20mph zones could be enforced outside all Shropshire schools
Shropshire's schools could all have 20mh speed limits outside their gates in a bid to prevent accidents.
Councillors today voted for the principle of the limit outside all schools and called for a report to be brought back to them within six months.
However a second motion for a report into larger 20mph areas was defeated.
The schools motion put to full council at the Shirehall in Shrewsbury was brought by Councillor Dan Morris who said his area included primary schools in Dorrington, Condover and Longnor.
"I had a petition signed by 215 people who want a 20mph speed limit outside Longnor School," he said.
"In Dorrington recently a car crashed, ending up in the churchyard.
"The safety charity, ROSPA says 20mph limits make a difference, they bring about a mindset change among drivers."
Councillor Andy Boddington said he also wanted to see yellow zig zag markings outside school become mandatory no-stopping areas.
Worthen Primary School was one which would benefit from both changes, Councillor Heather Kidd said.
Signal
"There is a huge speeding problem outside Worthen School as well as problems with parking," she added.
"It may be that the speeds can not be enforced but when people see the signs its sends a signal out that they they need to drop their speed and that there is a school nearby."
Green Party councillor Julian Dean said that while he would be voting for the speed limits outside schools he wanted the larger 20mph areas to be brought in.
A supporter of the national 20 is Plenty initiative, Councillor Green said: "Why can we back a speed limit outside schools but not outside places like nursing homes or in residential streets.
"An area speed limit would put an end to the practice of drivers slowing down at the signs and speeding up again at the end of the limit."
Councillor Roger Evans said that an area speed limit was needed.
"It would send a message our to drivers that this in not your street, it is our street," he said.
"They should be brought in in built up areas where resident want them, we need to make speeding as anti-social as drink driving."
