QPS crackdown on school zones as new data shows 37,000 caught speeding in three years

More than 200 people are being caught speeding through Queensland school zones every week, including many at double the limit, as police prepare to crackdown on drivers ahead of the new school year.

More than 200 people are being caught speeding through Queensland school zones every week, including many at double the limit, as police prepare to crackdown on drivers ahead of the new school year.

Starting Monday, 40km/h limits in school zones will be back in force with drivers urged to slow down and watch out for children.

Since 2021, almost 37,000 drivers have been fined for speeding in Queensland school zones, with the majority of law breakers caught between 11 and 20 kilometres over the limit.

Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream said police would be out in force.

“We want drivers to be aware of the speed limit, which are clearly signed as you enter the school zone,” Mr Stream said.

“Make the right decisions when you get behind the wheel, this should be a happy and exciting time for families, we do not want to see any tragedies.”

School zone speed limits will kick start again from Monday. NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Since 2021, more than 3200 drivers were caught speeding between 21-30 km/h over, 288 were caught driving 21-40 km/h over, and 35 drivers were caught speeding more than 40 km/h over the limit.

The number of speeding drivers in school zones increased year-on-year from 12,565 in 2021 to 14,602 in 2022. More than 9000 speeding drivers were also caught between January and September last year.

New Roadways Behaviour Monitoring System speed cameras were activated in higher-risk school zones from August last year.

One RBMS camera caught an average of 6.78 offences an hour during its first week, but drivers have since slowed down and it’s now decreased to an average of 3.37 offences an hour.

Acting Sergeant Brad McCall on "back to school speed zone patrol" at Brightwater State School. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily

Police Minister Mark Ryan said there was no excuse for speeding in a school zone.

“I know the return to school is a busy time for families, but please remember to be patient when you’re doing the morning and afternoon school run,” he said.

“Be an attentive driver, there’s nothing more important than the safety of our children.”

The operating times for most school zones are 7am to 9am and 2pm to 4pm, with some operating all day between 7am and 4pm.