School zone speeding offences astound police
Police say they are astounded that more than 2000 people have been booked for speeding in school zone during a one-week road safety campaign — including 537 people being fined in the northern police region of the State.
During ‘Operation Back to School’, 2074 motorists in NSW were detected travelling above the speed limit during school zone operating hours. The operation concluded last Friday.
Traffic Services Commander Chief Superintendent John Hartley said police detected 537 of these in the northern police region of the State.
A further 337 motorists were fined for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving and 461 people were fined for various safety-related parking offences around schools.
Chief Superintendent Hartley said the Statewide operation targeted drivers speeding in school zones, children’s crossing offences, people illegally using their mobile phones, and other traffic offences.
“I am astounded that with the amount of warning the public were given about this operation, that so many people were detected deliberately placing children at risk and breaking the law,” he said.
“Speeding through school zones is both illegal and irresponsible and puts the lives of children at risk. The use of mobile phones whilst driving is also illegal, but is fraught with further dangers if the motorist is passing through a school zone.
“Using a hand-held mobile phone while you are driving means you aren’t paying full attention to what is going on the road in front of you. You are at more risk of being involved in a crash.”
