Brisbane private school speed zone mishap confuses motorists

Drivers have been left confused as flashing speed limit signs remain active outside some Brisbane schools, despite holidays starting more than a week ago.

School zones at some of Brisbane’s most elite private schools are still appearing to be active and flashing more than one week after students began their school holidays.

Somerville House, St Laurence’s College, Villanova College and All Hallows’ School are some of the Brisbane schools where motorists are still being signalled to slow down to 40km/h from 7 to 9am and 2 to 4pm.

Students at these schools started their Christmas holidays on November 28 and 29.

At St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, a school zone of 40km/h runs from 7am to 4pm.

It’s understood that the lights remaining active is an oversight and that they will soon be turned off.

But drivers are urged to be careful if there is a public school, where students may not yet have started their holidays, nearby as school zone limits may still apply.

A Transport and Main Road spokesman said school zone speed limits were only enforced during the signposted school zone hours on school days.

“This excludes school holiday periods, which can vary depending across public and private schools,” a spokesman said.

“However, drivers should be aware that some school zones service multiple schools, including both public and private.

“These school zones will remain active, with speed limits enforced, during the signposted times on days when the school is open for regular school days.”

The flashing signs have caused some confusion for drivers, many seen to slow down where speed limit signs are operating mistakenly.

Spring Hill local Lorenzo, who lives close to St Joseph’s, said any ongoing 40kmh speed limit would “just be a pain”.

“I’ve already been pinged here before for parking, they’re constantly around,” he said.

“The speed limits are going to be very annoying as a resident here.”

But fellow Spring Hill resident Chakkassery said he “didn’t mind the speed limit”.

“There will still be kids around, so it’s better to be safe than sorry,” he said.

St Joseph’s College is holding cricket and volleyball clinics over the school holidays in the nearby Victoria Park.