School zones – have your say
NRMA 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?
Related posts:
May 1st, 2009 at 2:12 pm
What I have noticed is the much higher level of compliance by all drivers when the flashing lights are present. While I found no problem in complying when passing through school zones with which I was familiar, and at my customary times, I had been caught by travelling at irregular times, eg 3 in the afternoon. So I think we all need the flashing lights on every school crossing!
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
As a teacher, I travel during school times quite often, so I am very aware of them. however, I know many people can be caught out as they don’t normally travel at those times. Flashing lights would be a great reminder for people who may not otherwise think about the school zone.
May 3rd, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Flashing lights are fantastic as a reminder that we need to slow down, as it’s very easy to travel along on auto-pilot and remember half way into the zone that it’s during those peak times.
I think that the priority for flashing lights should be primary schools before high schools, as children under 11 have much less visual acuity than those older.
These zones should be fitted with flashing lights as a matter of urgency.
I also think that there should be 40 zones around preschools and other child care centres as well, because this age group of child are very quick to run off if they’re not held onto tightly, and are much less visible to a driver because of their small size.
May 4th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
The most effective way to keep children safe around schools is to build overpasses or underpasses so that pedestrians never actually cross the road.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Not only are flashing lights required, how about letting us know if it’s a school day or not? How the hell are we supposed to know when school holidays are on? If you don’t have kids or aren’t concerned with exactly when they occur…. it’s ridiculous to have a sign that says ‘school days’ when during holidays, speed limits don’t apply… they could say Mon-Fri but what about public holidays?… I’m all for protecting kids, but typically this system has a ‘one size fits all’ mentality about it….. 40kms hr? why don’t you make us all push our cars through a school zone?
May 5th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Why hasn’t the government or the NRMA released figures to show whether or not 40km\h school zones actually work? Whether or not flashing lights are needed only becomes relevant if 40km\h zones are actually reducing accidents.
Has the number of school related accidents actually reduced? Also, if motorists are doing their bit, why aren’t the schools doing theirs by providing road safety education?
I don’t believe the 40 zones make any difference. Sure cars can stop in a shorter distance at lower speeds, but I find most drivers doing 40km\h in 40 zones are staring at their speedos rather than looking at the road. The amount of tailgaters increases too. The higher your speed – the higher your level of concentration – thats why German Autobahns are just as safe as speed limited roads. Forcing drivers to operate at a low speed reduces their concentration and therefore increases their reaction time – removing the low speed advantage of being able to stop quicker.
The NRMA supports 40km\h zones and flashing lights. Why? I am a member and I do not support it. How does the NRMA know that the majority of it’s members support it?
I will not that flashing lights will not work for me. I drive through at a comforable safe speed that matches the conditions.
Example: a narrow suburban street with a primary school at school hours, with cars parked everywhere and children running about – I will travel at around 40 or even well below that.
Example 2: A 6 lane Highway (Pennant Hills Road) with a fenced medium strip that prevents people from crossing the road. No parking zones all along the road. A fully fenced High school (high schools take TEENAGERS not Children). Overhead pedestrian walkways and Traffic light crossings. Where is the risk of “children” running across the road? There is none so I ignore 40km\h limits and travel at normal speeds.
May 5th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I find that school zones with flashing lights are by far the safest.They make it easy to identify the controlled zones. In my area one High School has different times to most other schools, having an earlier start time. A private school on the Central Coast also has holidays that can vary by a week to State Schools. So flashing lights that signal when the time zones are in effect are necessary. Stop wasting time,install these lights ASAP.
May 6th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Flashing lights would help a lot. I don’t wear a watch or worry about time of day so when I’m driving and come across a school zone I wouldn’t know what the time is. I have also noticed that there are different times for different schools. Also some of the hours of the school speed zone need to be reviewed. Some go till 4pm and there is usually no one around after 3:30pm. Extra half hour seems to be there for revenue raising?
May 6th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I think the flashing lights are a great idea. They make drivers more aware that we are approaching school zones and to slow down. We only have one set of flashing lights in our town, which are set on one of the main thoroughfares. Though we have approximately 12 schools.
Flashing lights should be installed in all school zones.
I say….bring ‘em on!
May 7th, 2009 at 11:19 am
School zones or not if a speed zone is variable at different times of the day then they should be notified to the driver by a flashing light of some kind so that the driver is not distracted by having to read the time at which the speed zone applies. It does not have to be the fancy red circle, just an amber flashing light would do the job.
May 7th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
believe it or not, canberra has a great system ( it was in place last time i was there anyway). also in canberra it is 40km 8am – 4pm in all school zones. when this limit changes the school flips over the 40km sign to the 60km or whatever and padlocks it. very successful. like the lollypop pedestrian people i think they do a fantastic job also. my children are all grown and i wouldn’t know school from a holiday.
