Hedland Police target school zones
Port Hedland police targeted motorists speeding in school zones last week as children started the new school year.
Six people were given traffic infringement notices in Port Hedland in the five days to Friday, February 7, with two cautions issued and five negative random breath tests recorded.
School zones are enforced between the hours of 7.30am and 9am, and 2.30pm to 4pm on school days.
One motorist was caught Monday morning last week about 9.30am travelling more than 42km/h over the speed limit on Anderson Street.
Police said if he had been driving 3km faster his car would have been seized under hoon laws.
Port Hedland police Sergeant Jason Gentili said the blitz on school zones aimed to act as a timely reminder to parents and other drivers that it was the start of Term 1.
"We're going to be out there at ad-hoc times and if we catch you speeding you are going to be penalised," he said.
Senior Constable Stuart Edwards said parents were ultimately responsible for their children's road sense.
"Parents need to ensure they are teaching their kids the basic concepts of stop look and listen, and also to make sure they are wearing protective equipment like helmets while on push bikes," he said.
WA Police have caught more than 200,000 motorists speeding in school zones in the past six years, including 137 who exceeded the limit by more than 41km/h.
Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey said it was the duty of all drivers to watch out for children on the roads. "I think there is a wider message here that regardless of whether you are in a 40kmh zone as a road user you have a responsibility to look out for our kids on roads," she said.
