Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has reminded drivers to slow down and take care around school zones, as more than one million students returned to classrooms this week.
Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC, Jaala Pulford said speed limits around schools were now 40km/h or 60km/h at drop-off and pick up times.
“Young children can be unpredictable, fast and difficult to see,” Ms Pulford said.
“A small reduction in speed can dramatically increase the chance of a child surviving being hit by a car,” she said.
“The school pick-up and drop-off are naturally full of distractions and we know taking your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, results in slower reaction times so we’re asking drivers to pay extra attention.”
Ms Pulford said term one school speed zones began on 28 January and would be in place until 27 March.
She said the Government was improving safety around schools across the State as part of the $5 million School Area Safety Fund and $18.9 million School Crossing Supervisor Program.
“These programs have made it safer for children to get to and from school around Victoria by funding projects including flashing electronic speed signs, pedestrian crossing signals and new school crossing supervisors,” Ms Pulford said.