May 11th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Currently zones operate when there are no kids around. The afternoon period I think is 90 minutes when kids at a given school are only there in significant numbers for say 30 minutes. How many people get booked for minor infringements when there isn’t a kid in sight?
If we are serious about safety all schools should have lights and someone should be paid to turn them on and off as needed. The present system just allows the politicians to say they have done something.
May 13th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Our local high school has recently had flashing lights installed. I pick up my son from school every afternoon, and I have noticed an immediate improvement in driver compliance with the 40 kph speed zone since the lights have been installed.
Besides an improvement in pedestrian safety, I have also seen an improvement in driver safety: many senior high school students drive to and from our school, and to leave the school grounds most drivers need to turn right onto a busy street, which is inherently more risky than a left turn – even more so when you are an inexperienced P-plater. I have seen many close calls with students turning right from the school grounds over the years, but a decrease in incidents since the flashing lights have been installed.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Currently school zone signs are too easily missed.
I suggest two changes made effective immediately.
1. Flashing lights installed on all school zones as a matter of urgency. They should only flash while the zone restrictions are in operation.
2. Ribbed bumps running in perpendicular lines to the curb. There are examples of these leading up to some pedestrian crossings in the Olympic Park area. These are fantastic because as you approach the zebra crossing your car rattles with increasing intensity.
May 16th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Why has the 40 kph flashing lights been installed at high schools before all primary schools have ?
May 19th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
How many other drivers share my frustration at being slowed down to 40kph and tailgated when there is not a child anywhere in sight?
I totally agree with Phil about being forced to watch the speedo and the tailgaters, not the road.
The whole thing is just a beaurocratic broad-brush revenue-raising exercise which chokes the roads twice per (school) day.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I think there should an additional sign before you approach the flashing
lights to warn the motorists of the school zone ahead.
Senior students or prefects could help in the crossing like the lolly pop man on a roster basis before and after school.
Flashing lights should be activated at the time of crossing only. Once the vehicles come to a halt children could cross with help .This will ensure safety than be a revenue raiser.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
The NRMA supports these 40km/hr school zones despite many members not supporting it. It wasn’t that long ago I was in high school, and we were taught to be responsible for our own actions.
It’s so silly seeing cars travelling at 40km/hr on a highway, speeding up to 80km/h, then slowing down after 500m because of another school zone. NSW Roads are congested to the point where the economy is affected, yet we have school zones that operate at times when there are no children. 99% of children have left the school by 3.30pm, yet school zones run to 4pm. Kids must be in school by 9am, yet we have the zones go to 9.30am.
When will common sense realise that you can’t have cars driving at 80, then 40, then 80, then 40. Drivers look down at their speedos more than look up.
The biggest problem is that whenever the issue of children’s safety is brought up, sensible discussion can’t be held because the issue is so one-sided, you can’t even have an opinion before being howled down by all the safety zealots.
May 20th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Any school in NSW that wants flashing lights can have them now. No need to wait for years for the RTA’s lights. See http://www.schoolzonelights.com.au for details. Twenty-one schools have the lights already with more being installed every week.
The NRMA supports the initiative. See http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/7819.htm paragraph 7.
Most schools have multiple school zones. If school zones are used as the yardstick, 97.4% of school zones in NSW are without flashing lights (10,792/11,083) and 96% will never have them.
Moving to plush new premises at North Sydney with million-dollar harbour views is a higher priority for the RTA than protecting our kids. The $23M they spent on that could have paid for flashing lights at every school in NSW. See http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25325472-5001021,00.html
May 20th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
There is a 40 kph school zone near us in a 100 kph speed zone. I have NEVER seen school kids there in 4 years. They should get rid of it.
School zones are too long both in distance and in time. All we need is 100m from 8:30am to 9am and from 2:45pm to 3:15pm, and only for primary schools.
May 20th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Yes, flashing lights (especially if it incorporates a lit 40km sign) definately focuses your attention to the fact that there is a school crossing. It helps remind you that the speed limit of 40km now applies and you need to slow down.
May 20th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I detest the fact that the 40Km zone is too long. It does not make sense especially when there is a pedestrian barrier stretching for 400-500 metres.
May 20th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
All schools, regardless of where they are should have “flashing lights”, & harsher penalties for anyone disregarding them.
Here in Port Macquarie the number of people not slowing down is terrible.
And as for Bob & Phil, if one of their children/grandchildren were hit/run down,they would be to first to whinge about speeding motorist.
May 21st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
There are numerous anomalies with school zones at present. They show a total disregard for the safety of children by the RTA and also a total disregard for needs of the motoring public.
