Residents asked to ‘Go 40 For Me’
Wingecarribee Shire Council is reminding motorists to drive safely in school zones with the introduction of the ‘Go 40 For Me’ awareness campaign.
The campaign involves displaying variable speed signs in school zones, showing drivers their current speed while school zones are active.
Road Safety Officer Melanie Lausz said the aim of the speed displays is to promote attentiveness and introduce an element of social pressure on drivers.
“The variable speed signs are large enough to show everyone in the vicinity to see how fast a driver is going,” she said.
“Radar speed displays are a proven and cost-effective way of reminding motorists that children are about in these zones and there are speed limits to adhere to.”
Schools zones are in effect on gazetted school days between 8.00 – 9.30am and 2.30 – 4.00pm, requiring motorists to drive at or below 40km/h. Exceeding the speed limit in a school zone carries a minimum fine of $319 plus four demerit points, while using a mobile phone in a school zone is a $397 fine plus four demerit points.
Some schools within the Shire have internal pick up and drop off access points for students and parents, however school zones are still in operation, even if children are rarely seen walking in the area.
“I often field questions from residents about why 40km/h speed zones exist for these schools, but it’s important to note that even if you don’t see children physically walking to and from school, they are still in the area, in cars and buses.
“During school zone times there is an increase in the volume of traffic transporting children as passengers and it is important to be aware and drive safely,” Ms Lausz said.
The variable speed signs have already been displayed at Bundanoon Primary School, Moss Vale High School and Robertson Public School.
For further information about the ‘Go 40 For Me’ campaign, contact Council’s Road Safety Officer on (02) 4868 0809