Road users put on notice as Queensland begins progressive introduction of new school zone times
January 18, 2012
Standardised school zone times will be progressively introduced throughout Queensland, and the state’s government is putting road users on notice to pay attention.
Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk says all school zone times in the south-east of the state will operate from 7-9am and 2-4pm by Easter, with the rest of Queensland moving to the new system by July 9.
She says all-day school zones, complete with flashing signs, will be introduced at split-campus schools where students need to cross a road to attend class.
A television campaign has been launched to notify motorists of the impending changes and Queensland Police has pledged to target drivers who speed in and around school zones.
“Speeding around schools puts the lives of innocent children in danger and will not be tolerated,” Palaszczuk says.
She says almost 16,000 people were caught speeding through school zones in 2011.
“More than 65 percent of those motorists were exceeding the limit by 13-20km – that’s not good enough and that’s why we are toughening up the rules,” she says.
“The message is simple – look out for the signs, check the times and slow down in school zones. There are no excuses for putting young lives at risk.”