School zone speed limits of 30 km/h begin today

Tuesday marksthe first day of school for many students in Edmonton.

It also marks the first day drivers will have to obey 30-kilometre speed limits around elementary schools

City council approved the changes in July. Mayor Don Iveson says they were long overdue.

Its been I think 40 years or more since weve had school zones, Iveson said.

As a father with a five-year-old starting kindergarten, Im really pleased that were back in the school zone business. Well have a safer city and fewer tragedies as a result.

The previously posted speed was 50 km/h.

The Edmonton Catholic School Board asked the city to establish lower speed limits around schools in 2011 after a woman was struck and killed walking her great-granddaughter to school.

The city says it will spend $500,000 to enforce the new speed zones.