With school students heading back to the classroom in early February, Southern District Police are reminding parents and others who drive near schools at peak times to be vigilant and drive safely.
Since 2005, 133 children (aged between four and 18) have received serious (24) or minor injuries (109) within 250m of the school zone during school terms on roads in the Southern District. The key risk times are between 7.30am and 9.00am and 2.30pm to 4.00pm during weekdays. Drivers aged between 15-19 years were at fault in 48% of the injury crashes.
District Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Steve Larking said a district-wide campaign will be targeting excessive speed around schools and school bus routes at the start of the 2010 school year.
"It's a new term and a new start for some students so we need to be extra careful with our driving habits around schools. Parents need to be mindful of not double parking or parking on yellow lines when dropping children off and give themselves plenty of time to get children to school safely," Snr Sgt Larking said.
"Some children will have received a new bike for Christmas and be riding these to school for the first time - so please be aware of children on bikes," he said.
Police will be using both speed cameras and lasers and strictly enforcing the speed limit within a school zone, which is within 250 metres of school boundaries. Drivers travelling at 6 or more km/hour over the posted speed limit will be issued an infringement notice.
Staff will also be monitoring school bus routes and enforcing the 20km/hour restriction that applies for vehicles passing a stationary school bus that is stopped for the purpose of picking up or letting students off a bus.
"Our aim is to prevent fatal and injury crashes involving children around schools," said Snr Sgt Larking.
The back to school campaign has been endorsed by the Board of Commissioners, the Minister of Police and the National Road Safety Committee (LTNZ, MOT, ACC, Local Government NZ and Health).
The campaign will run until 12 February.
ENDS