Government and RTA guidelines state for example that any road with a direct access point to a school must have a 40kmh zone. North Ryde Primary School has a gate leading directly to the 70kmh Lane Cove Rd but there is no 40kmh zone. A young boy is currently in hospital in a coma as a result of a freak accident outside the school last week. See:
http://www.schoolzonelights.com.au/media2009-05-13a.pdf
In other cases, as Glen points out above, there are totally unnecessary 40kmh zones. For example Bonnyrigg High School has a fence down the median strip plus a pedestrian overpass over Elizabeth Dr yet it still has a 40kmh zone.
For other anomalies see:
http://www.schoolzonelights.com.au/anomalies.html
Perhaps it is time for the NRMA to step in and do the RTA’s job for it, by carrying out a comprehensive review of every school and school zone in NSW and making recommendations on what changes are needed.
Perhaps a well-publicised web site could be set up for the public to provide input.
May 21st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Flashing 40 kmh’h school zones are an excellent idea. Saw my first yesterday in Southern Highlands. Should be mandatory outside all schools.
Much better than small 40kmh zone sign mixed amongst other road signage.
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 am
Why not teach children to cross the road – like they used to?
I’d love the Productivity Commission to cost the lost time nationwide caused by the failure of parents to provide their children with basic living skills.
School Zones act to make children think that the road is a safe place to be and this could not be further from the truth. They need to be afraid, very afraid.
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I reckon school zones should have flashing lights at both ends when they are in play. People are always racing through the school zones partly because they are in a hurry and if you are not keeping with the flow, have noticed a few honks myself from time to time. Although you are doing the right thing by keeping the limit. Especially the ones at 5 dock. They extend for long stretches across signals that you are likely to forget how long they go on for.
RTA tends to make a lot of money out of these zones, when learners unaware of how long the zone stretches for especially when not familiar with the region. They are doing their best where as most seasoned drivers are not. Each time you visit the RTA its more money.
May 23rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
The Government’s approach to School Zones is farcical. It seems that funding can be found for School Zone speed camera’s for enforcement, but not a fraction of the amount for adequate public notification. This seems bizarre given that the vast majority of the motoring public is law abiding and willing to obey road rules. Why focus on enforcement for 5% when you can assist 95% comply better ? It is a place where pro-active policy (advisement) is far better than re-active policy (enforcement). Let’s face it, enforcement requires advisement and signage that could have been used in a pro-active manner and advising people *after* they speed is potentially already too late for the children…
Granted there is regular signage, but this is hardly adequate for speed zones that change based on date,day of week AND time. Add in the ‘special’ School Zones that operate at non-standard times and you spend more time looking for signs (and at the speedo) than at the road for kids.
I tend to drive at varying times and don’t have children, so it is always a challenge to remember School Zones. I’ve found that the Flashing lights are a huge assistance. Equally, I think the vibraline suggestions another good, low cost assistance.
I do generally question some of the School Zone policies however – particularly the blanket application despite some questionable requirements. As another writer mentioned, Pennant Hills road (Kings School and also Normanhurst) is an example of ridiculous placement.
May 25th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
More often than not when there are no flashing lights and I am driving in traffic, I see the “end of school zone” sign and only then realise I should have slowed down earlier.
I believe the amount of time allowed of 1.5 hours in both the morning and evening is excessive. Eg. in the evening many of the schools have closed long before 4pm and the whole area is devoid of children.
On arterial roads where there are car parks at the school and bridges to cross roads (eg Beverly Hills Primary School) there should be no need to slow the traffic down.
The whole “solution” has been a case of the Government and RTA “shooting from the hip” again, having to be seen to be doing something and responding to the whims of minority groups.
Geoff North
May 26th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Well Vic Collis, if drivers are speeding where there actually are children then I’d agree with your point of view.
What about the many school zones and times when there is not a child anywhere to be seen, maybe only a police officer with a laser speed gun out to make revenue?
Glen has the right idea: “All we need is 100m from 8:30am to 9am and from 2:45pm to 3:15pm, and only for primary schools.” but no doubt you totally disagree with his point of view because it’s not extreme like yours.
May 26th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
On the Pacific Highway in Hornsby, there are kids from Barker College swarming on both sides of the road with drivers going 60km/h. Further up the road towards the city there are a few school zones running for about 2km completely devoid of children, creating more congestion.
Ridiculous.
May 27th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I think that some school zones have not been thought through, for example, I know of one school zone outside a girls high school on a major sydney road where there is an overbridge across the road and a 1.2m high fence at the kerb, why put a school zone here.
Another instance applies to a numer of schools in the Blue Mountains where there are school zones on the Western Highway and access to the school is from a side street.
May 27th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I think slowing down nears schools, crossings and major shopping areas is necessary and most good drivers know this instinctively. Has there been any research as to whether slowing down to 40 has reduced school zone accidents?
