NSW Police are appealing for everyone to take extra care when driving around schools, especially during peak student travel times, after two children were struck by cars this week. The two children were involved in incidents around school zones, and Traffic & Highway Patrol Command and the NSW Centre for Road Safety are working to again highlight school zone safety for all children and parents. Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said these incidents were a great concern and everyone using school zones should expect to see police enforcing road rules. “From 2012 to 2013 police have seen school zone-related infringements rise from 10,515 to 10,750,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said. “So far this year, officers have issued 4198 infringements for a range of offences including 2002 drivers for exceeding the speed by more than 10km/h, and seven drivers caught doing 45km/h over the 40km/h limit. “It was just this morning that Traffic and Highway Patrol officers from Cowra spotted a white Holden Commodore V8 SS sedan speeding through a school zone. “When officers attempted to catch up to the car it was seen to overtake a truck while allegedly driving at 170km/h. “It is this sort of attitude and behaviour that alarms my officers, and they will be doing everything they can to ensure our school zones are safe for students, their parents and siblings, teachers and those that live nearby. General Manager of the NSW Centre for Road Safety, Margaret Prendergast, said it was imperative safety is maintained in and around school zones. “In New South Wales, the reality is that more than one million school students travel to and from school each day,” Ms Prendergast said. “We continue to work with NSW Police and Local Government through Road Safety Officers to improve the safety of children during school travel times. “A great example of our Local Government initiatives is with Hornsby Shire Council who, in partnership with the Hornsby Heights Public School, have developed a parking advisory strategy, which is on a banner outside the school so that parents and other road users are fully aware of their obligations. “We also continue to roll out our flashing school lights program to improve safety around school communities. Additional government funding has increased the rate of installation of school flashing lights, with all schools in NSW to receive flashing lights by the end of 2015. “Motorists should drive no faster than 40km/h through school zones, most of which operate from 8am – 9.30am and from 2.30pm – 4pm on gazetted school days,” Ms Prendergast said.
Posted on: Wed, 21 May 2014 04:20:25 +0000
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