Aussies warned ahead of 48-hour 'school zone' speed fine trap

Drivers beware! Plenty have been caught out. 

Parents know all too well that students in New South Wales will be heading back to their classrooms this week - with most going back to school on Wednesday.

However, drivers need to be alert well before then, to avoid the risk of being caught out with a fine.

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Image: Jeremy Piper.

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It’s coming earlier than you think!

School zones are in operation every day of the school year.

But, whilst of course this includes the days your kids are at school, it also includes the days they aren’t.

This term, even though most students return to school on Wednesday, April 30, the term really starts today on Monday, April 28 - at least as far as school zones are concerned.

According to NSW Executive Director Transport Safety Chadi Chalhoub, this is to keep everyone safe, with some students at school on Monday and Tuesday.

“We want children to go to school and return home safely, so please follow the speed limit in school zones and watch out for children when they are crossing, waiting to cross or as they get on or off buses,” he said.

“Drivers who disobey road rules and gamble with the lives of children will face higher penalties and risk losing their licence.

“If you are a parent or a guardian heading to school with your child, this is a good opportunity to start teaching your children about how to be safe on the road. Remind them to Stop! Look! Listen! Think! every time they cross the road, and to keep checking until they safely reach the other side.”

What’s the damage?

As for what kind of fine you’d be looking at, it depends what you’re doing wrong.

The majority of school zones in New South Wales have a speed limit of 40km/h, with some areas also having 30km/h zones installed. If you’re found to be going above this today or tomorrow - even with no kids around - be prepared to cop a fine of anywhere from $675 to $2,794, plus a couple of demerit points.

You can also get done for dodgy parking.

If you stop for over two minutes or exit your car in a ‘Kiss and Drop’ line with a No Parking sign, you could get a $215 fine and 2 demerit points. Double parking could get you a $387 fine and 2 demerit points, and performing an illegal U-turn would be $387 and three demerit points.

School zones are generally in place from 8am to 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm - so watch out!

Originally published as Aussies warned ahead of 48-hour 'school zone' speed fine trap