With 40km/h school zones back in force after the holidays, new figures show a decline in the number of offences.
Even so, nearly 15,000 motorists were still caught last year for exceeding the limit.
School zones began operating again on Monday, although most students return from holidays on Tuesday.
Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said the number of school related “legal actions” dropped in 2016-17 by about 1650 to 14,930.
“We are hoping those parents can help us spread the road safety message in their school community,” he said.
“Road safety is our number one priority.
“Despite the decline in legal actions taken, police will remain on the road, targeting those who have been speeding, double parking, or using phones in school zones.
“These are the people who continue to put themselves, their passengers, local school children, parents, siblings, teachers and support staff at great risk in what is a built up, high vehicle and pedestrian area during school hours each day."
Mr Corboy provided the following advice:
Dropping off / picking up by car
- Make sure your children are in an appropriate child car seat that is fitted and used correctly.
- Stick to the 40km/h speed limit in a school zone as children are about.
- Look for buses pulling out – watch for flashing wig wag lights.
- Always park and turn legally around schools.
- Avoid dangerous manoeuvres such as U-turns and three-point turns.
- Always give way to pedestrians particularly when entering and leaving driveways.
- Drop your children off and pick them up on the school side of the road in your school’s designated drop off and pick up area.
- Calling out to them from across the road is dangerous – they may run to you without checking for traffic.
- It’s safest for children to get out of the car on the kerb side of the road to be away from passing traffic.
Walking together to and from school
- Plan your trip to school so you use pedestrian crossings where possible.
- Always hold your child’s hand.
- Children need your help to spot dangers such as vehicles coming out of driveways.
- They can also be easily distracted and wander into traffic.
- Drop off and pick up your child near the school gate and avoid calling them from across the road.
- Talk with your children about Stop, Look, Listen and Think every time they cross the road.
- STOP! one step back from the kerb.
- LOOK! for traffic to your right, left and right again.
- LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic.
- THINK! whether it is safe to cross.