January school zone fines spike

The daily average fines across the three days in January 2023 when school zones applied was 1,073, over 70 per cent higher than the average for February (625).

Alarmingly, 773 red light fines were issued across school zones in 2022/23 representing a 16 per cent increase on the previous year for the dangerous behaviour of running red lights.

Over 141,000 speeding fines were issued raising almost $35 million in fine revenue last year. This represents a fall of over 58,000 speeding fines on the previous year.

The top five speed camera locations in school zones for January 2023 were:

1. Woodville Road Chester Hill southbound - 229
2. Princes Highway Kogarah northbound & southbound - 151
3. Pittwater Road North Narrabeen northbound & southbound - 146
4. Victoria Road Ryde eastbound & westbound - 140
5. Parker Street Kingswood northbound & southbound - 135

The top five red light locations in school zones for 2022/23 were:

1. Chalmers Street Redfern northbound - 139
2. Borella Road Albury westbound - 114
3. Meredith Street Bankstown northbound - 90
4. Cox’s Road North Ryde westbound - 78
5. Pacific Highway Waitara eastbound - 66

The NRMA is warning motorists against complacency when school zones come back into effect tomorrow (30/1), particularly as Tuesday and Wednesday (31/1) are pupil free days.

The NRMA is also warning drivers about the dangers of running red lights, with an alarming increase in the number of red light fines in school zones last year.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said the focus on road safety around schools applied for the whole journey to and from school and not just within the parameters of a school zone.

“Too many people are taking risks during school pick up and drop off times and this behaviour must stop as we know that it is during these periods when children are most vulnerable on our roads,” Mr Khoury said.

“We need to ensure complacency does not set in after the long summer break and that motorists adjust their behaviour starting tomorrow, even though students do not return to the classrooms until Thursday.

“The number of drivers fined running red lights is also alarming, with a 16 per cent jump on the previous year. We know the worst locations across the state and are urging the NSW Government to conduct an immediate safety audit of these locations.”