Palmerston school students and parents will soon have a safer trip to school, with the commencement of Electronic Speed Limit Signs (ESLS) at local schools.

In July this year Council announced it will be investing $100,000 to install ESLS at schools in Palmerston to alert drivers to the 40km/h speed limit during school times.

The Northern Territory Government has matched Council’s commitment with an additional $100,000 funding from its Capital Grants Program to support road crossing safety projects in Palmerston.

Experience interstate has shown that these speed signs make motorists more aware of speed, with motorists (travelling above the speed limit) reducing their speed by an average of more than 8km/hr across all sites after passing the monitors.

The following schools are the first to benefit from this initiative, with recently installed ESLS to be in operation from Monday 15 October for the start of school term four:
Bakewell Primary School, Buscall Avenue
Durack Primary School, Woodlake Boulevard 
Moulden Park Primary School, Bonson Terrace 
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Emery Avenue

The remaining 12 school crossings in Palmerston will have this initiative applied within 24 months. The Driver Primary School ESLS was installed last financial year.

Quote attributed to City of Palmerston Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell 
“Council is committed to improving the safety of our road networks; that’s why we are implementing this project to provide a safer environment for motorists and pedestrians, including children, our most vulnerable road users, as they travel to and from school.”

“I also take this opportunity to remind drivers that school’s in on Monday and there will be kids about so please slow down and be extra careful around school zones”.

Quote attributed to The Hon. Eva Lawler MLA, Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics  
“This is the first of a series of capital grants for Palmerston, which will enable the city council to fast-track local infrastructure projects - creating job opportunities for Territorians.”

“Palmerston is the fastest growing city in the Territory and our government is delivering on the infrastructure needed for it to be a safe, vibrant community. We promised Palmerston a new police station and have delivered on that promise and these smaller projects are just another way we are enhancing the safety of our local community.”