Schools zones back in force as the kids head back to school

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

With the Anzac day long weekend's Operation Go Slow wrapping up overnight, police are urging drivers to continue to be vigilant as school returns around the Hunter this morning.

Thousands of students are heading back into the classroom, with the 40km/h speed limits in force from 8 til 9:30am and 2:30 til 4pm each weeekday.

Officers around the Hunter will be paying special attention to anyone seen breaking the rules.

"We hope that people are seeing the flashing school signs in school areas so please take extra care and make sure you stick the 40 km/h speed limit to ensure that our children, their parents and teachers get to school safely," said Traffic and Highway Chief Inspector Phil Brooks.

With school zones back in place, it's also an opportunity for parents to remind their children how to cross the road safely.

"Teaching your children the importance of crossing the road safely by looking right, left and right again and only using the pedestrian crossings and never assuming that a vehicle will see or stop for a child crossing the road. Many accidents have occurred at pedestrian crossings," said Ambulance Inspector Brian Lakin.

Image mynrma.com.au

School zones get flashing updates

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

SAFE: The upgrades will finish in March [Picture: NRMA]

The school year is kicking off for most of the Hunter’s schools and safety is once again a top concern for everyone.

And that is why four Newcastle schools will be having school zone flashing lights installed to help warm motorists that learning is afoot again

Beresfield, Maryland and Wallsend public schools and St Phillips Christian College Waratah have had flashing lights greenlit for

their zones, with works expected to be completed by early March.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has welcomed the decision, saying it is a “great outcome” for the local schools.

“Some of the schools have been battling for the lights to be installed, as the roads they will be put on are major roads,” she said.

Anderson Drive, which is nearby Beresfield Public School was singled out by Ms Horenry as being a place where parents “have been pushing hard” to get flashing lights.

“There are more school zones that need flashing lights and I will continue to work hard to have those sites included,” Ms Hornery said.

As a former school teacher, Ms Hornery has used the announcement as a “timely reminder that school zones are back in place”.

“Please make sure you slow down around school zones during school zone times,” she said.