As Canberra students prepare to return to classrooms, ACT Policing has issued a stern warning to motorists across the territory to strictly observe reduced speed limits in school zones. With 40km/h restrictions now active from 8am to 4pm on weekdays, authorities are emphasising the critical importance of slowing down and remaining vigilant in these high-risk areas.
Alarming Statistics Reveal Persistent School Zone Offences
Recent data released by ACT Policing paints a concerning picture of driver behaviour around educational institutions. Throughout 2025, police officers issued 264 infringement notices and delivered 47 formal cautions to motorists detected exceeding speed limits in designated school zones. Among these violations was one particularly egregious case where a driver was recorded travelling at 89km/h in a 40km/h zone, demonstrating a flagrant disregard for child safety.
Substantial Penalties for School Zone Violations
ACT authorities have demonstrated they will not tolerate speeding near schools, with one 44-year-old Kaleen woman facing severe consequences for her actions. After being caught speeding in a Canberra school zone last year, she received a substantial $2,136 fine and had her driver's licence suspended for six months. This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious repercussions awaiting those who endanger young pedestrians.
Police Emphasise Child Vulnerability on Roads
Detective Superintendent Alex Nicolson of ACT Policing's Road and Proactive Policing division highlighted why reduced speeds around schools are non-negotiable. "The 40km/h limit in school zones provides motorists with additional reaction time to stop in unexpected situations," he explained. "Children represent some of our most vulnerable road users, with their smaller stature and unpredictable movements placing them at significant risk near traffic. It remains deeply disappointing that some drivers continue to gamble with young lives by exceeding speed limits in these sensitive areas."
Ongoing Enforcement Operations Planned
ACT Policing, in collaboration with the ACT Government, has announced plans for continued traffic enforcement operations targeting school zones across the territory. Motorists detected speeding in these protected areas can expect to face financial penalties, demerit point deductions, and potential licence suspensions. These measures form part of a broader strategy to protect students during their daily journeys to and from educational facilities.
The commencement of the new school year brings renewed focus on road safety, with authorities urging all drivers to exercise extreme caution when passing through school zones. The combination of enforcement and education aims to create safer environments for Canberra's youngest residents as they navigate the territory's road network.
