The holidays are over with Term 3 starting at all schools across the Northern Rivers today. It may not be the start for all students, as some hit the classrooms tomorrow, but the 40km/h school zone speed limits will be in place from 8am to 9:30am and again from 2:30pm to 4pm.

Sally Webb, Deputy Secretary for Safety, Environment and Regulation at Transport for NSW, said it is crucial for all road users to remain vigilant and proactively take steps to protect our kids.

“School zones across the state will be enforced from today (Monday) so please look for the flashing lights and the signposted hours of reduced speed limits around schools,” Ms Webb said.

“While Monday may be a student-free day for some schools, there may still be many students returning to the classrooms, so please slow down in and around school zones to ensure they can get to and from their places of learning safely.

“Most school zones operate from 8am to 9:30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm, where the speed limits are 40km/h. However, there are a small number of non-standard school zones in NSW with different times and speed limits. These school zones are identified by red/orange school zone signs.”

The winter months can present unique challenges for motorists in NSW.

“We urge all drivers to exercise caution, reduce their speed, and remain attentive to their surroundings, especially in foggy, wet, or icy conditions,” Ms Webb said.

“Reduced visibility can make it difficult for drivers to anticipate the presence of pedestrians, particularly children who may be less visible in poor weather conditions.”

Higher fines and demerit points apply for certain offences committed in an active school zone, such as speeding, parking or stopping illegally, using a mobile phone illegally and illegal U-turns.

The NSW Government has implemented several safety initiatives to improve the visibility of school zones including signage, road markings, flashing lights and school crossing supervisors.

For more information on school zones, please visit the Centre for Road Safety website here:https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/community/schools/school-zones.