Unbuckling under pressure: More motorists fined in school zones for speeding or unrestrained kids

Road safety authorities have revealed how many parents are falling foul of the law at school drop-off – and they’re not all going too fast. See the stats.

Increasing numbers of drivers are endangering children’s lives by speeding through school zones, while thousands of motorists are failing to properly restrain young passengers.

Road safety authorities have urged vigilance as tens of thousands of South Australian students return to school on Monday for the start of term 4.

SA Police figures analysed by the RAA reveal 1489 drivers have been caught exceeding the 25km/h school zone speed limit by up to 44km/h over the past five financial years.

Motorists have forked out $343,955 in fines and the number detected has increased 34 per cent over the five-year period from 248 in 2016-17 to 332 in 2020-21.

Charles Mountain, the RAA’s senior manager of road safety.

RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain urged drivers to adhere to the 25km/h speed limit and stop for students at school crossings.

“Parked vehicles can also make it harder for drivers to spot younger children trying to cross the road,” Mr Mountain said.

“Be careful not to double park or park in driveways or too close to intersections when dropping off or picking up the kids.”

The RAA is also pleading with motorists to properly restrain passengers aged under 16 as latest figures show 3100 drivers were caught failing to do so over the past five financial years.

Police have taken a stricter approach to the offence by issuing fines in 76 per cent of cases in 2020-21, compared with 64 per cent in 2016-17. Fines in the past five years totalled $942,679.

OFFENCE: FAIL TO ENSURE PASSENGER(S) UNDER 16YRS WEARING SEATBELT/APPROVED CHILD RESTRAINT

OFFENCE: EXCEED SCHOOL ZONE SPEED (UP TO 44KPH)

“It is of vital importance that drivers correctly restrain youngsters for all trips, irrespective of the distance travelled, as crashes can occur at any time,” Mr Mountain said.

“A child who is properly secured in an approved child restraint is far less likely to be injured or lose their life in a car crash than one who is not, research shows.”

The police figures show eight passengers aged under 16 have lost their lives on SA roads in the past five years, while a further 74 were seriously injured and 1448 received minor injuries.

A police spokesman urged motorists to take care around school zones and said that traffic volumes were generally higher at the beginning of a new term.

“Children and young people are at risk in road environments around schools for numerous reasons. They are smaller and less visible to drivers,” the police spokesman said.

“Their active behaviour can be less predictable than adults and they may have errors of judgment when dealing with traffic.

School Zone sign. Picture: RAA

“Younger children – generally children under 10 – do not have well-developed peripheral vision, cognitive and perceptual abilities, which may also put them at higher risk in a road environment.”

The spokesman said vehicle occupants were 10 times more likely to be killed in a crash if they were not wearing a seatbelt or correct child restraint.

Road Safety Minister Vincent Tarzia said: “School zone speeding is an unforgivable act and there’s no excuse that will bring a child back to life. Don’t speed and don’t risk lives.

“Children are precious passengers who must be buckled in at all times. They count on you to protect them and teach them good road safety behaviours,” Mr Tarzia said.

Originally published as Unbuckling under pressure: More motorists fined in school zones for speeding or unrestrained kids