I do believe that school zones are necessary and if flashing lights help then that’s great. However, could we have some consistency when it comes to speed zones in general. There are now so many different zones that drivers spend more time looking at their speedo than what is happening on the roads. Isn’t this more dangerous?
There are already many distractions on our roads, outside and inside the car, so especially on a straight run or main road, could we please have consisent speed zones instead of different ones every few metres.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Flashing lights at the school zones are fantastic. It captures the attention of the driver quickly rather than a dummy 40 zone board in the front.
Putting the flash lights should be on priority and has a better effect than the government painting the school zone area roads. The flash lights should be put to all school zones immaterial of the suburbs or location. I live in the western suburb of sydney and I do not see any flashing lights in this area – Mount druitt or Rooty hill. However, there a flashing lights promptly installed at most of the north shore areas…why discrimination…
May 29th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I have just recently come back from a short trip just over the border in Queensland where the school zones are a much more realistic 20klm/hr under the speed limit for the area. For example on a highway doing 100klm /hr the school zone was 80klm. In a 60 klm/hr area the school zone was 40klm. 80klm/hr speed limit dropped to 60klm/hr in a school zone. To me this is a much more sensible approach than what we have in NSW where you could be going along a highway doing 100klm/hr and suddenly have to nearly stop to 40klm/hr for a school zone where if any children were around, they wouldn’t have been around for the one and a half hours that the speed zone is in force for.
May 29th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I have a problem with school zones. I am looking out for: 1. The Police/Speed Camera. 2. My Speedo. 3. The car in front. WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE CHILDREN????? I know that many people think like me because of all the people that I have spoken with about this subject have all told me the same thing. Now all the do-gooders will say that I am selfish, ignorant, irresponsible, etc. but I just bet that 99% of people if they are honest will all tell you that they secretly agree with me. Children need to be protected by all of society but school zones should be re-examined and some sane laws bought in to practice. S.A. for e.g. have the best of all the states that I have visited. Slow down to 25kph in a school zone when you SEE children.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:38 am
I am currently in Darwin where school zones are continuous throughout the whole school day and not broken into two timeframes as they are in NSW (and SA where I have lived since Oct last year after moving from NSW). The whole concept of a school zone is destroyed by firstly not having the ‘school zone’ apply the whole time during the day that a school is operating, and secondly school zones do not increase safety and merely push the onus directly onto motorists making parents, etc. no longer responsible for teaching proper road safety to their children.
Fining people for ‘speeding’ in a school zone does nothing to re-inforce what school zones should be there for, and until they are made continuous throughout the whole day (regardless of whether or not they have very expensive RTA flashing lights or the very low cost ones developed independently which are very affordable for all schools that want them), the importance of the zones will not be learnt. But school zones alone are NOT the answer – parents and teachers MUST take responsibility for educating their children (and themselves) on proper pedestrian crossing and road safety and not rely on ill-conceived laws to ‘cotton wool’ them from hazards which have been around for much longer than revenue-raising school zones have existed in any state/territory of Australia.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 am
Schools zones are unnesessary on Major roads. We should adopt the system used in many US states where the children are only permitted to leave or arrive at school through one entrance on a side road. Fence off all other roads.
This has actually been done by one school on Military road Spit junction. you never see a child on the main road.
I am an RTA school officer and I find it curious how most of the comments supporting school zones on this blog are by women when clearly from my day to day observations women are the ones speeding through schools zones.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Of course, the warning ligt to be installed in all school zones. It is much higher attention to all drivers. But my opinions are most of school enterances are located to busy road side. If the main entrance relocate to less traffic road side, it is much safer to school kids.
June 4th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I work in an office 0730-1630 every day and therefore rarely use School Zones. On the odd occasion that I am on the road during School Zone hours I find those with flashing lights to be of tremendous help to me. The lights draw my attention to the zones and are far more effective than those with just signs.
Our roads are saturated with all sorts of traffic and advertising signs and it very easy to not see School Zone signs, particularly on busy main roads throughout the State.
One thing that bugs me is the existence of School Zones on main roads where fences have been constructed to stop children crossing the road, forcing them to use an overpass. It is almost impossible for children to walk across the road but the RTA insist on creating a School Zone in such areas.
June 5th, 2009 at 10:56 am
The additional display at school zones of a vehicle’s speed is a very big inducement to the driver of said vehicle to comply. This is now often used at re-construction of road works.
June 14th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I think it’s absolutely necessary to have flashing lights – it’s ridiculous to assume every motorists knows which days are school days and which aren’t. Half the time, I only know it’s a school day and I’m in a school zone if I see kids are running around. It sounds logical, but it wouldn’t hold up in court.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:02 am
If you happen to be driving on unfamiliar roads, there is a very good chance that you may miss a school sign – its happened to me. Flashing lights are a must on suburban roads alerting drivers. Drive down Maroubra Rd (towards the jnct) – I dare say that if you are unfamiliar with the area, you will not see the school sign. Its hidden somewhat by trees also. On the other hand, it seems ridiculous that on a six lane major route, the speed limit is reduced for high school children also. Example Sydney High on Anzac Pde. Can there by different rules for pre school and primary aged school children and another for secondary school kids?
