Transport for NSW is reminding road users to slow down and watch out for children as students return to school from today and school zones resume operating.
Tara McCarthy, Deputy Secretary of Safety, Environment and Regulation at Transport for
NSW, said there would be tens of thousands of students returning to the classroom from
today.
‘Children are some of our most vulnerable pedestrians and their safety is our number one
priority,’ Ms McCarthy said.
‘Most school zones operate from 8am to 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm. However,
there are a small number of non-standard school zones in NSW with different times and
speed limit. These are identified by red/orange school zone signs and 30 km/h speed
limits.
‘Please slow down to the sign-posted speed limit in our school zones.’
Motorists are urged to be extra careful while driving near schools, particularly near bus
stops, school crossings and Kiss and Ride zones.
‘When bus lights flash, it is vital everyone slows down to 40km/h because this means a
bus is picking up or dropping off children,’ Ms McCarthy said.
‘Higher fines and demerit points apply for certain offences committed in an active school
zone, such as speeding, parking, or stopping illegally, using a mobile phone illegally and
illegal U-turns.
‘Please don’t put our kids’ lives at risk. ‘Just a bit over’ can be the difference between
being able to stop in time or not at all.’
For more information on school zones, visit The Centre for Road Safety site and
school road safety education site Safety Town https://www.safetytown.com.au/.
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