NSW school zone speeding fines doubled last year: NRMA

Drivers speeding through school zones is an increasing issue, with exclusive new figures revealing the scale of the growing problem.

Fines for speeding in NSW school zones have doubled in just one year, exclusive analysis from the NRMA analysis has revealed.

There were several Sydney streets where the motorists’ organisation saw an alarming jump in fines, including school zones in Randwick, Maroubra and Strathfield.

The number of fines jumped from 8947 in February 2020 to 17,494 during the same month in 2021.

The NRMA warned motorists school zones will be in force from Friday, even though most students won’t be back in classrooms before Monday.

Twice as many fines were handed out in February 2021 compared with the same month the year before. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“Our message is simple: do the right thing,” NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said.

“If you are driving to take kids to or from school, or just happen to be driving through a school zone – follow the road rules.”

NSW Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward drove home the same points.

“As our children return to school, it’s absolutely critical that every single person behind the wheel pays close attention to school zones and doesn’t speed,” she said

“In coming days there will be an influx of students returning to school and it’s crucial all drivers are extra vigilant.

“There is simply no excuse to speed in a school zone. Our children’s lives can depend on it.

“I would rather not a single fine is handed out. There is one way to avoid being fined – don’t speed.”

The February 2021 fines were issued by both fixed and red-light speed cameras, the NRMA said.

Eighty-five per cent of fines were for driving less than 10km/hr above the speed limit.

One of the roads where fines doubled was Victoria Road in Ryde, where fines went from 532 to 1131.

Another street where fines rose to more than 1000 was Bunnerong Road in Eastgardens.

Fines on that road went from 525 in 2020 to 1057 in 2021.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it's important motorists slow down and are extra attentive when travelling near schools,” said a spokesman for Sydney Catholic Schools, which runs schools on several roads where fines have doubled, including in Ryde.

“Our students in Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2 are still becoming familiar with road rules, so as thousands of new students attend school for the first time, we must slow down in school zones.”

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said it was a terrible statistic. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Mr Khoury said the doubling was a “terrible statistic” and hoped drivers would take more care at the start of term 1 this year.

Opposition roads spokesman John Graham urged caution in school zones.

“Drivers need to slow down and watch out, especially over the next few weeks as students return,” he said.

“Given all that has happened it will take students some time to get used to being back in school.”

He also urged parents to take care when dropping off their children at school.

“For parents and carers picking up or dropping off students, instead of illegally parking over a crossing, at a corner, or double parking; park on the next block or around the corner and walk to the school gate,” Mr Khoury said.

“If you’re walking younger children to school, it is a fantastic opportunity to practice safe behaviours together.

“Hold their hand the whole way; point out and explain any dangers on the way such as cars reversing out of driveways and safely crossing roads.”

10 ROADS WHERE SCHOOL ZONE SPEEDING FINES DOUBLED

• Avoca Street, Randwick: from 170 in 2020 to 397 in 2021
• Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens: from 525 in 2020 to 1057 in 2021
• Edgar Street, Condell Park: from: 83 in 2020 to 228 in 2021
• Malabar Road, Maroubra: from 48 in 2020 to 149 in 2021
• The Boulevard, Strathfield: from 240 in 2020 to 492 in 2021
• Victoria Road, Ryde: from 532 in 2020 to 1131 in 2021
• Pennant Hills Road, Oatlands: from 28 in 2020 to 73 in 2021
• Fitzwilliam Road, Old Toongabbie: from 41 in 2020 to 103 in 2021
• Botany Road, Alexandria: from 237 in 2020 to 447 in 2021
• Hume Highway, Ashfield: from 63 in 2020 to 136 in 2021

Originally published as NSW school zone speeding fines doubled last year: NRMA