits, effective from September 1 to June 30, typically enforced from 07:00 to 17:30 on weekdays. Last year, nearly 32,000 infractions were recorded in the top ten revenue-generating areas, according to data obtained through freedom of information requests.

Research from a team at the University of Winnipeg identified chronic problem areas, such as behind River Elm School and adjacent to Greenway School, where speed violations are prevalent. The area around Talbot Avenue generated over 5,000 speeding tickets last year alone, indicating a pressing need for improved enforcement and infrastructure.

While some municipalities, like Portage la Prairie, have adopted around-the-clock enforcement of school zone speed limits, the majority in Manitoba do not. Alan Campbell, president of the Manitoba School Boards Association, noted that congestion during school drop-off and pick-up times is a common issue. He emphasized the need for adequate drop-off zones, stating, “Ninety-nine percent of schools in Winnipeg don’t have adequate drop-off zones.” Many neighborhoods, originally designed for walkability, struggle to accommodate the current volume of traffic.

Palmquist believes that trustees play a crucial role in advocating for road safety, yet their voices are often overlooked. He pointed out the issue of photo radar enforcement, arguing that it could be redesigned to focus on improving safety rather than generating revenue. “Predatory speed traps could easily be redesigned or re-engineered to eliminate speeding,” he remarked.

Both Palmquist and trustee Ian Walker, a member of Safe Speeds Winnipeg, have called for the public works committee to investigate frequent ticket hotspots. Board chair Sandy Nemeth expressed optimism that other boards would support the motion from Louis Riel, given that traffic violations impact all school communities. Since the start of the school year in September, there have already been at least three incidents involving students in the Louis Riel division.

As discussions continue, the focus remains on enhancing safety measures for students and their families. The call for action from trustees reflects a growing concern for traffic safety in school zones, underlining the need for collaboration among local authorities to create safer environments for all.