Aussie drivers warned of 48-hour ‘speed fine trap' as school holidays end: 'Higher penalties'
Drivers in one Aussie state are being warned to remain vigilant around school zones and follow the 40km/h speed limit, despite most students not returning to school until Wednesday.
Monday April 28 and Tuesday April 29 are designated 'school development days' in New South Wales, designed as professional learning and planning days for teachers and staff. Students do not attend.
Even though children will not be at school on those days, the lower speed limits will be enforced and could result in a hefty penalty for those who aren't aware of the rules. According to the NRMA, "pupil-free days continue to be a major speed trap for motorists".
Transport for NSW Executive Director Transport Safety Chadi Chalhoub said drivers need to be mindful of school zones regardless of the development days, as there are some students who will be returning to school from Monday.
'We want children to go to school and return home safely, so please follow the speed limit in school zones and watch out for children when they are crossing, waiting to cross or as they get on or off buses," Mr Chalhoub said.
'Drivers who disobey road rules and gamble with the lives of children will face higher penalties and risk losing their licence.'
Figures from 2024 show that an incredible 2,184 speeding fines were issued over the two days leading up to term one, almost doubling the daily average for February.
At the time, NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said too many drivers were being caught out by the 'confusing' return of the speed cameras.
'It is extremely frustrating when drivers who normally abide by the 40 km/h speed limit in school zones are fined on pupil-free days because they were oblivious to the fact that the speed limits applied despite their children not being at school,' he said.
'The overwhelming majority of drivers go to great lengths to do the right thing around school zones and school zone speed limits have overwhelming public support – we just don't want people inadvertently breaking the law and getting fined.
'Confusion and complacency can set in when your children are still at home yet the school zones apply. Please be extra alert tomorrow as you drive through school zones as speed limits will apply.'
The number of pupil-free days in NSW has increased from six days in 2024 to eight days in 2025.
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