Safety around schools

Overview

Council Officers and Victoria Police regularly patrol school areas throughout Victoria to protect children and other road users, especially during school hours.

If you arrive at school shortly before the bell sounds, it is very unlikely you will find a legal place to stop near the entrance. Plan ahead, be early or park away from the school and walk your children to school. If available, you should also consider using a school bus for your children. Walking or cycling to school is also a good option.

If you do drive to school, we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the restrictions around the school. Please remember, these restrictions are here for the safety of children and other road users.

When driving around a school, it is important to pay attention to the school zone speed of 40 Kmh. You must also abide by all road rules. This includes not using your mobile phone or any unsafe manoeuvres.

We are all responsible for protecting our children and the children of others. We need to think and act responsibly and show our children the right way by setting a good example. Remember to use the School Crossing and follow the crossing supervisor’s directions. 

Enforcement of Parking and Stopping

Council officers conduct proactive on foot and vehicle patrols of all schools within Moorabool. Enforcement action includes education of motorists and the issuing of infringements.

Infringements can be issued one of three ways:

  1.  On the spot fine attached to the vehicle.
  2. On the spot fine issued to the driver.
  3. Infringements issued and sent in the post.

We are driven by safety concerns and ensuring motorists are educated in road safety around schools.

A common misconception is that you cannot receive a parking infringement if your car is not “parked”, but in fact your vehicle only needs to be stationary regardless of whether your car is in “Park”. For example: stopping in a ‘No Stopping” zone with your car in “Drive” and your foot on the break, you are still stopped illegally and may receive an infringement.

It is important to note that officers will take photos of any offence committed for use as evidence and legal proceedings. 

Other regulations where motorists must not stop include:

  • Stopping on or across driveway or other way of access
  • Stopping on or next to a yellow edge line
  • Stopping within 10 meters of an intersection
  • Stopping on footpaths and nature strips
  • Stopping within 20 meters before or 10 meters after a marked children's crossing
  • Stopping double parked

School Crossings

School Crossing Supervisors play a vital safety role in your children's lives. Crossing supervisors are located at some intersections, pedestrian crossings, and flagged children's crossings within Moorabool Shire. 

When a school crossing is in operation, it is important that everyone crosses at the designated crossing and follows the directions of the crossing supervisor.  Always stand behind the line and wait until the supervisor has clearly blown their whistle. When crossing, do not ride bikes or scooters, bounce balls or run. Cross quickly and safely.

We send our children to school to learn, but we must remember that we need to lead by example, always use the designated crossing.   We need to think and act responsibly and show our children the right way by setting a good example. 

If you have any questions regarding school crossing or parking around schools, please contact Moorabool Shire Council Community safety team on 5366 7100