Aussies warned over little-known 'speed fine trap' from this week: 'Confusing'
Road authorities are warning drivers not to fall into an annual "speed fine trap" in the lead-up to school's return, which sees Aussie parents penalised at a much higher rate compared to the rest of the year.
In NSW, four back-to-back pupil free days will take place from tomorrow until February 5, with children to return on the 6th. These days are designed to help teachers and staff plan for the term ahead, without the presence of students.
While there will be no kids on campus across that period, school zones will be in operation from today and school zone speed limits will be enforced. According to the NRMA, "pupil-free days continue to be a major speed trap for motorists".
The authority said an incredible 2,184 fines for speeding were issued to drivers in just two days prior to term one — February 4 and 5 — in 2024. An average of 1,092 fines were issued between January 30 and 31 — almost doubling the daily average for February (598).
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury warned speed cameras in school zones are switched on and at the ready to catch drivers breaking the law. He said motorists are at risk of being fined at almost twice the rate during pupil-free days, compared to when students had returned to class.
"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," Mr Khoury said.
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"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."
Khoury said "confusion and complacency" can set in when "kids are still at home yet school zones apply". "Please be extra alert tomorrow as you drive through school zones as speed limits will apply," he said.
Throughout the 2025 school year the number of pupil free days will increase from six in 2024 to eight days. This includes the four pupil-free days on January 31 and February 3, 4 and 5.
"There is clearly a case for more education in the lead-up to the start of the 2025 school year, particularly as pupil-free days see almost double the number of speeding fines in school zones compared to when children return to class," Khoury said.
"After almost two months of school holidays the day to change driver behaviour is tomorrow when school zones are enforced and not next Thursday when students return otherwise the next four days could see another huge spike in drivers fined for speeding."
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