June 21st, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I have been driving for 50 years and had a totally clean Driving Record…………..until I was in an unfamiliar area containing a School Zone without a Flashing Overhead Light, but it did have a Speed Camera and is normally a 70kmh speed limit. I was also not aware of the time (3:50pm) and was snapped at 58kmh, lost four Demerit Points, Penalty $324.00. Then………two days later, at 2:41pm was snapped again, 52kmh, lost another four Demerit Points, Penalty $135.00.
IS THIS FAIR?
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Since Peter Olsen’s entry above on 21/5/09 a new 40 km zone has been introduced on the Lane Cove Road. If ever there was a need for flashing lights, this must be it! I wonder how many regular drivers along that stretch of road, cruising along at the usual speed limit of 70km, missed the zone the first time it appeared, particularly as the school is not at all visible from the Lane Cove Road. Although I know the area well, I had no idea of the side entrance of the school onto the main road. It’s difficult enough remembering to observe all the school zones in an area we are familiar with, or keeping vigilant when in unfamiliar territory, but when a new zone pops up where there hasn’t been one before and there is no obvious sign of a school, flashing lights would be a big help!
June 25th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
I don’t think Colleen Creswell is selfish, ignorant or irresponsible at all. But let’s face it, if the NSW government was to introduce some common sense by requiring motorists to slow down to a safe speed if/when they actually SEE children, that would deprive them of an enormous income from fining innocent people like Keith.
In fact one of my mates who’s been driving for over 40 years with an excellent record recently had his wallet emptied in exactly that way, by missing a 40km/h sign on Victoria Rd at 2:35PM and not seeing a child anywhere, but the “speed” (revenue) camera got him. A week later he got his $324 receipt from the NSW Government in the mail.
This ridiculous barely-disguised money-grabbing motorist-taxing exercise needs to change in a big way.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Can somebody explain to me why a high school needs a ‘zone’? The youngest student is three years away from L plates. If they can’t play by the rules then they’ll never be able to. I understand them outside a primary school – but really… spare me… a high school? And if there’s a zone, how do they control the behavior of students when they aren’t in the zone any more. Has anything changed?
What they should do is make it mandatory for student activity to take place on a side street. Does it take many brains to make this a rule? If anything low speed zones are more dangerous because they create a false sense of security in the children. If there is no side street access, only then do they take a set of flashing lights and install a the zone. But put a fence on the sidewalk, with one exit and the STOP GO person – preferably a traffic light crossing or one better, a bridge.
But this is logic. What I don’t understand is when they have a bridge crossing there are a couple of schools that still have the slow zone. Duh!
And then in Woy Woy opposite the railway station on that drive into woy Woy where there is now ‘zone’ at all. So the consistency is also shot to pieces.
But consistency was never a stronghold of the RTA.
July 11th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Of course flashing light at school zone make drivers more aware that the 40km limiit is in operaton, Anyone who argues otherwise would have to be a moron. The car I drive does not have a clock, what do I do, fumble with the mobile/ look at the watch to tell actually what time it is? and I have kids. How about pupil free days? 40km or not. Could also be confusing for interstate visitors too. Used to be that if pedestrians or kids or hazards were about drivers would slow down anyway and take extra care without needing to be told to do so. Different times
October 20th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I reckon the flashing lights before a school zone is an excellent idea. It will help reduce the amount of people/accidents that happen in school zones. Well hopefully anyway.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
If we have to have school zones then yes ALL school zones should have flashing lights.
Personally I think that schools on main roads should have overhead footbridges and do away with the zones all together.
It seems to me all they do is create more traffic and congestion which backs onto peak hour gridlock. Just what Sydney needs.
The responsibility should fall on the kids, the mothers and the school, NOT the motorist
November 1st, 2009 at 10:59 pm
KILL A CHILD SEE HOW IT FEELS
slow down the time it takes to go through a school zone at 40klm in stead of 60 or 100 is not worth a childs life. and this is what school zones are for to save at least one childs life
November 13th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I do not think that flashing lights at the start of the school zone is enough especially on major roads or highways when motorists are concentrating on the road, there should be visual indicators throughout the whole zone. Im sure that no motorists has a problem with slowing down to 40km, the problem is being aware of when and where school zones are.
November 27th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I agree with what L Bradfield has to say about the school zones. They should leave parental emotion out of this.
OK maybe in preschools you should just reduce the speed limit to 50km/h or 40km/h but you do not need a school zone system.
