The 2012 new school year is upon us and motorists are being asked to take extra care when travelling through our school zones.

Lithgow City Council is reminding motorists that 40km/h speed limits are enforced in signed school zones in our local government area.

“Drivers should always observe the school zone signs which require you to travel at lower speeds from 8am through to 9.30 am and 2.30 to 4pm. This will help you prepare for potentially unexpected pedestrian behaviour around schools” said Mayor Neville Castle

Some children, parents and caregivers may have forgotten about road safety after the long holiday break and this means that motorists and pedestrians have to be extra careful during the first few weeks of the new term especially.

Drivers need to be particularly careful and look out for children riding bikes, crossing roads, getting off buses and out of vehicles.

If you are travelling through a school zone where there is a school crossing supervisor remember to always obey their instruction. Stop if they ask you to and wait until they return to the kerb and signal for you to proceed.

Being cautious and slowing down will not make much difference to your travel time, but it could save a child’s life. If necessary leave home a little earlier so you have extra time to find a parking space around the school.

“When you are driving your child to school, use the time to remind them of what they need to do to be safe” said Councils Road Safety Officer, Miss Snow.

 Council Rangers and local Police will be patrolling School zones to enforce parking restrictions and illegal road user behaviour.

Teachers return to school on January 27, this is a gazetted school day and the 40km/h speed zone will be in force. Please remember on school days that 40km/h speed zones operate between 8.00am and 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4pm.

Contact:

Mayor Neville Castle
Tel: 02 6354 9999
Fax: 02 6351 4259

Kym Snow
Road Safety Officer
Tel: 02 6354 9999
Fax: 02 6351 4259