The NSW government has identified significant hotspots where drivers frequently violate school zone speed limits, highlighting the need for increased vigilance as students return to classes. The state enforces a strict 40 km/h speed limit in school zones during critical times—between 8 am and 9:30 am and 2:30 pm to 4 pm on school days.
In the last financial year, NSW recorded over 183,000 speeding offences within school zones, a concerning statistic indicating that many drivers disregard safety protocols. The top five hotspots were all located in Sydney, with Chester Hill’s Woodville Road leading the list at a staggering 8615 speed-related fines. Close behind were Ryde’s Victoria Road with 7315 offences, and Kogarah’s Princes Highway with 5866. Other notable locations included the Hume Highway in Yagoona and Cleveland Street in Moore Park.
In regional areas, Gateshead in Lake Macquarie, Wollongong, and Ourimbah on the Central Coast also ranked poorly for school zone speeding offences. NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, expressed concern over these findings, emphasising that over 125,000 drivers chose to speed in active school zones last year, potentially jeopardising children’s safety. Aitchison urged motorists to remain alert and adhere to speed limits, stating, “There’s no excuse for speeding around schools.”
As schools resume, Aitchison highlighted the importance of prioritising safety and being a role model for responsible driving. The state government supports safety initiatives, having installed over 6800 flashing lights in school zones and employed 1500 crossing supervisors across 980 schools. Speeding fines in these areas can range from $238 to $4643 and may also result in demerit points, reinforcing the seriousness of adhering to school zone regulations.