School is back from 1 February 2021 and so are all 40km/h speed zones. Between 8am and 4pm Monday through Friday, we ask motorists to be alert for pedestrians on or around school roads.
Acting Deputy Director-General Transport Canberra and Business Services Ben McHugh said speed limits in school zones are in place to ensure the safety of children by allowing motorists extra time to stop in an unexpected situation.
"School environments can become congested during the peak periods, which potentially increases the safety risk to children as they are smaller and less visible to drivers," Mr McHugh said.
"Speeding at five kilometres an hour above the speed limit increases both the likelihood of a crash occurring, and the severity of driver and pedestrian injuries in a crash.
"Pedestrians have been shown to have a 90% chance of survival when struck by a car travelling at 30 km/h or below, but less than 50% chance of surviving an impact at 45 km/h," he said.
Access Canberra inspectors will be patrolling school zones to enforce safe driving and parking behaviours.
The mobile camera program has reduced crashes by about 22 per cent. This equates to a prevention of 120 casualty crashes and over 2,900 property damage crashes, saving the community more than $60 million in crash costs a year.
"It is also important to remember to park safely and legally in school zones. Parking across pedestrian crossings, corners, verges and double parking can block kids seeing the road and this can be fatal," Mr McHugh said.
"If you want to avoid the school zone traffic all together, consider walking or riding to school either from home or from a nearby partway point.
"Partway points are designated drop off areas within a short walking distance from schools where students can walk from if walking from home is not practical. This is a simple way to reduce congestion and increase safety around schools. They help to make the school drop off and collection run easier and faster for all parents by reducing congestion at the school gate," he said.
