Dubbo Regional Council have issued a reminder to drivers to take care near schools once the first term of the NSW school year commences on Tuesday January 29.
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Road Safety Officer Jayne Bleechmore warned drivers that younger children are particularly vulnerable on NSW roads during the start of the school term.
“Younger children are at risk in the traffic environment because of their size and their difficulty in judging speed and distance,” Ms Bleechmore said.
“They may also behave unpredictably especially at the beginning of a new school term when excitement can sometimes override sensible behaviour.”
In accordance with traffic laws, there will be 40km an hour speed restrictions around school zones between the hours of 8am – 9.30am and 2.30pm – 4pm once the school term has started.
Council has also placed emphasis on parents’ role in acting safely, emphasising the need for everyone to play a hand in making school road’s safer.
"Road safety around schools is everybody's responsibility - students, teachers, parents, carers and motorists. We all have a part to play in keeping our children safe," Ms Bleechmore said.
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"Parents and carers can help students stay safe by following simple safety steps and by regularly reinforcing important road safety behaviours with their children.”
Some of the simple safety steps include ensuring that children use kerb-side doors to enter and exit the car, ensuring that children don’t use the boot or rear of the car to store their bags while front angle parked and avoiding calling children to the car from across the road.
Fines and demerit points for illegal parking zones have also recently been increased.
