Most school zones are operational between 8am – 9.30am and 2.30pm – 4pm on school days, when the lights are flashing.
The new school year is set to resume for thousands of local students in the coming weeks and the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding local drivers and parents about children’s safety around school zones.
The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that road crashes account for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old.
“Please obey the parking signs around schools. They are there to keep children safe. There are 40km/h school speed zones around all schools in NSW. The school zone in Bushman Street, Parkes, is operational all day from 8am – 4pm. Police will be targeting school zones to ensure drivers obey the 40km/h speed limit when school returns,” she said.
Child restraint laws require children up to seven years old to be restrained in an approved child restraint. For more information visit www.childcarseats.com.au
Some road safety rules to follow
• Where possible, drop-off and pick-up your children on the school side of the road.
• Make sure children use the footpathside door when getting in and out of a car – this is called the safety door
• Use a pedestrian crossing where possible and avoid being distracted by friends, mobile phones or listening to music through headphones whilst walking.
• Children aged up to 10 years old should always be supervised when near traffic.
• Children aged up to eight years old should always hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road or walking near traffic.
• Make sure your children always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter or Skateboard.
• If your children catch a bus, always walk with them to the bus stop.
“Road safety around schools is everybody’s responsibility – students, teachers,parents, carers and drivers. We all have a part to play” Ms Suitor said.