Police launch two-day safety operation at SA school zones

Police will be blitzing school zones around the state from today in a bid to keep children safe in the first week back from holidays.

A two-day statewide school operation will get under way this week, in a bid to keep students and pedestrians safe around school zones.

SA Police will be running Operation Return to School on Monday and Tuesday across the state, in response to increased traffic volumes during school pick-up and drop-off times.

Police said young people were more vulnerable around roads because they were smaller and less visible to drivers, their behaviour could be less predictable than adults, and they might have an error of judgment when dealing with traffic.

A police officer tests speed around school zone. Picture: File

Officer in Charge of Traffic Support Branch, Superintendent Darren Fielke, said the operation was vital because the state had lost 68 lives on our roads this year, and “still people choose to do the wrong thing.”

“As families get back into a routine and return to school, police will continue to target drivers who speed, fail to belt-up, take illicit drugs before driving or make other poor decisions which can put other road users at unnecessary risk,” Superintendent Fielke said.

“We continue to randomly test drivers for drugs and alcohol, even around schools, so our message is simple: Do not drug or drink drive.”

The operation will see police officers on foot and communicating with the school community, and mobile driver testing.

SA Police's Operation Return to School is being conducted on Monday and Tuesday. Picture: SA Police

“That is why we need to stay alert behind the wheel at all times, even though our minds may be preoccupied, particularly during the return to school,” Superintendent Fielke said.

“Roads will be busy, so remember to stay patient, reduce your speed to 25km/h in school zones and allow a bit of extra time during school runs.

“Anyone who sees dangerous driving near a school or at any time is also urged to contact police immediately.”

During the last operation run in May, police visited 284 schools across the state and issued 65 expiation notices for several offences.

The offences ranged from speeding, using a handheld mobile phone while driving, failing to wear a seatbelt and licence or registration offences.

This comes after dozens of Adelaide traffic light pedestrian crossings, including some outside some of the state’s most popular schools, failed safety rules, an official audit revealed.

New Transport Department data reveals more than a third of 69 major road crossings that were identified as needing urgent works, were located outside education institutions.