School road safety
School zone areas
Our rangers maintain a visible presence in our school zone areas, particularly in the morning drop off and afternoon pick up periods. We do this to monitor motorists and to make sure they adhere to the rules around our schools. These rules are contained in the Australian Road Rules.
The safety of our children can be put at risk when parking regulations and road signs are not abided by. We therefore ask that you abide by all parking rules and road signs around schools, not only to avoid penalties but to ensure that there will be a safe traffic environment around our schools, for the safety of your children.
View the Policy for Traffic Management near Schools, Preschools and Childcare Centres(PDF, 465KB)
Know the rules around our schools
Most parents and carers have the safety of kids in mind when they drop them at school and pick them up of an afternoon. However, the safety of our children is put at risk when parking regulations and road signs are not abided by.
These parking regulations are there for a reason and must not be ignored.
School zone speed limit signs are also there to protect children and decrease the chances of them being hurt in a serious accident.
What can you do?
Abide by all road rules and road signs around your school! Remember that obeying these signs not only prevents you from receiving penalties, but it also provides a safe environment for our children around our schools.
What do the signs mean?
No parking
This means that drivers are not allowed to stop their vehicles, except for when they are picking up or setting down goods or passengers. The driver of the vehicle may only stop for a maximum of 2 minutes and the driver cannot move more than 3 metres away from the vehicle.
Bus zone
You must not stop in this zone unless you are driving a public bus. Stopping in a bus zone, even for a short period of time is illegal.
Specified time limited parking signs
Signs with specified parking time limits allow drivers to park their vehicle for a certain period of time, for example, 5 minutes.
No stopping signs
You must not stop in this zone. Stopping in a no stopping zone, even for a short period of time is illegal.
Children crossing signs
When these signs are up at a crossing, drivers must stop if:
- a hand held stop sign is displayed at the crossing, or
- if a pedestrian is on or approaching the crossing.
Fines and demerit points may apply for breaches.
What else should you know?
Double parking
This is illegal and compromises the safety of our children in school zones. A driver must not stop between the centre of the road and another vehicle that is parked at the side of the road.
Parking over driveways
A driver must not stop on a road in a position that obstructs access by vehicles or pedestrians to or from a footpath ramp, footpath, bicycle path or passage way.
Stopping on or near childrens crossings
A driver must not stop on a children's crossing, or on the road within 20 metres before the crossing or 10 metres after the crossing, unless there are parking control signs that permit the driver to do so. Fines and demerit points may apply for breaches.
Remember: These signs are there to protect our children when they are traveling to and from school. By following and adhering to the signs around our schools, we can ensure a safer environment for all children.
Safety tips
- Never double park as it blocks the vision of other drivers, forces children onto the road and obstructs the flow of traffic. Park the car safely, even if it means walking with your children further to the school gate.
- When children are entering or exiting the car, make sure they do so via the 'safety door'. This is the rear, kerb side door of the car.
- If your child travels by bus, meet them at the bus stop and then cross the road together. This goes for going to school as well. Walk them to the bus stop – don’t leave them to cross the road alone.
- At school crossings, slow down and stop when someone is approaching the crossing, is on the crossing or if a crossing supervisor shows the 'STOP' children crossing sign. Where possible crossing supervisors are organised by schools to help kids cross the road safely, so please follow their instructions.
- After school, meet your child at the school gate. Don't ever call them across the road. Teach them to wait until you come to them.
- Always observe the parking signs outside the school. They are there to keep your children safe.
What does 'GO 40 for ME' mean?
40km/hr school zones are in force from 8.00am - 9.30am and 2.30pm - 4.00pm on every school day of the year.
These speed restrictions have been introduced for the safety of small children who:
- can not make judgements about when it is safe to cross the road;
- can not judge distances or speeds of approaching vehicles; and
- are impulsive and easily distracted or confused.
When you see these signs you must slow down and look out for those younger pedestrians that may be trying to cross the road.
Sometimes, children forget to use the designated crossing areas. These speed restrictions help drivers be more aware of their surroundings and of the possibility that a child may act unpredictably. School speed zones are enforceable.
Fines and demerit points could be imposed if you do not obey the speed limit.
Did you know?
A child hit by a car traveling at 40km/hr has a good chance of surviving the impact. However, if the car is traveling at 60km/hr the child would have very little chance of surviving. When driving remember that it takes:
- 40m to stop at 60km/hr
- 30m to stop at 50km/hr
- 18m to stop at 40km/hr
Slow down in our school zones and keep our kids safe!
A message from Woollahra Council
Woollahra Council Parking Enforcement Officers have a visible presence in school zone areas, monitoring motorists and making sure they are adhering to road rules and parking regulations. Parking Enforcement Officers also participate in undercover operations, where they may not be identifiable to the public, however, they are still able to enforce the same rules as they would in uniform.
Undercover operations are only conducted with the agreement of a school or at a school's request. Remember, these Council Officers are there to protect YOUR children. Please do the right thing and obey the signs.
Remember: It pays to know the rules around our schools.