Traffic Rules & Safety
Transportation in the City of New Westminster is regulated by the Provincial Motor Vehicle Act and the City of New Westminster Street & Traffic Bylaw.
School Zone Speed Limits
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did New Westminster change the enforcement hours of its school zones?
- When did the hours of enforcement change?
- What impacts were considered before making this change?
- If the provincial regulations only require school zone speed limits be in effect from 8:00 am to 5:00pm, why change it now?
- Are there other municipalities that have extended the hours of their school zone speed limits?
- Why weren't we consulted before the City made changes to school zones?
- What else is being done to improve traffic safety around our schools?
- How much did it cost to implement the changes to school zone enforecement hours?
Why did New Westminster change the enforcement hours of its school zones?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.
When did the hours of enforcement change?
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.
What impacts were considered before making this change?
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
If the provincial regulations only require school zone speed limits be in effect from 8:00 am to 5:00pm, why change it now?
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.
Are there other municipalities that have extended the hours of their school zone speed limits?
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.
- Burnaby: As of March 2021, school zone speed limits (30 km/h) are enforced from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm on school days, extending beyond standard hours to account for extracurricular activities.
- Township of Langley: In July 2022, the Township extended 30 km/h school zone speed limits to 24 hours per day on school days, ensuring consistency, particularly in areas with traffic calming measures.
- Vancouver: Speed limits of 30 km/h apply at all times (24/7) on residential (local) roads, including school zones.
Why weren’t we consulted before the City made changes to school zones?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.
What else is being done to improve traffic safety around our schools?
Several temporary and permanent traffic-calming measures have been installed in school zones around the city, including:
- New speed humps
- Adding reflective strips on school zone and stop signs to improve awareness
- Updating signage in pick-up/drop-off zones
- Curb extensions
Learn more about our planned school zone improvements.
How much did it cost to implement the changes to school zone enforcement hours?
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.
The Provincial Motor Vehicle Act
For province-wide transportation consistency, municipalities must adhere to the definitions and regulations set out in the Provincial Motor Vehicle Act.
The City of New Westminster Street & Traffic Bylaw
The Street & Traffic Bylaw regulates traffic and the use of streets and other public spaces in the City.
The Street & Traffic bylaw requires property owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property no later than 10:00AM of the day following a snowfall event.
Residents’ Associations are non-political community groups with an interest in neighbourhood issues. The various Associations meet regularly at neighbourhood locations to discuss matters of local concern.