Warning issued as drivers flout school zone rules
Motorists have confessed to speeding in school zones and using their phones while driving through drop-off areas, a new study has revealed.
The study released by insurer AAMI on Wednesday, found that 56 per cent of primary school children in NSW are now driven or accompanied to and from school by an adult.
Only 37 per cent of parents allow their children to travel to school independently or with peers, a huge shift compared to previous years, where nearly seven in ten Australians (69 per cent) regularly walked, biked, or scooted to and from school on their own.
The main reason for this included dangerous driving behaviours by others, however, some parents have admitted to their own unsafe habits near schools.
A quarter of the 1,000 survey respondents admitted speeding through school zones because they didn't notice signs.
12 per cent admitted to speeding through school zones when they don't see any children around, and others admitted to being distracted by their phone.
A further 12 per cent admitted they do not always follow school 'Drop and Go' zone rules, with over 10 per cent having double parked or stopped in the middle of the road in front of their children's school.
As children head back to school next week, AAMI Motor Claims Executive Manager Luisa Rose said the "findings indicate a generational shift" in how children are commuting to and from school.
"With this shift in our approach to school travel we need to be aware children may not have road safety skills and awareness, increasing the risk of an accident occurring in a school zone," Rose said.
"While understandably not everyone can walk, ride or scoot to school due to distance and time, one thing everyone can do is learn, and follow, is the road rules to ensure our children are safe when arriving at and leaving school."
Russell White, chair and founder of the Australian Road Safety Foundation added that deaths among children aged zero to seven years has increased by 54 per cent last year compared to 2023.
"This year, we hope to see a decrease in road fatalities especially involving children, and we're calling on the community to help," he added.
"AAMI's research findings revealed that Australians are driving recklessly in and around school zones and need to pay attention to speed limits and rules that have been put in place to keep children safe.
"Speed signs in school zones have been around for decades, so there is no excuse to be confused by them or to be caught speeding during those designated times."
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