It can be a major inconvenience. Especially because it can take you by surprise when you see 60km/h limits and all of a sudden “END OF SCHOOL ZONE” appears.
How about if we want to save childrens’ lives then we go and put school zones on the M2 Motorway for example? Just in case a stupid kid wanders around over there.
The point I’m trying to make is that school zones are completely useless. How many children have school zones saved anyway?
The responsibility should be on the children and mothers and school. Not on the rest of society.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I agree that we should take our children’s safty into account.
Thr problems of current system are:
1. RTA put most of school zone and speed camera along side of major road. It’s nonsence of doing so, for 8:-9:30 am is the most demended time of the major road. The solution is NOT flashing lights but to build overpasses or underpasses.
2. If you drive in a unfamilar road , you are very likely to be caught, since you would concentrate on speed and road, rather than TIME! You will be caught especially when you drive on the central line of a major road, where you rarely can see the flashing lights.
3. Foe me, the camera of school zone is just a money printer of government. according to NRMA, “A News Limited investigation has found the NSW Government made $312 million in revenue from motorists in the last financial year. Six years ago the figure was less than half that, at $118 million.” (http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/02/11/nsw-fine-revenue-figures/)
I don’t want my money be taken just because these improper laws.
January 12th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I agree people without school children don’t know when the holidays are – and you have to look at the time and your speedo – if you must have school zones the posting of the limit has to be a sign that only appears (shows 40) when it is to be obeyed. Also large schools on main roads need overpasses and all new schools should be built with some parking and or drop off area on the school grounds. Where I live traffic is reduced to single file as parking is permitted on both sides of the road in the school zone. More parents need to walk their primary school kids to school and more dedicated bike ways for those at high school.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
It is time something sensible was done. The long suffering silent majority should speak up. School zones should be in appropriate places and marked with flashing lights that only operate during appropriate hours. 40k speed limits should not be placed on main highways where there are pedestrian crossing with lights or over-bridges. There are so many school zones that are completely inappropriate eg on main roads that are clearways. We should have traffic rules that people obey because they are sensible, not because the are afraid of being caught and punished.
February 20th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
A friend’s daughter just got failed on her driving test (was on her ‘L’ plates) because she was doing 50 kph in a school zone at 2.20 pm in Ryde. She politely said she thought school zones were from 2.30 pm, & the instructor answered “private schools are 2.00 pm”. Does anyone know of a special exception in Ryde area where the school zone starts at 2.00 pm? Her driving otherwise was perfect, but now she has to wait a month till she can get another test appointment. Is this shonky or what?
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I was pulled over today by police with a radar gun, school zone times are 2:45pm – 4pm, I was stung at 3:50 with not a child in sight. Although this is not an excuse, they police were there obviously trying to catch motorists out, rather than try to save lives, flashing lights would also have been welcomed.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:06 pm
re: KILL A CHILD SEE HOW IT FEELS
slow down the time it takes to go through a school zone at 40klm in stead of 60 or 100 is not worth a childs life. and this is what school zones are for to save at least one childs life.
Maybe everywhere should be 40km/h so that no one ever dies, or we could eradicate cars all together along with kitchen knives.
March 4th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
WHY IS IT WE DRIVE CARS THAT ARE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ABOVE 110KPH WHEN THE FASTEST WE CAN TRAVEL IN AUSTRALIA IS 110KPH ,WHY NOT HAVE ALL VECHILES BE FITTED WITH SPEED LIMMITERS.THIS DAY AND AGE WHY NOT
March 11th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Life is full of trade off between risk and possible consequences. Although no one wants children injured or killed it is always a possibility regardless of whether or not school zones exist. I grew up in an era when there were no school zones and as children we were taught to be road safety conscious. I don’t agree with school zones at all on major roads particularly those with normally higher speed limits. Often the side of the road is fenced and there is little if any chance of a child straying onto the road. All that happens is that a huge amount of traffic is inconvenienced. Also my observations are that much of the period of time when school zones operate there are no children anywhere near the school. They should be limited to perhaps a half hour period and not a one and a half hour period.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
It’s ridiculous – you spend so much time watching your speedo that you nearly run someone over!
March 11th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I was booke for driving at 51kph through a School Zone on the Pacific Hway opposite Knox Grammar School- 9 days after the school had broken up for the Christmas holidays in December.I knew it was closed. In the start of this zone,Warrawee Public was open and I drove under the 40kph through that zone. On approach to Knox I knew the school was closed and accelarated gently to 51kph when I was snapped. 2 demerit points and $141 fine. THIS IS HARDLY FAIR- a school zone to me is the one operating during school days and not when the school is on holidays– highway robbery and another revenue raiser for the RTA!
