With thousands of children returning to school Ipswich City Council is again reminding drivers to be school safe.
This term council will be focusing on illegal parking around the following schools:
- Deebing Heights State School
- Bremer State High School
- Goodna State School
- Springfield Lakes State School
- Woodcrest State College
- Ipswich North State School
Council’s head of regulatory services Sean Madigan urged parents to do the right thing and avoid a range of fines up to $261 for parking in a bus zone or disabled bay.
“Others infringements include overstaying in a loading zone and double parking,” he said.
“Fines can easily be avoided for illegal parking such as double parking.
“Council receives regular requests from schools to take action against drivers who contribute to making roads unsafe for children, particularly at drop off and pick up times.
“Children, especially the younger ones, can be easily distracted and unpredictable.
“Drivers should always observe the road rules, speed limits and avoid their own distractions.
“Being patient will also help keep our kids safe.”
Parking safety tips around schools
Some schools offer the safety of parking on school grounds. However, these parks can fill up quickly. If you choose to park on the roads or streets around your children’s school:
- say goodbye to your children on the school side of the road—never get them to cross the road to their school’s entrance alone
- walk across the road and meet your children after school (never call out to them from the other side)
- try to leave home early to avoid arriving at the busiest times
- follow the directions of all signs
- park a safe distance from all crossings
- always single park (double parking causes accidents and traffic jams)
- try parking a few streets away from the school and walking with your children
- organise a car pool with other parents—to reduce the number of cars trying to park around your children’s school.
Ipswich City Council has comprehensive information about the School Safe Parking Program here.
For more details on back to school road safety visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads website here.
As part of council’s ongoing commitment to developing healthy, happy and active children in our communities, Ipswich City Council’s Healthy Active School Travel (HAST) Program encourages active transport options like walking, cycling, scooting, skateboarding, public transport and carpooling.
