It's back to school for students here in Wollongong! As a refresher, we've pulled together a list of the need to know information for parents, guardians, students and community members travelling to and from our local schools.
Keeping children safe around schools is everyone's responsibility. Council Compliance Officers and local police regularly patrol school zones to provide information and fine those found doing the wrong thing.
This school term we're reminding all drivers to travel safely, drive to the road conditions and follow all traffic rules and parking restrictions.
"These restrictions and rules are in place to improve safety around schools. Schools can be very busy spaces especially before and after school with parents and children doing the drop-off and pick-up routine," Wollongong Council Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
"It's easy to get out of the swing of things after a long holiday break so our Compliance Officers will be patrolling schools to make sure that drivers are doing the right thing."
Did you know?
- Waiting in the no stopping zone is illegal and unsafe.
- It's illegal to stop on a children's crossing – even to let children out of the car.
- It's dangerous to queue for a spot. If you can't immediately find a park, drive around the block.
- U-turns and three-point turns are dangerous around schools. It's safest to avoid reverse parking outside a school.
- The best place to drop-off and pick up children is on the school-side of the road. The safest door to exit the car is the kerbside rear door.
- You can help reduce congestion in the school zone by parking a block from the school and walking with your children. Or try arriving 10 minutes after the bell for pick-up.
"Council has a big focus on road safety, and we know this is an important area of interest for our community as well. We also know that our residents travel to and from school in a myriad of ways – some people drive, others walk, and even more ride a bike to school," Cr Bradbery said.
"Whichever way you travel to school, we ask that you be mindful of others and look after one another by keeping our roads, parking areas and footpaths safe for everyone.
"I'd also like to remind parents and carers that children under the age of 12 do not have the developmental skills to cope with complex traffic situations. It's up to the adults to provide supervision and to help children cross the roads safely.
"We ask that everyone keep up the good work by driving safely and being mindful of others. Most importantly, we wish you all a fantastic school term."
Important school zone parking signs
No Parking
Penalty exceeds $194 + 2 Demerit Points
No parking zones provide a safe place for drop-offs and pick up. You can stop here for up to two minutes to drop off and pick up passengers. If you're helping children get in and out of the car or hugging goodbye, you must stay within three metres of your vehicle at all times.
No Stopping
Penalty exceeds $349 + 2 Demerit Points
Do not stop here for any reason. No stopping zones are there to keep sight lines clear for drivers and children. Drivers also must not stop at the side of a road marked with a continuous yellow line – this means the same as a No Stopping sign.
Bus Zone
Penalty exceeds $349 + 2 Demerit Points
These areas can only be used by buses. A Bus Zone allows buses to drop off and pick up passengers safely.
Children Crossing
Penalty exceeds $464 + 4 Demerit Points
Orange children crossing flags and hand-help stop signs must be obeyed. Slow down when you are approaching a children's crossing and give way to pedestrians. You may be fined if you are caught stopping on or near a children's crossing.
Speeding signs/School Zone signs
Minimum penalty exceeds $488 + 2 Demerit Points. Maximum penalty $3953 + 7 Demerit Points
