The city's most dangerous school zone was near Radford College in Bruce, where 92 traffic infringement notices were given on College Street.

School zones near Alfred Deakin High School and the Woden School on Denison Street in Deakin (30), near Franklin Early Childhood School on Oodergoo Avenue (26) and on Nullarbor Avenue near Harrison School (20) rounded out the four worst areas.

Of the 438 fines issued between February 1 and October 31, 244 were for speeds less than 15km/h over the speed limit, 186 for greater than 15km/h but less than 30km/h, seven for greater than 30 but less than 45km/h.

Only one fine for a speed greater than 45km/h was issued, ACT Policing says.

Unless drivers become complacent in the final weeks of the school year, the total figure is well down on previous years. In 2015 758 drivers were booked in school zones, down from 827 in 2014.

The ACT government netted close to $600,000 in fines from school zone offences during this period but the statistics prompted incoming Police Minister Mick Gentleman to condemn irresponsible motorists.

"Canberrans speeding in school zones are putting children, our most vulnerable road users, at risk," he said.

"There is absolutely no excuse for speeding in a school zone. Anyone speeding in a school zone is recklessly putting students, parents and teachers in danger."

He urged all Canberrans to stop speeding in school zones. "The risk to our kids is just not worth it."

ACT Policing reiterated the safety message. "Speed limits in school zones are there to ensure the safety of our children and we will continue to proactively target these vulnerable areas to make sure the message is getting through," a spokesman said.

"When flags are up at school crossings drivers must stop and allow pedestrians to cross the road. Only when the pedestrian has left the crossing area may they then proceed."

Penalties for speeding in school zones range from $257 and the loss of one demerit point for exceeding the limit by less than 15km/h to $1,831 and the loss of six demerit points for exceeding the limit by more than 45km/h.

School traffic safety was an issue in the recent ACT election with all parties announcing policies that ranged from flashing lights to school crossing "lollipop" supervisors.

After the election the government agreed to "implement measures to improve road safety around schools, including the development of individual traffic management plans for every school".

Radford College principal Fiona Godfrey said the situation was an ongoing concern.

"Between 8am and 4pm, the stretch of College Street outside Radford is a 40km school zone," Ms Godfrey said.

"At other times it is a 60km zone. While we hope drivers know and observe the 40km school zone limit during the day, we are concerned about the safety of our students, particularly in the afternoon when they all leave at once."

She said school traffic management was always a concern.

"I've not ever worked at a school where it has not been," Ms Godrey said.

"When you have such a large volume of traffic, in such a short period of time, as you do at a school the size of Radford, the possibility of accidents is ever-present. Our primary focus is always on the safety of all members of our school community.

"We continue communicating and working with Roads ACT to ensure the safest possible environment around the college campus."

Radford College opened an entrance on Haydon Drive almost two years ago, with the project costing $2 million. Ms Godfrey said the entrance had eased congestion on College Street.

She said the school had not received any reports this year of accidents or close calls involving students, parents or staff on College Street. She said the school spoke with students about the issue regularly.

"Just this week we had our final secondary school assembly and one of the things we spoke about was vigilance when crossing the roads around the campus as the school year draws to a close."