Eye on driving near schools
Police are back on the hunt for drivers speeding past schools as thousands of children return to class this week.
Senior Sergeant Nick Dobson said Central District police would be part of the month-long campaign to monitor driving outside schools.
Anyone caught driving 5kmh or more over the speed limit would be given a ticket, Mr Dobson said.
Speed camera vans would be out in force and there would be an increased police presence.
Mr Dobson said people had probably become accustomed to less traffic on the roads for the past few weeks, but they needed to be aware of children.
‘‘The parents who are driving their kids – give yourselves a few extra minutes,’’ he said.
‘‘Take a big breath and look for kids. Slow down.’’
Mr Dobson said police would also be paying attention to those who flouted the law when it came to yellow no-stopping lines. Parents of schoolchildren often used them, particularly near pedestrian crossings, as a dropping-off point, but this was not safe. ‘‘The yellow lines outside schools are there to remind people not to stop there.’’
He suggested parents consider walking to school with their children to avoid traffic.
The nationwide campaign would have its greatest presence this week, but would continue until the end of next month.