Speeders in school zones causing alarm

THE lives of children continue to be put at risk by careless drivers.

Today’s report, which reveals motorists are being caught speeding in school zones more than 100 times each day around Queensland, is alarming.

And some of those drivers are doing more than 40km/ h over the speed limit in front of schools.

Young children face an increased risk of being hit by vehicles due to their poor ability to assess the speed of oncoming traffic.

The threat to these children is very serious and there have been calls for the Queensland Government to get tougher on those being caught.

The Pedestrian Council of Australia wants the state to follow the lead of New South Wales where a beefing up of penalties for speeding in school zones include the loss of an extra demerit point and a 25 per cent increase in fines.

To its credit the State Government is pushing ahead with plans to spend $ 12 million on installing more flashing signs in school zones. The flashing signs are effective and leave drivers with no excuses for not easing their foot off the accelerator.

The number of motorists caught speeding in Queensland’s 3100 school zones doubled between 2010 and 2013 before a slight drop in the 2014.

This was attributed by police to increased signage in the school zones.

The Government has indicated it is open to coming down harder on offenders and should be encouraged to do so for the safety of our most precious assets.

JT heading for 4th Dally M

THE North Queensland Cowboys are on track for their best season in the NRL and their star player Johnathan Thurston has been a major part of that success.

Tonight he will look to continue his sparkling form in Monday night football where he has won five man- of- the- match awards this season.

It would be silly to bet against him notching an incredible sixth honour at 1300SMILES Stadium tonight against the Eels as he chases a record fourth Dally M award.