Friday, 2 October 2009
VicRoads acting director Road User Safety Antonietta Cavallo is reminding motorists that school is back this week, as thousands of Victorian students prepare for the start of the fourth term of the year for 2009.
Ms Cavallo said that after recent school holidays it is important that motorists remember that with the start of school also comes the need to obey reduced speed limits around schools. The aim of the arrive alive school speed zones program is to slow drivers down outside schools during peak times when children are arriving and departing.
“Just as children across the state have to get their bags ready and remember to pack their lunch, it is equally important for Victorian motorists to remember that school speed zones apply from today,” she said.
“School speed zones are about improving safety for Victorian school children and helping to protect these vulnerable road users as they travel to and from school.”
To protect all road users, the speed limit on roads near schools is reduced to either 40 km/h or 60km/h depending where the school is located. These lower speed limits apply on school days in the morning (8.00am to 9.30 am) and in the afternoon (2.30pm to 4.00pm).
To help motorists know which days these speed limits apply, the Victorian Government has published the days classified as “school days” in the Government Gazette. All days between Monday 5 October 2008 until Friday 18 December (inclusive), except for weekends and public holidays are the days on which school speed limits apply across Victoria for the fourth school term of 2009.
“We simply cannot afford to take the safety of our children lightly, and the lowered speed limits are in place to make the roads safer for school children,” Ms Cavallo said.
“Research shows that even small reductions in speed have huge road safety benefits and can mean the difference between a life saved or lost on our roads.”
“School speed zones are all clearly signed and motorists just need to look out for the signs and slow down accordingly,” Ms Cavallo said.
“School speed zones are just like any other speed limit on our roads and are enforceable.
“Drivers need to take their foot off the accelerator and realise that school speed zones are there for the protection of children.”
"Parents should also ensure that when dropping their child off or picking them up that they obey all stopping restrictions, particularly near pedestrian crossings, as these are in place to prevent blind spots and reduce risks for pedestrians."
Advertisements in metropolitan and key regional newspapers have started reminding drivers that school is back and to observe the school speed zones.
For more information visit www.arrivealive.vic.gov.au