School zone crackdown: New speed cameras to be moved around

Speed cameras fixed inside school zone signs at the most “high risk” Queensland schools will be activated on Monday, as tens of thousands of students return to the classroom.

A shocking 53,000 motorists were given speeding infringements in Queensland school zones over the past four years, prompting a state government crackdown.

Speed cameras fixed inside bright school zone signs at the most “high risk” Queensland schools will be activated on Monday as tens of thousands of students return to the classroom.

The cameras will be regularly moved around to catch drivers out in different locations.

The crackdown comes after shocking statistics showed more than 50,000 motorists were issued with speeding infringements in school zones across the past four years.

Of the notices, which were collated from January 2019 to September 2022, 46 were for speeds of more than 40km/h above the limit.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the schools were selected on a risk basis, part of a world-first pilot designed to protect students during their commute.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Bailey said the cameras would only be operational during the school zone hours, typically from 7-9am and 2-4pm on weekdays.

He said the technology would target speeding drivers to keep “unpredictable, vulnerable” children, parents, teachers and staff safe.

“The fines will be hefty, painful and you’ll deserve it,” Mr Bailey said.

“I don’t want to see someone’s child badly injured or killed on their way to school just because of the recklessness of a speeding driver.

Greenbank State School will be among the locations to have the cameras on Monday.

“Regional Queensland will have them as well, multiple units across the state. They will be regularly moved around,” Mr Bailey said.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the cameras would be rotated across prioritised high-risk school zones statewide during the pilot program.

Ms Grace said drivers continued to ignore the message and that speeding continued to be a major contributor to serious crashes.

“We all have a responsibility to drive safely and slow down when children are around,” Ms Grace said.

The RACQ’s Joshua Cooney said the body was concerned too many motorists did not take school zone speed limits seriously.

“Our latest Road Safety Survey showed that despite almost 90 per cent of Queenslanders driving their kids to school, half admitted to speeding in a school zone. It’s simply not good enough,” Mr Cooney said.

“School zone speed limits are not optional and they need to be enforced to keep our kids safe.”

Originally published as School zone crackdown: New speed cameras to be moved around