School’s back for term four and East Gippsland Shire Council is reminding parents to be cautious when dropping off and collecting children from school.
Council’s community laws coordinator, Bill Petersen, said most schools have drop off and pick up zones that allow parents to pull in, drop off or pick up children and then drive off.
“These areas are designed to enable a large volume of cars to access the school pick up or drop off zones in a short period of time with minimal congestion,” Mr Petersen said.
“Users of these zones must not leave the vehicle and have several minutes before being required to move on. Substantial fines apply to those who disobey these signs.
“Parents intending to stay longer than the three minutes and are not engaged in simply picking up or dropping off children must park in areas where there are no restrictions.”
Mr Petersen encouraged all parents to ensure they read the parking signs before they park.
“The safe and efficient movement of vehicles around our schools is paramount to protecting our young children as they arrive and leave school each day,” he said.
“Council’s community laws officers are often notified to deal with some motorists who continually behave in an inappropriate manner and compromise road safety. Council will not be issuing warnings to motorists doing the wrong thing.
Authorised officers will be patrolling schools during peak times and issuing fines to those breaching road rules.
“Motorists who offend and drive off will be posted fines.”
Council staffs 16 school crossings across East Gippsland, operating at the start and end of every school day.
PICTURED: School crossing supervisor, Lorraine Warford, helps families get to and from Bairnsdale Primary School safely.
