Dubbo road users are urged to be more vigilant when driving or riding through school zones from Monday, 16 July as NSW school students head back to the classroom.
Dubbo City Council’s Road Safety Officer Jayne Bleechmore is reminding Dubbo drivers to be especially aware of the increased presence of traffic and pedestrians around schools from Monday.
“It is easy to become complacent about school zone speed restrictions after a two week break over the holidays,” Ms Bleechmore said.
“We need to remind ourselves that children are less likely to concentrate on traffic movement than most adults, especially if they are preoccupied with other children or in a hurry to cross the road.”
Road users travelling in Dubbo school zones from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm on school days must slow down to 40kph. Dubbo’s Mian school in Bultje Street is the exception, as it shares the same morning enforcement time but has earlier after-school enforced speed zones from 1pm to 2.30pm.
Parents are asked to be good role models for their children by driving and parking safely, particularly during school zone enforcement times.
“Careless and illegal parking around schools can be dangerous. Moving traffic will be unable to see children near illegally parked cars and the safe flow of busses will be impeded,” Ms Bleechmore said.
Parents and carers are urged to take note of parking sign restrictions near their schools and adhere to them when dropping off or collecting their children.
Ms Bleechmore said drivers should be aware of school zone signage and parking penalties:
- ‘No Stopping’- means you cannot stop in this area for any reason - $298.
- ‘No Parking’- means you can stop here for a maximum of two minutes to drop off or pick up passengers and you must stay within three metres of your car at all times—$165.
- “Bus Zone – School Days”- means you must not stop or park your vehicle in a designated school bus zone between 8am and 9.30am or 2.30pm and 4.00pm - $298.
- Parking on or near a pedestrian crossing - $397.
- Double parking - $298.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Council's Road Safety Officer Jayne Bleechmore, phone 6801 4000.
