Thursday 30 January 2025: The NRMA is warning motorists to slow down in school zones with four pupil-free gazetted school days starting tomorrow, despite students not returning to class until next Thursday 6 February.
Pupil-free days continue to be a major speed trap for motorists with 2,184 fines for speeding issued to drivers in just two days prior to term one in 2024. An average of 1,092 fines were issued over the two days on 30 and 31 January 2024 – almost doubling the daily average for February (598).
School zones will be in operation from tomorrow and school zone speed limits will be enforced despite children not returning to class until next Thursday.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said with speed cameras in school zones fining motorists at almost twice the rate during pupil-free days compared to when students had returned to class the NRMA was warning drivers to slow down.
“It is extremely frustrating when drivers who normally abide by the 40 km/h speed limit in school zones are fined on pupil-free days because they were oblivious to the fact that the speed limits applied despite their children not being at school,” Mr Khoury said.
“The overwhelming majority of drivers go to great lengths to do the right thing around school zones and school zone speed limits have overwhelming public support – we just don’t want people inadvertently breaking the law and getting fined.
“Confusion and complacency can set in when your children are still at home yet the school zones apply. Please be extra alert tomorrow as you drive through school zones as speed limits will apply.”
Throughout the 2025 school year the number of pupil free days will increase from six in 2024 to eight days. This includes the four pupil-free days on 31 January and 3, 4 and 5 February.
With the Christmas school holidays running for almost two months it is vital that drivers are reminded to adjust their behaviour when school returns.
“There is clearly a case for more education in the lead-up to the start of the 2025 school year, particularly as pupil-free days see almost double the number of speeding fines in school zones compared to when children return to class, Mr Khoury said.
“After almost two months of school holidays the day to change driver behaviour is tomorrow when school zones are enforced and not next Thursday when students return otherwise the next four days could see another huge spike in drivers fined for speeding.”