March 11th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Further to my letter, ALL SCHOOL ZONES MUST BE USING RED FLASHING LIGHTS when the Zone is ‘active’ and perhaps a green circular flashing light around the 60kph sign as you reach the end of the Zone- also the whole zone should be marked by white diagonal striopes across the whole road so motorists know they are in the zone and for 150 metres before the zone is reached, there should also be stripes to warn motorists. If the RTA is not intent on traising revenue and fining motorists- they woud do this to ensure safety at the highest (warning) level.
March 11th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Does Max Press take into account that children from State and Catholic schools do not break up early and they have to cross the highway too?
March 11th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
School zones are nothing more than a money grabbing exercise by the Government. If they were fair dinkum they would force all schools to have their entries in quite streets and not facing a main road . To make the zone more noticable why not paint the whole road red or green so it is more noticable , They have painted the bus lanes etc brown so why not the school zones or is it they wont then make their money . The Main problem with children in the school zones are the mothers who are just too damm lazy to stop and park a couple hundred yards away and walk the children to school or park across the road and then watch their children run across the road instead of getting out of the car and walk the kids across
March 11th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
only 10% have flashing lights! why not 100%? it is a definite advantage to have the lights in operation both as a safety aspect for the children and as a warning for when you are travelling in an unfamiliar area and could be unaware of the presence of a school. the lights also remind you of the timezone which is particularly important when you don’t have schoolchildren at home any more.
March 11th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Having been snapped short of 8 minutes from 930am after turning left onto West Pennant Hills road just before James Ruse drive the $253 and loss of 4 demerit points was a very bitter pill to swallow. Especially as I was on an unfamilar road and corner. But the State Debt collector didn’t consider it unfair. Having held a licence for 23 years and 3 months and NEVER had speeding, excessive or school zones, reckless or dangerous driving or any other fine they can invent in the pretext of improving safety standards one can’t help but think that a machine capturing images is making safe drivers pay the price whilst those who really do speed raise their finger in anything else but a salute.
And on the subject of poor school zones and rich school zones. Can you tell me why a college “ie school” on the Corner of Woodpark rd in Mount Druitt is not a 40 zone. And I mean not even a lone school zone sign. Which of course I can read and don’t really need flashing lights.
BUT to those who don’t drive for a living it’s easier to be totally safe when you drive for maybe one or two hours a day but try 8 hours when lapses of concentration can happen and a school zone where there are no children evident nor buses with flashing lights trigger common sense reactions more than a box hidden behind a corner.
March 11th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
There seems to be a problem when you are driving in a school zone and then the normal “driving in traffic” – like waiting at red lights, watching out for other vehicles – and a myraid of other road signs and distractions – they all draw our attention away from the fact that we are currently within a school zone.
The RTA has made a slight improvement on our awareness when entering a school zone – but when you are in it (the school zone) IT IS NOT OBVIOUS to anyone (except police who hide in wait, and variable speed cameras).
It would be good if the RTA continued the good work they have started – and finish the job off properly in a responsible manner – and mark the WHOLE SCHOOL ZONE with those little triangular flags we now see at the entry to a school zone.
Just thinking out loud – I guess the RTA does not consider it a cost effective program – as the end result would mean that less motorists are being fined, less litigation, and more importantly – less risk of children being hit with vehicles travelling over 40KPH.
March 11th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Why is there a 40kmh zone on King George’s Road Beverly Hills NSW, when there are fences on both sides of the footpath a meduim strip you cant walk over and only two sets of pedestrian lights?
Your child would need to be gazelle to get onto the street.
Child safety should be parramount, but the money grab is so obvious.
March 11th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
As one who was booked for exceeding the 40 km per hour speed limit at Beverley Hills & despite going to court to agrue my case (& loosing) I am absolutely sure that the RTA’s motivation is revenue raising. If there were flashung lights I would have been aware that it was a school zone, without doubt. Why are there flashing lights in areas where ther already is a 50 km/hr limit but they are absent from areas of much greater traffic & 60km / hr limits
NRMA should extract statistics to measure the difference before and after the instalation of flashing lights. Beverley Hills is a good example as I read that flashing lights are about to be installed. So a before & after measurement should reveal something
March 11th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Revenue raising. Leads to absolute abuse of the privelige by the school children, some of whom should know better.
The other day I was in the school zone Watkins St The junction. The crossing lady had the traffic held up while (wait for this!!!!!!) the children and their parents were WALKING OUT OF THE SCHOOL GROUNDS ALONG THE FOOTPATH AND ONTO THE CROSSING! This continued for some 4mins and 43sec (timed). The lady then decided to let the drivers have a go and walked off the crossing. At that time a child ran past the lady and onto the crossing. To my amazement, she took know action to call the child back or for that matter go back onto the crossing and ensure that the traffic did not move.
