As eager students swap zoom calls for the classroom, drivers are urged to take extra care in and around school zones as face-to-face learning returns today for some year groups.
Extra traffic is expected in school zones, particularly as many schools introduce a staggered pick up and drop off time.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said with many children out of their usual school routine, they may have forgotten basic road rules that normally come as second nature.
"Children are understandably excited to get to school and see their friends after a lengthy break," AC Murphy said.
"In that excitement, it can be easy to forget the dangers of the road and passing traffic.
"Whether kids are walking or riding their bike to and from school, or getting out of a car to walk to the front gate, if a child is hit at greater than 40km an hour they have very little chance of survival."
It is not just the students who may be out of practice, with drivers reminded that reduced speed limits of 40km an hour continue to be in place around school zones.
"Slow down, be patient and stick to the speed limit," AC Murphy said.
"With extra people moving about, it is so important that we take note of those reduced speed limits and stick to them."
Police will be actively patrolling in and around school zones to make sure everyone gets to and from school safely.
"If you choose to speed, expect to get caught," AC Murphy said.
"We do not want to be issuing infringements, but if people choose to put lives at risk then we will hold them to account."
In most cases the 40km speed limit is in place from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm on weekdays during the Victorian school terms. The minimum penalty for speeding in a school zone is a $207 fine and one demerit.
