As students return for the new school year, police are reminding motorists to slow down and take extra care around school zones.<\/p>\n
It follows a devastating number of pedestrian fatalities in 2025, with 52 pedestrians killed, including four children aged 18 years or under.<\/p>\n
Two of those losses were felt close to home, with a six-year-old boy killed while walking to school in Teesdale and a 15-year-old boy struck in Bendigo.<\/p>\n
Police are calling on drivers to reduce speed near schools and remain alert for children walking or crossing roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the return of the school term this week, we want everyone to take extra care when travelling around school zones,” road policing assistant commissioner Glenn Weir said.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren are amongst our most vulnerable road users, and it\u2019s up to all of us to ensure they\u2019re protected.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor motorists, this means slowing down and remaining alert around school zones and crossings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also asking parents, carers and teachers to talk to children about the importance of road safety and teach them to stop, look, listen and think when crossing the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cSlowing down means everyone can get to school and return home safely at the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
There will be an increased police presence as schools return to ensure motorists are adhering to the reduced speed limits.<\/p>\n
Motorists should also be on the lookout for school crossing supervisors and consider their safety as they step out onto the roads to assist children to safely cross the road.<\/p>\n
Police have witnessed and issued 53 infringements to motorists for failing to stop at a children\u2019s crossing in the past four years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As students return for the new school year, police are reminding motorists to slow down and take extra care around school zones. It follows a devastating number of pedestrian fatalities in 2025, with 52 pedestrians killed, including four children aged 18 years or under. Two of those losses were felt close to home, with a […]<\/p>\n