Media Release
Back to school traffic operation
Police would like to remind motorists to pay particular attention when driving near schools this week as students return from their holidays.
Operation ‘Back to School’ will commence across the state tomorrow morning, Monday 24 January.
The operation will form part of a state-wide operation which will run until Friday January 28 and is the fourth and final phase of Queensland’s 2010 Christmas road safety campaign which began on December 8.
During the Back to School traffic operation officers will be targeting:
- School zones, including speeding offences in 40kmh zones
- Parking and no standing zone offences in relation to the drop off and pickup of children at schools
- School crossings
- Any other offences detected around schools.
Parents are reminded to park in the designate areas to ensure that children are not put at risk by walking out onto roadways between parked cars. Young children are especially vulnerable when it comes to traffic because it is impossible for them to accurately judge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles.
Police would also like to urge parents to familiarise themselves with school drop-off and pick-up practices and discuss with their children rules for school zones.
Following the directions of school crossing supervisors, and allowing a little extra time for your trip because of the increase in traffic around schools, will go a long way towards ensuring the safety of children on their return to school.
All children should wear an approved safety helmet when riding a bike, always use pedestrian crossings and stop to look before crossing the road.
Parents also should to take the time to educate their children in the basics of road safety, particularly children starting school for the first time.
Across Queensland approximately 50,000 children will start school for the first time this year.
07 3015 2444
