Back to school: record number of drivers caught speeding

Over 3,100 speeding fines in school zones were issued over just two pupil-free school days January 2022 at a daily average of almost 1,552. These fines raised over $753,000.

By contrast, the daily average for number of fines issued throughout February 2022 was 561 – an almost three-fold increase.

School zones across NSW are active from today despite most school students not returning to the classroom until next week.

NRMA analysis has also found the total number of school zone fines increased more than 25 per cent in 2022. Almost 200,000 speeding fines in school zones were issued in between July 2021 and June 2022, compared with just over 157,500 in the same period the year before.

School zones fines were issued by fixed and red-light speed cameras with 85 per cent issued for drivers caught speeding 10km/hr or under.

The NRMA is calling for greater awareness around the introduction of school zones during gazetted school days and in the lead up to children returning to school for the year.

The organisation also wants to see a road safety audit conducted around schools, to identify hot-spots that need urgent safety upgrades as well as parent behaviour issues like illegal parking.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said more work was needed to educate the community on the operating times of school zones, as well as the dangers around speeding near schools.

“Our school zones are among the safest in the world and yet we know that complacency can be a killer, that’s why the NRMA believes now is the time to inject new energy into our efforts to keep children safe around schools,” Mr Khoury said.

“Clearly people still are not getting the message that school zones operate on all gazetted school days, even on student-free days like today.

“The fines are justifiably high because it’s never okay to speed around a school, but if you’re caught in a school zone today, you will receive a steep fine as well as double demerits.

“Many councils and schools report that parent and guardian behaviour is the biggest challenge for road safety with people parking illegally in school zones. These behaviours are not only illegal, they’re also dangerous.

“A road safety audit of schools across the state would help to get a clear picture of behaviour around schools and how the government and the community can work to improve safety for some of our most vulnerable road users.”