School zones in Wellington are buzzing again following the commencement of Term 3, and motorists have been asked to do their part in ensuring the safety of students.
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Dubbo Regional Council’s road safety officer, Jayne Bleechmore, reminds motorists to slow down and look out for children during school hours.
“Children are vulnerable road users,” she said.
“They are at risk in the traffic environment because of their size and their difficulty in judging speed and distance.
“They may also behave unpredictably especially at the beginning of a new school term when excitement can sometimes override sensible behaviour.”
The 40km/h school speed zones came into force on Monday and are operational between 8am-9.30am and 2.30pm-4pm on school days.
Parents are reminded also to brush up on their safe parking skills around schools when dropping off and collecting their children.
Illegal school zone parking creates dangerous situations and brings with it some hefty fines. These fines have recently increased and are listed below along with their accompanying demerit points:
- No Stopping - means you cannot stop in this area unless there is a medical or other emergency - $325 fine plus 2 demerit points.
- No Parking – means you can stop here for a maximum of two minutes to drop off or pick up passengers and you must stay within three metres of your car at all times - $180 fine plus 2 demerit points.
- Bus Zone (School Days) – means you must not stop or park your vehicle in a designated school bus zone between 8.00 am and 9.30 am or between 2.30 pm and 4.00 pm - $325 fine plus 2 demerit points.
- Stop on or near a children’s crossing – means you must not stop on or within 20 metres of the approach of a crossing or within 10 metres after the crossing - $433 fine plus 2 demerit points.
- Double parking (school zone) - means you must not stop on a road between the centre of the road and another vehicle parked at the side of the road - $325 fine plus 2 demerit points.
"Road safety around schools is everybody's responsibility - students, teachers, parents, carers and motorists,” Ms Bleechmore said. “We all have a part to play in keeping our children safe.”
