According to an article on Fullyloaded.com.au, drivers are being urged to pay attention to their speed particularly around schools and school districts as students have recently begun the new school year.
Drivers have been urged to monitor their speed, as police will be out in full force ensuring that drivers stick to speed limits as the new school year begins in Queensland.
During the last year police have issued thousands of traffic infringements around schools to drivers in Queensland, most of which were due to motorists ignoring speed limits around school zones.
School started on January 28th but police will continue their crackdown on drivers who speed around school zones well into the new year.
The following excerpt from the article on Fullyloaded.com.au explains further:
Hundreds of students are due to return on January 28 and police will be out enforcing speed limits around school zones.
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart says police issued more than 27,500 traffic infringements throughout the state in 2013 for speeding in school zones.
“Of that number, 5,571 traffic infringements were issued from October 1 to December 31, demonstrating motorists were paying attention to the reduced speed limit around Queensland schools during the peak times,” Stewart says.
Source: https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/news/industry/1401/speed-warning-as-new-school-year-looms/
Drivers need to keep in mind that while speeding is generally defined as exceeding the speed limit posted on signs for the specific area it can also include driving too fast for the conditions at the time or place. For example if a certain speed limit is posted and there is low visibility due to rain, fog, smoke, mist etc. you may have to reduce your speed even further, especially because driving at lower speeds results in less crashes because it gives drivers more time to make the right decision in an emergency and gives a truck the enough time to come to a halt or manoeuvre to avoid a crash.
According to the post Stewart goes on to explain:
“We urge motorists to be extra cautious and drive slowly when approaching children riding their bicycles or walking on the street or near buses.
“By following the directions of school crossing supervisors and allowing a little extra time for your trip due to the increase in traffic around schools will go a long way towards ensuring the safety of children on their way to or from school.”
Source: https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/news/industry/1401/speed-warning-as-new-school-year-looms/
One of the state government’s plans to make road and pedestrian safety around schools a reality includes the installation of flashing lights around school zones which involves a huge financial investment from the Queensland government. The acting police minister explains more about the government plans for safety in the post, but most of the onus still remains with drivers to keep their speeds down and be alert when driving in school districts because pedestrians may suddenly step out onto the road. The post explains:
Acting Police Minister John McVeigh says the Queensland Government is taking action on road safety around schools with its $10 million investment to install flashing lights in 300 school zones over four years.
“Flashing lights have been installed at more than 180 school zone since the program started,” he says.
“I ask all drivers to obey all the road rules and take extra care around Queensland schools to help protect our youngest citizens.”
Source: https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/news/industry/1401/speed-warning-as-new-school-year-looms/