March 12th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Why can’t they paint the road surface (like they do for bus lanes). There are too many signs to read on the sides of the and this becomes overload to the point where people do no read them. If you are in an unfamilar area it is easy to miss. But if the road was painted for the duration of the school zone then all the car driver would have to do is check the time. Yes the cost would be big but they are our kids…..
March 12th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
I agree with Phil, saying the 40km speed zone on Pennent Hill Hwy is ridiculous, yes high school with enough fencing and an over head walkway.
I turned right onto Sunny holt Rd from a side street and I didn’t see the sign. I’m sorry. I was too busy watching for the cars going straight ahead so I could turn right – missing the school zone sign. I just wonder if that sign was flashing would it have caught my attention and saved me $324. I never drive at that time of day – it was just a one off. I forgot where I was and was doing the speed of 70 in a 40 school zone. I still don’t think its fair, it wasn’t even a public holiday, but that’s revenue.
Now that I have school aged kids I’m never on the road – we walk!
March 12th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
With so many signs competing for drivers attention – along with so many areas designated school zones it is obvious observing people you realise that many continue at the normal speeds not realising they are in a school zone. Drive down Pennant Hills Rd in Sydney to see the fluctuating zones over just a few kilometres to appreciate the problem (drivers also have to be aware of the massive amount going on around them and still not stray above the limit for large parts of many roads AND read all the other road signs as well.
Why do we need High School zones at 40 kmh when most students drive and should be alert at this stage of their lives to co-existing with motor vehicles as they do at other times during the day and night?
March 12th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
To me the most disappointing thing is that in true Government fashion, everything is done blanket fashion. There are school zones where they are not needed and are a nuisance.
Why do we need school zones where there already exists over the road bridge walkways, particularly on major roads. School zones are to provide a level of safety for children to cross the road. Well, what is the point if the children use an overhead bridge and don’t actually cross the road. Why are there school zones on major roads where the rear of the school is used for pick up and drop offs, including buses. Again, you go through these zones every day and never see a child crossing the road.
These things lead to people ignoring the safety message in crucial areas because they think it is all just a waste. Put the zones where they are needed and not just place them in every school willy nilly. If you are really interested in safety you could also get parents to stop double parking and stopping on pedestrian crossings to let the little darlings off. That would be safety.
March 15th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Isn’t it amazing cars are required by law to be fitted with a speedo that tells the speed, however there is no requirement for a car to be fitted with a clock or device to tell the time. If caught speeding in a school zone you might well argue in court that you had no idea of what the time was, so why the need to reduce speed. I know most late model cars usually do have a clock or similar however some of the oldies don’t. In the absent of flashing lights how would it be possible for you to know what time it was or if the speed limit for that section of road was any different?
March 15th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
I agree that the flashing lights are essential. I do not have school children and do not work. Often I have no idea about school days or time of day. The flashing lights alert me that the speed limit is active. However I think that 40km speed limits on MAJOR ROADS is absolutely rediculous. There should be no main entrance to the school on the major road, but it should be in the side street. Further there should be a fence along the kerb on major road where it passes a school. I also have an issue with 40km zones at high schools. The children that attend these schools will shortly become drivers and if they do not have road sence by the time they attend high school than heaven help us.
March 16th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Easy – drive to the conditions, Watch for kids doing silly things around school start and finish times and around buses.
Educate children – just like we did previously – “do not run out onto the road” instead of “it’s OK to be silly the cars are going slowly now”.
The application of a time-based school zone speed limit actually distracts drivers from their primary task. They have to watch their clocks and their speedos at a time when they really should be watching the road and surrounds. It creates fear and frustration where it need not be so.
Give school zones the flick.
June 18th, 2010 at 7:13 am
If a car is travelling through a school zone at 2:29pm and the flashing lights arent on doing 60km/h and the time changed to 2:30pm while going past the speed camera at 60km/h would the car get booked.
August 3rd, 2010 at 1:42 pm
OMG. We are so institutionalized by Sydney traffic.School zone?50 km/hrs?Where are we? When my children were young I have to teach them how and when to cross the road ….school or no school…
Now I’m a grandmother and I do nothing else on the road.. but look out for the sign.
School zone?? Those high school teenagers..going out partying.. taking drugs..having sex…learning how to drive… etc… and they don’t know how to cross the road??
THIS IS BEYOND JOKE..
August 30th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
The current school zone restrictions are ridiculous. They are a symtomatic of the whole nanny state super control over our lives and govt desire to tax us at every opportunity. If there is truly a need for more safety at schools then fences are a much better option as they permanently stop access between footpath and road. Ofcourse this would not be considered as it would cost the govt money without allowing them to tax the drivers, no good at all.
The next step in the nanny state process will be to connect a GPS in every car to our bank accounts and to the state treasury and every time you exceed the apeed limit money is automatically transferred. Then the govt can finally balance its books by adjusting the fines until it receives enough.
Oh, did anyone mention road safety?