Parents taking heed of safety signage warning near school

Since launching the campaign last October, the council has rolled out more than 400 safety signs around 93 local schools, which target speeding, illegal parking, U-turns and obstructing driveways.
Principal Monica Palmer from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School at Georges Hall, said she has not had to speak to any parent about school zone offences since displaying the signage.
“On occasion, I have to pull up people about their driving behaviour, but since putting the signs up, there’s been no need to,” Ms Palmer said.
“The signs provide a strong visual reminder that it is a big deal to do the wrong thing in a school zone.”
Ms Palmer said a huge deterrent for parents was the realisation of the fines they could face, ranging from $215 and the loss of two points, to $514 and loss of four points.
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said that as a parent, he knew what it was like to be rushed when dropping off children at school, “but it’s paramount no matter how rushed we are, that we follow the rules”.
“And our campaign is a visual reminder every day they turn up at the school gates,” he said.
Ms Palmer, who is responsible for the safety of 394 students, knows how important it is to encourage safe driving by parents and carers.
“I can’t do it by myself and the campaign is a beautiful partnership to spread that message,” Ms Palmer said.
“If we don’t follow the rules, it could lead to tragic consequences.”
The campaign is supported by parking compliance officers and police continuing to conduct regular patrols of school zones and ensuring everyone is abiding by the rules.