MOTORISTS are urged to check their speeds in school zones following alarming data which shows offences have surged by more than 40pc in the past four financial years.
Statistics released by the RAA have revealed 320 motorists were caught speeding through school zones from 2018 to 2019, with one driver surpassing the 25kph speed limit by a whopping 38kph.
Millicent High School students claimed to have witnessed people speeding in the Mount Burr Road school zone “all the time”, but said the offences went unreported.
Student Trey Little claimed to see speeding motorists “all the time” and Kaden Thomas said “some people do not give way at the crossing either”.
Teacher Greg Dower also expressed concerns about dangerous school zone driving around Science Avenue.
“I have reported some incidents to the police and they are prompt with their call out,” he said.
“We have a good relationship with the police, however there could be more of an active presence.”
Mr Dower said he was concerned about drivers not giving way to students at the crossing.
However, Newbery Park Primary School principal Stuart Miller said speeding incidents were isolated and parents were careful on the roads.
“We have not really had a problem with it, our school community does the right thing and it only occurs from time to time,” he said.
“The school is proactive in using school traffic monitors who have been trained by SAPOL.
“The majority of people are respectful of our school zone and parents especially do the right thing.”
Millicent North Primary School principal Graham Slarks said the school had reported a few incidents, however it was usually a case of drivers just forgetting to go from 50kph to 25kph in a school zone.
“The police here have a presence on a semi-regular basis and for drivers it’s a good wake up call to slow down,” he said.
“With the congestion caused by buses and students going to their cars I would even advise people to go slower sometimes.
“You just do not know what a student will do, whether they’ll accidentally run out onto the road.”
Millicent police officer in charge Senior Sergeant First Class Rick Errington said complaints were taken seriously.
“We always advise people to drive to conditions and be respectful of speed limits,” he said.
“In 25kph zones we even suggest going slower and paying attention to your surroundings.
“Currently we are targeting driver distraction and we ask drivers not to be distracted by their phones or the radio, especially in sites with vulnerable pedestrians such as schools.”
