Drivers warned to watch out for little-known school zone road rule

Thousands of drivers across NSW have copped massive fines and demerit points after being tripped by a road rule many are oblivious to.

Drivers across NSW have been warned to be particularly careful when driving in school zones today, with a rule in force from today resulting in thousands of dollars in fines.

School zones are back in force across the state today, despite the majority of students still being on holidays.

But, even though today is a pupil free day for most school across the state, school zones are still back in force – meaning you can be fined if you don’t follow the 40km/h speed limit.

With double demerits still in force, being caught speeding in a school zone today is going to land you in a world of hurt.

School zones are enforced even on pupil free days because they days can differ between schools, with authorities believing consistent operation of these zones will help reduce driver confusion and improve the safety of children.

Unfortunately, it seems that many drivers are unaware of the rules around school zones and pupil free days, with thousands being caught out last year.

Schools zones are in place across the state today, despite most children still being at home. Picture: Christian Gilles

New figures from the NRMA revealed more than 3100 speeding fines in school zones were issued over just two pupil-free school days in January last year, resulting in a daily average of almost 1552 penalty notices.

The fines amounted to over $753,0000.

By contrast, the daily average for number of fines issued throughout February 2022 was 561.

There are many school zone offences that attract hefty fines and demerit points, with speeding and mobile phone offences also impacted by double demerits.

Exceeding the 40km/h speed limit by less than 10km/h will draw an eight demerit point penalty and a $615 fine.

Over 20km/h this jumps up to $739 and a 10 point penalty and increases against to $1191 and a 12 point penalty for over 30km/h.

A driver caught travelling 45km/h over the speed limit in a school zone during double demerits will cop a whopping 14 demerit points and a $2704 fine.

Being caught using a mobile phone when not permitted while in a school zone will result in a $469 fine and 10 demerit points during the double demerit period.

Double demerits came into effect on January 25 ahead of the Australia Day public holiday and will be in place until Sunday January 29.

Thousands of drivers are being caught out by the little-known road rule. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

The NRMA is calling for greater awareness around when school zones are running as children prepare to return to the classrooms, with spokesperson Peter Khoury saying it was clear drivers weren’t getting the message.

“Our school zones are among the safest in the world and yet we know that complacency can be a killer, that’s why the NRMA believes now is the time to inject new energy into our efforts to keep children safe around schools,” Mr Khoury said.

“Clearly people still are not getting the message that school zones operate on all gazetted school days, even on student-free days like today.

“The fines are justifiably high because it’s never okay to speed around a school, but if you’re caught in a school zone today, you will receive a steep fine as well as double demerits.”

Mr Khoury said many councils and schools have reported that parent and guardian behaviour is the biggest challenge for road safety around schools, with people often parking illegally in school zones to pick up children.

“These behaviours are not only illegal, they’re also dangerous,” he said.

“A road safety audit of schools across the state would help to get a clear picture of behaviour around schools and how the government and the community can work to improve safety for some of our most vulnerable road users.”