Published Sunday, 17 August, 2008 at 04:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
School zone speeding plea
Premier Anna Bligh has issued a plea to motorists to slow down after new Queensland Transport figures show more than 10,000 drivers were caught speeding in school zones in the past year.
The new figures show that from May 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008 a total of 10,187 motorists were fined for speeding in school zones across Queensland.
The Premier, Police Minister Judy Spence and Transport Minister John Mickel said they were disappointed to learn that a total of 24 people were caught doing over 80km/h in the special 40 km/h zones.
“These figures are frightening for any parent across this state. It is appalling that people would recklessly endanger children’s lives in this way,” said Ms Bligh.
“These figures are a reminder to motorists who think they can ignore the rules of the road and recklessly endanger children’s lives that they will get caught.
“But that would be cold comfort if a child were to die and I would plead with people to just slow down and think about what they are doing.
“There is only so much government can do and ultimately people must be responsible for their own actions.
“School speed zones are clearly marked and are highly visible so there is absolutely no excuse for speeding.”
Minister Spence said: “Police will continue to enforce school speed zones until the message gets through to all road users that this kind of irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated.
“Speed limits in schools zones are there for a very simple reason – to protect our children.
“We’ve already had more than 200 people die on Queensland roads this year, with speeding a major factor in many of these crashes.
“We don’t want to see a senseless tragedy occur outside one of our schools, so I urge motorists to slow down and obey the speed limit.”
Minister Mickel said that research shows children are easily distracted and not always aware of what’s going on around them.
“It only takes two seconds for a child to run from the kerb to the centre of the road and a car travelling at 40 km/hr can stop more than 11 metres sooner than a car travelling at 60km/hr,” he said.
“Sticking to the slower speed limit allows motorists more time to react to the unexpected.
“That difference in stopping distances can mean the difference between life and death.
“School zone speed limits do not operate on weekends, public holidays or on school holidays, but limits and operating times vary depending on the area, so it is essential motorists read the signs and make sure they are travelling at an appropriate speed.
Premiers 07 32244500; Police Minister 07 3239 6218; Transport Minister 07 32371944
The new figures show that from May 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008 a total of 10,187 motorists were fined for speeding in school zones across Queensland.
The Premier, Police Minister Judy Spence and Transport Minister John Mickel said they were disappointed to learn that a total of 24 people were caught doing over 80km/h in the special 40 km/h zones.
“These figures are frightening for any parent across this state. It is appalling that people would recklessly endanger children’s lives in this way,” said Ms Bligh.
“These figures are a reminder to motorists who think they can ignore the rules of the road and recklessly endanger children’s lives that they will get caught.
“But that would be cold comfort if a child were to die and I would plead with people to just slow down and think about what they are doing.
“There is only so much government can do and ultimately people must be responsible for their own actions.
“School speed zones are clearly marked and are highly visible so there is absolutely no excuse for speeding.”
Minister Spence said: “Police will continue to enforce school speed zones until the message gets through to all road users that this kind of irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated.
“Speed limits in schools zones are there for a very simple reason – to protect our children.
“We’ve already had more than 200 people die on Queensland roads this year, with speeding a major factor in many of these crashes.
“We don’t want to see a senseless tragedy occur outside one of our schools, so I urge motorists to slow down and obey the speed limit.”
Minister Mickel said that research shows children are easily distracted and not always aware of what’s going on around them.
“It only takes two seconds for a child to run from the kerb to the centre of the road and a car travelling at 40 km/hr can stop more than 11 metres sooner than a car travelling at 60km/hr,” he said.
“Sticking to the slower speed limit allows motorists more time to react to the unexpected.
“That difference in stopping distances can mean the difference between life and death.
“School zone speed limits do not operate on weekends, public holidays or on school holidays, but limits and operating times vary depending on the area, so it is essential motorists read the signs and make sure they are travelling at an appropriate speed.
Premiers 07 32244500; Police Minister 07 3239 6218; Transport Minister 07 32371944