School zones – have your say
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009NRMA President Wendy Machin recently commented on the importance of flashing lights in school zones to indicate when they are in operation.
“Children’s safety is paramount – drivers’ awareness needs to be drawn to the presence of school children and that’s what flashing lights achieve,” she said.
However, the NRMA has concerns about the rate flashing lights are being rolled out.
A study conducted by the RTA in 2006 “indicated that flashing lights were effective in reducing vehicle speed outside schools during the operation of the 40 km/h school speed zone.”
In spite of this, only 10 per cent NSW’s 3,100 schools have flashing lights, with 100 sets per year being scheduled for installation over the next four years.
School zones were introduced to NSW in December 2002 to reduce the chance of fatalities in school areas. They ensure that motorists slow down to 40km/h during times when children are on the way to and from school.
The problem with this is that it can be unclear to motorists when school zones are in operation. School Zones come into effect only on school days. Therefore, during school and public holidays the school zones do not operate. This can be confusing to anybody who does not have kids – although it’s not an excuse if you get caught speeding.
For more information, visit the RTA School Zones page.
Have you found School Zones easier to identify when they have flashing lights? Is there more that could be done to improve the way School Zones work?
