The speed limit in New Westminster school zones is 30km/h from 7:00 am-10:00 pm (formerly 8:00 am-5:00 pm) on school days, unless signage indicates otherwise.
This change was adopted at the May 26, 2025, regular Council meeting.
New Westminster shares its longest boundary with the City of Burnaby, where school zone speed limits are in effect from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm on school days. New Westminster decided to align with Burnaby's approach to enhance pedestrian safety, reduce traffic-related injuries, and promote sustainable transportation choices.
The review of school zone time limits in New Westminster and analysis of policies from neighbouring municipalities took place in the spring of 2025. Council adopted a motion to change the operating hours to 7:00 am to 10:00 pm on school days happened at the May 26, 2025, Council meeting. Operations installed new signage in the summer of 2025, ahead of back to school season.
Staff looked into several factors including the length of the time extension - should these speed limits be in effect 24 hours a day, from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, etc. - budget implications, traffic management, transit, the neighbourhoods around our schools, and enforcement. This change is expected to have little impact on neighbourhoods, transit, and traffic management. Traffic enforcement of school zones is at the discretion of the New Westminster Police and is typically balanced with other enforcement needs across the city.
New Westminster has historically followed the provincial regulation but has heard increasing concerns from parents, school officials, and community members regarding traffic safety in school zones, particularly during early morning and evening activities. Given these concerns, the City has conducted a review of existing regulations and potential improvements based on successful policies implemented in neighbouring municipalities.
Yes! Several municipalities in B.C. have implemented extended school zone speed limits to enhance student safety and driver awareness, particularly during before- and after-school programs.
The former Neighbourhood Traffic Advisory Committee supported City staff improving traffic conditions in school zones throughout the city, rather than taking a more traditional approach and doing major consultations school-by-school over a number of years.
Several temporary and permanent traffic-calming measures have been installed in school zones around the city, including:
Learn more about our planned school zone improvements.
The total estimated cost for this update is approximately $9,000, which includes both the printing of decals for existing signs and labour for installation. The cost will be covered through the existing School Area Improvement budget in the approved 2025 - 2029 Capital Plan.