School zones are back in force since teachers returned to school on Friday 27 January 2023. School zones operate from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm on gazetted school days. This is to help protect children when there is usually increased traffic around schools at the start and end of the school day.
To keep children safe it is important to follow the road rules, including those that apply to pedestrians. Children learn their pedestrian habits from the adults around them, so teachers, parents and carers have a responsibility to show good pedestrian behaviour. The Road Rules state that when you are a pedestrian you MUST:
- always use a pedestrian crossing if there is one within 20 metres.
- cross directly across the road and don't stay on the road any longer than necessary.
In addition, try to avoid walking on the road; choose the footpath or nature strip if suitable.
Children up to at least eight years old should hold an adult's hand on the footpath and when crossing the road. Children between eight and at least ten years old should be closely supervised by an adult in the traffic environment and should hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
It's safest for children to get in and out of the car on the kerb side of the road, away from passing traffic. Make sure children are safely fastened in appropriate child car seats that are correctly fitted.
Parents of children attending school for the first time or a new school should make themselves aware of the parking arrangements around the school to avoid any confusion when dropping off or picking up their child.
Parking in a way that blocks buses and crossings or obscures sight lines is illegal, putting children and motorists in danger. The rules are there to improve the safety of children and to reduce traffic congestion around schools.
In a school zone parking penalties attract higher fines and demerit points. The following parking signs can be found around Narrandera schools to indicate parking zones.
No stopping signs have an arrow showing where the zone is enforced - either left, right or both sides of the sign. No stopping means you must not stop your vehicle at any point on the road or kerb unless there's a medical or other emergency. The maximum penalty is $352 and 2 demerit points.
No parking signs also indicate the direction in which they apply. No parking means that you have no more than two minutes for picking up or dropping off a passenger or goods, and the driver must stay within three metres of the vehicle. The maximum penalty is $196 and 2 demerit points.
Bus zone signs mean that in the direction indicated you are not allowed to stop your vehicle unless you are driving a public bus. Hours of operation apply to some signs; restrictions apply for times shown on the sign. Remember you must not drop-off or pick up your children in the bus zone. Stopping your car in a bus zone has a maximum penalty of $352 and 2 demerit points.
Double parking is a common offence in school zones. This is stopping between the road centre and another vehicle parked at the side of the road to wait, pick up or drop off passengers. In a school zone the maximum penalty is $352 and 2 demerit points.
Finally, always turn legally around schools and avoid dangerous manoeuvres like U-turns and three-point turns.
Keeping our kids safe around schools is everyone's responsibility. Make sure you play your part. Follow Narrandera Shire Council's Facebook page to see road safety tips for the start of the school year.
